The darkness of the room was stifling, pressing in from all sides. Ellie lay still, clutching the blanket to her chest, her heart pounding. The vivid nightmare that had jolted her awake still lingered, a specter in the corners of her mind. She could almost feel the cold, malevolent presence from her dream, the echo of whispers and the shadow of looming figures.

She reached over to the other side of the bed, but her hand found only the cool, empty space where Karrion Kross should have been. He was out of town for a wrestling event, and the absence of his comforting presence only heightened her anxiety. Ellie took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering fear. She needed him, needed to feel his strong arms around her, reassuring her that everything was okay.

Unable to fall back asleep, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. The hardwood floor was cold under her feet, grounding her slightly. Ellie padded softly to the kitchen, hoping that a cup of tea might soothe her frayed nerves. The familiar routine of boiling water, selecting a tea bag, and watching the steam rise offered a small measure of comfort.

As she waited for the tea to steep, Ellie's mind wandered back to the nightmare. It had felt so real. She had been in a dark, twisted version of their home, with hallways that stretched into infinity and walls that seemed to close in on her. She had called out for Karrion, but her voice was swallowed by the oppressive silence. She could still see the shadowy figures moving just beyond the edge of her vision, always there but never fully seen.

The kettle whistled, pulling her back to the present. She poured the hot water over the tea bag and wrapped her hands around the warm mug, savoring the heat. As she sipped the tea, she glanced at her phone on the counter. The clock read 2:47 AM. Karrion wouldn’t be home until the next evening. The thought of enduring another sleepless night alone was unbearable.

She picked up her phone and hesitated. She didn't want to wake him if he was resting, but the need to hear his voice, to feel some connection to him, was overwhelming. Finally, she dialed his number, holding her breath as it rang.

“Karrion?” she whispered when he answered, her voice trembling.

“Ellie? What's wrong?” His voice was thick with sleep but instantly alert, concern evident.

“I had a nightmare,” she said, the words spilling out in a rush. “It was so real, and I woke up and you weren't here, and I just... I needed to hear your voice.”

There was a brief pause, and she could almost see him sitting up, running a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, love. I wish I was there with you right now.” His voice was a soothing balm, each word a caress.

“Me too,” she whispered, tears welling up. “It was awful, Karrion. I felt so scared and alone.”

“I know, baby. I know. But listen to me, you’re safe. It was just a dream. I’m here, even if I’m not there physically, I’m with you. Always.”