12 | in your arms

The darkness of the room was oppressive, and I could feel the familiar weight of dread pressing down on me. I was back in our apartment, and the door slammed open. Chris stumbled in, his eyes wild and unfocused. I could smell the alcohol on his breath from across the room. My heart pounded in my chest, and I tried to stay calm, to not provoke him.

"Where the hell have you been?" he slurred, his voice a dangerous growl.

"I-I was just here, Chris," I stammered, backing away. "I haven't gone anywhere."

He lunged at me, grabbing my arm with bruising force. "Don't lie to me, Lucy!" he shouted, shaking me violently.

I cried out in pain, tears streaming down my face. "Please, Chris, you're hurting me!" I pleaded, trying to break free.

But he was relentless. His fist connected with my face, and I felt a sickening crunch as pain exploded in my cheek. I fell to the floor, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. I sobbed, curling into a ball, trying to protect myself from his blows.

"You're useless!" he screamed, kicking me in the ribs. "Pathetic!"

My vision blurred, and I thought I might pass out from the pain. Everything started to go dark, but then, suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door. The scene shifted, and I heard Tim's voice, distant but urgent.

"Lucy! Lucy, wake up!" His voice grew louder, and I felt hands shaking me.

I jolted awake, gasping for breath. The room was dark, but I was in bed, not on the floor. Tim was leaning over me, his face etched with concern. "Lucy, it's just a dream. You're safe," he said, his voice gentle but firm.

I couldn't speak. My body trembled, and I started to sob uncontrollably, the fear and pain from the nightmare still gripping me. Tim pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. "It's okay, I've got you," he whispered, stroking my hair. "You're safe with me."

I buried my face in his chest, letting his warmth and strength calm me. My sobs gradually subsided, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was grounding, a reminder that I was no longer alone in that terrible place.

Tim pulled back slightly, brushing the tears from my cheeks. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly.

I shook my head, my voice still shaky. "No, I don't want to talk about it," I whispered, the words catching in my throat.

He nodded slowly, respecting my boundaries. "Okay, I understand," he said, his voice full of compassion. He lay back down beside me, and we lay there in silence for what felt like an eternity. The darkness of the room was now filled with the quiet sounds of our breathing.

After a while, I spoke up, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I can't sleep," I admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, I see the nightmare ."

Tim sighed softly. "I can't sleep either," he confessed. "Not when you're hurting like this."

I looked at him, the concern in his eyes making my heart ache. "Can I...can I hug you while I sleep?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Tim didn't hesitate. He opened his arms for me, his expression gentle. "Of course," he said softly.

I crawled into his embrace, pressing my face into his chest. His strong arms wrapped around me, making me feel safe and protected. I felt like I could truly let my guard down. His presence was a shield against the nightmares, a comfort I hadn't realized I needed so desperately.

As I lay there, nestled in Tim's arms, the fear and pain began to fade. His warmth enveloped me, and I felt my body relax. Within minutes, I drifted off to sleep, feeling safer. Tim held me close, his steady breathing a lullaby that chased away the darkness. We both fell asleep quickly, finding solace in each other's arms.

please vote and comment!!a short one but a good one