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.

the sudden brightness. The curtains were tied up and have stopped

Don't be afraid!" A low voice

get used to the light.

without thought, I threw myself into his embrace. I burst into tears, my voice choked out, "It's the child. He's here. He... he blames me. He blames me for not protecting

me tight, 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

felt like it was suffocating. "I'm sorry, I've worked so hard, but the rope was too thick.

"He knows. He knows it all, he's not

his chest and warmed up a little, and when I calmed down enough,

instead and drew the blanket over me

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

did you get in?" He hadn't come

"Our balconies are connected,

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

fell on my elbow and he scowled. "How did