“Faster, (n/n)! Faster!”

The whisk beat against the sides of the bowl, light scraping noises followed. My muscles were tight in my (d/h) arm as the mixture came together.

Squeals darted through my ears as the soft screech of chained metal swung North and South from my position.

The broad knife snapped against the wooden counter. The noise of shifting vegetables was more home than other parts. My fingers gripped harder on the stainless steel whisk handle as the beating of batter grew steady.

“No!”

My head snapped as I grabbed my head, shooting back. Part of my back slammed into the island behind as the rest of me was caught by a strong arm. My lungs grasped for air, heart faltering as it contorted harder and harder.

“Sissy help!”

“Hey..hey..” A voice soothed.

“You are my sunshine…”

Voices crowded my head.

“Why are you doing this!?”

“Let me go, please!”

“Foxy, what's going on-?”

“Shut up!” I screamed, startling the body away from me. I yelped, my own body beginning to move backwards. Quick steps led to me as the body came back and grabbed me. I gasped as the ground still came up and stopped just below me.

“I got you… it's okay…” My hands still tried to smack and throw hits in front of me. The pair of arms that held me moved to grab my wrists, holding them still. My eyes shot open as I looked up at this force holding me back.

“Nothing is there… I’m here. Nothing's gonna hurt you.” My eyes met the gentle sky blue eyes of the person holding me. Tears started to drip down from the corners, running down near my earlobes. He gently smiled as his thumb gently brushed them off, the peach fuzz of my cheeks brushing the direction of the movement.

“Its okay, (y/n)..” Our steps stopped, not pushing forward as he stood behind me. My hands shook before another pair guided mine.

“Remember the next step?”

“Y-Yes…” My hoarse voice echoed in my mind. Time passed quickly as Garroth reached in front of us, grabbing the fruit in the bowl. I helped by scooping out small handfuls of diced strawberries, halved blueberries, and ripped raspberries. I smiled lightly as he mixed the batter while I diligently sprinkled the fruit, creating the heterogeneous mixture.

I sure hope these taste okay. I've never made muffins with fresh fruit.

Garroth left my side, grabbing a few muffin pans from the Lazy Susan, spraying cooking oil to create a thin film, then I grabbed a one-third measuring cup, putting the muffin batter inside.

The gooey-ness soaked up the oil as it settled, soon each of the twenty-four muffin holders were filled. He smiled as he wiped some batter from the sides of the pan, swiped it across my nose, then bent over to put it in the sweltering oven.

He set the stove timer before he turned to my position.

“Is it another one of the attacks..?” He asked gently, cautious of how he explained it.

I looked down as I tried to shrink back. I really didn't know. Why would I have this happen to me when I've never been through a situation as this? I don't have PTSD. Other than my brother and sister, there's not much that has happened to me.

I'm still unable to understand why Sara is gone… what could have happened?

Whatever happened shook Dad up. He hasn’t been the same since. He texts me more, wanting to talk a little bit, calling every other night. Mom hasn’t spoken at all. The time I went down the street to them she was just humming a sad tune as she cleaned, dust in the air, choking me out of staying. It wasn’t long enough to keep me from listening.

Her tune was sad, words were becoming clear.

“Why do you hide inside your walls… when there is music in my halls…” My gaze in response led to father’s office. The dim light was on inside, only enough to indicate that he was in there.

He talks to mom, I know he does because she hasn’t left yet. But every day seems more and more empty.

Reality soon came back. I looked up at Garroth as he was walking to me, a warm rag in his hand. I saw the vapor that rose from the soft cloth, him setting it next to me on the bed before he pulled a chair up.

“May I..?” He gently asked as he looked me in the eyes, intent to try to care for me.

My eyes glanced down at his hands, moving positions from his hands to his arms, arms to his shoulders, shoulders to chin, then finally his eyes.

“...Yes.” I had a barely audible answer.

He lightly smiled to me, his gaze soon going down, setting on my clothed arms. He carefully rolled my sleeves up before gently touching the top of the cloth wraps. My eyes tightly shut as he slowly revealed the cuts still there.

He knew it was hard to stop. It felt like an animal instinct that never should be revealed. The first taste of blood and you want more. It was an awful addiction that I couldn't stop.

The warm cloth was gone, now touching my arm. I whimpered as the cuts burned, my muscles tensed before I tried pulling away.

He grabbed my hand and looked up at me, “Its okay.. I'm almost done..”

I pinched my eyes shut as he finished, rewrapping my arms in new cloth. I slowly began to open my eyes before I looked up at him.

He tossed the wet washcloth into the laundry basket before I shot up and hugged him. His steps faltered, catching us as his comforting embrace was around me. My eyes watered, small cries escaping my lips.

“It’s hard to break away. But right now, (y/n), you need to trust me…” The girl’s voice was very quiet. A bitter chill went down my spine before I looked at Garroth, “I’m..tired…”

He looked at me gently and nodded, “You go ahead and sleep for a little bit.. I’ll go finish baking.”

His footsteps echoed as he walked away, leaving me in quiet solitude. It was different to be alone again. The silence wanted to take me away, the light creeped in without welcome, shoved back by the darkness. I cautiously laid back down on the bed, looking to the window.

“Who is it this time..?”

“Remember Henry?”

I rose a brow, “Like- dad's best friend Henry? Or some random Henry that existed?”

She softly looked at me with those silver eyes. I was quiet for a moment before looking down, “Yes. That Henry…” she quietly remarked.

I looked at the ceiling. My eyes blinked a few times before her silver eyes once again met mine. I jumped, my breathing heightened as she frowned. Her body began to take shape. Her hair was brought into a tight braid as the dark brown strings fell down her back. She sighed quietly before messing with a band around her wrist.

“You ready then or are you wanting to just not know?”

I closed my eyes. “I'd rather know..”

“...okay.” Her voice gently faded as she laid down beside me. My knowing of this was the gently cool breeze falling to my arm and right side.

Lights slowly slipped away as the depth of darkness enclosed me in its grasp.