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

light. It was only then that I saw

choked out, "It's the child. He's here. He... he blames me. He blames me for

I felt him take a deep breath and said hoarsely, "No, he won't. He knows you love him. How can he bear to hurt you, someone who loves him so much? Don't

it was suffocating. "I'm sorry, I've worked so hard, but the rope was too thick. I can't break

nodded and hugged me more tightly. "He knows. He knows it all,

when I calmed down enough, I attempted to

carried me to bed instead and drew the blanket over me and sat

darkness. With the lights on, I then realised that it was not blood, but just a small puddle of water that blew in through the window from the heavy rain. Seeing that I

did you get in?" He hadn't come in through the

lightly wiped his nose, and said, "Our balconies

enough to whip my head back to look at him with a frown, "Hendrix, you broke

didn't care. His eyes fell on my elbow and he scowled.