Page 27 of Dark Therapy
I took a deep breath, willing myself to steady my racing heart. “I can’t let him control me again. I can’t go back to that place.”
“You won’t,” she assured me, her grip tightening as if to anchor me to reality. “We’ll make sure he can’t get to you.”
The weight of her words settled in the air, both comforting and daunting. “But what if he knows? What if he’swatchingme right now?” The thought sent a chill down my spine, tightening the grip of dread around my heart.
“He’s not a ghost, Amelia. He can’t just appear whenever he wants. We’ll take this one step at a time. We’ll figure out how to protect you, and I promise you’re not alone in this.”
I nodded slowly, her reassurance giving me a moment of clarity amid the chaos in my mind. “Okay,” I said, my voice a little steadier. “Let’s report it. I don’t want to feel like a victim anymore.”
Emily nodded, determination etching her features. “That’s the spirit. We’ll tackle this together.”
I glanced at the box with the dried moth, my heart heavy with memories I couldn’t shake. It was a reminder of my dark past, and I refused to let it define me any longer.
“Let’s get back to the party,” I said, forcing a smile through the haze of anxiety. “I want to enjoy this night with my friends.”
Emily smiled back, a spark of pride in her eyes as she took my hand. “That’s what I like to hear. You deserve to celebrate, Amelia.”
As we walked back toward the laughter and warmth of the party, I could feel the embers of fear still flickering, but I was determined not to let them extinguish my spirit. I had people who cared about me, and I was ready to embrace the moment, to fight against the shadows of my past.
THE EDGE OF SURRENDER
Amelia
The night was heavy with silence, each creak of the floorboards echoing in the stillness of my house. I’d spent the day in a daze, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in my chest. After I’d gathered enough courage to report the incident to the police, I returned home, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. Emily had offered to stay with me, but I insisted I was fine, brushing off her concern. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this. Even though I knew deep down it was a monumental deal.
The clock on the wall ticked steadily, a reminder of time moving forward, while I felt stuck in a loop of fear and flashbacks.
I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling the chill of the evening seep into my bones. Every noise outside made my heartrace. I moved to the living room and switched on the lights, the bright glow momentarily pushing back the darkness, yet it did little to alleviate my unease.
With shaky hands, I poured myself a glass of water, the cool liquid refreshing against my dry throat. I needed to calm down, to remind myself that I was safe here. I took a sip, focusing on the taste, grounding myself in the present. But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, the remnants of panic lingered.
My phone buzzed on the counter, startling me. I picked it up to find a text from Emily:Just checking in. Are you okay?
I quickly typed back:I’m fine. Just trying to unwind. Thanks for being here today.
The three dots appeared, indicating she was typing a response. I set the phone down, pacing the room, glancing out the window as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows. When my phone chimed again, I picked it up.
Emily:I’m coming over. I can’t just leave you alone like this.
I sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and gratitude. Part of me wanted to insist she stay away, to give me space to deal with my thoughts. But another part of me craved her company, knowing it might provide some comfort against the ghosts that haunted me. I told her not to come.
Before Emily could respond, my phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming call. I glanced at the screen and felt a rush of relief mixed with anxiety—it was David, my older brother.
I answered, “Hey, David.”
“Amelia!” he exclaimed, his voice tense with worry. “I just saw the police report. Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
I winced, guilt washing over me. “I didn’t want to bother you with it. I thought I could handle it myself.”
“Handle it?” He sounded incredulous. “You’re talking about a threat to your safety! This is serious. You can’t just brush it off.”
I could hear the concern in his tone, and it made my heart ache. “I know, I know. But I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I thought it was just a stupid prank.”
“Stupid prank?” He huffed, his voice rising in frustration. “You think a dead moth in a box is a prank? Someone clearly has it out for you. I sent a police officer to survey your house for the night, just until we can get in contact with Ben.”
The name sent a jolt of ice through my veins, the darkness of my past creeping closer. “David, you don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine—”
“Stop,” he interrupted firmly. “I’m not going to let you downplay this. You need to take this seriously. Just stay inside, and keep the doors locked.”