Page 4 of All Hallows' Maze
“Perfect.”
Dakota
Lightning flashed outside the Hart residence and thunder started roll in the distance. I decided to spend my first night reclaimed freedom with Victor, but it had been a self-serving decision. The weather app said a storm was coming, and I missed many of those nights thanks toher.I stood and stripped my hoodie off, tossing it and the controller beside Vic.
“I’ll be back, I’m gonna go check on Vera.”
“Yeah, man,” he said, never taking his eyes off the TV screen. As I walked out, he groaned and released some frustration. Vic wasn’t stupid by any means, but he’d never confronted me about Vera, and it made me wonder if maybe he was just oblivious instead.
I took the stairs two at a time, keeping my footfalls light as I saw her door cracked and room dark. Pushing it open, lightning flashed and briefly lit her suite. The patterning of rain against the window was the only sound and a cold breeze moved through the room. I walked over to the French doors that led to her balcony and closed them. Veradis was forgetful about those, but it came from our habit of sneaking in or out when we were younger, so I wasn’t going to complain.
More lightning flashed as I approached her bed and drew back the covers to slide in behind her. The scent of her sheets was dizzying. Between her and whatever detergent Mrs. Hart used, I never wanted to leave her bed. Carefully, I wedged my arm under her pillow and cradled her head in the bend of my elbow. The storm picked up and I tucked her into me, mindfully keeping my hand pressed over her stomach when I realized she wore a cropped shirt.
The room went blindingly bright and shook as thunder cracked through the sky in a percussive wave. Veradis jumped, gasping and trying to sit up. She shook and I tightened my grip.
“It’s okay,” I whispered into her hair. “Another summer storm, it’ll pass.” She rolled over, planting her face against my chest and throwing her knee over my hip. I slid my thigh under her ass, cocooning her as more thunder rolled and rolled. On her exposed back I drew slow circles.
“Don’t leave yet,” she begged, my shirt gripped tightly in her hands.
“Never,” I whispered. Covering her ear with my palm, I tilted her head back and kissed her forehead. “Try to go back to sleep, it won’t last long, okay?” My fingers threaded into her soft, thick waves and I stroked the long strands and fanned them out over her pillow.
Astraphobia is what she told me her therapist diagnosed her with years ago. Before moving, the Hart family lived in the Midwest. As a young child, their original family home was destroyed by a tornado and left a lasting impression on her mentally. The first year we became friends, summer storms were frequent and during a sleepover she freaked out. Veradis ran and hid, I found her in the back of her closet shaking with her hands over her ears as tears streamed down her puffy cheeks. Not knowing what to do, I sat in the closet with her until it passed. That was my first silent promise to her.
Veradis wouldn’t be alone in a storm if I was near her.
The grip on my shirt loosened as she relaxed, and her breathing steadied. Her eyes were closed, but I watched for any signs that she was awake. Her mouth parted and her breaths came deep and slow. Occasionally, a soft snore left her, and it was my favorite sound. I brushed my thumb over her reddened cheek.
“This is what I can’t bargain,” I whispered even if she couldn’t hear me. “No matter how many times I’ve tried to, I just can’t.”
I kissed the corner of her mouth as the thunder softened in the distance. The closest I’d ever bring myself to be.
“As much as you’re mine, I am yours.”
CHAPTER3
Vera
September— The Summer Before College
The knockat my door was pointless since it opened immediately. I didn’t have to turn in my reading chair to know it was Victor. The pause was the second tell.
“Hey, V?”
“Hmm,” I answered, noncommittally and unwilling to look away from the scene I was in the middle of.
“Cody’s coming over.” The words stirred me, but I forced myself to keep all excitement and reactions on the inside.
“That’s nice,” I said trying to mimic the same tone from before.
“He’s spending the night.” Victor didn’t usually care to involve himself in our friendship and the excitement I felt turned to anxiety that put me on edge.
“I figured.” The extending silence evoked the need to look at him. His eyes were a darker shade of blue than mine, and right now they were scrutinizing me. So much judgement in such a small squint.
“‘Kay.” He closed my door, and I sighed in relief.
Sharing a best friend was one thing, I didn’t even want to process the idea of that dynamic changing. This time, I decided to show a bit of restraint and leave them to whatever they planned for the evening. The newest release from my favorite author was enough to keep me distracted and I made peace with being holed away.
I pretended that my heart didn’t beat a little faster when I heard the front door open.
