Chapter 4

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"I can sleep on the floor, its really no problem," Amity retorted as Luz made room on the bed.

"Nonsense! This bed has more than enough room for two people. Besides, what kind of host would I be if I made you do that," Luz asked with a soft smile. Caught off guard as she noticed a faint blush creep across Amity's cheeks, Luz began to worry that perhaps she crossed some sort of line in her remark; she didn't want to push Amity, after all. "Unless of course you're uncomfortable; I'd never want to put you in a situation you're uncomfortable with," she stammered, noticing Amity's brow furrow. "Ah, I'm sorry I just..."

"Luz no, its okay... I just... I just have been nightmares lately thats all..." Amity said, meeting Luz's eyes before looking away. "In fact, it might be better if I slept in the front room even. I'd hate to wake you..."

Noticing a mix of sadness and fear in Amity's face, Luz felt her heart break. She had her own fair share of nightmares in the past but never ones bad enough to where she worried she'd wake someone else. Feeling a pang of sadness for her friend, Luz couldn't help but wonder what sort of demons plagued Amity's dreams at night, wishing more than anything that she could somehow help. Reaching for her friend's hand, Luz closed her eyes and breathed a heavy sigh before she spoke. "It's okay, Amity. I'm not a light sleeper," she lied, "and besides, maybe with someone else in the room, things won't feel so scary. But either way, you shouldn't feel bad about it or feel like you have to push yourself away because of something you can't control. You deserve a comfortable place to rest..." she sighed, voice trailing off. Not knowing what else to say and her mind once again returning to her desire to not push Amity, Luz looked at the green haired girl, waiting for any kind of response.

"Oh... okay..." Amity finally spoke. There it was again, she thought, that kindness and concern she had only ever felt from Luz. It amazed the young witch, how someone could be so selfless and understanding. Any other person in her life, she reckoned, surely would have pushed her away, not wanting the burden of her sleepless nights to detract from their own. She just couldn't understand it, Luz's unwavering kindness, but maybe she didn't have to.

"Okay?" Luz asked, confused at Amity's answer.

"Yeah, I mean... As... as long as you're sure it won't... I won't bother you," Amity whispered, her eyes focused her hand still intertwined with Luz's.

"Amity, you never have and never will be a bother. That I can promise you," Luz said offering Amity's hand a gentle squeeze. "Now come on, lets get some rest."

Finally meeting Luz's eyes, Amity was greeted with a soft, reassuring smile. Nodding Amity, turned off the lamp that lit the room before crawling under the blankets and laying down. As she stared into the dark, hearing the girl next to her softly snore, she couldn't help but let a small smile cross her face as she drifted off to sleep.

——

"Please... please no," Amity mumbled as she fought her mind. Pulled from sleep, Luz turned to the girl who was undoubtedly lost in a nightmare.

"Amity..." Luz whispered, propping herself up as she watched her friend begin to lightly thrash in her sleep, debating if she should wake her.

"Please... I'm sorry... Don't..." Amity huffed, rolling to face away from Luz. Whatever was running through her dreams, Luz reckoned, must be getting worse as she watched and listened to her friend continue to struggle. Growing more concerned Luz shifted, opting to wake her up. Carefully removing her leg from the pillow where it had been propped up, Luz moved towards the girl, closing the gap between them as she reached out her hand to nudge Amity's shoulder.

"No... No... Don't hit me!" Amity thrashed, accidentally kicking Luz's leg causing the human to double over in pain as she bit her tongue and clenched her jaw to keep from screaming. It hurt, pain from her leg now shooting through her body, but even so, she refused to let Amity see lest she blame herself. This was not her fault; what she was experiencing was far beyond her control. Hand trembling, and breath labored, Luz connected with Amity's shoulder as she gently shook her awake.

"A...Amity," Luz huffed in a firm whisper, not wanting to startle the now awake but panicked girl. "Y... you were having a nightmare," she choked through the pain.

"L... Luz..." Amity cried, turning to her friend, a look of fear plastered on her face.

"T...talk to me Amity," Luz stuttered, trying her best to regain her composure.

"I... I just... It was my dad. He... he was upset because I... I missed a few p...points on a test and he... he was going to hit me... beat me again," Amity said as tears began to stream down her face, sobbing uncontrollably. The nightmare had felt so real, like a memory come to life.

So that's it, Luz thought, wide-eyed in horror at what she had just heard. They hit her; how could they? Anger, sadness, and pain coursing through her body, Luz did the only thing she could think to do and outstretched her arms to offer an embrace to which Amity flinched. Amity had never told anyone about the abuse before and up until a few months ago, it had never manifested itself outside of the instance. But these nightmares, the terrible memory-like dreams that ran through her mind, they broke her.

Seeing Luz begin pull her arms back at her reaction, Amity opened hers as she lunged into Luz's chest, knocking her back onto the mattress with tears streaming down her face as she buried her head in Luz's shoulder.

Fighting back the pain from the kick and now the shock of being knocked back on the bed, Luz mustered every ounce of strength left in her small body as she wrapped Amity in a tight embrace. Unable to contain herself any longer, Luz felt hot tears begin to pour down her cheeks as she let the girl sob in her arms. She was hurt and more so, she hurt for her friend, wanting nothing more than to protect her and ensure no one would ever harm her again. "Amity..." she choked, "its okay... you're okay. I've got you."

"L...Luz... I'm so sorry. I... I should go..." Amity stuttered as she began to pull away, no longer wishing to burden her friend

"No, please... don't... don't apologize," Luz huffed. "You have nothing to be sorry for." Holding her friend close, Luz heard the girl let out another sob. "I've got you Amity. You're safe now and I'm not letting go."

"

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