A/N How was the chapter? Let me know what you think.
Standing with my eyes closed, I watched as the hot water streamed down my legs to swirl into the drain below. Sighing, I welcomed the comfort as I leaned against the tiled wall in front of me. Feeling the water rushing through my hair, I angled my neck around in a rotating style. This felt so nice. Opening my eyes, I listened as a squeak from the room next to me caught my attention. Quickly turning off the bronze taps, I wrapped a thin towel around my body to cover myself.
Wringing my hair, I heard the droplets of water smack against the tiles before Laura's voice echoed out into the washroom "Sorry" she apologised. Looking up, Laura stood with her head tilted down. Leaning against the edge of the wall that was the gap dividing the two rooms, she continued "I just…I don't feel well" placing the palm of her hand against the fabric covering her stomach, I noticed her face to also be pale.
Concerned, I quickly walked over and placed my hand on her shoulder "It's alright" I spoke softly "it's normal" guiding her over to one of the toilets, I let go of her "do you feel sick?"
Nodding her head "Yes. My stomach, it's churning. It's been happening before they put me here. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Every time I ate, it just wanted to come back up. I've tried hard to keep it down"
Pointing to the floor "Here, sit down. That way if you do need to be sick, you'll be close. Once it's out of your system you'll be fine" giving her an encouraging smile, I rubbed her back softly with my hand. Feeling that she was going to be okay, I went to move when Laura's slender fingers wrapped over my wrist in protest.
"Please. Don't leave" looking into her eyes, I found them to be glassy. Her body was slightly trembling "…I'm afraid…I don't want to be alone" nodding my head, the longer I stood, the more she shook. Quickly bending down, I sat on my knees as she fiddled with her hands in her lap. I hope she'll be alright.
Shifting her hand from my wrist, it wriggled its way into the palm of my hand instead. Holding it close, I knew she needed the contact. Breathing in and out at a controlled pace, Laura's eyes were closed as she began to drift into a peaceful like state. Trying to take her mind off of the feelings in her body. Being so near to her, I couldn't help but wander my gaze back to the fading yellow bruise along her neck. Sighing, I looked down only to stop as my eyes suddenly found another mark. One that I've never seen before. One that was fresh and red. Where did this come from? It can't be from the soldier.
Frowning, I looked up to see that Laura still had her eyes closed. Using this to my advantage, I shifted my gaze and body slightly so that I could see the red bruise that was imprinted on her thigh. It was in the large shape of a person's fingers, too large to be her own. Searching, I found littler ones that seemed to just be leaving her skin. It all seemed so odd. Who did this to her? Were there more?
Not realising, Laura had opened her eyes from my fumbling hands and harsh stare. Pushing herself away from me, I looked up to see her hazel eyes round and wide "Laura..." I spoke above a whisper "…where did these come from?" I questioned, pointing to her legs.
"That? It's nothing. I swear. I'm just clumsy" she stuttered. Staring at me wide eyed, I knew she was lying. It was obvious to anyone "please…don't worry" shifting back on my knees, Laura tried to cover herself more. And I couldn't help but feel lost. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't not worry. Someone was hurting her and I don't know who it is. Was it Gregov? I know we both have appointments with him.
"You know I can't do that. Please Laura, you need to tell me who it is. I can help you" I said trying to reach out to her, but she only flinched in return.
"How?" she whined, her voice a harsh whisper "you're just like me. Stuck here, with no say or means of being able to defend ourselves. He did this to us. They did this to us. There's nothing you can do to help me"
I was conflicted. Inside my mind were a hundred things rushing and pulling, telling me to do things. I know I shouldn't. Erik is risking everything for me. He's trying to help me, but I wanted to help Laura. I can't sit back. It's not in my nature "There's someone here. Someone who's been helping me. If you tell me who this person is. The one that's hurting you, I can do something about it" watching Laura, I could see she was debating with herself on whether or not to confide in me.
Shaking her head to the left "I'm sorry…but…" watching her body reach forward, she began to convulse before she put her head over the toilet bowl. Hurling the contents of her stomach, I winced as she sounded violent. Pulling her short hair from around the front of her face, I held it up out of the way. I go through the same thing, and I had grown tired of the sound it makes. Keeping still, I supported Laura as she continued to be sick.
Breathless, I continued to keep pace as I took one step at a time. Focusing on the sound of the machine, I looked ahead so that I could concentrate "You're doing much better" hearing Erik's voice, the machine started to die down and so did the speed of my legs.
"Are we done, already?" I asked, a crease forming on my brow. It didn't seem all too long ago that I had started. Watching Erik nod his head, he made his way toward me. Starting to take off the wires attached to my body, I listened to the thump of my heart beat as it raced inside of my chest.
"I told you. You're getting better. Quickly" once I was free of the monitors, I stepped off the black leather belt below me. Making our way out of the exercise room, Erik walked me back down the hallway. Entering through the double doors, Laura wasn't in her bed. I wonder where she's gone. That's when I heard it, the familiar gurgling noise of her throwing up "don't worry" Erik said from behind me, giving a small push at the base of my back "she'll be fine"
Feeling an urge to go comfort Laura, I had to fight back internally as Erik nudged me toward my bed. Deciding to listen to him I hoped up onto the edge of the bed, my feet hanging off of the side "She doesn't sound well. I've never known someone to be as sick so often"
"Everyone's different. You're just lucky" I wouldn't be so sure about that, but I suppose it was true in a sense. I was lucky in many ways "and it isn't your job to look after her. That's what her caretakers for" feeling a flashback to this morning, I still had yet to get an answer from Laura. Who was hurting her?
Hearing the flush of a toilet and the patter of feet, Laura walked back into the room. Jumping, she was startled as her voice squeaked upon seeing us "I didn't hear you come in" watching her eyes go from me to Erik, Laura's posture straightened and she quickly averted her eyes. Not saying another word, she got into her bed and tried to turn away from us as much as possible.
"Get some rest" turning to face Erik, I nodded my head. Shifting under the covers of my bed, I watched as he walked out of the room. Calling Laura's name, she rolled over to face me.
"Are you alright?" I asked her softly. Since I couldn't help her before, I felt that I needed to at least ask now.
"I'm alright, I could be better. It just, won't go away" shifting uncomfortably on her side, her hand rested under the pillow to support her head.
"Have you told him, the person who's looking after you? Maybe if you mention it he might-"
"He won't. He doesn't care" heaving sigh, I watched her hazel eyes drift away "as long as I live. That's all that matters to him" listening to the harshness of her words, my mind started to spin with thoughts and ideas. She spoke coldly, empty. Maybe I knew. Maybe I do know who's hurting her.
"Laura" I said firmly. I wanted to make sure she herd me "the persons that's hurting you, it's that man isn't it. The one that supposed to be looking after you" freezing, her eyes snapped back to reality "I'm right. Aren't I" I know I am. Her eyes had widened like saucers, and her breathing had hitched before speeding up.
"I-I…" stuttering, Laura tried to speak but couldn't form any words. Rolling onto her back, she pressed her head against the pillow underneath. Clutching the sheets into the palm of her hand, Laura's chest hiccupped as sobs started to echo. Hearing her sniffle, I felt a sense of guilt before pushing back the blanket from my waist. No one should be coming in for another few hours.
Getting out of the bed, I made my way over to Laura. Placing my arms on her shoulder, I didn't know what to do. I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have pried like that. If she wanted to tell me, I should have given her more time "It's okay" hushing her, I raked my fingers through her short brown hair. Moving over to the side, Laura gave me room to lay next to her. Climbing up, she placed her head on my chest so that I could cradle her in my arms. Hushing again, I tried my best to calm her down and she seemed to be reacting well as her breathing levelled out.
Lying next to Laura, I had turned to look up at the clock and noticed it was already seven. I've been like this for four hours. Turning my gaze back to look back down at Laura, I saw her to still be asleep. Silent and peaceful. Shifting as discreetly as possible, I wiggled my way out of her grip and bed. I don't want to wake her, not yet. Feeling the chill of cold shake down my body, I made my way into the bathroom.
After using one of the toilets, I began to wash my hands "There you are" spinning around, the closeness of the voice made me shriek.
"Erik" I hissed with a pang of relief "you scared me" finding him close to my body, I stood with my lower spine pressed up against the edge of the sink basin. Looking up to reach his beady brown eyes, I asked "did you need something?"
"I came to give you your dinner" making a look of 'oh' I nodded my head. What else would he be here for? Going to move around him, his arm reached out to block me "hold on a second"
Shifting to stand back where I was, Erik's eye's bored down to meet mine. Not liking the silence that surrounded us, I squirmed on the spot. Leaning down, Erik's face came to be but a few centimetres from my own. Craning further back, he was getting too close for comfort "I need to-"
"I care about you…" he said suddenly, cutting me off from my sentence "you know that" nodding my head hesitantly, I stood still as he leaned in closer. Feeling his warm breath against my face, I felt the brush of his lips again my own. What was he doing? Why was he doing it? Pressing further into me, he moved his own slow and sensual like, but he eventually pulled away when I didn't begin to respond "…Amelia" feeling a sort of natural high, my mind was fuzzy "…I love you"