A Love To Die For

Chapter 9 - Florence

Not long after the gunshots were fired, the police came flooding into town. Mother was still in absolute shock, finding it hard to process the sudden events that had just occurred.

we were surrounded by a sea of panicked people, the screams and cries were so loud and felt as if they were directly in my ear.

my heart was beating out of my chest

I broke out in a cold sweat

my thoughts were racing, knowing that they would soon ask for witnesses

if they do, what do I say, what am I really supposed to say

" yeah he killed those other people but decided to let me go because why not "

nobody would ever believe that

and if I told them that then I would look suspicious

it would look as if I knew this was going to happen and I just let it and that is absolutely not true

if I knew something like this was going to happen I would have never let mother and I come here

but I fear they won't see it that way

I didn't have to worry about my mother talking, she was in no fit state.

with each worrying thought, my breaths became heavier and heavier

my stomach churned and I felt physically sick

I felt surrounded but completely and utterly alone

the movement of the large crowd was becoming too much to bare

" I need to leave " I whispered to myself, forcing myself to breathe before I pass out

mother was so wrapped up in the crowd she didn't even see me leave, that I was thankful for

I began speed walking away as the sound of the commotion grew smaller the further I was to it

feeling lightheaded, I rushed into a quiet alleyway, throwing myself against a wall

I sat down on the cold concrete floor, hugging my knees

" Just breathe, your ok, you're safe, your grounded, breathe "

my breath was heavy as if I had just run for miles

in for 4, out for 4

and again

and again

tears rolled down my cheeks, shaking from all the emotions mixed with adrenaline

I closed my eyes and remembered that peace I felt this morning

the feeling of the gentle breeze

the birds

the

the -

t-

"FUCK" I shouted out, praying that nobody heard me

" strong language for someone like you "

a soft voice said with an oddly calming tone

slowly I opened my eyes, looking up at the woman who stood before me

" I'm sorry, but I'm not really in a fit state for casual conversation right now," I said, trying my best to mask my shaky voice

" clearly," the woman said with a light chuckle

she stood standing tall, looking down on me. She had light brown hair and green eyes. Her dress looks expensive but she didn't seem like a snob. her nails were perfectly painted a deep red. She had kind eyes and a soft smile. She was sweet but not the kind of sweet that people were able to walk all over. confidence radiated off of her, as she took a long puff from her almost gone cigarette.

" look ", she said as she took the final draw of her cigarette before throwing it to the ground and crushing it with her black pump heels.

"you seem a tad distressed, and I'm in a good mood today, so this is me ... offering you help "

she stuck her arm out with a sigh and a slight smile

reluctant at first, I took her hand as she helped me off of the ground

" I'm Lilith, Lilith green, and you are "

she said gesturing her hand out, I took it, out of kindness and respect

" Florence, uh, Florence Ainsley " I stated, wiping the tears from my eyes with my free hand

" well Florence Ainsley, what's gotten you into such a state "

" it's a long story "

and to be honest, I wouldn't even know where to begin.