"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world." – G-Man, Half Life 2
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"Hmm...?"
Waking herself from a lush slumber, Chastity, still waking up without a thought in mind, attempts to roll over onto her other side.
...Only to find that she couldn't.
Now that she paid more attention, upon opening her eyes, she saw nothing, only an uncomforting pitch-black abyss. Focusing on her breathing, it seems more strained, as if slightly blocked. Upon the self-deluded realization that she's trapped, Chastity starts shaking. A familiar action, of which Alexandra notices.
Alexandra, intending a light-hearted surprise, maybe even a little chaff, was surprised at Chastity's quivering, like a child in a shock-induced fear...
'Nick, is this...?'
She seems to be in emotional shock. This might be connected to last night's shaking. It's the same type of vibration her body made last night... Try getting away from her.
Attempting to release Chastity from her grasp, keen on letting the woman calm herself, Chastity instead hugged tighter, an oxymoronic action seemingly made unconsciously, as shown by the increase in shaking.
What the fuck... I don't know how to solve this one. I can only guess that her trauma from some event in her life and the interaction of your souls caused something paradoxical to form. You're guess here on how to solve this is as good as mine - Nick said, not telling the whole truth.
Inquisitively, Alexandra's mouth nears Chastity's ear, intent on trying to talk Chastity out of her own hallucinations.
"Chastity, it's Alexandra. Wherever your mind is, can you hear me?"
Chastity doesn't answer, continuing to hyperventilate. Thinking quickly and stumbling upon a realization during her recollection of events that had happened both yesterday and today, Alexandra throws a hail mary, hoping that what she says doesn't get either of them hurt.
"You know, I had the same type of panic attack a couple of days ago. I couldn't move, every fiber of my being screaming in halting terror. Everyone in life has gone through their own problems. You've probably heard hundreds of stories through your occupation, so the fact that you game me comfort through mine was heartwarming. But I never heard yours. Never truly asked myself why you gave yourself your strange moniker."
Chastity squeaks, like a mouse caught in a trap, unable to escape, body paralyzed in trepidation.
"I wanted to give you the chance to tell me on your own, weave the story as you saw fit... But it seems circumstance is against us, and the thought of you suffering any longer at my own actions stabs my very soul."
At that word, Chastity's hyperventilating seems to freeze, breath held. Alexandra doesn't know how long Chastity can hold her breath, and she doesn't intend to find out.
"The way your body quakes, the fearful whines you release at uncontrolled human contact, and the position of your hand over your lower body... You've had an unwilling brush with the crueler side of the world, a taboo inflicted onto many... But you haven't escaped it, have you?"
Chastity starts coughing, and Alexandra instinctually goes to tighten her grip, which in turn restarts Chastity's hyperventilating. Hearing Chastity's pained breathing hurts Alexandra more than any bullet wound ever had.
"The human brain is cruel to some, unable to repress the memories forced upon it, a constant reminder of the painful experience that weaved the imagery into being... Which brings us to you."
The raging river of tears streaming down Chastity's face cause Alexandra to worry of Chastity's dehydration.
"I don't know what experiences you've had in your life, but this one has caused the largest effect on you, casting a shadow over your life. I want to help you fix those troubling impressions on your psyche, lock the memories down so that they can't harm your kind existence anymore..."
Battling with her own mind during her speech, Alexandra eventually admits something that she'd been repressing herself, an admittance that forces her emotions run rampant in misinterpreted self-denial.
"I love you, Chastity."
Chastity once again stops breathing, but hearing what Alexandra calls her, she finally looks up at her, absolute confusion plaguing her fear-addled mind.
"Love is a powerful emotion, but it seems I've grown fond of you, Chastity. Too fond for even my diluted outlook on life to pass this stray emotion by. I don't know why I feel this way, as my view on life is bleak at best, but it seems you've drilled you're way into the core of my existence, and my consciousness refuses to let you go."
Finally coming out of her rumination, Chastity's eyes gain clarity at Alexandra's admission, though tears continue to flow regardless.
"It may seem too fast, but my life has been an uncontrollable nightmare of events I couldn't prevent. I'll take any reprieve I can get from my depressing existence, and your presence is like a tree's shade under a hot summer day. I refuse to lose that sort of refreshment in my life. And I hope you'll forgive me for-"
Alexandra's rambling is stopped by a soft sensation covering her mouth, followed by the gentlest of drops touching her pale skin. Glowing with self acceptance, Chastity smiles madly as she leans further in towards Alexandra's face, hands on both sides of the girl's back, squeezing with force.
Surprised, Alexandra lets it happen in stunned silence, before eventually allowing a tentative hand to travel towards Chastity's hair, one that is immediately accepted in earnest. Gaining more confidence, Alexandra, feeling a new sensation for the first time in her life, finally welcomed the surprising burst of action from Chastity in stride, finally happy for what is most likely the first time she could remember since the accident. Emotions, the happy ones, could be refreshing.