Chapter 31 | Caleb
Caleb
Lightning struck, quickly followed by rolling thunder so loud I felt it in my bones.
“Come on Duke, we gotta go in before—”
As if the sky was taunting me, it immediately opened the floodgates. Duke had almost made it back to the porch before the rain began, too.
Duke jumped up on the porch and skidded to a stop at the door.
“I’m sorry, buddy. I had no idea it would rain that hard, that fast.” I opened the door to let us in and asked him to sit in the entryway while I grabbed a towel from the laundry room.
Duke shook before we came in, but water spots still speckled the floor when he shook again.
The look on his face made me laugh because I could tell he really hated the rain and was not too pleased with me right now for the last-minute bathroom break.
Duke sat at the door. He was such a good boy, but I needed to hurry before he couldn’t handle sitting still any longer.
I grabbed a clean towel and walked back to Duke, still sitting like a perfect gentleman.
“Good boy, Duke.” I dried him off as best as I could and then released him so he could let his zoomies out.
I smiled to myself as I looked down the hall and saw my bathroom light was on. Rae was getting the toothpaste by herself, so that means she trusts me enough to know I am not setting her up to using it and then getting mad—good.
I laughed as Duke spun around in the middle of the room before stopping, only to run, spin, and stop again. Gosh, I wish Rae was out here to see this.
“Hey, Rae, did you find the toothpaste?” I called to her while laughing at this crazy dog.
“Yup, I—”
Lightning struck, and we were in immediate darkness.
Crap. I checked my pockets and didn’t have my cell phone with me.
Where did I even leave it? I walked to the couch and felt around but couldn’t find my phone.
Normally, I’d be fine since I knew this house like the back of my hand, but I also didn’t have any candles or lanterns ready for Rae.
I started to walk swiftly down the hallway to the closet where I kept the lanterns when I heard a loud thud, followed by a groan sound. Did she fall? “Rae, honey! I’m coming now. I’m sorry I don’t have my phone with me to give us light.”
Lightning struck and it illuminated my path to the bathroom for half a second.
“Hey, Sunshine. I’m here.” I really need to get solar night-lights for moments like this. I heard small thudding sounds near the ground like something was hitting the bathroom cabinets.
Lightning struck again behind me, and I saw her curled up in the corner of the bathroom, wedged in the corner of the cabinet and the wall. Crap.
“Hey, Sunshine, it’s Caleb. I’m walking up to you.” I felt her foot make contact with mine and then it sounded like she was flailing her arms and only making contact with the cabinets. She was trying to protect herself—good. The smallest sounds came from her direction, but no words.
I needed to try and talk her down before making any contact, so I sat a couple feet away from her.
Lightning blinded us every few minutes, and the thunder shook the entire house. Duke seemed worried about Rae but also scared of the thunder, so he tried to run to her for comfort and to comfort her.
“Hey, not right now, Duke. Lie down, boy.” I could hear his claws tapping on the bathroom tiles, and then I felt him press against my leg before lying down with a big thud. “Good boy, Duke.”
I spoke to Rae again, just letting her know I was here, and she sounded like she was struggling to breathe—like she was choking. Oh my gosh, my attempt at calming her did nothing to help. I instantly felt horrible.
“Rae, it’s Caleb. It’s me, honey.” I moved in front of her.
“Caleb,” she squeaked out, and my heart broke. She was terrified.
I reached out and touched her leg to try and make some gentle contact.
She kicked me. I pulled back quickly. I didn’t know what to do besides try and wrap her in my arms so she could feel it was me.
She hit and kicked me, but I didn’t care.
I needed her to know she was safe because right now, she was terrified.
Sharp pain hit my jaw, and I felt blood start to trickle down my neck.
“Rae! Sunshine! It’s me!” I shouted. She stilled for a heartbeat and then started to fight again. “Caleb, help!” she cried. Her voice was so faint, so scared.
“Rae, honey, I’ve got you,” I told her as I wrapped my arms around her. I didn’t squeeze her so she didn’t think I was trying to hurt her.
I just held her. “Sunshine, it’s me. You’re safe. I promise it’s me. I got you,” I whispered the promise to her.
I’m not sure if it was my words, me holding her, or both, but she said my name clearly this time.
“Yeah, honey. It’s me, Ranger.” I ran my fingers through her hair, hoping it would comfort her and bring her back to me.
She grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer than I already was. I continued to whisper to her that she was safe with me as I ran my fingers through her hair. She buried her face against my chest, and I felt her take a couple of deep breaths.
“I got you, Sunshine. I’m right here and I am not going to let you go.”
A few moments passed before her breathing evened out, and her pulse slowed to a more normal rate.
I could tell she was nervous, but I didn’t dare move—not until she was ready. When she finally loosened her grip, I knew she was starting to come back to me.
She was still clinging to my shirt, but she seemed calmer than before. It was still dark in the house. Only the occasional flash of lightning lit up the room. I had offered to grab the candles, but she did not want me to leave her, so I waited until she said she was feeling a bit better.
“How are you doing, Sunshine?”
“Okay, I guess. I'm...really cold right now.” A chill went through her, and I rubbed her back.
“Can I help you up?’
Rae nodded, so I held out my hand for her to hold as I wrapped my arm around her waist and lifted her up.
“It’s so dark, Caleb.” We held hands as I started to move us out of the bathroom, but she moved her arms to wrap around mine.
“I know. I’m really sorry, I couldn’t find my phone or get any light before I ran to find you.” Thunder shook the house and Rae jumped. “Sorry. That startled me.” I could hear the fear in her voice.
While it was dark in my room, I could see the outline of my dresser and the open door next to it.
If she was okay with it, I could quickly move through the house to get the lanterns.
I stopped walking and turned towards her.
Keeping my voice low, “Hey Rae, do you trust me? I won't be upset if you say no.”
“Yes, of course.”
I reached up to touch her cheek with the back of my fingers. “Why don't you sit on the bed with Duke and I'll go get the lights? It will be quick and you don't have to walk around in darkness.”
“Duke can stay with me?”
“On one condition. When I am back with the lights, you let me be the one who makes you feel safe again. It’s where I’m meant to be—right there with you.” I kissed her forehead and for the first time since the power went out, she seemed to relax.
“I can try that.”
“Okay. Duke, go to bed.” I heard him hop up on the bed and lie down, so I led Rae to the bed. “I’ll only be gone for a couple minutes, promise.”
She acknowledged me with only a sound, and I left her side to find the lights and candles.
I left the room, but part of me stayed right there—with her and Duke—exactly where I belonged.