The silence of the Marin's guest bedroom was the most deafening sound Taylor had ever heard in her entire life. Usually the stillness of a bedroom after a trying day brought her great relief; today it only mocked her with fierce relentlessness. She clenched the bed sheets in tight fists praying for either noise, or sleep. Defeated, and tired she tried to cry hoping a few good sobs might chase away all of the quiet, but soon realized that she was vacant of tears. With the fear of waking someone up Taylor decided against singing or even humming.
Comfort. Her skin itched longing for a touch, a hug; her ears ached from straining to hear even the faintest sound. What she wouldn't give to have another person in the room if only to hear them breathe or shift in their sleep.
Daley. Of course. Sitting herself up, she slid out of bed and tiptoed into the hallway. It was pitch-blackness, like the center of a black hole somewhere in outer space. Fear instantly pricked at her insides, and she squeezed her eyes closed trying to will it away. It wasn't actual darkness that scared Taylor out of her wits, but of what could be lurking within it. It was the world of the unknown where light was never invited and danger was always a possibility. Her biggest fear was reaching out to find a door, or wall, only to feel her hand fall onto a thick muscular man waiting to make her suffer a horrible and painful death.
Stop it, she commanded herself. You're safe here. Just go forward, one step at a time. Taking a deep breath, she dreadfully reached her hand out for the wall to find, not human flesh, but indeed the cool plaster of the hallway. With every step forward she acquired a newfound confidence in that she would still be alive to reach Daley's room. She was right. Her big toe collided heavily with Daley's door, and as she clutched it in pain, the figure of a young teenage girl with frizzy hair appeared where the door had once been.
"Taylor," she whispered. "Are you ok? Did you need something?" The blonde girl stumbled over her words trying to hold back a few tears that finally decided to make an appearance.
"I… I don't want to be alone."
Daley offered a tiny smile of understanding and nodded. "Come on." She took Taylor's hand, and leading her to the bed, grabbed her extra pillow and placed in next to her own. They simultaneously climbed into the bed and Daley pulled the covers over their bodies. "I'm right here." She whispered.
"Thanks." Daley gave her friend's hand a squeeze, and then turned over to face the wall. Taylor listened to her steady breathing, finally feeling peaceful and content. When she was sure that Daley had fallen asleep she brought her pinky finger up and rested it on a single strand of her friend's curly red hair just to keep her reminded that she, indeed, was not alone anymore. Daley's breathing was intoning, almost hypnotizing, and acting as Taylor's own personal lullaby, slowly put her into a calm, and despite the day's events, peaceful sleep.
A/N- I know it's been a long time. But things are turning around, and I have internet access back, so updates to my current stories, and any new stories will be more frequent. Thanks!