CHAPTER 24

Brief mention of self harm/scar reference

Later, Larry had come into the museum to start preparing for his shift. He made his way down to the security office only to find that the door was already unlocked. He thought he had locked it last night. Unfazed by this he opened the door but stopped in his tracks when he saw a figure laying on the couch, curled up. It was Avery. Thankfully she didn't wake up when he opened the door, despite it squeaking. He wondered how and why on earth she was here and not on her break. He certainly wasn't expecting her to be here, not after her dilemma last night.

Wasn't she supposed to be at her friend's house? Without waking her, he slowly backed out of the room and closed the door. Whatever the reason she was there, it didn't seem good. But he had other things to worry about, namely getting the remaining guests out the door.

Avery was awoken by the museum awakening. She heard Rexy roar and start to move. She was startled for a minute but remembered that she had taken a very long nap here at the museum. Of course her mind went straight to the fight. She needed to get out of there, out of that room. She needed to run away from her problems at the moment.

Running out the door, she had no idea on where she should go. She simultaneously didn't want to talk to anyone but felt like she wanted to. Her feet had a mind of their own as she soon came upon his grand exhibit. Inside he was looking over his tablet, as per usual but stopped as he heard feet running in. He turned and saw Avery. A smile was on his face as he was relieved that she wasn't in harm's way. He was worried about her last night. His relief was short-lived as she came closer. Her face was tearstained and she clearly looked distressed. Immediately he became concerned.

"Avery? What is wrong? Are you alright?" Those were the magic words that broke the dam. Though try as she might, she couldn't stop the tears.

"No! No, I'm not alright!" She was choking out words between sobs and hitched breathing. "I just had a terrible fight with Beth. And it's all my fault! I said awful things to her and I can't take them back! All because of that stupid dance! I never should have gone or none of this would have happened! She was right about me! I'm too absorbed in my books and the museum. I mean look at me, I'm always here, running away from my problems!" She hated crying, it was hard for her to get out the words. She was sure she sounded incoherent because she was only sharing bits of their argument.

Suddenly she felt strong arms wrap around her, hugging her. With a seconds delay, she hugged back. She wrapped her arms around his back, clutching at his robes. She felt bad for crying on him. But she was oh so grateful for this small comfort. They stayed like that for a few minutes, until her breathing had become more regulated. And slowly she unentangled herself from him. It was an awkward silence from there.

"You seem to have a knack for seeing me at my worst. I'm sorry about your collar and robe. But thank you for the hug… it was much appreciated." She calmed down little by little until her breathing was regulated and she could talk without having to gasp for breath. He did not leave her side. He placed a hand on her back and started going in circles. His mother had used the technique on him when he was younger and it helped him.

"You have nothing to apologize for Avery. I am here for you. Now that you are calmer, can you please start at the beginning so I may get the full picture of the problem?"

She didn't think she had enough energy to stand and explain it all so she took a seat on the floor and he followed suit. She took a few deep breaths and slowly explained the events leading up to this catastrophe. Ahkmenrah's face grew serious as he listened to her tell him about this Josh character. He seemed despicable. How dare he prey upon this innocent woman?

"I swear to Ra, if I ever see that man…" His voice was low and threatening.

"He's not worth the effort, trust me. I just wish Beth would see it." Tears threatened to come up again but she was stubborn and held them at bay.

"I am sorry you had to go through that Avery. No one should have to go through that. You know I was worried about you last night. Larry told us that something had happened at your dance."

"Oh," was all she said. She began fidgeting with her clothes. "Did…did he mention anything else?"

"He mentioned something about alcohol." This comment triggered her and try as she might she couldn't stop the tears from falling again. This scared Ahkmenrah, he did not think his words would cause this reaction. He was at a loss of what to do. Meanwhile she wrapped her arms around herself and pulled her knees close.

Why did Larry have to imply that I was drinking? I told him I wasn't!

"Avery? Avery, I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you with my words. Please talk to me." He sat closer to her and put a hand on her back.

"I wasn't drinking! I don't drink! I will never drink! Everyone else was drinking but I wasn't!"

"If you say you weren't then I believe you." This comment seemed to pacify her and after a few minutes her breathing was regulated enough that she could talk.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak out on you like that. It's just a very…touchy subject for me." Her voice grew quiet as she put her head down. Ahkmenrah waited for her to continue, if she wanted to. He would not push her to tell him if she was uncomfortable talking about it.

"I suppose I owe you the whole story, huh? Well my parents are alcoholics… Whenever they drank…fights would break out. Um… It got really bad, their screaming matches. You know, the night we released you, I almost couldn't help with it. Your screaming triggered my memories of my parents. A lot of their screaming was about me. Like I was the problem in their relationship. There was a lot of emotional neglect because of it. It seemed too much to handle." She carefully held out her arm and rolled up her sleeve exposing silver scars on her wrist.

Ahkmenrah couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't believe that Avery would resort to harming herself many times over.

"Avery, I…I do not know what to say except I'm sorry you had to go through that." To his surprise she gave a rueful laugh.

"I almost did it again today before some sense was knocked into me. I'm so ashamed of myself. Just this whole fight with Beth has made me feel like the worst person, the worst friend ever. It's all my fault." She curled in on herself again, pulling away from Ahkmenrah because she didn't deserve his comfort. But instead of letting her go, he pulled her in for another hug. That was just his kind nature.

"Avery, listen to me. It was not your fault. Your friend had put you in an uncomfortable position. Please never harm yourself like that again. I…I would hate to lose you as a friend." Avery froze hearing the sincerity in his words. She lifted her head and looked upon his face. The worry was evident.

"Oh, thank you. I would hate to lose you too." She was awkward at accepting compliments. Her face grew red as she realized she was staring at him. She cleared her throat and rubbed her eyes.

"Thank you for confiding in me about your past. Parents should never resort to blaming their children. That must have been a rather challenging environment to grow up in." He placed his hand on her back and was rubbing it in circles. It was a small gesture that let him know that he was there for her.

"Yeah it was…but can we talk about something else now?" A change of topic would very much be appreciated.

"Of course. I would not wish to make you more uncomfortable. Perhaps a walk around the museum would be a good idea?"

"That sounds perfect, Ahk. Oh, is it okay if I call you that nickname?"

"That's fine by me!" He had a nickname from a friend! Besides Larry, everyone else referred to him by his full name or simply Pharaoh. He was excited about this new step in their friendship. And with a smile from Avery, they were off.