The only one
I open my eyes and look beside me. The warm body has disappeared. I sit up and look around the whole room is dark and quiet. I feel a tremor running through my body.
"Riff?" I call quietly.
Nothing.
I lay back and try to relax. I can see through the curtains that it is still night time. Where could he have gone in the middle of the night? Another tremor runs through me and I squeeze my eyes shut.
Suddenly my head feels like it is going to explode. A huge sob wells up inside my stomach, but I fight it. I can't let these seizures take hold of me every night.
I get up and call for Riff again, but no one comes.
"Riff", I manage to whisper once more and then I tumble on the floor between my bed and the door. All goes dark for a while. All I can hear are my own pitiful sobs and the beating of my heart. My vision is filled with red sparks and I start hearing the crack of my father's whip.
Suddenly I feel arms around me, picking me up from the floor.
"Shh, sir, it's all right now."
"Riff, Riff", I whisper and clung to my vallet.
He sets me on the bed and sits beside me. He caresses my hair; much the same way he did when I was just a scared little boy. I feel the sobs subside and open my eyes.
"Where were you?" I try not to sound too accusing.
"I'm sorry, sir. I went to make some tea."
I sit up and look at him. "In the middle of the night? You expect me to believe that?"
"I felt like I needed it. And by the looks of things, you could have a cup too, sir."
I sigh. "No, Riff, all I need right now is you back under these covers."
"Yes, sir."