"Even if you live, no one will want anything to do with you. I will see to it."
Sofia sat up, sweat pouring down her forehead. Her throat felt tight, like someone was squeezing it.
Breathe Sofia.
Sofia gasped for air. After a moment, she stood up and started pacing her bedroom. Flashes of the dream plagued her mind.
If only it was just a dream.
She grabbed at her head as the room started closing in on her.
Feeling overwhelmed, Sofia grabbed her warmest cloak and jerked her shoes on. Not caring that it was still dark, she hurried outside. A walk in cold air might do her some good.
Outside, Sofia walked into the gardens. With winter in full force, there was nothing but snow to see. But the young lady could still see how it looked on that day.
Snap!
Sofia let out a strangled breath as a phantom pain gripped her left arm. Her face paled and she ran out of the gardens and into the forest. Once out there, she walked aimlessly, wishing she could burn certain memories from her mind.
oOo
A few hours later, the Cyning family was gathering to breakfast. Everyone except one young brunette. Amber looked at the spot next to her where her sister was supposed to be sitting.
"Violet," Amber said. "Is Sofia not joining us?"
"She wasn't in her room this morning Miss. She isn't riding. Minimus is here. But her cloak and shoes are missing."
Amber sighed. "She's gone wandering again. Have you checked the gardens?"
"No Miss."
Amber stood up sharply. "Next time Violet, it would be a good idea to look around for her and let someone know sooner that she is missing. I'll go see if she's there."
Amber hurried out of the dining room. After getting her cloak, she went out to the gardens. It had snowed the afternoon before and the snow hadn't been cleared from the pathway so Amber quickly saw the evidence of Sofia having been in the garden at one point. But those footprints quickly led back out of the gardens.
Amber felt her stomach drop as the footprints led into the forest. She wasn't very fond of walking into the forest, but she would for her sister.
After a long walk, Amber finally saw a familiar figure curled up against a tree. Sofia sniffed and wiped her eyes before shivering. Whether it was from the cold or something else, Amber wasn't certain.
"Sofia? Did you have another nightmare?"
Sofia looked up in surprise at her sister. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
"What are you doing here?" Sofia asked.
"You're my sister. Where else would I be?"
"Perhaps at breakfast with the family?"
Amber sat by her sister and grasped her hand. "You're part of the family too. You should be at breakfast too."
"I'm not hungry."
"And I'm the royal duchess," Amber replied flatly. "Come on Sofia. You cannot keep doing this. You can't keep holding everything in. It's not good for you. And it's very frustrating for everyone the way you carry on. When are you going to let us in?"
Sofia looked away. "It's not that easy. You have no idea how it feels to live with this fear, the nightmares."
"Perhaps if you would actually talk about it and tell someone everything that happened that day instead of leaving us to guess, we might be able to help you get past the fear."
Sofia gritted her teeth. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Do you want to live in fear for the rest of your life? Because that's what's going to happen if you keep going on like this!"
Sofia flinched at her sister's tone. Amber let out a sigh and hugged her sister.
"Sofia, it breaks my heart to see you like this. I know it's hard but it's been over a year and you still won't talk about the attack."
"Perhaps I don't know how to."
Amber squeezed her sister tightly. "Well when you do, I'm here."
Sofia smiled for a brief moment. "Thanks Amber. I'm glad I have you. What would I do without you?"
"Forget to come home for breakfast?"
A small giggle escaped Sofia's lips. "You know? Breakfast does sound good."
"And a big pot of hot tea. I'm cold. I don't know how you've managed to stay out here so long. Come on. Let's go home."
Amber grabbed Sofia's hand and stood up, pulling the brunette along with her.