a/n I'm sorry these chapters are so short, but I'm trying to update as much as I can as I go along.
"Myka, do you remember that summer we snuck out in the middle of the night and went to the park to play on the swings?"
Myka gave Helena a sideways glance before nodding slowly, never letting go of her friend's hand.
"Right, well remember how when I was pushing you on the swing I heard a noise coming from the trees and I told you to stay on the swing while I go see what was making the noise?"
Again Myka nodded.
"Myka, what I saw that night changed my entire life. I saw a man being hacked to death. I witnessed a murder, Myka."
Myka's grip on Helena's hand tightened.
"It gets worse," Helena continued, "I accidentally stepped on a dry leaf and the murderer looked up and saw me. Before I could think, I instinctively ran back to you."
"...And you yanked me off the swing and pulled me all the way home until we were locked inside." Myka finished for her.
"My god Helena. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was scared darling. And I didn't want to scare you. I thought I could lock it away inside me and it would go away. But when I heard it on the news the next day I knew I had to tell someone. There was a detective working the case and his number was displayed all over the news for anyone who had information to call. The next evening I mustered up the courage and called him and told him everything that had happened. My parents were furious that I had gotten myself involved, but I knew what I was doing was right."
Helena paused, looking at Myka for any sign of what the younger girl was thinking. Despite them being two years apart in age, Helena had always found Myka more thoughtful and mature that the other girls her own age. That's what had drawn her to Myka the first time they met. Right now, looking at Myka, all she could see was compassion and patience in her dear friend's olive green eyes. She took that as encouragement to continue.
"Somehow it got out that there was a witness to the murder, and we started getting threatening phone calls at home, notes in our mailbox. Someone was trying to warn us that if I didn't retract my statement, my family would pay for it dearly. I didn't retract my statement but it was decided that I wouldn't testify either. An audio statement was taken and used for the case. But then the threats got worse. The brakes on dad's car got cut and mum started getting death threats at work. The police suggested that my family move into the Witness Protection Program, but I refused. I had finally found a place I was comfortable calling home, friends that I loved. You, Myka, I couldn't leave you."
Helena stole another glance at Myka here. The other girl interlaced their fingers and pulled Helena's hand onto her lap, bringing them closer on the bench.
"The shooting was not accidental Myka. Those people intended to kill me that day. But somehow they missed my heart by a few inches and hit my shoulder instead. The police took that as their opening to get me into the program. They had the paramedics pronounce me dead and carry my body away while I was unconscious. When I awoke I was in a lot of pain, but I was terrified, because I had no idea what had happened to you; if you were safe. The detective assured me that you were safe, but that if it happened again, we might not be so lucky. He convinced me that for everyone's safety, especially yours, it would be better if everyone believed I was dead."
At this last admission, a single tear trailed down Helena's cheek. As she looked away to hide her face, Myka lightly placed a finger on her chin, turning Helena to face her. All she could see was pain, hurt and fear in those deep dark eyes. She wanted more than anything to be the one to put the light back in those beautiful eyes.