Forgive or die trying

Care

To say he was worried was an understatement.

The blonde haired boy was practically a ball of anxiety as he stared at Aubrey, her tossing in her sleep and clearly having a nightmare.

He glanced at his door, then back to her, not knowing if he should leave to get Polly or stay and try to help on his own.

God, he was never good at this! Mari was the one who comforted everyone, not him!

He felt so utterly useless and weak, he finally got his friend back and now he can't even be strong enough to help her feel safe! Why couldn't he do anything right?!

As he started to rock back and forth, nails digging into his arms that were tightly wrapped around his knees, he saw it.

Her silhouette.

He rubbed his eyes, blinked a few times, but sure enough she was still there. Her eyes held warmth and she slowly walked towards him, arms held out as if asking for a hug. With a slight nod, he allowed her to get closer and felt her arms wrap around him in that same tight embrace she always gave him when he would have panic attacks. Her delicate porcelain fingers weaved through his hair as she held him in her arms.

Part of him knew there was no way for this to be real, he knew she had been dead for years!

And yet, a separate part gave in to that desire for her love and began to softly cry, coating her white dress in tear stains as her voice flowed through his mind.

"You're alright dear, big sister is here for you. No need to cry alright? We'll do this together, ok?", her voice was soft as can be, sweet as sugar, and comforting like a hug.

He nodded slowly and held her hand, her helping him to his feet and guiding him over to Aubrey. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he watched Mari gazing at him. He tilted his head curiously and signed to her, but she didn't seem to notice his movements or his slightly curious looks up to her. Mari's long, silky smooth hair flowed like a river behind her with each step she took, as graceful as he remembered.

Basil slowly sat atop Aubrey's bed with Mari's guidance, looking up at her to know the next step. She simply smiled softly to him and motioned for him to choose what to do next. He slowly reaches over and ran a hand through her hair, if it comforted him then it should comfort her right? At Mari's smile, he knew he was doing it correctly and even cracked a smile himself.

"Now, do you remember that one song I always sang to help you fall asleep?", her voice echoed through his mind as he nodded, then realizing what she was getting at he quickly signed to her,

"I can't speak, I haven't spoken in years. How can I sing?" Her soft laughter was his only response for a few moments before she simply smiled again,

"I believe in you Basil, you can do this. Remember what I did to help you, and use that knowledge to help her. I believe you are a key ingredient in her journey to recovery from the trauma." He looked even more confused at that, but before he could react she turned to look at him, eyes sparkling with unshed tears as she reached over and cupped his face. She then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before turning her attention back to Aubrey.

"Remember, just do what i did until you know how to help her better ok?" And with that, she faded away. The boy desperately reached for her, but she was gone. Nothing remained except her words, do what she did?

With a deep breath, Basil held Aubrey close and opened his mouth. His voice was shaky, but audible as each lyric rang out. He could feel the girl relax in his arms, bringing a small smile to his own face as he continued.

By the end of the song, she was peacefully laying in his arms with her head on his lap. He knew full well in the morning she would probably freak out to see the position they were in, but for right now he knew he helped her. And to him, that's all that mattered.

To him, she was all that mattered.

And as Aubrey struggled through her dream, it was like she was falling but still running, but the more she ran the deeper she sank. She couldn't get away. About to give up and let the abyss of her dark past claim her as it had claimed so many before her, something stopped her. A breath of hope, a chance of redemption even. She knew what the feeling was. It wasn't right to give in, not now. She had to keep going, she had to get away, she had to keep fighting, because she could feel it.

She could feel *him*.

He was coming, and he'd find her and rescue her as he had before. And in her dream she could feel the hope that he was going to come.

The darkness slowly subsided, and a light shone brighter, more beautiful than she could have ever known. As the light of that blazing blue sunshine cut through the haze, Aubrey felt safe. She felt peace.

The dream was fading, and yet she didn't fear it. A new one would overtake it soon, she knew that, but she didn't think it would be another nightmare.

Driven by a hope that was long forgotten, by a voice that came from nowhere and went nowhere, Aubrey found herself, despite being pulled down by the darkness of her past, moving forward.

And out of that darkness, she finally could clearly make out soft and shaky words.

"Sleep well Aubrey, I'm here now".