**The Darkness That Bind**

The silence was a living thing, a creature that wrapped itself around me, squeezing tight with every passing moment. I strained to hear the sound of Hange's footsteps, the rustle of his clothes as he moved, but there was nothing. The air conditioner hummed on, a steady heartbeat that seemed to mock me, reminding me of the emptiness that surrounded me. As I sat there, lost in the darkness, my mind began to wander. I thought about all the times Hange had been there for me, all the times he had held me, comforted me, and loved me. I thought about the way he made me feel, like I was home, like I was exactly where I was meant to be. And I wondered, would he ever come back to me? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a cold dread creeping up my legs. I tried to push it away, to tell myself that Hange would come back, that he loved me, but the fear lingered. It was a fear that had been growing inside me for a long time, a fear that I would lose him, that he would leave me behind. As the minutes ticked by, I found myself becoming more and more agitated. My heart was racing, my breathing quick and shallow. I felt like I was drowning in the darkness, like it was closing in around me, suffocating me. I needed to do something, to find a way to calm myself down, to distract myself from the fear that was growing inside me. I slowly stood up, my hands out in front of me, feeling my way across the room. I knew the layout by heart, but it was different in the dark. Everything seemed to loom over me, casting long, ominous shadows on the floor. I made my way to the kitchen, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed a drink, something to calm my nerves. As I reached for the fridge, my hand brushed against the cold metal, and I felt a surge of relief. I opened the door, and a sliver of light spilled out, illuminating the dark room. I blinked, my eyes adjusting slowly to the light. It was dim, but it was enough to make me feel a little better. I grabbed a glass and filled it with water, my hands shaking slightly as I lifted it to my lips. The cool liquid slid down my throat, calming my parched mouth. As I stood there, sipping my water, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was temporary, I knew, but it was enough to keep me going. As I stood there, I heard a faint noise, a sound that made my heart skip a beat. It was the sound of footsteps, light and careful, as if someone was trying not to be heard. My heart racing, I turned towards the sound, my ears straining to hear more. And then, I heard it again, louder this time, more distinct. It was the sound of Hange's footsteps, coming from the hallway. My heart soared, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. He was back.