Helia arrives at Aisha's residence sometime nearing the evening of the following day. He is filled with suspense regarding what she had to tell him and he finds himself looking around, attempting to uncover something, anything that could reveal some element of truth to him.
His eyes scan over his surroundings, gazing at the large structure of Aisha's house. The whole group of friends seemed to be very well of financially, none of them had set out to make wealthy friends, it just happened. Maybe that was is, Helia can't help but think, they'd never been to Flora's house and she had stated prior to the current problems that her family barely scraped by financially. Maybe she was having some serious financial issues, that would explain her jacket and maybe she was trying to take up more work than she could handle to bring in some extra income, hence the bruises.
He sighs as he contemplates the likelihood of the story he had come up with in an attempt to rationalise what he had seen.
With yet another small sigh and a deep intake of breathe, Helia approaches the doorway and pressed gently on the doorbell. He keeps reminding himself not to panic, not to jump to conclusions, this whole thing may just be nothing, after all, maybe they've all just blown it out of proportion, right?
"Hey Helia, thanks for coming. I thought it was best to wait until my parents are out." With that Aisha guides the blue haired boy into her living room and the two sit down of the sofa.
"What I'm going to tell you, well, Flora made me promise not to tell anyone. I swore I wouldn't tell a soul, I wanted to tell someone so badly but I couldn't stand the thought of breaking her trust. I can't keep it a secret anymore though, I should have done this in the first place - regardless to if Flora wanted me to or not, it's what she needs. I'm worried because it seems like it's getting worse."
"Aisha, what's going on? I was already worried but now I don't even know what to think. Is she in danger?"
With a small nod Aisha continues. "I know it was a few years back but, do you remember when Flora's sister - Miele - died?" Helia nods solemnly remembering the impact the event had on the brunette he had come to love, the despair she felt for so long and is still so evident today. "She lied to us, her parents never recovered."
"What do you mean?"
"Well obviously it's not the type of thing you get over but her parents both lost their jobs. They were already barely scraping by then with the medical costs and funeral expenses and losing their jobs, they had no money. her parents found new jobs but they don't even make half the bills so Flora had to start working too. She didn't want to burden us with her issues and you know she can be proud sometimes, she refused to let me help - still is refusing."
"That's what has been going on? Financial issues?" Helia can't help but be relieved having feared the worse but his relief quickly diminish as Aisha shakes her head in response.
"I wish it was just financial issues..." The dark haired girl is practically in tears as she speaks, her voice cracking lightly as she forces herself to push her emotions away. She had to tell him first, it is essential that he knows.
"Aisha..."
"I don't know when exactly, or how, or why but Flora's parents started blaming her for what happened with Miele. They started to get violent with Flora and it gradually progressed. First it was verbal attacks, then physical and now both but I fear it's getting worse." Helia sits in shock at his friend's words, how had he not noticed sooner?
"Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"Helia I-"
"No! She is probably in pain whilst we're wasting time just talking about the damn situation! Why aren't the police involved? You know what, I'm going to get her now, she's not staying there for another night."
"Helia no, she asked for one more Christmas, she promised me she'd leave after that."
"I'm getting her now."
"Helia it's already late, you can't risk getting her into trouble by showing up at this time." Helia sighs softly not wanting Flora to be hurt anymore as a result of one of his decisions.
"I'll get her tomorrow then, first thing. No compromises." With that Helia leaves Aisha alone in her house.
On the other side of town in an old, rundown apartment. As one enters the apartment they would be immediately consumed by the damp, mouldy stench of the small dwelling.
Contained within the walls of old, stained wall paper was Flora laying upon the mismatched floor boards. Her eyelids were heavy and body bruised. For most Christmas decorations consisted of trees, bells and ornaments of all sizes but for her the only decor she knew were the smears of crimson blood that dripped onto the floor and the blues and purples of the 'ornaments' decorating her body.
The fatigue consumed her as she found herself unable to move from the floorboards where she had been left by her father, new bruises forcing themselves the the surface of her skin and jagged cuts leaking a bright red.
With a single thought aimed at her deceased sister, she found herself incapable of maintaining consciousness and drifted off into a void of darkness.
A/N Hey guys! Probably the longest part on this story so far and very important in the plot progression. I'm still trying to stick to one chapter being equivalent to one day and I think I have some ideas for tomorrows chapter.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you so much for your new reviews, especially to those of you who leave a review on every chapter as I see you on my other stories too and you are honestly some of my favourite readers :)
Thanks for all the support so far and make sure to leave some new reviews at the end of this chapter!
Love you all!
- Mae xxx
