To Fall So Deep

Nina flew through the air and hit the cold ground with a loud thud. She winced at the pain inflicted on her body from the impact, and slowly used her weak arms to lift herself upright. All she could hear was the whistle of the wind, the rustling leaves, and the echoes of the several owls lurking in the area. It was dark. Almost too dark-- the tall, thick trees masking the moon's natural glow. The ground beneath her was damp and muddy. Nina tried to get a sense of where she was, but everywhere she turned, all she was able to see was darkness, and the dancing wisp of her warm breath in front of her mouth.

Snap.

Nina's eyes dilated in panic. She turned her head, anxiety running through her veins. Her breathing ceased, and the beating of her heart accelerated at every second. She felt pure malevolence radiating all around her; a vile sensation that pricked her skin like thousands of tiny needles.

Snap.

Nina cowered into herself, hugging her knees tightly and quivering in fear. She bit her bottom lip so hard that she could taste blood coating the tip of her tongue. Tears cascaded down her face-- every tear, every ounce of dread leaving a fatal legacy. She rocked herself back and forth as if the motion was the perfect remedy to assuage the fear. Then everything grew eerily silent, but only for a moment.

Snap.

A tall, dark hooded figure loomed before Nina. She gasped, instinct telling her to run. She was two seconds too slow, and the figure seized her ankles. Nina screamed at the top of her lungs, crying for help. It was all useless, for her pleas washed away in the surrounding winds. The figure ripped off her shirt with ease, and grasped the top of her pants. Nina kicked her legs in random outbursts, mustering all the strength she had in her to fight for her life. The figure fought harder, and pulled her pants down. He straddled her body, leaned down and kissed her neck. His hot breath was like poison, stroking her skin with an acidic touch. And with terror in his tone, he whispered,

"you're my baby now."

Nina's high-pitched screams woke up Harry in an instant, and felt the impact on his chest from the kicking and punching. He turned to her, and tried to restrain Nina. She was sweating profusely, dampening the shirt on her body.

"Help me! Help!" Nina cried, her eyes still closed shut. She was still in the terrible world of her night terror.

"Nina! Wake up baby. You're having a nightmare!" Harry attempted to catch Nina's arms mid-punch, but missed and his cheek took a rough blow.

"Please help me!" Nina wailed louder. This made Harry slightly nervous. Though the house was extremely large, any of the maids or butlers walking through the hall to do their routine cleanup, would be able to hear her screams.

"Shhh, Nina, wake up," Harry shook her with a gentle force, not wanting to inflict any pain, but at the same time he had to wake her up. "It's a nightmare Nina, it's a nightmare!"

At once, Nina's eyes opened wide. Her kicking ceased, but her breath heavy. She lied on the bed drenched with sweat, staring up at Harry who held her hands with a steady grip. He let her hands go, and they dropped to her face. Nina turned to her side, away from Harry, and let out a sob that was painful to hear. It was only a nightmare, but it felt more real to her.

You're my baby now… it rang in her ears, taunting her mind with a lingering malice.

Harry tucked Nina underneath the blankets, and slipped underneath them too. He lied on his side, holding up his head with the palm of his hand, and his elbow resting on the pillow. He placed his other hand on her arm, rubbing it with his thumb. He kept his mouth shut, not knowing what to say. He dared not to ask what her nightmare was about-- he already knew. All he wanted was to comfort her, to make things better, to make her smile. Though he wasn't sure how.

Harry's answer came when Nina took his hand and pulled it off of her arm, and brought it around her body. She laced her fingers with his, and continued to cry. Harry leaned his head forward and kissed Nina's cheek, his lips tasting the salty dampness of her skin. He took his other arm and slipped it underneath her head, pulling her body closer to his. Her head rested on his bicep, their legs tangled together.

After lying in complete silence for 20 minutes, Nina finally spoke up, "thank you."

"Anything for you my love," Harry hugged her tighter.

"I'm sorry for crying so much,"

"Don't apologize for that. Crying is okay… It just hurts to see you do so though,"

"I don't want to hurt you,"

"Then promise me you'll be mine,"

Nina let go of Harry's hand, and she turned herself around to face her savior; her protector; her love. Through red and puffy eyes, she stared deeply into the green ones she grew to know and to love. Their foreheads touched, and closing her eyes she inhaled, smelling Harry's scent of warm vanilla with slight notes of sweet praline. It was enchanting, magical, and a little daunting how quickly their feelings for one another amplified into something so beautiful, that only the Gods above could create it.

"Till the day I stop breathing," Nina gazed earnestly up at Harry with tears brimming the waterline of her eyes. She blinked, and they slowly rolled down her cheeks. Harry wiped it away with his thumb, and rested his hand on her neck, beneath her long hair.

Harry kissed Nina on the top of her nose, "and I'm all yours… till the day I stop breathing."

Nina smiled, and lifted her hands to push Harry's curls out of his face. She let out a small giggle, "I'm gonna have to get you a damn headband."

"Only if it has flowers on them babe, then I'll wear it," Harry smirked. "And speaking of wearing things. You need to change that shirt."

"What?" Nina looked down at the black v-neck that she was wearing. It was still damp with sweat, and she shivered in realization. Harry's body was so warm next to her's, that she didn't notice.

"You're going to get sick if you keep that on," Harry got out of bed, and opened one of the drawers in his dresser. He pulled out a white shirt, and a fresh pair of maroon sweat pants with Ashford Academy's insignia on the upper right pant leg. He threw the clothes to Nina with a smirk, "change, California."

"Anything for you my love," Nina mimicked in a horrible British accent. Harry bursted into laughter.

Nina took the clothes into his personal bathroom, while Harry waited outside. She closed the door behind her and, and jumped when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Gauze and medical tape were attached to the right temple of her head, a dark red spot seeping through the white material. The bags underneath her eyes were heavy, dark, and hallow as if her eyeballs itself sunk inwards. Her lip was busted and bruised, a bright red wound on the bottom of her lip. Nina, without a doubt, looked as bad as she felt. How Harry was able to stand looking at her like this, was beyond her.

Nina lifted the wet shirt over her head, feeling the soreness in her arms and shoulders. That's when she noticed more gauze and medical tape on her stomach and back.

Damn, she thought.

She pulled down the fresh shirt on her fail body, and proceeded to take off the sweatpants, and into the maroon ones. Slipping the clean sweats on, she noticed every little cut and scrape on her legs from that terrible evening. She shuddered from the simple thought, and used every bit of willpower she had left in her to not cry.

"Baby, are you okay in there?" Harry knocked on the door. Nina turned her head,

"Yes Harry. Almost done… just sore. It feels like the day after arm day at the gym."

"Have another painkiller when you're done," Harry said. The simple comment made Nina fill up with warmth, easily forgetting about Robbie and his harassment. Harry really cared for her, and that meant the world.

"All done," Nina stood in the open doorway with her arms wide open. Harry swooped in and hugged her. She flinched and Harry immediately backed away.

"You definitely need the medicine right now," Harry grabbed the bottle of water, and one pill from the nightstand, handing them to Nina one by one. "I know it's not as hardcore as Flintstones vitamins, but this at least this takes the pain away."

"You're so weird," Nina chuckled, bringing the bottle of water down from her lips. Her stomach growled.

"Someone's hungry. But don't worry, Leina and Elissia texted. They'll be here at any moment with food, and after they'll take you home,"

"I can't wait to see them. I really need to thank them," Nina stated.

The intercom speaker by the door beeped, a quiet buzz in then background as a woman's voice spoke, "Mister Harry, you have guests."

"Hi Harry!" a voice happily cheered through the intercom, it was obviously Elissia.

"Harry we brought food!" another voice, belonging to Leina also spoke.

Harry pressed the green button and put his mouth near the small piece of machinery, "send them up to my room, Rosie. Thanks!"

Two minutes later, and there was a knock at the door. Harry opened it, and in came Elissia, charging towards Nina who was sitting on the bed. Elissia hugged Nina tightly, and if it weren't for the pain medication, Nina would've felt every squeeze, and every pat on the back. Elissia pulled away, smiling and with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're doing okay. You scared me so much," Elissia's voice cracked. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, her usual thick winged liner and volumized lashes were missing, and in replace were puffy, pink eyes. Nina felt a pang in her heart-- Elissia was definitely crying for a while.

"Robbie can suck my dick," Leina declared, her obnoxious comment making Nina chuckle, but evoked Harry's fists to clench. Nina pulled Leina into a tight hug.

"Thank you so much for saving my life," Nina rubbed Leina's back. She reached her arm towards Elissia, who grabbed it. Nina pulled her arm, and all three friends embraced.

Suddenly, they broke free from the group hug when they heard a crunching noise. The trio turned and looked at Harry, who was sitting on the small couch with his head in a taco. They looked at him expressionless before succumbing to laughter.

"What? I'm hungry," Harry shrugged.

Harry, Nina, Leina, and Elissia sat around Harry's room eating their lunch. They discussed everything but the party and anything that had to do with that night. They tried to erase the terrible memory, but easier said than done. However, they knew that with time, and with each other's help, justice will come. In between the laughter, and the moments to pause and look up at whatever was playing on the television, the intercom beeped again. A soft buzz hummed in the background and a voice, much younger and more frail than the woman from earlier, spoke with urgency,

"Harry are you there?"

Notes

Alrightyyy! I really hope you gals liked chapter 20!! I'm currently on spring break, so I'm really excited to be able to rest and write more. Chapters will be uploaded each day, but the times will vary. Some early morning, some late afternoon because I do have plans to spend time with family and friends. But to be sure you're updated, PLEASE do subscribe. Anyways, please send me feedback if you have any. Vote up if this story is your cup of tea, and also recommend to your friends as well.

And if any of you are in the OC/SoCal area, and have been feeling the several earthquakes, stay safe, have fun, and start prepping your safety kits. I know my family has already hoarded bottled water and first aid supplies.

Have a great Sunday, guys! I'll see ya tomorrow with chpater 21!

-Erica Jaine <3