Joss Whedon's the genius. Not me.

Written for Open on Sunday LJ community's challenge #96, Sound.

Listening to Fear
by Zzilly14

The sound of running water and Latin music drown out any insane ramblings her mother may have. As she washes dishes, Buffy dwells on the upcoming surgery her mother faces. Suddenly she can't hold it in any longer. Tears fall down her face, and sobs take hold of her body.

Her mother is on the other side of the wall, screaming nonsense thoughts. Dawn doesn't want to hear it, she just wants Mom to be well again. So she takes her pillow and covers her ears, drowning out all the noise except for the deafening thoughts screaming inside her head.