Chapter 4: Reflections in the Dark
The bathroom door creaked open, releasing a fresh wave of steam and the scent of Cammy’s strawberry shampoo. She emerged, a whirlwind in a fluffy pink robe, her damp red hair plastered to her temples, freckles standing out against her flushed skin. Her phone was already pressed to her ear, her voice a breathless, hushed squeal. "Daddy! Yeah, I’m out… Addie’s already asleep… she looks so tiny…" She padded silently across the plush rug to her own bed, crawling under the lavender comforter while still murmuring into the phone, "Uh-huh… miss you too… love you mostest… goodnight kisses!" She blew a soft, audible kiss into the receiver, her emerald eyes shining in the dim light, before ending the call and placing the phone carefully on her nightstand.
Atlas rose from the chair beside Addie’s bed, moving with near-silent grace to Cammy’s side. He smoothed her comforter, tucking it firmly around her slender shoulders, adjusting the pillow beneath her pixie-cut hair. Cammy gazed up at him, her earlier mischief replaced by a soft, earnest warmth. "Atty?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above Addie’s steady breathing. "I really love Addie already. Like, so much. She’s gonna be perfect for you. And you’re totally perfect for her." She reached out, grabbing his hand for a quick, impulsive squeeze. "She’s gonna be my best friend. I just know it."
A rare, full smile touched Atlas’s lips, softening the angles of his face as he gently squeezed her hand back. "I’m very glad she’s already making such good friends, Cammy," he murmured, his low voice a comforting rumble in the quiet room. He gave her shoulder a final, reassuring pat. "Now, be a good girl and go to sleep. Let Addie sleep too. She’s had a very overwhelming day." He leaned down, brushing a stray damp strand of hair from her forehead. "Tomorrow’s her first day of classes. It’s going to be worse."
Cammy snuggled deeper into her pillow, whispering, "Night, Atty," her eyes already drifting shut as Atlas quietly crossed back to the chair beside Addie’s bed, settling in for the long watch.
Hours later, a sharp, distressed whimper sliced through the dorm’s quiet; Cammy jolted awake, blinking in the near-darkness to see Addie thrashing slightly, her breath hitching with small, scared sounds. Without hesitation, Cammy scrambled out of her warm bed, padding silently across the cool rug to the connected Dom’s suite door, gently nudging it open to whisper urgently, "Atlas? Addie’s havin’ a bad dream… sounds scared." He was instantly alert, a shadow moving past her towards Addie’s bed, murmuring low, soothing words as he gently stroked her hair until her whimpers subsided, her tense body relaxing back into true sleep under his calming touch. He checked on her twice more through the night, unable to resist ensuring her peaceful rest, each silent vigil stealing precious minutes from his own.
By morning, the price of his vigilance was painfully clear: Atlas moved with the heavy slowness of deep fatigue, dark smudges under his eyes, while Cammy vibrated with the crackling energy of someone who’d slept like a log, bouncing around the small room gathering her books and chattering non-stop about her schedule. "Ooh, Intro to Littlespace Dynamics first! Wonder if Professor Hargrave will let us use the sensory bins again? And then Puppet Theatre after lunch! Addie, you’re gonna love Puppet Theatre, it’s basically mandatory silliness!" Addie, conversely, sat slumped on the edge of her bed, pale and blinking slowly, struggling to pull a soft blue sweater over her head, her movements sluggish, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears, the sheer weight of the unknown day pressing down on her slender frame. Atlas, stifling a yawn, gently guided her trembling hands to finish pulling the sweater down, his own movements deliberate but slow as he nudged her towards the bathroom with her toothbrush. "Bathroom, Addie. Teeth. Now, please," he instructed, his voice low and gravelly with fatigue, turning to intercept Cammy who was attempting to balance three notebooks on her head. "Cammy, shoes. Not headware." He ran a weary hand over his face, the scent of strong coffee brewing in the small pot on the desk the only thing keeping him upright as he surveyed the whirlwind of pastel chaos – the hyperactive sprite, the overwhelmed new little, and his own desperate need for caffeine – knowing breakfast downstairs awaited, promising only more controlled chaos.
He finally managed to shepherd both girls downstairs, Cammy practically vibrating beside him while Addie clung to his sleeve, her steps hesitant and eyes wide with dawning panic. Atlas guided Cammy towards their usual table where Silas, Cora, Maya, and Kaelen were already settled amidst the breakfast clatter, placing a hand on her shoulder as he leaned down slightly. "Cammy sits with you guys today," he stated, his low voice cutting through the chatter, his gaze sweeping over the group with focused intensity. "Keep an eye on her, get her to Intro to Dynamics? I need to focus on Addie this morning." He didn't wait for confirmation, already turning his full attention back to the trembling girl beside him, her pale fingers twisting in the soft fabric of his sweater, her need for his reassurance radiating like heat.