Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

“But Mads protects us, Dada! He said he’d chase the monsters away too.”
Valentina was still distressed from what happened earlier, I knew it would
take time for her to forget or feel comfortable at night again.
“I chase the monsters away, Valentina, me. I told you that already, I’ll
always protect you against the monsters.” I could see Sofia was getting
emotional speaking of that, like she was reminiscing.
“But who will protect you from them!” Everything went silent after
Valentina’s outburst.
Sofia’s eyes were wide and shining with unshed tears while her mouth
parted but no words came out. It was rare for her to wear her emotions out on
her sleeve like that, but I think she was taken absolutely off guard with what
her sister just said.
Pain was etched on her face, her eyes haunted by the events of the past, of
that night where everything changed for both of them. I didn’t know what was
going on exactly, the two seemed to be having a silent conversation, but they
both seemed on the verge of crying so I decided to intervene.
“Okay. I’ll sleep with you.” Sofia’s head whipped in my direction,
surprised, while Valentina’s face was etched with relief. “Just for tonight,
just for you to see that there will be no more monsters here.”
Her lower lip was trembling a little, clearly trying to keep herself from
crying and she nodded wordlessly.
I could see Sofia was not fond of the idea, just like me, but she didn’t say
anything else and just put her cup on the nightstand. I cleared my throat and
turned off the light, the only source of light now coming from the large bay
window. Valentina shuffled until she could glue herself to Sofia’s right,
leaving the latter in the middle of the bed.
I cleared my throat, suddenly realizing what I had just agreed to do. I was
going to spend the night next to Sofia Raymond. The girl who seemed to be
trusting me more than anyone else in her life right now. The girl I saw at her
most vulnerable state, and still couldn’t get out of my head.