The Calm Before the Storm

The morning of Lucy's birthday arrived. Elsie had had to deal with Lucy's high pitched squeals of excitement for the past couple of days; she was almost glad it would end soon.

She'd left Lucy in her room, still fast asleep from her giddiness the night before, and went into the bathroom. Her reflection looked back at her in the mirror. It was very different from the person she saw before she left home. Her face wasn't as thin and had a healthier glow, her rosy cheeks are what surprises her the most. She actually looked pretty good.

With a small tinge of sadness, she got ready to cover her bruises again. Under her shirt the colouring had nearly faded away now with only the slightest dark circle on her stomach. But she still felt so exposed without it; a little makeup couldn't hurt anyone, could it?

Suddenly, something slammed behind her. In an instant her guard was up, and she grabbed the nearest thing she could for a weapon. Though with a long handled bath brush she didn't look too threatening.

"Hello?" she called out. There was nothing behind her. Nothing had fallen on the floor either. Elsie slowly walked to the door, gripping the bath brush harder.

She grabbed the door handle and ripped the door open. Nothing unusual outside either. "Lucy?" she called again. No answer.

With a sigh she lowered the brush. "Just the neighbours." She thought to herself. There was nothing there. Nothing was going to jump out at her.

"Hello Elsie." A voice prowled behind her. She swung the brush at the man behind her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. The brush clattered onto the floor. It was him. He was here.

"Let me go!" she screamed, pounding her free hand into his chest.

"But Elsie..." She stared at the man in shock. That voice...it wasn't him. She was staring at Alfendi.

Strands of thick, dark hair covered his eyes as he stuck his face into hers.

"...where would the fun be in doing that?"

Elsie ripped his hand of her and fell to the floor in a sweat. She wheezed out and looked around her. He wasn't there nor was she in the bathroom. She was lying on the floor with a long couch behind her. It was a dream.

Elsie covered her face with her hands. How long was she going to act like this? She couldn't live in constant fear forever. She had to get it together and focus on more important things.

But why did she dream of the Prof instead of Malcolm? Surely she didn't see him as her brother? She groaned at the thought. She was afraid of her boss.

"Stupid, stupid idiot!" she hissed at herself. She had to get out of the house for a bit. Do something to keep her busy. But what?

Elsie got up and looked for her bag. She found it on the kitchen bench, slumped over. She opened it and reached for her camera.

She had a lot to do today, and even if she is afraid she wouldn't let it ruin Lucy's birthday.

Sorry for not updating sooner. I've been planning something big that should go on for the next couple of chapters, but I haven't been able to write it yet. But thank you guys for your continued support for this story; it always keeps me going.

Please R&R!