Aurora was drowsy. For the first time, in a very long time, she was hungover. All she could remember was glass, after glass for whiskey burning her throat. The sweet taste strangely reminding her of Alice.
Her body ached. The couch was less the comfortable, and the cushion under her wasn't helping the throbbing headache. Her stomach was churning at the smell of stale alcohol. She had split, a lot.
"Mom?"It was a high-pitched, feminine voice that made Aurora cringe"Mom?"This time Aurora reacted to the tiny voice, lifting her head and opening her eyes.
The world spun around her, the glare of the sun stung her eyes, and she felt like she was about to vomit. She pinched her eyes shut with a moan, pushing her head into the hard pillow once more.
"Mom?"The voice came again, softer and more hesitant this time"Are you alright?"
Aurora took some deep breaths, reigning in the sick and sitting up as slowly as she could. Everything hurt, it was already looking like a long day"I'm fine, Kid"The raspy words came without a thought, as if it was normal. Aurora opened her eyes once again, blinking a few times to make sense of the blurry, spinning world.
The little girl was beautiful. She had a round, pale face with rosy cheeks. Her black hair was pulled into a loose pony-tail, and her soft green eyes reminded her of the familiarity of Alice's. The sweet girl couldn't be more then five, or six.
"I'm late for school"She said in a tentative voice. She had dressed herself today, wearing the batman shirt her mom had got her. Her backpack was loosely hanging over her shoulder, she had finished all her homework the night before. The girl had been ready for the day, proudly.
"Shit"The hungover woman deadpanned"Shit, sorry kid. I know your teacher get's pissed when you're late"She sighed, sincerely apologetic. The poor kid couldn't catch a break.
"It's alright, Mom"The backpack was dejectedly tossed beside Aurora"I can go later"She didn't sound happy about it.
Aurora winced, the kid looked like a wounded puppy with those wide eyes. She was a shitty mom. Drinking, endless hours of work, and all around shitty parenting skills. It couldn't get any worse.
"Why don't you wait in the kitchen, Joan?"Aurora suggested"I'll call the school, and make us breakfast"
Joan's green eyes sparkled at the prospect of breakfast"Pancakes?"She asked, giddily
Aurora flashed her an identical grin, giving into the kid's enthusiasm"Sure, kid. Pancakes it is"
~~~
Alice woke. She opened her eyes to the welcome of morning, and groaned softly. Alice twisted herself in the sheets as she turned away from the light and closed her eyes again, sighing contently. The sheets had the lingering sent of tropic soap and spice, Alice curled deeper in the sheets.
It took her a moment to come to her senses. The other side of the bed was empty and cold like something was missing.
It hits Alice in a flash. The screaming and yelling. Cruel words being thrown back and forth until things started to get thrown. Crying into her pillow until she passed out. Alice rubbed her face, she would have to get out of bed sometime, and face the music.
She clutched the sheets to her, surprised to see the onyx wedding band around her finger. Had she fallen asleep wearing it? Why was she still wearing it?
The alarm clock rung, Alice didn't bother looking because she already knew it was late. Nothing had got done while she was sleeping, had it?
~~~
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Resident Evil: Project Aurora
FanfictionMy name is Aurora. I worked for the Umbrella Corporation. I was the leading scientist in Dr. Ashford's work, as well as Head of Public and Media Relations. My work for Umbrella was the beginning of something beyond me, them and the world as we knew...
