Chapter 16

I remember vaguely attending the Sunday sermons with my parents. Hearing the other church goers sing along with the choir, knowing the prayers, and listening to the priest say words I didn't understand. I knew that they were speaking of God, I knew there was a person called Jesus and his mother Mary. Also understood that there was a concept of people, angels, watching over us and guiding us through life.

My parents believed all this, they told me that no matter what there will be someone with me even if I'm alone. Father said that that someone will always protect me, keep me safe. I was young and still learning, my mind took in all of the understandable concepts and began to believe as well.

Even when I was taken, put in Briarwell. I continued to believe that I wasn't alone. Then I felt my childish belief falter with the continuous pain they put me through. Yet I continued to talk to whoever I thought was listening. I prayed I would get out and that I would be saved. After years and years of doing this, I gave up. There was no one listening, no one protecting me. I was alone.

The concept of Him, miracles, and angels meant nothing to me. All I was able to think about was my parents, hoping, no longer praying, that they would come to rescue me. I called my mother an angel once, my father smiled at me and said he thought so too. That was one thing I never let go, that my mother was an angel.

I combed through the red locks of the woman laying on my lap, my mother was no longer the only one I saw as an angel. Anna came to me at a perfect time, at a time of me growing tired of the constant running and hiding. Nearly giving up in a way that they would never be able to hold me hostage again. I still had a hard time believing in that religion again but I believed Anna was sent to me by something. It wasn't just coincidence that she walked into my life, I felt it was a miracle. She was put through her own trials as well, some I wished to never think of happening to her again. Anna didn't deserve any of it. I liked to believe that we saved each other from our living hells.

My eyes stung and I looked away from the angel who made me feel like I was worth something. Something other than a guinea pig with an abnormality. She made me want to believe in something again even if it was only her as my deity.

"What is it?" Anna asked no louder than a whisper. Her thumb reached up to brush under my eye and dried the tear that I tried not to show.

I reached up to cup her hand, "Nothing." I smiled at her.

Anna sat up and placed her hand on my thigh. She tilted her head and once again used her thumb to caress my skin. "Its obviously not nothing if you start to get emotional out of nowhere. Unless that wasn't in the small print of article one, section 4 regarding Elsa Snow?"

"The small print," I repeated and laughed.

"Seriously though. What's wrong?" She looked down at our touching knees, "Is it that girl?"

"Not that girl. Its about you actually." I began, "I was just thinking about how much of a blessing you are. How you saved me and my pains were relieved when you tripped into my life." I smirked at my own jab.

"Low blow babe," she pinched my thigh causing me to jump. "I never took you for a religious person."

I leaned back and put my leg over hers, "I won't say I am but I'm not an atheist. Its complicated."

"I'm listening."

I sighed and closed my eyes in content, "I used to go to church with my parents, believed in the things they did until I was taken. During that time as much as I wished there was someone with me, there never was. Not until I met you. After I knew how much you meant to me, you were an angel sent to me by something. Call it fate if you want but I feel like I can start to believe in something."

"We never went to church or attended anything religious. But I guess you can say I hoped for my family to get better and make us all happy again. I'm not sure if that counts though."

"Belief is a strange thing isn't it?"

Anna laughed, "It really is but fascinating. Think about all of these cultures and how they each have their own god or gods. Its overwhelming in a way but you had one thing right. You saved me too."

I went back to my apartment, after dropping Anna off at her house. My body felt tired even though I didn't work, so I plopped down on my bed. Once I got comfortable my eyes opened and all I was able to smell was you know. Uh sex. I won't lie to myself and say it wasn't horrible right after our endeavours, but after a few hours. Sitting. Without movement, the musk became a little too much. The laundromat it is, I told myself. So much for resting huh?

The laundromat nearby was not the worst. Pretty old but not located in the shady parts of the city. Still it could be worse. Maybe a rat scurrying across the floor, a roach or some other type of insect crawling under the vending machines. All possibilities but grateful that there was none of those.

I pulled out a book I stole from Anna's library from my bag. The library seemed to be endless, there was a ladder to reach the top of the towering shelves. Most of the books were about business, law, and other similar topics that all related to Anna's parents' jobs. So there was a distinct difference in Anna's collection. I chose the first book that called to me. It wasn't really a calling but the pressure of picking one made me panic and just grab a random book.

Reading the summary on the back of the book made it seem like a good choice. As I was reading through the first chapters, I couldn't even imagine living in such society. Picture a futuristic universe, everything was colorless, and most were deprived of feeling real emotions. The sad part was, the citizens didn't know what they were missing. It kinda sounded familiar.

Right before the annual ceremonies in the book, the washer made a ding sound. I got up and pulled the washed blankets out to transfer them to a dryer. My hand dug through my small jean pocket to find the correct amount of change that the machine needed to function. I was grateful that the drying machine was cheaper than the washer.

The timer was set and I went to sit at the bench like the other people were. All of us waiting to leave. They all seemed to be here as much as I did, which was not at all.

I went back to reading the book, the people who ran the community made it so everyone had the same birthday. Strange. But what was stranger was-

My eyes stopped moving left to right when an older woman sat a little too close. She was short enough that her feet didn't reach the floor and was able to swing them gentle back and forth. Trying not to be rude I crossed my legs leaning away from her and opened the book again.

"You know my daughter loves to read. She'll read anything that has words on paper." The lady spoke. She had a hispanic accent that was raspy with age and too many cigarettes.

Unsure of what to say as a response, "Oh thats neat."

She nodded, "It is. So smart and gorgeous too. Lord knows she didn't get it from me." The woman laughed and I felt her eyes staring at me. "You are beautiful too young lady. I'm sure you have at least a line of men waiting to even speak to you. What they don't know is they have no chance isn't that right mija?"

I looked up from my book and let out a breathy laugh, "What do you mean?"

"My girl, you know what I mean." She smiled, "I know one when I see one. My daughter came out to me the first chance she had and I knew of course. As a parent you know your child and your mother probably knew before you did."

Realization dawned upon me and I blushed, "Um yeah." I wasn't about to tell this woman that I barely knew my mother.

"Mmhm," she got up to get a bag of m&m's from the vending machine and sat back down.

I may have been an awkward person but this definitely was the most cringy conversation I have ever been in. I was saved by the dryer stopping and I got up to put the blankets in my basket.

"It was nice talking to you mija. Be safe and God Bless." I nodded and responded with a simple wave.

As I was putting the hamper in the backseat I looked over my car and nearly choked on my own saliva.

But it wasn't her. Just another woman walking down the street that resembled my mother. Maybe the woman inside talking about her daughter and speaking of a mother I never really had, made me see things. I ran my fingers through my hair and knew I had to ask Anna a favor when we see each other again. I wanted to bring this up in person.

Strangely enough Anna had a similar idea that I wasn't too fond of.

"What do you mean, Anna?" I said with a hint of irritation.

Anna sat back on the diner seat and crossed her arms, not breaking eye contact with me. "You heard me."

I mirrored her actions, "No."

"No?" SHe asked with her cheeks turning red from trustration.

"You heard me." I retaliate. "You asked me a question and asked for my opinion and I say no you can't."

Anna rolled her eyes, "No, I asked if you'd want to come with me."

I shook my head, I never would have thought this would have ever been an argument that we'd fight over.

"Why? I'm sorry I know but they are bad people, Anna." I argued

"I know. I know but it feels wrong to not visit him, you know?" Her hands covered her face as she sunk deeper into the leather cushions.

"Do you really want to Anna?"

"Yeah it's something I think needs to be done and I want to go tomorrow."

Wait What?! "Tomorrow?" I stood back up quickly.

Anna looked up at me and nodded her head. I shook mine as I helped her back up, "You know this is a very quick and fast decision right?"

"No I've been thinking about it a lot lately, maybe a few days after my mom told me they were in jail."

I sighed, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was afraid you would react like this."

Like last night, it was only me and Anna, not in a good way, "You were afraid of me and my reaction? Well just… how would you feel if everyone in Briarwell was put in jail and I said I wanted to go see them?"

She sighed, "My mother and Hans doesn't want me too either. But… I don't know. He's my dad and my brother already has plans to come out here and visit him too."

"Yeah but did he beat your brother or make him do things he didn't want to do? It is different."

"No…"

"Exactly."

"Why are you scolding me?"

"I'm not- ugh, Anna can you handle facing him?" I looked into Anna's eyes hoping to see some sort of defeat. I saw none.

"No but I have to. I need to get closure and know that he can't hurt me anymore. I need to see him on the other side of that glass, surrounded by guards and handcuffed."

"Okay."

Anna put her hands on the table, "I don't care if you say no or won't go with me I'm going no matter- wait what?"

"I said okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes okay. I'll go with you. If seeing him is what you need then you should go. I don't want you to be alone so I will go with you, in case you can't in the last minute. I want to be there for you." I reached out and put my hand one of Anna's trembling ones.

She came to my side of the table and gave me a peck on my cheek, "Thank you Elsa. It means a lot to me."

I brought her close to give her a hug, "You mean a lot to me."

"Do I mean so much to you that I can get a dog?"

I huffed, "A dog? Why don't you ask your mom for a dog?"

"Because she's allergic and Gerda doesn't like them."

"I prefer cats remember? Also where do you plan on keeping the dog?"

"Your home...duh."

She gave me puppy dog eyes, "My home will not house a dog, sorry babe," I smiled back at her when she dropped the look.

"Oookay. Can we get a cat?"

I began to eat the cold fries, "Now you want a cat?"

"Yes, it will stay at our- wait I'm sorry your home. My mom is allergic to cats too."

My mouth twitched at the corners. Our home?

"How about we talk about this tomorrow?"

Anna got up and began to lead me through the diner doors, "So does that mean yes?"

"No that means we will talk about this tomorrow?" I smiled back at her playful squint.

"Deal."

So deepest apologies for the long wait. What do you think of Anna's plans and Elsa's reaction? Once again sorry but hope you liked it!