WARNING: This story contains themes of depression and self-harm. This story may contain strong language and some sexual content.
Amy's nightmare was not unfamiliar, and yet is terrified her to no end. It was all a blur, but she remembered it so vividly. Every bad thing that happened in the past was with her now, it seemed. Every feeling of dread and fear was inside her. And she couldn't take it anymore.
Amy shot up in her bed, screaming. She realized where she was and stopped screaming. Her bedroom was dark, too dark. She grabbed her blanket and pulled it closer to her, breathing heavily and still scared. She heard footsteps in the hallway and then her door opened, light from the hallway streaming through.
"Amy?" Dan called her name, a worried look on his face.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Amy said, her voice shaking. "It was just a dream."
"You're having nightmares again?" Dan frowned, walking to Amy's bed and sitting down. "I thought those stopped months ago."
"Me too." Amy put her head on her knees. "It's the same dream every time, so why am I still so scared? What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing, Ames." Dan said, rubbing her back.
Amy loved that Dan had matured. He was almost fifteen, but he was tall and muscular, with dark blonde hair and handsome features. He wasn't an eleven-year-old ninja anymore.
So much has changed, thought Amy. She inhaled deeply and tried to control her breathing.
"You haven't… cut yourself again, have you?" Dan asked.
Amy hesitated, guilty and sad.
"No," She lied. "I haven't."
"Okay." Dan said slowly. "I just want you to know that we're all here for you, Ames. We love you."
"We didn't used to." Amy said, angry. "We used to never get along with our family. They hated us, and used us. They tried to kill us."
"That's all in the past. I thought you were okay with them now?" Dan raised his eyebrows.
Amy sighed. "I am, I'm sorry. I'm just tired, that's all."
"Well, it's nearly five. You won't have much time to sleep."
"Darn." Amy said. "Well, you go get ready for the day. I'm going to take a shower."
"Alright." Dan said, standing up and walking away.
Amy watched him leave, and then put her head back in her knees and started crying. Silently, so that no one would hear her.