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Darkness closes in on all sides, but you keep running, too afraid to turn back and see what's chasing you. All you know is that it must not catch up to you, no matter what.
Scenes from days long gone play back through your brain as you run through this empty and cold void. All the times you've been hurt, all the times you've been wronged, it all seems so vivid.
You attempt to mentally push the memories away and keep running, but they are slowly chipping away, weakening your will to keep running. No matter how hard you try, the memories keep closing in.
At this point, running feels useless, but you can't stop. It feels like everything will catch up eventually, yet you keep sprinting in vain, hoping to put any amount of distance between you and your surroundings.
The frigid air digs into your skin as you keep desperately making your way through the darkness. You feel isolated and cold, separated and devoid of any source of warmth. Why do you keep seeing this horrid scenery again and again? It feels like torture. Torture that you've done nothing to deserve.
Voices pierce through the air as the darkness presses down even harder. They all tell of disgust and disappointment. As you run, you can't help but feel streams of tears sliding down your face. He's always told you to never listen to what others say about you, but it's impossible for you to ignore them at this volume.
Your running falters for just a moment, and you stumble. You pick back up right after, but not without everything seeming much closer. You hear raging footsteps behind you. The voices criticize and ridicule you even louder, and you can't see in front of you all. The tears keep flowing from your eyes.
After another trip, you fall to the ground. Everything around you feels suffocating. You can barely breathe as you turn around in horror to see whatever was giving chase. A warped image of darkness towers over you, bearing a familiar form. His form.
"I-I'm sorry!" You sputter, hoping this impostor would give you even the slightest sliver of mercy.
The morphed darkness merely stares down at you, with disgust in its eyes. How come it took his form, the form of the one who is always there for you? He could never be this upset with you, even when he is sleep-deprived.
Your crying doesn't cease, and the darkness and voices all blend in a mix of mockery and disgust.
"P-please! Spare me!" You beg in vain.
The mass of darkness morphs a large arm with sharp, shredding claws. It holds the claw far above you, and brings it down.
Before it hits you, you finally wake up. Your bedroom is dark, and heavy rain pours outside your windows. Your blankets are a mess, strewn all over your bed and damp from tears. You reach up to rub your eyes, wetting your hands with your continued crying.
Your room lights up for the briefest moment as lightning flashes not too far off. Thunder ensues not long after, shaking the room. The heavy rain ceaselessly comes down on the roof, making you feel all the more isolated. You can't help but keep crying.
The door suddenly opens, only adding to the scare. Your brain is too overwhelmed to process anything properly.
Noli enters with his usual bravado. "Never fear, for the great Noli is here--are you alright!?" He drops the tone immediately and rushes over to you, sitting down on your bed.
"I'm... scared," you whimper. It's all you can get out through your tears.
He opens his arms out wide, "Come here, my dear star."
You sit up and hug Noli, and he warmly receives you. The warmth and softness of his hoodie is your only anchor within your storming mind. You let everything go and continue to sob in his embrace.
"Tell me," Noli whispers in a gentle and comforting tone. "What's wrong? Another nightmare, I take it?"
You nod in response as you keep crying into his chest.
"You can tell me about it if you want," Noli whispers while rubbing your back. "I'm here for you, like always. I'm here to listen."
Most of the details have already been blocked out, except for the dark figure which loomed above you that took Noli's form. The way it looked down at you in disgust still pierces your heart. Noli only looks more concerned as you tell him this.
"I could never look at you that way," he reassures you. "Never."
You look up at him for a moment, and he takes the sleeve of his hoodie to wipe your tears dry. The mouth of his mask forms into a slight, warm smile.
"It's shame to see your sweet face so sad," Noli says. "I won't leave your side until you're feeling better."
You continue to cry in his chest. Thunder rumbles again somewhere in the distance, and you tremble in response, shaking your fragile and vulnerable mind again.
"Don't worry, my dear star. You're safe and warm with me," Noli declares, while rubbing your back again. "Nothing can reach you here with me protecting you."
The rain continues to drum on the roof, but being with Noli helps you shake off the suppressive feeling. You truly feel safe in his arms, despite how horrifying and nasty your nightmare was.
"Please, take all of the time you need." Noli presses his mask-covered face against your hair for a moment, imitating a light kiss on top of your head. "Remember, I'm here for you. Always."
You eventually calm down after some more time spent crying while Noli comforts you. You continue to sit in his warmth, with his arms around you.
"Noli, could you please stay with me for the rest of the night?"
"What will I ever do with you?" Noli lets out an over-dramatic sigh. "Of course, my dear star." He smiles again.
Your head hits the pillow again as Noli lays the blankets on top of you both. He hugs you again, pulling you close.
The nightmare plays back in your mind again. You know it isn't real, but the morphed and towering darkness still scares you enough to bring you to tears again. Noli notices and pulls you closer as you cry into his hoodie once more.
"Shhh, it's going to be alright, my dear star," Noli whispers. "You can cling to me as much as you wish, even after your tears dry."
As the rain keeps falling, you gradually grow sleepy in Noli's arms.
"Remember, my dear star," Noli says. "You're the most precious person to me in the world. I'll always be here for you, and I'll always shield you, no matter what."
"Thank you, Noli," you respond.
You hear one final "I love you" as you drift off to sleep in Noli's warm embrace.