Chapter 7
Cries and banging were the only thing that could be heard from inside number 5, the sounds resembling something that wouldn't be out of place in a horror film. The pleas to be let out were mixed with heart-shattering screams.
"Please, Mum, please" Lauren begged "let me out. Please, I swear I'll behave, I promise. Please, just let me out" there was no reply "Daddy? Please…"
Lauren stopped as she heard movement outside the door "Abs?"
"I can't do anything, Lauren, I'm sorry" she whispered, looking around to ensure she wasn't seen.
"Please, you have to help me, Abi . They've locked the door" she begged
"There's nothing I can do. They've got the only key" she informed her
"Abi, please, I'm begging you" she sobbed, her forehead falling against the door in desperation.
"I can't, Lauren, I'm really sorry" she replied. As much as she wanted to help, she physically couldn't. The door was locked and she had no idea where her parents had hid the key. Knowing them, one of them would've taken it to work with them, knowing she would crack. She didn't understand why they were doing this. Yes they were ashamed because Lauren had made a huge mistake, several huge mistakes, but she didn't deserved to be locked in her room. They were treating her like a criminal, and Abi was pretty sure prisoners got better treatment. Lauren had pretty much gone off the rails the previous few months, the death of her older brother proving too difficult for her to cope with. It had resulted in a few poor decisions on Laurens part and some time away from the square.
Lauren sunk to the floor, sliding down the door into a heap. She looked around the rather sparse room, her parents having moved everything out so she couldn't hurt herself. She'd been known to try in the past when things got bad. She had tendencies to turn to alcohol or try to end everything all together. Several occasions had resulted in hospital admissions because she'd cut a little too deeply and nipped a vein.
But that was the past now, Lauren had grown up, despite what her parents thought. The wayward drinking, the unhealthy relationships, the desperate cries for attention, had all simmered down to create the mess she was now.
*JL*JL*JL*
The crying died down; an unnerving silence falling over number five.
"Lauren, are you alright?" Abi asked worriedly "Lauren, talk to me?"
"I envy you" Lauren admitted, sighing heavily as she looked at herself in disgust "Mum and Dad love you, you're their pride and joy, and you should be. You're so clever Abs, nothing like me"
"You're clever too, Lauren, your art's amazing" she replied
"You're just saying that" Lauren sighed, wiping at her eyes "I've made such a mess of my life, Abs, and I'm only 17" her fingers trained over the paled scars on her arms, indicators of how much of a mess things had become.
"It's not a mess, Lauren. It's just a bit complicated" Abi assured her, pausing as the front door opened and she heard footsteps climb the stairs. She closed her eyes knowing what was coming next.
"What're you doing, Abi?" Tanya asked her daughter "go downstairs now please. I've told you before, you're not to talk to her. She needs to learn what she's done"
"She's done nothing wrong" Abi proclaimed
"Nothing wrong? Don't be so stupid, Abi" Tanya hissed "she's brought shame on this family. Her and her stupid choices have got her into this situation. You'd do well to look at what she's done and do the exact opposite. Now downstairs, I won't ask again"
Abi sighed in frustration. She felt sick at how her parents were treating their eldest daughter. "You can't keep her locked up in there forever, Mum. Sooner or later she'll have to come out"
So we have some lf Laurens background... but is there more than meets the eyes ?
Thanks for all the reviews so far, they are all really appreciated ! And the guest reviewers who I cant reply to Thank you ! Back tomorrow xxx