My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

Suddenly, with a loud bang, the lamp on the bedside table and the other things on top fell to the floor, and I was plunged into utter darkness.

Fear engulfed me, I shrank into the corner. Within the darkness, and I heard a baby's cried.

My heart raced, long- buried fear and untold sorrow washed over me and threatened to suffocate me. I curled into myself, feeling all my carefully constructed self crumble in agony. Memories of that terrible night flooded my mind. I felt the same wave of helplessness and fear from that night. I looked down and saw a large pool of blood.

I screamed at the sight.

"Arianna!" Someone called out to me, from outside the window.

Terrified, I yelled, "Go away, all of you go away!"

Trying to stop the shaking, I buried my head in my knees, my body trembled so hard my teeth hurt.

"Arianna, it's me, Hendrix!" A soothing voice rang in my ears. The sounds of thunder receded slightly.

were turned on, and I blinked at the sudden brightness. The curtains were tied up and have stopped flapping, but the windows were

Don't be afraid!" A low voice comforted

my vision to get used to the light. It was only then that I saw that the person

into his embrace. I burst into tears, my voice choked out, "It's the child. He's

you love

flowing and my heart felt like it was suffocating. "I'm sorry, I've worked so hard, but the rope

"He knows.

and warmed up a little, and when I calmed down enough, I attempted to push

drew the blanket over me and sat

puddle of water that blew in through the window from the heavy rain. Seeing that I was in a daze as I

him. "How did you get in?" He

his nose, and said, "Our balconies are connected, so

to look at him with

my elbow and he scowled. "How