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.

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

afraid!" A low voice comforted

to the light. It was only then that I saw that the person in front of me

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

hoarsely, "No, he won't. He knows you love him. How can he bear to hurt

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

and hugged me more tightly. "He knows.

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

me to bed instead and drew the blanket over me and

pool of blood that I saw in the darkness. With the lights on, I then realised that it was not blood, but just a small puddle of water that

in?" He hadn't come

nose, and said, "Our balconies are connected,

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

His eyes fell on my elbow and he scowled. "How did