"Mum, what's going on?" Kat's voice trembled slightly, a sharp contrast to how she had been feeling just an hour earlier. She had gone to the kitchen as her mum had asked, but the sobs coming from the bathroom had unnerved her. Kat had crept back down the hallway, heart pounding in her chest, but when she heard Alana's crying—sharp, raw—it startled her, leaving her frozen with confusion. Unsure of what to do, she turned back and quickly retreated to the kitchen, her mind racing.

Now, her mum was sitting across from her at the kitchen counter, wearing that look that Kat knew too well—a quiet, heavy concentration, like she was processing something too big to share right away. It made the air between them feel thicker.

"Mum, I—I don't get it. What's wrong? You're scaring me."

Olivia exhaled deeply, her eyes softening as she looked at Kat. As soon as she had helped Alana change and settle down she'd been expecting Kat's reaction, but still, it hurt. "Honey, I need to ask you a couple of questions, alright?"

"About Alana?" Kat interrupted, her voice sharper now, her fear growing. "What happened in the bathroom? Is she okay? I heard her crying."

Olivia nodded, her face grave but calm. "That's what I need to talk to you about, sweetheart."

Kat's heart raced. She stood up, moving around the counter, the instinct to protect Alana kicking in. "Can I go see her?"

Olivia rose as well, gently intercepting Kat's path. She placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders, guiding her back down into her seat. "No, not right now. Let's just give her a moment, okay?"

Kat struggled against the overwhelming need to go to her friend. "But—"

Olivia didn't let her finish. She pulled Kat into a hug, her arms wrapping tightly around her, giving Kat no choice but to relax into it. The tension in Kat's chest finally broke, and tears she hadn't even known were building up began to spill down her cheeks.

"I—I don't understand," Kat whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "She's not... what happened to her, Mum?"

Olivia held her closer, her voice soft but firm. "I know, baby. I know. She'll talk about it when she's ready. But right now, she needs space. And you do, too. Just breathe for me, okay?"

Kat nodded against her mother's shoulder, struggling to hold herself together. The confusion, the fear, the need to protect Alana—it all swirled together, making everything feel too big for her to handle. But for now, she had her mum's arms around her, and that was enough to hold onto.

Guiding her daughter to the lounge, Olivia gently sat Kat down and pulled her into a tight embrace. She held her there for a moment, giving Kat the time she needed to breathe, her own mind spinning with questions she wasn't sure how to ask yet.

Kat sniffled, her voice small. "I've known Alana for two years, Mum. And today... today's the first time I've ever seen or heard her cry." Her shoulders shook, her distress visible. "I... I don't know what to think, what to do Mum."

Olivia shushed her softly, her hands brushing through Kat's hair. "It's alright, sweetheart. We'll get through this together. I'll help you, so you can help her."

Kat pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. But Olivia could feel her pulse quickening and Olivia paused before asking, her voice more measured now. "Have you ever met Alana's parents?"

Kat shook her head, her expression distant. "No. Her parents passed away about five years ago. She... she never talks about them. I've learned not to ask. She lives with her uncle and his husband now."

Olivia took in the new information, nodding slowly. "And... have you ever met them?"

"Yeah," Kat replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Just once. They came to one of her basketball matches. They're really cool. They love her, Mum. I can tell. They adore her."

She paused, and then her voice dropped a little. "They're also... well, they're wealthy and they're out of town a lot, on business." Kat pulled away from her mum again and sat up straight, "I know what you're thinking mum…but if something happens to them... who would take care of Alana? Who will be there for her?"

Olivia's heart tightened at the thought, Kat was right, the guardians were always the first suspects, first people to be ruled out. She pulled Kat back into her embrace, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "Listen, Kat, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, alright? I just need to understand more about Alana, so we can help her."

Kat nodded, her eyes still wide with worry. Olivia could see how deeply her daughter cared for her friend. This was no longer just about getting answers—it was about protecting someone who needed their help.

Olivia took a breath and pulled back slightly, giving Kat space to settle. She and her squad would handle the rest, she thought, her detective mind already shifting into gear. She could feel her instincts taking over, and she knew that what came next wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary.

"I'm proud of you, sweetheart," Olivia said softly, reaching out to squeeze Kat's shoulder. "Just remember, we're here for Alana. And I'm here for you."

...

Alana tossed in bed, her body tense, every muscle charged with nerves she couldn't shake. The darkness in the room seemed to press down on her, heavy and suffocating. She kept her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her thoughts swirling, tangled with everything that had happened tonight. How could she be so stupid, she never forgot to lock the bathroom door, she was always so careful. She couldn't seem to settle, no matter how hard she tried.

The soft creak of the door snapped her out of her thoughts, and she stiffened instinctively. The door opened wider, and there stood Kat, her silhouette barely visible in the dim light.

"Alana?" Kat's voice was quiet, hesitant.

Alana turned onto her side, looking at her friend. She scooted over, her heart pounding in her chest as she made room in the bed. The tension in the room didn't quite leave, but it felt a little lighter with Kat here. She lifted the blanket, silently inviting Kat to join.

Kat didn't hesitate. She crawled onto the bed and slid under the covers, her movements soft, as if she didn't want to disturb the air between them.

Alana settled back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling again. The silence stretched between them, both of them lost in their own thoughts, but it felt different now. Less lonely. She could feel Kat's presence beside her, solid and warm, but there was something else in the air. Something unspoken, fragile.

Alana could hear Kat's steady breathing beside her, she noticed Kat's open hand drift towards the middle of the bed, waiting for Alana's. Alana hesitated knowing that Kat could sense it and silently cursing herself for it. After what felt like a few long seconds, Alana's hand slowly reached for Kat's, fingers brushing tentatively before they intertwined. The warmth of Kat's hand sent a small shock of relief through Alana's chest, grounding her in the moment.

Alana opened her mouth to say something, to explain, to tell her, but the words got caught in her throat. She closed her mouth again, biting her lip, unsure of how to even begin. What could she say? How could she explain the weight that was crushing her?

Kat beat her to it and spoke first, her voice a gentle whisper in the dark. "You don't have to say anything you don't want to… you don't have to say anything at all."

The words settled in the air, and Alana's breath hitched, her chest tight as her heart did a strange flip. She nodded, her throat tight, and let out a long, shaky breath. She curled into Kat then, resting her head on her shoulder, seeking comfort in the quiet presence of her friend.

Kat shifted slightly, responding to Alana by wrapping her arms around Alana. She felt Alana let herself melt into her, her body softening, the tension from earlier slipping away ever so slightly.

The world outside felt miles away in that moment.

And for the first time that night, Alana let herself believe, just for a moment, that everything would be okay.