Chapter Text
The sand is hot under my feet as the waves crash against the shore.
The sun is blinding as I look to the horizon.
Where are you?
Come back to me!
An evil cackle momentarily distracts me and I turn my head.
Ice cold terror pierces my heart as the demonic form shifts from woman to woman, all intent on dragging you down to the depths of hell. Young, old, blonde, brunette, related, not–every possible permutation that’s been part of your despair. The constantly-morphing screeching dark souls of those who should have protected you but never did and those you should have been protected from.
You haven’t been blameless–far from–but you never really had a chance against them. Those who didn’t protect you when you were young and vulnerable, revering those who should not have been held in high regard and sacrificing you on the alter of their misguided religion. Those who manipulated you for their own gain as you grew out of adolescence, convincing you you were wrong to have desires, that your brain hadn’t developed, that you were inferior and undeserving when you were no older than I was when we met. Those who took advantage and manipulated you into situations when you were too altered to truly consent, who wanted the movie star and did their best to snag Mr. Right, then turned it around on you–vindictive and vengeful at the offense of finding out they were only ever Ms. Right Now. Even those you’d never even met but were intent on bringing you down for what you looked like, where you came from, what you represented.
“Armie!”
I scream frantically and wave my arms, trying to get your attention, trying to get you back to shore.
Trying to convince you to fight back.
To live.
My love, come back to me.
Let me speak.
Let me tell the world they’ve all got it wrong.
Please
“Shhh”
Your voice breaks into my dream and I settle against your chest with an exhale as you pull me close.
Relief washes over me in my half-awake state–a beautiful counterpoint for the waves haunting my dreams.
You are safe.