The Ember In The Dark ( book one )

Chapter 25

“How sweet is it to forget” Danny

The weekend sleepover lasted until the weekday. It was pure bliss for Danny. How wonderful to feel like her old self. To be what she remembered herself to be before the attack. To be surrounded by the friends she has missed.

She couldn’t understand why being around Blake made her feel safe. She found herself sitting a little too close or looking for him when he wasn’t in the same room the whole weekend. Her eyes would always wander to where he was sitting. And when Blake looked her way, she swore she blushed like a ripe tomato.

It felt strange, like some gravitational pull that physically drew her towards him beyond her control.

During the weekend, they found their old stuff in the basement. They brought what they could to the living room. All four stayed up to watch reruns of the original 1960s Star Trek, Danny’s favorite, on an old DVD player.

And after much heckling from everyone, Blake finally gave in and agreed to be the Dungeon Master as they played one round of Dungeons and Dragons.

“Ease up, Dans. It's only a game, ”Lucas laughs as Danny fumes tossing her character figurine across the room. She was fuming because she had lost.

“Frickin’ fantasy creatures! They don’t play fair. Why do all the rules in this game bias them?” Danny huffs.

“Frickin’, haven’t heard you say that since we were 12.” Jacob laughs.

Danny sticks out her tongue at Jacob as she leans back on the couch. The four of them have been huddled in the living room for almost three days now.

Danny notices Blake looking at her.

“What is it, Conner?” She snaps back.

“Oh, so because you lost, am back to Conner?” He winks at her.

Her insides turned as Blake’s eyes pierced through her.

“Ok, what the f**k is going on with you two?” Jacob blurts out.

“Nothing,” Danny quips.

Blake smirks as he shakes his head at her response. She was sure he could see her cheeks flush. She was half glad he didn’t yell out his feelings as he did a week ago to her. She knew Lucas knew how Blake felt for her. But she was pretty sure Jacob didn’t know anything.

Besides, what was going on between the two of them? She thought.

“Something that is none of our business Bro.” Lucas placed his hand on Jacob’s shoulder as he stood up. “Want some beer?”

“What the…She’s underage, Luc.” Blake’s voice was lower, almost like a growl, as he spoke.

“I can’t; I mean, I don't drink,” Danny said in unison when Blake spoke. She can’t drink because of the pain meds she’s been taking. She hopes that they don’t remember her drinking a beer last weekend.

Blake looks at her as he tilts his head. Like he was thinking of something the same thing. Thankfully Danny thought, he opted to be silent.

He was different these past three days. He would sit a little closer, would be staring at her. But he made no advances. Nor did he declare his love for her. Like he was keeping his distance from her.

Should she be glad, right? She should be happy that he might have moved on. Or whatever that was between them could be tagged as teenage hormones. Danny thought to herself.

Then how come her heart longed for him? How come she hated that he was distant, so distant?

Yet she thought if he wasn’t would she allow him to pursue? Would she let herself fall for him? Was she allowed to love? To be loved?

Then the thought of her leaving for WHC Hunters academy by the end of summer. At the same time, he was off to some IVY league across the state.

It wasn’t like they could have a long-distance relationship. Could she never tell him about WHC? Joining the WHC is like entering a secret society. You don’t tell anyone except relatives who are part of the WHC.

Relationship are you f*****g serious, Danny; she scolded herself.

You aren’t even sure about what you feel, but you already want a relationship? This isn’t what we got our ass kicked for? We trained for more than being Blake Conner’s girlfriend. She shouted in her head.

Was she ready to give her heart to him? And would he accept all of her? The night terrors, the cuts, the excessive training, the pills? Would Blake still love her then once he knew?

Would everything he said still be valid after he knew? Would he still love her after he discovers what she is? After learning she’s damaged?

Don’t f*****g fool yourself, Danny, She thought.

Danny quickly looks away, feeling a tear about to fall. She has allowed her thoughts to wander. She forgot that she needed her meds soon. A stung of pain shot up her back.

She shivered a bit and quickly pretended to yawn. “You boys enjoy your beer; I Am calling it a night.”

She mustered all her strength to get out of the couch and generally walk out of the room. She didn’t realize that Blake was watching her every step.

Unknown timeline

(Trigger warning)

Danny is strapped to the bed.

No, no, no, I can’t be here again, she screamed in her head.

She tried to yell, but no words came out of her mouth. She screams again as she feels hands touching her. The hands were everywhere, caressing her breast and between her legs.

She was bound to the bed, and every time she struggled, the chains only seemed to grow tighter.

She screams one more time, but still, no sound escapes her lips.

Instead, she fought with all her might, thrashing about on the bed and pulling her arms and legs, trying to unbound them. As she does, she feels the skin on her wrist and ankles rip and blood trickle down her hands and feet.

Still, despite the pain, she kept on fighting.

Suddenly a calming presence took over. The bounds vanished. The pain from her wrists and ankles subside. The hands that were touching her all over disappeared.

All she felt was peace.

The intoxicating smell of the forest assaulted her senses after it rains—her favorite scent in the world.

A gentle touch on her forearm gave her so much comfort. She felt a finger run across her cheeks, calming her even more.

She was no longer in her nightmare but in a state of peace. Something she has never felt since the attack.

Barely a whisper, she hears Blake’s voice calling to her.

“Daniella, I am never letting you go.”