Without Words

23- We'll be Okay

A/N: Italicized are flashbacks.

"See, you're getting better." Elle cheered as Noah finished coloring the sun. "Now, we're going to use just bright colors this time."

"Why?"

"Because the sun is here." She pointed at the big ball of yellow, orange and red at the center. "Something as bright as this would never allow any dark colors in the picture."

"How about the shadows?" The seven year old kid asked.

"This is our picture, Noah. We make our own rules." The nine- year-old Elle said bravely.

"That's nice." He mumbled as he colored quietly beside her.

"Is something bothering you again?" Elle asked as she studied her friend closely. Something is wrong with him.

"Mom and dad were shouting again. I had to hide in the closet." He answered quietly, his hand shaking as he colored. "They started throwing things too."

"Is that why you're always in the Fortress?"

"I'm scared."

Elle felt miserable for his friend. Why do kids have to take the burn for their parents' problems? It's unfair. Noah is a sweet and smart kid and now, all she could see is a scared and sad friend.

."I'm going to bring more blankets and paints here, also more food. And I think we have emergency lights and a battery operated radio at home." She checked around the place and examined what it needed for Noah's comfort. "I'll also bring books and maybe I could get dad to buy a sleeping bag."

"You don't have to."

"Whenever you don't feel like going home, you go to the fortress. It would protect you when I'm not here." Elle said resolutely, mentally checking what else has to be done. "I'll leave everything you need to make you as comfortable and safe as possible and I will come here as often as my parents could take me. Not as often as Violet though because she lives here and you're her neighbor but still, I'll work hard to protect you too."

"But you're a princess, I should be the one protecting you."

"I am a princess." Elle nodded in agreement. "But I would always find the strength to protect my friends."

...........................................

I just finished eating my soup when a soft knock startled me.

"Come in."

I was expecting Claudia or even Dan but it was unexpectedly my mom.

"I brought you some pain meds." She stood uneasily in the threshold holding a brown bag, peeping at me. "I also wanted to check on your injuries."

We just stared at each other for a while, awkwardness lingering in the air. I cleared my throat and gestured for her to come inside. I put my bowl down and removed my blanket, scooting over as she sat at the edge of my bed.

"Take these pills twice a day after meals. Then put this cream on your bruises and this one for your cuts." She handed them to me one by one.

"Thank you."

"Let me check your hand."

I gave my right hand to hers as she disinfected it once again then put some ointment. She also checked my wrists which thankfully, were just bruised. If they somehow got sprained, then it would be hard for me to work on my paintings this week.