Summary: Connor comforts Vanessa (MC) after her ordeal with Noah and the shadow monster.
Author’s note: This was written for Round 47 of #ChoicesCreates: High School Themed Books
After changing into something comfortable, Vanessa cuddled with Hilda and Onyx. There really was something to be said for pet therapy. After the ordeal that she had been through, she didn’t want to be alone. What a time for her parents to be away! The evening’s events kept replaying in her mind: the creatures’ attacks, the knife against her throat, Jane hurting her friends, Noah coming at her with the knife, Noah becoming the shadow monster. She was lucky to be alive. But was it really over? The shadow monster was still out there.
She reached for her phone. She needed to hear Connor’s voice. By now he might be home from the hospital, and Stacy might have told him what had happened. Still, he would probably be relieved to hear from her.
Connor picked up the call. “Vanessa! I’m so glad that you’re all right. How are you holding up?”
“Not so well. I’m still really shaken up. I almost died! And Noah…” She shuddered at the memory. “I can’t stop thinking about what happened.”
“You shouldn’t be alone. I’m coming over,” Connor told her.
“Are you OK to drive? And doesn’t Stacy need you too?” As much as Vanessa wanted to see him, she thought his sister should probably come first. And he had been hurt worse than he cared to admit.
“I’m fine,” Connor insisted. “And my mom is hovering over Stacy. I’ll see you soon.”
Not long afterward, Vanessa heard a car pull up, and then the doorbell rang. She rushed to open the door, and saw Connor standing there. He had changed out of his bloody dress shirt. She threw her arms around him, holding him tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
They sat down on the couch, and Connor put his arm around Vanessa. “Stacy said that Noah betrayed everyone, and that he died. Do you want to talk about it?”
“It was awful. Noah held a knife to my throat and dragged me into the ruins. The others were already there. And Mr. Red…wasn’t Mr. Red. Jane took his place when she died. It was her the whole time. Noah was helping her. And then we played the game again. ‘Are you scared?’ But Jane just wanted to hurt us. Everyone was so brave, said they weren’t scared…then Jane sent them all into the darkness. I thought they were dead. Only Noah and I were left…” Shaking, her eyes met Connor’s.
Connor pulled Vanessa close and held her in his arms. “I’m here. You’re safe now.”
Vanessa held on to Connor tightly, taking comfort in his presence. Finally she took a deep breath and continued. “Jane told Noah to hurt me. She knocked me to the ground. Then Noah came at me with the knife. I saw the whistle I gave to Jane years ago, and I grabbed it and blew it. Noah snapped out of it and came to his senses. Jane started acting like her old self, and said she wanted to go home. Noah said one of us had to take Jane’s place. He said he’d do it, to fix his mistake.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “And I let him. I let him die. Maybe I should have done it. I promised Jane that I would always protect her. But I just couldn’t. I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to be a monster. I didn’t want to leave you…”
“Vanessa, you did the right thing. You don’t owe Jane your life. Noah put you in danger. And I couldn’t lose you.” Connor looked into her eyes, leaned in, and kissed her.
“Thanks, Connor. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She smiled slightly, grateful to have him with her.
“You won’t have to find out,” he reassured her.
“Good.” She reached out and stroked his long blond hair. “Anyway, then I walked out of the ruins, and found the others. Everyone else was OK. Then your mom showed up with the search party, and Andy was taken to the hospital. I hope it’s over, but I don’t know. Noah is the monster now. He could come after us.”
“Let’s hope not.” He leaned in and kissed her again.
“How are you feeling? You had a rough night too. That bite looked pretty bad.” She looked to him with concern.
“Not too bad. They stitched me up and gave me antibiotics. They gave me a rabies shot too, and I have to go back for more.” He shook his head. “Ridiculous, since I doubt you can get rabies from an undead animal.”
They sat on the couch and talked for a while longer, and Vanessa found herself growing sleepy. She stifled a yawn.
“You look exhausted. I should go.” Connor began to rise from the couch.
Vanessa held on to him. “Do you have to? I have nightmares. I don’t want to go to sleep.”
Connor looked to her. “How about I sleep on the couch? Then I’ll be here if you need me.”
Vanessa shook her head. “Can you sleep upstairs with me? In my bed.” She blushed. “I mean, just sleep. Not, you know…”
“Of course.” He took her hand, and they walked up the stairs.
They reached her bedroom, and Connor took off his leather jacket. After taking off their shoes, they got into bed, and cuddled close to each other.
“Good night, Vanessa.” Connor kissed her on the forehead.
“Good night, Connor.” She lay beside him, and fell asleep in his arms.