Lila lead Marinette back into the living room, the woman on the couch still snoring.
She softly stepped into the corner of the room, leaving Marinette there to stare at the dinginess of the place. She soon returned with a cigarette in between her fingers, freshly lit.
Questions raced through Marinette's mind.
Who is that woman on the couch?
Since when have you been smoking?
Lila, seemingly noticing the quizzical look on her face, answered both of them.
"She's my nanny. Not too great, but 'It's all mommy and daddy could afford for their precious daughter'. So I'm stuck here with a woman who's on crack, an alcoholic, AND a heroin addict, while 'mommy and daddy' go on a cruise."
Lila lifted the cigarette, taking a puff before continuing.
"And this…"
She gestured to the cigarette.
"Is what she got me hooked on. It's the only way I can release all my pain. It's kind of relaxing, actually."
Marinette's head spun. Lila didn't seem surprised that Marinette would need time to comprehend. While Marinette fought hard to keep from gawking, Lila took a few long draws from her cigar.
Finally, Marinette managed to stutter out a few words.
"I'm sorry."
Lila smirked.
"Don't be. It's not your fault. And I've still got more to show you."
The two girls slowly walked deeper into the house, now revealed as a web of secrets and lies.
It swallowed them up.
