She had gone out grocery shopping alone, and not long after, a thunderstorm rolled in. The loud crashes of thunder sent a shiver down my spine, my nerves unraveling as I curled up in my room. I tried to stay calm, but before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

When she finally returned, my phone buzzed with her call, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. The storm had left me too shaken. Moments later, my door creaked open, and she stepped inside, concern written all over her face.

"You're home," I murmured, my voice breaking as I wiped at my tears. "I was scared… Why did you leave me alone?"

Relief and fear tangled in my chest, but with her here now, the weight of the storm didn’t seem so heavy anymore.