My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn felt as though she was suffocating.

It felt like the dark was closing in, suffocating her, wrapping her in a cold, tight embrace. She couldn't see, couldn't breathe. Something—someone—was there, just beyond her vision. Cold, ghostly fingers brushed against her throat, light at first, then tightening. Her chest heaved as she tried to suck in air, but nothing came. It felt like the pressure was crushing her throat, unbearable, suffocating her with every breath.

She struggled, her fingers clawing at her throat, but there was nothing to grab. The force choking her was invisible, yet merciless. Panic clawed at her mind, her lungs burning. The whispers around her grew louder, disjointed, voices she didn't recognize murmuring in a language she couldn't understand.

Then, suddenly—

Raelynn gasped, bolting upright in bed. The suffocating grip disappeared, but its phantom touch lingered. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she clutched at her throat, as if making sure it was still intact. Her body trembled violently, drenched in a cold sweat. She tried to steady herself, but a violent cough tore through her lungs. The sound echoed in the quiet room, sharp and painful. Her throat ached, raw from the strain. It felt too real. Too vivid.

She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she tried to shake the lingering terror. It was just a dream. It had to be. But the sensation of those unseen hands—

A sudden noise startled her.

The door swung open with force, hitting the wall with a soft thud. Elion stood there, his sharp gaze scanning the dimly lit room before settling on her. His eyes locked onto hers, and in an instant, his usual composed expression fractured into something else—concern, alarm.

"Raelynn?" His voice was urgent, filled with something uncharacteristically raw. Without hesitation, he entered, walked over to the bed, and sat down. "What's wrong? I heard—" He cut himself off when he saw her state—her pale complexion, her trembling frame, her labored breaths.

Raelynn didn't respond immediately. She was still caught between the dream and reality, her body reacting before her mind could process. Before she even realized what she was doing, she reached for him. Without hesitation, she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her.

Elion stiffened slightly at the unexpected action, but he didn't resist. If anything, the tension in his body faded as she buried herself against his chest, clinging to him like he was the only thing anchoring her to the present. He smelled clean, fresh—something faintly woodsy and familiar. His warmth seeped into her chilled skin, grounding her.

She was shaking, small tremors running through her body. Her breath hitched, her fingers twisting into the fabric of his shirt. She wasn't even sure why she pulled him close—only that she needed something solid, something real. Elion didn't push her away. Instead, after a moment of stillness, his arms came around her, pulling her closer. His embrace was strong, firm yet careful, like he was afraid she'd break if he held too tightly.

His hand moved to the back of her head, fingers threading gently through her hair. "You're safe," he murmured, his voice lower now, quieter. "Nothing's going to hurt you. I'm here."

Raelynn squeezed her eyes shut, taking in the steady sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear. Her breathing was still uneven, but the rapid rise and fall of her chest started to slow.

"It felt real," she admitted, her voice hoarse, barely above a whisper. "I couldn't breathe. Someone was… choking me."

Elion's grip tightened subtly. "A nightmare?"

She nodded against him, still unwilling to pull away. "I don't know why it felt so real. It was like… something was there."

He didn't reply immediately. His hand continued to move gently along her back, a comforting gesture that made her aware of how close they were. She should probably let go. The realization made her hesitate, but she still didn't move.

"You're awake now. It can't hurt you," he said finally, his voice steady. "Nothing will happen to you while I'm here. I'll keep you safe."

There was something about the way he said it—so certain, so unwavering—that made her believe him. She relaxed her hold just a bit, but stayed right where she was. The silence stretched between them, thick yet oddly soothing.

She exhaled slowly, finally lifting her head just enough to glance up at him. His face was hard to read in the low light, but his eyes were fixed on her, like he was searching for something. The intensity of it sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn't look away.

"I should let go now, shouldn't I?" she muttered, a hint of self-consciousness creeping in.

Elion smirked, just barely. "If you want to."

His words made her realize he wasn't holding her there—she had been the one clinging to him. And yet, despite saying she could pull away, he made no move to release her first.

Raelynn swallowed, finally gathering the will to step back. As soon as she did, Elion let his arms drop, though his eyes never wavered from hers. The absence of his warmth left a strange emptiness in its place.

"You should rest," he said. "Do you want me to stay?"

Raelynn looked up at Elion, searching his face as if trying to find something—reassurance, maybe. Or permission.

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned forward again, burying her face in his chest. Her hands clutched the fabric of his shirt, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded.

"Please," she whispered, her voice muffled against him. "I don't want to be alone."

Elion stiffened slightly, caught off guard, but only for a second. Then his arms wrapped around her again, pulling her in even tighter than before. His chin rested lightly against the top of her head, his hand pressing gently against her back as if to keep her from slipping away.

She didn't know what was happening between them. She didn't understand why she had reached for him, why his presence calmed her so easily. But one thing was clear—

Elion wasn't just someone she could ignore anymore.