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It was never ending in her head. The vivid images that flashed in her head as she tired and failed to go to sleep.
The night was a cool one, so cold that it was enough that it even could cool her down. Sheets were twisted in her legs and damp with the sweat that still somehow managed to come through her pores.
Kori kept toosing and turning in her sleep trying to find a position that would ease her into slumber. But it seemed not matter how hard she tired it wouldn't come to her and she started to feel her temper rise. After what felt like hours go by she sat up in her bed and huffed in annoyance and frustration at the situation.
She glanced at the alarm clock by her bed for the time. A glaring 3:25 am stared back at her with malice that feels unwarranted. Her jaw clenched at that she was grateful that she didnt have anything of importance to do today but it still made her angry she was kept up this late.
Deciding that it wouldn't be worth it to try and go back to sleep Kori tossed off the covers from her body and got up from her bed. Grabbing her hygiene bag she went to the bathroom to prepare herself for the long day ahead of her. The heat of the shower brought her some sense of relief seeping into her very bones.
After that and a skin care routine that Donna had brought to her attention she went to the kitchen to make something light to eat. She wasnt really in the mood to eat anything at all but not doing so would cause her more problems then she wanted to deal with so she pushed through.
With a bowl of brown sugar oatmeal in her hand she went to the common area and sat on the couch. No one else was awake in the tower which she was glad about for many reasons. One that might everyone else who suffered through their own insomnia and sleeping problems could get the rest they need. And two...
She could be by herself.
"Maybe I need to get away for a bit like Raven mentioned that probably why I haven't had good rest in a while. I could go visit Ryand'r I've been meaning too" she whispered to herself as she ate her food.
The morning sun started to peak over the horizon as 6 am came closer. The first touch of light that hit her brought much needed enegry to her that she needed. The warmth covered her orange skin like a layer of comfort that she needed so badly.
She laid back and let it cover her, but as she did so she felt her throat get hot with tears. The nightmares from before seem to creep back into her mind like trying to pull her back into it and drown in terror. The beating of her chest got faster and the tears came faster as took shallow breaths to try to get it under control and failing too.
"Kori?" She heard a voice call to the side of her. In her panic she couldn't get her head to turn just stared forward and trying to get under her control.
"Hey Kori listen take deep breathes ok come on follow me" she could recognize who it was no. Victor.
She felt his hand in hers, he must be on her right side since it wasn't his robotic hand, and gave one firm squeeze every 30 seconds. It was still touch and go as he did it but slowly be surely she started to calm down as it helped ground her. Soon enough her line of vision became clear and her breathing more leveled as the panic lossend its hold.on her.
"OK that's good Star thats good let's keep at it for a little bit longer" Victor said in a leveled and calm voice.
"O-of course" she stumbled as they went on repeat the exercise. First title went for another 5 minutes then 3 to 1 minute before Victor stopped squeezing her hand and just held it in his own. They were quiet as the sun rose up and bright in the sky and the birds flew across the window of the Titan tower.
"If you want too mind telling me what happened" Victor finally asked after 35 minutes of silence.
Kori paused for a moment and thought over what she was going to say.
"I had a nightmare last night and couldn't sleep and for some reason the sun made me have a panic attack. I couldn't tell you why it did that but before too long I was in the belly of it. Thank you for your help Victor that could have gotten a lot worst if I was left to my own devices" her voice sounded shaky from her crying.
Victor looked at her with saddens as he wrapped an arm around her and brought her in closer to him. He felt the curls of her red hair touch under his chin and he gave a breathless laugh at it.
"Whats so funny?" Kori asked not in anger but in wonder.
"Nothing really this is just the first time ive been able to be taller then you is all" his lips turned up in a bigger grin.
Kori paused for a moment but gave a genuine chuckle at the man. She didnt have too many moments on earth when someone was taller then her so this was nice in its own little way. She pulled her legs up onto the couch and laid her head on Victor's lap.
"Yeah well dont get used to it later on today youll be right back to being shorter then me" she teased as she closed her eyes.
Victor's rolled his own but said nothing as he placed a hand on the side of her face, "Wouldn't dream of it"
The two spent the rest of the morning like that just taking in the sounds and sight of the city in the company of one another. Kori thought to herself how many she should have more days like this where she did nothing but look out her window. Or maybe even have a walk in a nice park and feed the birds oh maybe taking a quick flight somewhere for a few days would do her good. She hasn't flown by herself in a long while.
"Victor thank you for this" Kori says softly.
"It was nothing star dont think so hard about it you would have done the same for me" Victor replied as he wrapped an arm around her and gave a gentle kiss to the side of her temple.
Though the nightmares would never leave her and some nights will be so difficult it won't be easy to come out of she was glad she had the others here on earth with her too help. That she had a new group of people she could depend on for whatever challenges that will come across her path as the days came.