Brynn slowly pushed herself up off the ground. She wiped away the remaining tears from her face. She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. She had no idea what she was going to do. She couldn't tell anyone what had just happened. She looked up and saw that she was at the lodging house. She had walked there without even thinking about where she was going. She combed her hair with her hands, hoping no one would think anything happened. She could feel her eye swelling where Oscar had hit her. She walked in, keeping her head down as she walked up the stairs and into the bunkroom.
"Toity! Where ya been? I was starting to get worried about ya," she heard Blink say as she entered the room. She looked up at him. "Oh my God," he said, running over to her. "What happened? Who did this to you," he asked. She didn't answer. She looked down to the ground, avoiding his gaze. He lifted her head with his hands and looked directly into her eyes. "Toity, baby, tell me who did this to you. Tell me what happened," he said slowly, not letting her eyes wander from his face. She could feel tears burning in her eyes again. She quickly walked over to the window, desperate to keep the tears in.
"It...it's nothing. I...I just tripped again and I hit the concrete before I could catch myself," she lied. "I had to pick up all those papers again," she let out a small laugh, hoping she had convinced him. She looked back at him, hoping she would see the warm smile he always gave her. Instead she found a cold look in his eye.
"Fine Toity. Whatever you say," he said in an equally cold voice. "Lay down and I'll get you some ice for your eye." She gave him a weak smile which he didn't return. He turned and walked out, leaving her alone in the bunkroom. She sat down on the nearest bed and put her head in her hands. She hated herself for lying to Blink.
"Oh God, why did I have to be so stupid," she asked herself.
"I've been wondering that for years." Brynn jumped at the sound of someone else's voice and looked up to see her sister standing in the doorway.
"Oh, it's you," Brynn replied, putting her head back in her hands. Hilary walked over and sat down next to her on the bed.
"Blink told me what happened. You tripped again? Why do I not believe that? So what really happened Brynn," she asked.
"That is what really happened! Why is that so hard to believe," Brynn almost shouted.
"Mrs. Graceful trip two times in one day? It just doesn't happen. And plus, most people don't get black eyes by falling on the concrete," Hilary said. "Brynn, I'm your sister. Whatever it is you can tell me."
"I...I can't tell you," Brynn said, letting out more tears. "I can't tell anyone."
"Brynn, please. It doesn't matter how bad it is. I promise I'm not going to think anything. You can tell me," Hilary said again.
"You don't understand! I can't tell you," she shouted. "Please," she said in a whisper. "Just leave me alone. I just want to sleep."
"Fine," Hilary said, getting up and leaving the room. Brynn laid down on the bed and pulled the covers over her head. It didn't take her long to fall asleep.