Seven Souls

Healing

Sam’s POV

I stirred uncomfortably in the bed, trying to get some sleep, but I couldn’t. I sat up and ran my hand through my hair, feeling frustrated.

Sophia was sleeping downstairs, and I was sleeping in our old room. Her parents came an hour after our arrival. She was looking at them with admiration like she never knew these people before.

They didn’t notice the differences as much as I did because they missed her.

I just know there’s something wrong with her. She was acting weird ever since she woke up from the coma; she wasn’t herself.

That person who woke up at the hospital wasn’t my Sophia.

The doctor said it was all part of trauma because she faced death and lost her baby. I knew Sophia and if she lost her baby, she would want to be with someone, not all alone or bottling her feelings.

I removed the covers off me and went to the closet; I needed to get things off my head, and I could use a good run under the stars right now.

I turned on the lights, gazing at the neatly done room. It was the same as the day I left it.

I opened the closet, and I picked up a sweater, then a pile of shirts fell over, revealing a wrapped gift. I picked it up and sat on the bed, staring at the box.

It was covered with wrapping paper; it had a lot of hearts on it and there was a sticky note, written by Sophia.

“I know your birthday isn’t until January, but it’s an early gift,” I read it and chuckled lightly as I shook the box, trying to hear what’s inside.

Should I open it? My inner voice asked, probably afraid to know what’s in there. I placed the box in my lap and clenched my hands into fists, trying to stop myself from opening the box.

Of course, my curiosity got the best of me as I unwrapped the box, then placed the wrapping paper next to me and opened the lid.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I saw what was inside. I picked up the small onesie. The word ‘daddy’ was written on the chest.

“That was her surprise,” I whispered, my lips quivering as I tried to hold in my tears. I picked the note that was attached to the onesie ‘are you ready to share your birthday?’.

A twinge of pain hit my chest, and I forced my eyes shut, trying to get a grip of myself.

I promised myself to be strong for her; I had to be strong for her, but I was broken.

Broken over how I nearly lost her, then losing a part of me.

I couldn’t hold in my feelings and I broke down, holding the onesie close to my chest. I gripped it tightly, crying out my sadness and anger.

I didn’t even share her happiness when she knew, and now she was acting as if nothing happened.

A knock on the door tore me away from my thoughts. There wasn’t anyone in the house except me and Sophia.

“Sam? Are you okay?” Her voice croaked.

I stopped crying and gazed at the door. “Yeah, give me a minute,” I shouted for her to hear.

I quickly put the onesie inside the box along with the wrapping paper, then hid it under the bed. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and my eyes were red from the crying.

I wiped my tears and went to open the door, finding her leaning against the wall.

“Why did you climb up the stairs?” I asked, about to carry her, when I saw her leaning on the handrail. She stopped me and balanced herself, flashing me a small smile.

“I needed to walk,” she mumbled, her eyes looking inside the room.

“Were you leaving?” She asked.

“I was going for a run,” I answered, taking her hands in mine.

We strolled towards the bed and she sat down, panting from the effort she did.

I went to the lights and turned them on. Glancing at her, she gazed at me, and I couldn’t read the look on her face.

“Could you wear something?” She cleared her throat.

I furrowed my eyebrows, confused at her. I was sleeping in my underwear and I slept countless times with her. Why was she shy now?

That’s what I meant by something off about her.

I ignored what she said and stood in front of her. Then I got on my knees, so I could be at her eyes level. She was still looking away from me. I placed a hand on her thigh and placed the other on her chin; I turned her face to look at me.

“What’s wrong, Soph? Please, tell me anything. Your silence is killing me,” I pleaded, seeing her eyes glistening with tears.

“I don’t know what to tell you or how to react,” she whispered.

I cupped her face with my hands, caressing her cheekbones with my thumbs. “It’s not your fault,” I whispered back, then breathed in, trying not to cry in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her tears rolling down her cheeks. I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm around her. She buried her head in my chest, crying her heart out.

I caressed her hair with a hand and the other was rubbing her lower back. “Let it out,” I mumbled. She wrapped her arms around me and sobbed.

“I killed a person, and I killed our baby,” she whimpered.

“We could have as many babies as you want,” I whispered, kissing her forehead.

She lifted her gaze to mine. “And I could’ve died. I don’t want to be alone, Sam, don’t leave me, please.” her lips quivered as she spoke.

She forced her eyes shut, and I took her lips in a quick kiss. “You will never die,” I whispered, grabbing her chin with my index and thumb fingers.

I will never get bored from staring at her, filling myself with her beauty. My hand traveled to brush away the flyaways. I hated seeing her crying like that, but she needs to get things off her chest.

Her eyes fluttered open, and her greenish eyes locked with mine. I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, continuing in a soft tone, “and I won’t let you die.”

She sniffled, blinking away the tears. I wiped her tears and smiled softly at her. “I love you, Sam,” she said, closing the gap between us and placing her soft lips on mine.

It was a short and delicate kiss. She was about to pull away, but I tightened my grip around her. I closed my eyes, deepening our kiss, enjoying the taste of her lips and her warm touch.

She broke the kiss and sat on my lap; I put my hands on her waist as she placed her lips on mine in another deep kiss. Her hand went to my hair, stroking it while I slid my hands on her ass as the kiss got heated.

At this point, we were kissing passionately. She bit my lip, asking for entrance, and I opened my mouth, welcoming her tongue. The more we kissed, the more I was getting turned on, and her being on my lap didn’t help.

She smiled against my lips and pulled away. “I missed you,” she mumbled and kissed me again.

I broke the kiss, earning a puzzled look from her. “Sophia, you are still tired,” I said, nibbling on my lips.

“I need you, Sam,” she whispered, kissing my jawline, then leaving a trail of kisses starting from my neck and stopping at my collarbone.

My breathing hitched up, feeling a wave of lust and desire rise. I missed her, but she just came out of an accident.

That thought flew out of my mind as her lips crashed mine into another deep kiss. A groan escaped my lips when she rubbed herself against my crotch. I tightened my grip around her ass, and she moaned into my mouth.

She broke the kiss and pulled off her baggy sweatshirt, exposing her breasts. “Sophia,” I murmured. My eyes followed her movements as she pushed me on my back, sitting on my torso.

I closed my eyes, trying to wake myself up out of this cloud of lust. “We can’t do this. You still need to heal,” I stated, opening my eyes and looking at her. She ignored me, leaning closer to my lips.

She stopped an inch apart, gazing deeply into my eyes. “Please,” she mumbled, grazing her lips against mine. The air hitched up in my throat at her seductions.

I was staring into her eyes, admiring her beauty, her hair falling from the sides, and her green eyes begged me to continue. I turned her around and got off her while she gave me a disappointed look.

I went to the lights and changed them to red lights, then shut the door, turning around to look at her. A flirty smirk tugged on her lips and I held eye contact with her, feeling the lust and desire she held.

I walked to the bed and pushed her lightly on the bed before hovering over her and taking her hungry lips within mine. Her hand crept to my briefs, continuing what she started.

After we were done, she wrapped her arms around me, sleeping on top of me while I played with her hair, twirling a lock of her hair around my finger. “I never thought I would miss you that much,” I whispered, and she giggled, kissing my bicep.

I kissed her head, and she pulled away, lifting herself with her forearms. Her green eyes flickered between mine. “Whatever happens, don’t leave me,” she mumbled.

“What do you mean?” I asked. She just kissed my lips and snuggled me, not answering me.

“Let’s just sleep,” she said, and I knew she wouldn’t open freely to me like before. It would take her time and I’ll wait for her.

I wrapped my arms around her protectively, then heard her light snores, feeling her steady heartbeat against my chest, showing she fell asleep.

I kissed her head and closed my eyes, falling into the dream world

It was my first good sleep after a month of not getting any sleep.

Whatever she did yesterday didn’t last long, as I woke up to her screaming.

I looked at her as she held the covers against her chest, looking freaked out.

I sat up and placed my hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong? What happened?” She smacked my hand away.

“Don’t touch me,” she screeched, tightening her grip on the covers.

“Please tell me what’s wrong with you!” I shouted, and she flinched, pushing herself away from me. Her eyes glistened with tears, and I cursed myself for being an asshole.

She closed her eyes and breathed in harshly. “You wanted some comfort and-“

“Just leave me alone,” she hissed, cutting me mid-sentence.

“Sophia,” I mumbled, and she nibbled on her lips, crying silently.

“It was a mistake. I wasn’t thinking clearly yesterday and I need time, so please leave me alone.” Her words entered my heart like an arrow, hurting me deeply.

I clenched my jaw and got up; I walked to my closet and grabbed my clothes, then went to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

Seriously, what was wrong with her? At night, all she wanted was comfort and relief from the burdens on her neck. In the morning, she wanted to be alone, disgusted by what happened yesterday.

I went to the shower booth and turned the water on. I just stood under the running water, worrying again about her. My thoughts were cut when I heard a thud in the room. I cursed under my breath and turned the water off.

I got out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my waist before opening the door.

My eyes landed on Sophia as she tried to get up from the floor. She already wore the clothes she was wearing yesterday.

“I can get up on my own,” she insisted, waving me away with her hand.

I ignored her and lifted her off the floor. “I really don’t understand what’s happening to you,” I said, looking into her eyes.

She pressed her lips together and looked away. I just sighed and carried her to her room downstairs.

I put her on the bed and was about to leave the room until her voice stopped me. “I’m sorry, Sam, I shouldn’t have said those things earlier.”

I turned around and looked at her. “I’ll wait for you, Soph, you are mine forever,” I said, smiling at her.

She just remained silent and nodded her head. I glanced at her before leaving for my room.

It’s just a hard time and it will pass, I reminded myself as I walked back to my room.

I continued my shower and wore my clothes. Then I climbed the stairs down and glanced at her door, finding it closed.

Should I check on her or just go for a run? I was angry, and seeing her in that state only made me more upset.

Somehow I couldn’t understand her anymore.

I strolled to the door and pressed my ear on the wooden door, hearing her talking. I frowned and opened the door, seeing her sitting on the edge of the bed.

Her gaze snapped at me. “Who were you talking to?” I asked, and she pointed at the tv that was right next to the door.

“It’s the tv,” she said, her gaze finding mine. I glanced at the screen, finding one of those bachelors’ reality shows.

She hated those shows. I frowned at the screen and that must’ve caught her attention as she asked, “where are you going?”

“For a run and I noticed there wasn’t any food here, so I would go bring stuff for the house and breakfast,” I said, snapping my attention to her as I leaned on the door frame.

She just nodded, and her gaze went to the tv. I looked at her one more time before closing the door behind me.

She only needed some time and space. Hopefully, she will be the same again afterward.