Her Nightmare – Part l

The flashing lights confused her as she struggled to find her way out of the apartment complex.
"Ms. Jade!" Ophelia's eyes searched for Elio as she heard his familiar voice yell her name. Elio attempted to approach her but was being shoved away.
Ophelia rushed up to Elio, who hurriedly led her to where a car awaited her.
"I apologize, Ms. Jade. I arrived here a little late." Elio apologized, and Ophelia said hurriedly as if breathing was becoming difficult for her.
"It's fine, just get me away from them!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Elio stated this as he rushed her to the car, and as soon as she was inside, they drove away, leaving the paparazzi standing.

Ophelia could feel her chest straining as her breathing became slightly more arduous. Elio turned around to face her as she gasped for air.
"Are you all right, Ms. Jade?" When he inquired, Ophelia shook her head. Elio was terrified as he noticed Ophelia's face becoming paler.
"Oh my goodness! What happened, ma'am? What do you need? Do you want to drink some water?" Elio repeatedly asked as he handed her a bottle of water, and she took it and opened the bottle cap with a shaking hand. While Elio was scrolling through his phone, he was scared to death.
"Sir, Ms. Ophelia is not feeling well!" He barked in fright and grimaced when Onyx shouted from the other side.
"We arrived a little late, and the paparazzi were already there for her when she walked out of the building. I sincerely apologize, Sir." Elio apologized and gestured for the driver to turn around. "Ma'am Mr. Reighs wants to talk with you!" Elio said as he turned to face Ophelia. Elio handed her the phone, which she accepted and pressed against her ear.
"Ophelia? Are you all right?" She could hear Onyx's anxious voice. "I-I'm okay," she mumbled, her breath quivering. "Are you suffering another attack? Don't worry, love. You'll be okay! Just breathe!" Onyx exclaimed anxiously in a soft voice. "O-ok." She breathed out as she tried to even her breathing.
"Ophelia, I'm right here. Just breathe and don't think about anything!" Onyx's anxious voice came through the phone, and she nodded, not remembering they were on an audio call. Onyx attempted to comfort and calm her, while Ophelia sought to even her breathing, but she was struggling as the cameras' bright flashes reminded her brain of the car headlights on the wet dark highway. And all of the chatter, yelling, and shutter sounds made her mind fuzzy, making it difficult for her to stay abreast of where she was and where she was heading. All the while, she could hear Onyx's feeble voice through the phone which was slightly overpowering the buzzing in her head.

She didn't notice when the car came to a halt and the door was flung open as Onyx's arm drew her into his embrace, gently pulling her out of the car. Her legs were wobbly, and she felt as if all her strength had been drained from her as she struggled to stay upright with the help of Onyx's arms. "It's all right, you'll be fine. You're safe now." Onyx murmured as he took her in his arms in bridal style, as she became slightly calmer. Onyx carried her to his house through the elevator, and she snuggled onto his chest.
"I'm sorry, love. I'll make absolutely sure nothing like this ever happens again. I'm sorry!" His voice was laced with remorse and despair as he murmured.

Ophelia's respiration calmed as she was finally able to fill her lungs with the necessary air without struggling. Her hands clutched his shirt for dear life as she took a deep breath, Onyx's fragrance filling her lungs and soothing her burning airway.
Her body, on the other hand, was weary from the strain it went through. Onyx looked at her with soft eyes and watched her eyes close and breathing even. His troubled thoughts eventually calmed down, and he gently placed her on a soft bed. He helped her take off her jacket and took off her shoes. Onyx drew the duvet over her body as she lay back down on the bed. He knelt beside the bed, next to her head.
"I'm sorry." Ophelia shook her head, a feeble smile on her face. "Thank you," she mumbled as her eyes closed and she drifted off to slumber. Onyx sat there, peering at her sleeping features. She looked so calm and tranquil as she slept. Warmth and flying flames filled his body and heart as his knuckles gently brushed over her cheeks. His being was filled with the desire to hold her close and shield her with every ounce of strength he possessed. Onyx pulled away his hand and stood up walking out of the room.

"Mommy stop!" A little girl screamed at the woman in the driver's seat, her voice quivering. Tears streamed down her small cheeks as she peered ahead with tormented eyes.
"Please, Mommy, stop! Why aren't you listening to me!" She screamed, hugging herself in the back seat. "Mommy!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as the automobile's brakes screeched and bright headlights and car horns filled the car, blinding her little eyes and filling her mind with buzz. Her eyes widened in terror as a bright large pair of headlights appeared in front of her in an instant-

Ophelia jolted up from the bed screaming. Her eyes were enlarged with terror, and sweat was dripping down her forehead. The door of the room swung open in a moment, and Onyx dashed in, seizing her into his arms.
"Ophelia! What happened? Ophelia?" He asked in a terrified voice and Ophelia stopped screaming. Her eyes darted around as the blurriness faded, and she breathed heavily.
"Ophelia?" Onyx shook her shoulders, and her eyes were drawn to his frightened face. She gulped down her own saliva in an attempt to soothe her parched throat.

Onyx grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table and offered it to her. Ophelia took it and gulped down the water.
"So, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?" Onyx inquired, his brow furrowed in incredulity. Ophelia sighed pushing away the hair sticking all over her face and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with terror that she was attempting to conceal from him, and his insides were filled with uncertainty and wrath at not being able to figure out what had gotten her so terrified.
"Are you feeling okay?" He softly inquired and she nodded her head. "You won't tell me what nightmare had gotten you so terrified even if I asked." He stated softly and she shook her head.
"The terrible monster of a human was what horrified me. Who destroyed my childhood and left permanent scars on my body and soul? Nothing but a f*ucking monster." Ophelia mumbled as she got out of bed and walked to the other door in the room. As she entered the bathroom, Onyx stared at her, confused.