Lost | Elektra and Liam | The Dumping Ground

Three

Now

Elektra had just finished having a shower. It felt unusual but with a lot of scrubbing, she managed to lift the dirt off her skin. It was like it didn't want to leave; the streets had embedded into her.

Her skin looked pale and sickly. She suddenly felt aware of her shoulders sticking out and the fragility of her wrists. She could see that the scars and nail marks from Harvey had begun to fade away, but new bruises from recent fights and brawls were a shocking reminder of what she had faced.

She heard a knock at the door. "Elektra, you alright in there?" came Faith's voice. She mumbled back a "yes" and put on the clothes that Faith had lent her before opening the door.

She muttered a 'thanks' and made it back to her room. She needed to sort out her things, make the most of her luxury before heading back onto the streets. She sighed. Did she really want to go back out there?

Maybe she could convince Mike to find a flat for her. Somewhere remote, it didn't really matter. A starting point for her to get herself back together. A new place, new job, new name, a fresh start...

Sorting out her things didn't take too long. She came across her phone whose battery had died long ago. If she charged it now... no what was the point? A load of messages that she wouldn't even want to see. She chucked it back in the bag.

"Elektra?"

Faith stood hovering in the doorway.

"What?"

"Can I come in?"

"It's your room silly, of course, you can!" Elektra replied.

Faith pointed at her dirty clothes, "Are you keeping those? They're tiny!"

"It's fine. I'll just give them a good wash."

Faith came and sat next to her. "I've missed you."

Elektra stared at her bare feet; she needed to cut her nails.

"Well, aren't you gonna say something?" Faith questioned again.

The girl next to her shrugged.

"What's happened to you? You used to be the strongest person I knew. No one got in your way."

"A lot's changed since then Faith..."

"Like what?"

"I saw the real world," Elektra stated abruptly, reluctant to say more.

Faith ran her fingers through Elektra's wet hair and without saying a word brushed through it gently, untangling the knots. When she was done she got up to leave.

"Faith?" Elektra called back. "I've missed you too."

Dinner was fairly quiet. Elektra breathed a sigh of relief when she realised that Liam had left. Johnny kept winding up Carmen and Tee kept telling him to stop. Elektra picked at the food on her plate. She ate what she could without feeling sick. She just about managed to finish her plate when May-Li offered to fill it up again. Elektra refused. She couldn't eat another bite.

Mike stared at her from across the table. "You've got to eat!"

"I know... I just need to get used to the food," she muttered uncomfortably.

Mike caught her gaze, "Perhaps you need another few days or so to get yourself back together."

"I can look after myself," Elektra interrupted.

"That explains why you're here, does it?" Mike argued back silencing all conversations.

Elektra looked down. She could, I mean she had done since she'd left. She'd looked after her sister's child for god's sake!

And where was Charlie now Elektra?

Elektra sighed as Mike arranged to meet her in the office after dinner.

Everyone was in bed. Elektra sat on the sofa waiting for Mike to call her in. She heard footsteps, very faint, and realised that someone was spying on her. It seemed too faint for someone who lived at the Dumping Ground.

Elektra remembered the phone that she borrowed from Faith to play games on in the evening. She swiftly got the phone out and took a selfie before the mysterious person who was spying on her could react. The photo revealed the spy to be the smirking idiot that she'd tried to beat up.

"Ryan, is it?" she asked into the air, remembering Tee complain about him at the table.

The boy gave up his spying position and came forward, "I was looking for some snacks in the kitchen but I saw you here and well, I know it's rude to stare but I just wanted a good look at you. I'm sorry I'll go back to bed".

Elektra raised her brows. This kid knew how to deceive people alright. But it wouldn't work on her.

"Hey, why don't you sit with me for a bit..?" she enquired softly.

The boy sat back down, "I really am sorry. It's just that you're so..."

"Malnourished?"

Ryan stared up at Elektra who wasn't taken in by his soft Geordie accent. He was good at playing the angel, she had to admit.

"But that's not why you were spying on me, was it? You wanted some info, something to turn everyone against me, blackmail me by.. and you were gonna wait by Mike's office."

For once in his life Ryan was speechless, but he tried to cover it up, "I really don't know..."

Elektra smirked, "I know your type. I've been on the streets. I've had a hard time of it. People try and trick you to get some sort of kick out of it. But it won't work on me. Besides I'm the kind of person that doesn't mind hate, I'm used to it."

Ryan looked down and made to leave.

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Very impressive, I almost thought you were an intruder."

Ryan sneered at her.

"Pretty face like you could pull anything off, eh?" she whispered, eyes glittering with knowledge, as she left for Mike's office.

Ryan stared after her. He didn't know whether to be outraged or flattered. Either way, he wanted to find out about her. Everything about her.

"You're staying for however long we say, we've spoken to your social worker and we're not letting you go until we think you're ready."

Elektra took in this information and threw it back out.

"I'm old enough to look after myself!"

"You're going to a doctor tomorrow."

"No!"

May-Li hushed Mike and stepped in.

"We're not trying to take away your independence. Do you really want to go back to the streets?"

"I could find a flat..."

"We could help you to get back on your feet, find a job. You're safe here!"

"I said I can look after myself."

Mike and May-Li looked at each other reluctant to say something.

"What?"

"You have seen yourself right Elektra? You could barely finish a meal today.. let alone beat up Ryan properly."

"Not that Mike's encouraging that in any way," May-Li added.

"We're not asking you to tell us what's happened. We just want to get you back to yourself," Mike finished.

Elektra felt tears prick behind her eyes but she nodded. She needed a stepping stone. Maybe if she worked hard she could get herself out of here.

Ryan was waiting for Elektra as she stepped out of the office. He smirked at her.

"They may not find out what happened... but I will."

"I don't care if you do," Elektra replied. "But you won't want to hear it. If you're anything like I think you are, then somewhere inside that sick mind of yours is a soul."

"I don't have a soul."

"Funny... I used to think that too," Elektra smirked. "Guess we're more alike than you think."