Chapter 10

I'm Alone, No You're Not

Nestled under the sheets, Krillin snored, his chest rhythmically inflating and deflating. The creak of his bedroom door opening didn't disturb him as a silent figure slowly made their way over to him. Reaching to touch his shoulder, they stirred him awake, watching him rub the sleep out of his eyes.

"What? Oh, Eighteen. Are you okay," he asked, covering his mouth with his hand as he yawned. Suddenly, her hands were wrapped around his neck, constricting him like a snake. He reached up to push at her shoulders, but to no avail as the air became thinner and thinner. The muscles in his arms became drained as he moved them towards her strong hands, trying to untangle them from his windpipe, but she was stronger, always had been. With each blink of his eyes, he could see the shadows of blackness envelope him. His arms fell limp at his sides.

"This is your fault," were the last words he heard from her.

Krillin let out a yelp as he jumped up from his bed, his breathing erratic and unsteady.

"Oh, God, it was only a dream," he murmured to himself, wiping his hands down his face. Pulling them away he saw they were covered in sweat.

'Disgusting.' He tore the blankets off himself as he planted his feet on the floor, relishing the cold breeze embracing him. Grabbing a match, he took one of the candles sitting on his nightstand and set the match over the wick, watching as it sparked to life. He blew the match out and placed it beside the candle, smoke rising up to disappear into the air. Walking over to his dresser he glanced at his watch.

'Man, it's only 3 in the morning.' He rubbed his chin, contemplating what to do before he decided to head down to the kitchen to get a cup of milk. As he headed towards the door, he could hear some faint words coming from the other side. Placing his ear on the brisk door, he tried to make out the words, listening carefully for the other voice.

"I'm alone...No, you're not. I'm alone...No, you're not." Eighteen's voice came from outside his door, repeating the phrase over and over. Stepping away, he kneeled placing his hands on the door to steady himself. How did he go about trying to leave his room without alerting her? And why was she outside his room to begin with?

"Eighteen," he said quietly, hoping she heard him. Pressing his ear to the door again, he could hear the phrase leaving her mouth. She hadn't heard him.

Saying her name a bit louder with his ear still pressed against his door, he heard her stop mid-sentence.

"Eighteen, are you okay? I'm going to open the door, alright?" He heard her whisper something, and then he slowly turned the doorknob, opening the door little by little. He peered his head out and caught her with her back on the hallway wall, her arms encircling her knees. His heart could burst at the sight of her appearing so weak and scared.

On his hands and knees, he crawled over to her before stopping to sit in front of her. Nothing was said as he watched her rock herself back and forth, her blonde hair swaying with the movement. He noticed the small streaks of leftover tears on her cheeks, and he wondered how long she'd been like this, crying in front of his door.

'I'm sorry, Eighteen.'

A bristle of thunder roared through the sky, vibrating the compact house. Eighteen lifted her head to the faint echoes of the roar as they drifted away. She'd come to like storms, but not when she was feeling so low, so vulnerable, and alone.

'Dammit. I'm not alone. I'm not.' For a second she forgot about Krillin's presence until she made eye contact with him. His hair was ruffled, and was only wearing pajama bottoms. She observed the glistening of sweat on his body, and assumed he must have battled something of his own.

'See? You're not alone, you're not alone.'

Krillin reached his hand out, leaving it out for her to take or not. Looking at it, she waited some time before grasping it, her hold firm. He offered a smile.

"Eighteen...Are you okay? Do you want to talk about anything?" Timidly, she nodded her head.

'God, I feel like a child. A pathetic, lowly child,' she thought. Krillin scooted closer to her, his knees almost touching her. His other hand had come to cover hers, stroking the back of it with a tenderness she'd never known before. Before she could catch them, a few tears rolled from her eyes. She shook her head, trying to erase them.

"If you have to cry, Eighteen, then cry. It's nothing to be ashamed about." Krillin saw her meekly nod her head in agreement. Pride had a tendency to get the better of people, but somehow, no one was immune to the idea of loss and sadness.

Taking a few breaths, Eighteen concentrated on what to say to Krillin. There were hordes of thoughts and feelings boiling in her mind. What could she possibly say to him to make any sense of what she experiencing?

Krillin sensed her struggle, and made a leeway for her to join in.

"What were you saying to yourself out here? You're alone," Krillin asked.

Eighteen turned her head, embarrassed he had caught her in a frail state. There was no way of escaping this conversation now.

"There were these two thoughts, right after the other. One saying I was alone, and another would say I'm not. I don't know where they came from, but I've never dealt with them before." Krillin sympathetically acknowledged her feelings. She continued on.

"Maybe it was because I had Seventeen and Sixteen, but now that they're gone, perhaps I really am alone. It's hard to be so honest with myself when I don't even know myself. My true self." She squeezed Krillin's hand, her head hung low. Krillin just watched her, hesitant to give his own thoughts.

"Eighteen, I think you're a lot more honest with yourself than you realize," he said. "It's okay to be afraid, unsure of what the future may hold, but these feelings...Your honesty with yourself, your willingness to battle negative thoughts is a start." His hand touched her shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. She looked up at him.

"You're not alone, by the way. I'll make sure you're never alone. Like I said, you've got me as a friend always." He gave her a reassuring smile, and she gave a tiny one back.

Some time had pass as they remained in the same spot. Eighteen wiped her eyes, letting a small laugh leave her lips as she found her predicament amusing.

"I must look so ridiculous," she suggested. Krillin shook his head.

"No! Absolutely not! Heck, you're even more beautiful now." She gave an exaggerated eye roll at his statement.

"Well, thank you. I don't feel so great."

"And there's nothing wrong with that! Tomorrow is always a new day. Well, today is a new day technically." Eighteen frowned at his words.

"I'm sorry...For waking you up. I didn't mean to do that."

"Don't worry about it! I had woken myself up after having a weird dream. I was just coming downstairs to get some milk."

"Ah, I see." Krillin stood up, and offered his hand, which she took, and composed herself.

"Yeah! Come to think of it, I'm alright now," Krillin said. "This...This may sound weird, but did you want to sleep in my room? I mean, not share the bed, of course! You could actually take my bed and I could bring out one of my sleeping bags, and sleep on the floor. I just don't want you to feel alone, or scared, you know? But you don't have to! I know you're strong and independent."

Krillin babbled on as Eighteen thought over his suggestion. He'd respect her space, most certainly. And it wouldn't hurt to have someone else's presence with her. She nodded, but Krillin hadn't noticed, talking incessantly. Her hand came to cover his mouth as stopped his words.

"I'll take your offer. Just let me change real quick, and I'll be over." Krillin nodded, and she released his mouth.

'Whoops,' Krillin thought, rubbing the back of his head. Remembering the sleeping bag, he hurried into his room to rummage through his closet, and found it, worn and ragged, but still in decent condition. He placed it next to his bed along with a spare blanket, and sat on it, his hands working to flatten the material down. Eighteen walked in wearing the large t-shirt Krillin first gave her when she arrived at Kame House, and wore a pair of yellow shorts that gave way to her long legs.

'Man, she still looks amazing,' Krillin thought as he watched her sit on his bed. Her hands raked the sheets and blankets before making its way to his pillow. The bed was large enough for them to both have their separate space, but he was courteous to give it all to her.

"Did you need anything else, Eighteen?" She shook her head.

"No. Thank you for doing this, Krillin. It's very nice of you." His head popped over the edge of his bed, a smile gracing his face.

"You're welcome! I'm happy to help in any way," he replied, lying back onto his sleeping bag. He moved around a bit, easing himself into it to find a comfortable position, but couldn't seem to pinpoint it. Eighteen had settled the blankets around her as she laid on her side, hearing Krillin's movements near the bed. She could hear Krillin grow frustrated, murmuring words to himself as he tried to get cozy.

'I doubt he'll be able to sleep well on the floor.' Feeling guilty, she looked over the edge of the bed at him. He had settled, but his brows were furrowed together. She reached over and stroked the side of his face with the back of her hand. He jumped a little, his eyes opening wide, and glanced up at her. She took a chance.

"You're not going to sleep well down there, so...Well...You can join me, but don't try anything," she added with a little malice in her voice. Krillin was taken aback.

"I-I...Are you sure? You don't have to feel bad for me." Eighteen took her hand back, gathering the blanket to bring it towards her chin.

"Yes. Hurry up, or I'll change my mind." Nodding, Krillin went to the other side of the bed, drawing back the sheets before getting in. He double-checked to make sure there was plenty of space between himself and Eighteen, his body practically aligned with the edge of the bed.

'This is fine. This will do,' he reassured himself. 'Better to fall than face the wrath of Eighteen.' He maneuvered his hands to rest behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. The faint glow of the candle on his nightstand had shadows dancing around each other, swirling and swirling to the sound of the rain on the house. He could feel his eyelids get heavy and his breathing become even. Soon, he fell asleep.

Eighteen peeked over her shoulder to see his sleeping figure before blowing the candle out.

'I'm not alone. No, I'm not.'

END OF CHAPTER 10

This pretty much took me the whole day to write. I felt kind of stuck, but powered on through! Thanks again for reading if you've stayed with me this far. It's really appreciated it!

- AM