007

I was running. My feet were heavy, and the sand beneath them kept slowing me down. My breath came in fast, with broken gasps. Behind me, I could hear her footsteps, fast and determined. "Elizabeth!" Lucy's voice echoed behind me, sharp and chilling. I turned for a second, and there she was, she was dressed in black, her hair wild, a knife clutched tightly in her hand. Her eyes looked insane. Like I was prey. Like she wasn't going to stop until she got me. "No! Please!" I screamed, running faster. The beach stretched endlessly. There was nowhere to hide. Nowhere to go. I tripped, and my knees hit the sand hard. I looked up just as she raised the knife and brought it down, her eyes burning with rage. I screamed and jolted awake. My chest was heaving, my whole body shaking. Sweat clung to my skin even though the air conditioning was on. My nightdress stuck to me, and I could feel the wetness of tears already forming. It was just a dream. But it felt so real. I looked around the room, and it was dark, quiet, and safe, but my hands still trembled. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and pulled the covers closer. But I couldn't lie back down. My body refused to settle. I knew I wouldn't be able to close my eyes again. The image of Lucy's face, her twisted smile, her hand holding that knife, all of it was still so vivid. I needed to get out of this room. Slowly, I got up, my legs still a little weak. I picked up my robe, wrapped it around myself, and stepped out into the hallway. It was quiet. The house was quiet as always. But tonight it felt more cold and lonely. I walked up to his door and stood there for a moment. My hand hovered over the door. I was too embarrassed to knock. What if he was asleep? What if he thought I was being silly? But I needed someone. I couldn't stay alone. I took a shaky breath and knocked, softly at first. Then again. It took a few seconds, but the door opened. Benjamin stood there, dressed in loose grey pants and a black shirt. His hair was messy, like he had just woken up, but his eyes widened the moment he saw me. "Elizabeth?" he said, voice low and groggy. "What happened? Are you okay?" I looked at him. "I... I had a dream," I whispered, my voice shaking just like my hands. Without another word, he stepped aside and opened the door fully. "Come in." I walked in, and he gently closed the door behind me. The room was dim, just the small lamp by his bed glowing faintly. "Sit," he said, pointing to the bed. I sat down, still gripping the edges of my robe. My body hadn't stopped shaking. He walked to the small table near the window, poured some water into a glass, and brought it over to me. I took it with trembling fingers, sipped it slowly, and handed it back. He looked at me carefully. " It's just a dream, okay? You don't need to be scared. It's okay.” "She was chasing me," I said quietly. "Lucy. She had a knife. She was trying to kill me again." Benjamin's jaw clenched slightly. His eyes darkened, and he stepped forward without saying a word. He sat beside me and pulled me gently into his arms. "It's okay," he said softly, running his hand slowly through my hair. "It's just a dream. She's not going to hurt you again. And I’m here." I closed my eyes and let the tears fall. I didn't sob. I didn't scream. I just cried quietly, the tears soaking his shirt. And he held me. He didn't say too much. He just stayed, his hand still stroking my hair, calm and gentle. After a while, when I had no more tears left, he helped me lie down on the bed. "I'll stay," he said. I didn't argue. He lay down beside me, not too close at first, just enough for me to feel safe. I shifted slowly, letting him pull me into his arms again. I buried my face against his chest. His warmth, his heartbeat, his steady breath... it calmed me in a way I didn't think anything could tonight. His arm was around me, and he was rubbing my back slowly, patiently. And in that silence, in that safety, I said something I didn't even plan. "Let's get married." Benjamin paused. I could feel his body tense for a second. I wasn't sure if he was shocked or confused or just trying to make sense of my words. Then I felt his breath again. Calm. Steady. He said, "Okay. We'll get married." He didn't even argue with me, or ask me why. He just agreed with whatever I said. We stayed quiet after that. Neither of us moved. And then I whispered again, "I want to expose them. Lucy and Daniel. On our wedding day." Benjamin didn't hesitate. "Anything you want," he said. "I'm here for you." He pulled me a little closer, and I rested against him. My eyes fluttered shut, but this time, it was not out of fear. It was because I felt safe and I wasn't alone anymore.