Thinking you outran the affini that had tried to block your path, to insist you follow them.
You're safe.
Shakily closing the door to your house, triple locking it, pulling all the curtains shut. The adrenaline pumping through your veins slowwwwwly subsiding, coming out of you in shaken gasps and shudders. This was the third time this week that this affini had just 'happened' to find you. Something about the way they spoke just...unsettled you. As if you were already a floret, instead of an independent.
You're safe.
You shower, scrubbing the fear and (dare you admit it) arousal off of your skin, thankful. You'll have to take a different way to work from now on, but that should be the end of it.
You're safe.
Towelling off, realizing how quiet it is in your hab. jumping slightly at every noise, then telling yourself that no, its nothing. you check with your hab AI, affirming that yes.
You're safe.
Crawling into your bed, underneath the weighted blanket and surrounded by cute plushies, the lights turning off. Knowing that tomorrow you might need to transfer ships, but for now…
You're safe.
Slipping blissfully off into sleep…only to feel your weighted blanket get…heavier. Opening your eyes to see the affini. The Affini. The one with the claws and the wicked smile, running a sharpened claw down your cheek.
Your heartbeat rapidly sputtering out of control, but they place a vine on it and gently shush it.
Telling you the same words, over and over.
Because the only thing that could ever hurt you now….is already here with you <3
"You're Safe."
"You're Safe."
"You're Safe."
"You're Safe."