Thin As Water

28.

TW: This chapter contains talk of child abuse and brief homophobic language. Please read at your discretion. 

"Where is she?"

Daisy glanced up from the sketch she was making. "What?"

"Where is she?" Hazel repeated as she entered the room.

Daisy shrugged, though her face was creased with worry. "She never came back."

"Shit."

"Hazel, language!"

The two girl's eyes flew to the door.

"Lil!"

Lil dropped her bag as she was nearly tackled by her two friends.

"Lil, where were you today? Did James get our text? Did you talk to headmistress? Are you ok?" Daisy rushed out.

"Gone, yes, not yet, and probably." Lil laughed.

Hazel pulled away, and noticed the shining Head Girl badge once more pinned to Lil's uniform, letting out a shriek of delight when she saw it. Her grin was replaced with a look of concern after a moment. "What happened to your cheek?"

Lil's smile faded. "I have some things I need to tell you two. Will you sit down?"

Hazel and Daisy sat on Daisy's bed while Lil sat across from them.

"So, you both know my mom is pretty strict, right?"

Her two friends nodded.

Lil took a deep breath. This was harder than she had expected. "Well, it was actually a lot worse than I told you."

Daisy nodded slowly. Hazel's eyes darkened. "How much worse?"

Lil gulped. "Um, it was really bad. Ever since our dad went into the army, she's been worse and worse to me and James. Especially me. We'd get locked in our rooms without food during the weekend, and she'd beat us with a belt or sometimes a cane. On our legs and backs too."

Hazel let out what almost sounded like a growl while Daisy's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Lil."

Lil gave a half smile. "It's ok. Our dad got suspicious and came home early on Friday. He called the police and they arrested her. She's not ever going to have custody of us again."

Daisy pushed herself off the bed and pulled Lil into a firm hug. "I'm so sorry you've been going through all that."

Lil smiled gently. "It's ok. I'll be ok."

Daisy looked over at Hazel who was still sitting silently. "Hazel?"

Hazel looked up, tears running down her face. "I'm sorry, Lil."

"Why?"

Hazel sighed. "I had my own suspicions. I saw a bruise on your leg once, when I was dealing with the creek incident. I told the headmistress what I saw, and she said she'd check on the situation, but I should have done more. I should have made sure you were ok."

"Hazel, don't feel bad about that. You did what you could, and even if you'd have asked me, I wouldn't have told you the truth. It's ok."

Hazel gave Lil a tight smile. "I don't mean this to be insensitive, but I hope she rots in jail."

To the surprise of everyone including herself, Lil laughed. 

"Lil?"

"Sorry, I know it isn't funny. Just, those are my thoughts exactly."

Hazel and Daisy glanced at each other, then tackled Lil in another hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, the tension had eased and Hazel had made tea.