"A Lonely Night Ahead"

As I clung to Hange, I could feel his exhaustion seeping into his muscles, his body tense with fatigue. His arms, though wrapped around me, seemed to hold a hint of stiffness, a subtle indication that he needed to rest. I knew I had to let him go, but my mind and body rebelled against the idea of being alone. My fingers dug into his shirt, holding on for dear life as I whimpered, my voice muffled against his chest. Hange's voice, though laced with weariness, was gentle as he spoke, "Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. I'll be back soon, I promise. You have to be strong, okay?" His words, meant to comfort me, only filled me with a sense of dread. I didn't want to be strong; I wanted to be with him. I wanted his warmth, his love, and his comfort. As he slowly pried me off his chest, I felt a pang of loss, a sense of abandonment that threatened to consume me. My eyes, though sightless, seemed to well up with tears again, and I knew I was on the verge of another breakdown. Hange's hands, still holding mine, gave me a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, baby. I really am. But I have to go. You know I love you, and I'll be back before you know it." I nodded, though I knew he couldn't see me, and my voice barely above a whisper, I replied, "I love you too, Hange." The words, though simple, held a depth of emotion that I couldn't express otherwise. As he stood up, I felt the couch creak beneath me, and I knew I was alone once more. The darkness, which had receded with Hange's presence, closed in around me like a shroud. I strained to hear any sound that might indicate he was still nearby, but the silence was oppressive, a heavy blanket that suffocated me. My fingers, still tracing the patterns on the armrest, felt lost and alone. The air conditioner hummed on, a steady heartbeat that seemed to mock me. I was alone, and the loneliness was a palpable thing, a living entity that wrapped itself around me like a cold, damp shroud. My mind, prone to catastrophizing, began to spin tales of Hange's abandonment, of him leaving me forever. As the minutes ticked by, I found myself retreating into my own little world, a world of fears and anxieties. My breathing quickened, and my heart began to pound in my chest. I was lost, alone, and adrift in a sea of darkness. And in that darkness, I began to wonder: would Hange ever come back to me?