CHAPTER :15 Between Dream and Terror

Veronica awoke in the middle of the night once more. Her chest was heavy, her body weak. When she rolled over to look, Elizabeth was lying next to her, staring with gigantic, unfocused eyes.

"Eliz…," Veronica whispered, holding her. "I. I don't feel good."

Elizabeth's expression relaxed. She pressed her forehead into Veronica's, softly. "Don't worry." Your fever is raging, but I will take care of you. Sleep, sweetheart. It will pass away.

Veronica's lids drooped, and soon she slept again, reassured by the heat of Elizabeth's hug.

By morning, the fever was gone. Veronica sat up slowly, realizing her body was no longer weak. “Strange,” she muttered, rubbing her eyes. She looked to her side, but Elizabeth was gone.

Veronica went downstairs.

“Mom?” she called out, her stomach rumbling. “I’m hungry…”

No response. The living room was empty. She walked into the kitchen, expecting to find her mom cooking breakfast, but frozen.

Her mom was on the floor, dead.

"M–Mama…?" Veronica trembled. "MAMAAAAAA!"

Her tears welled up as she took a step forward. That was when she saw—Elizabeth was seated at the table, knife in hand, not making a sound with her face expressionless.

"Elizabeth… why? Why did you kill her?!" Veronica bellowed, trembling.

Elizabeth leaned forward, her voice weighed down. "Darling, recall last night? You'd dropped the doll. You hadn't picked it up. That's why this occurred. And your father… he's deceased too."

Veronica hit the floor on her knees, sobbing. "No… no, no… I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth's face softened into something brutally tender. "Then you must do something for me."

"What… what do you want?" Veronica wailed.

"Give me your kiss."

Veronica shook her head violently. “N–no… please, don’t make me…”

“Then I’ll take it myself,” Elizabeth whispered, rising to her feet.

“No, no, no!” Veronica screamed—then everything went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was back in her bed. The doll was sitting quietly on the side table, staring at her with its glassy eyes. She snatched it up, hugging it tightly against her chest.

That evening, Veronica was not able to get over the nightmares. Time and time again, she called out Elizabeth in her sleep, but nothing. Not even her parents' ears picked up on her stifled sobs.

Then, there was a soft heat.

Two arms encircled her body. The nightmares melted away. She rolled over slowly—and discovered Elizabeth curled by her side, looking at her with that very same serene, piercing gaze.

"Eliz…" Veronica choked out, tears streaming down her face. She leaned forward and kissed her, holding on for all she was worth.

Elizabeth smiled up at her, smoothing back her hair. "No one is going to hurt you. I'll never leave you."

"I was calling you," Veronica whispered. "But you didn't come."

Elizabeth laughed. "I was… having fun."

Veronica gazed at her, her eyes round with shock. Elizabeth smiled merely, tracing the shape of her cheek with gentle fingers.

My love, no matter for what, even if you don't think you'll ever need me, I'll never abandon you alone. Now, sleep."

Veronica's body went slack against hers. Finally, she closed her eyes without fear.

Elizabeth slept with her hand tracing the lines of Veronica's cheeks and lips, her own face expressionless in the dark.

That evening, Veronica felt safer than ever before, knowing that Elizabeth would never abandon her.