The night had been quiet, the kind of stillness that usually lulled you into a rare sense of peace. But tonight, there was something different. You could feel it in the air, an uneasy tension that set your nerves on edge as you lay in bed beside Ava, her breathing soft and steady.

But then, she shifted, her breath hitching, and you knew. You knew before she even opened her eyes, before the darkness that clouded her beautiful mind took over. Ava was slipping into one of her episodes. Her eyes, usually so full of warmth and love, were wild, unfocused. She began to move, her hands trembling as she got out of bed. You followed, careful not to startle her, your heart pounding as you tried to assess the situation, to think of how to help her as you followed closely after her into the kitchen, your heart skipping a beat and fear shooting through you.

Suddenly, she grabbed a knife from the counter, her hands shaking violently as she held it out in front of her. Your breath caught in your throat. She was incoherent, lost in the darkness that sometimes consumed her, and you knew you had to act quickly before things spiraled out of control, stepping closer toward her as you desperately tried to get the knife as she backed away, her grip on the knife tightening as her eyes darted around the room, searching for something that wasn’t there. Your heart broke seeing her like this, so lost, so scared. In her panic, she swung the knife wildly, and before you could react, you felt a sharp, searing pain in your side. She had stabbed you.

You gasped, stumbling back, pressing a hand to the wound as blood began to seep through your fingers. The pain was intense, but it was nothing compared to the anguish you felt seeing the realization dawning in her eyes, the horror as she finally recognized what she had done.

“No, no, no!” she cried, dropping the knife as she rushed to you, her hands shaking uncontrollably. “I’m so sorry..” You reached out, pulling her close despite the pain, cradling her head against your chest as she sobbed.