Lament

Chapter Two

I awoke to the sight of thin sun rays streaming in through the window. I peered over the side of the bed at the ground, where Blake was absent. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. A dull but painful throbbing spread through my leg. Using the bed to push off of, I lifted myself to my feet. My leg quivered, but I continued to step forward with it. It felt much sturdier than it had the night previous. Slowly but efficiently, I advanced forward.

"Terra!" I heard Violet cry when I reached the kitchen. Blake, Maggie, and Tommy stood near the walls.

"Hey," I gazed down at her, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. What are we going to do? Will Mom know where we are?" Violet rushed through her questions.

"We're going to be staying here with Dr. Turner for a while. Is that okay with you, Violet?"

"Yes. I want to see Mom though." She said. It broke my heart how dependent she was on our mother for security; something I'd learned to detatch myself from.

"Violet..." I began, glancing around the room. I noticed the pain in the faces of the Turners as I struggled, "You know how Mom is never home..." Violet's eyes welled with tears, and I was at a loss of words.

"Is Mom okay?" She asked.

"She'll be fine. She just isn't here. And I think it's more important that we have a place to stay than to try to find Mom. You know how she disappears, Vi." I explained gently, kneeling down to her level. Resting on my knees hurt my leg intensely, but I didn't show it. Instead of talking, Violet threw her arms around me and began to cry into my shoulder. I picked her up into my arms and hoisted myself to my feet. The room was silent, with the exception of my sister's tiny sobs. Maggie turned Tommy around and ushered him quietly out of the room and up the stairs, shooting me an apologetic glance.

"It's okay," I murmered, stroking her light blonde hair. It crushed me to see her this way, especially when I knew the feeling myself. I couldn't help but hold a grudge against my mother for putting not only me, but also this sweet, innocent little girl through this pain. I sat down in a kitchen chair as Blake brought me a glass of water. After her sobs quieted, I offered the water to Violet.

"Here, take a drink." I advised, holding the glass out for her. She slowly pulled her head away from my shoulder and accepted the water. Her hazel eyes were pink and swollen from tears.

"Do you want anything?" Blake asked the both of us.

"Do you?" I repeated the question softly to Violet. She shook her head, "can I go see the house?"

I took a deep breath. I wasn't expecting her to want to see the house; certainly her goal was to salvage any belongings.

"Vi... the house is gone," I explained. Her brows furrowed as she frowned.

"I have an idea," Blake said, coming up from behind us, "how about you and Tommy go play upstairs with some of his toys?"

"Okay." Violet said quietly. I set her down on the floor and she walked away.

"Thank you." I said to Blake, standing up.

"Are you okay?" He asked me, stepping closer.

"Yeah, I can actually walk today."

"I mean emotionally. This must be really difficult for you." I paused, not expecting such a question.

"I think so. I'm just kind of numb, you know?" I responded. The room was strangely quiet. Blake nodded in response, "Good."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Blake said, staring into my eyes.

"Why do you care? I understand that your dad and Maggie want to help people, and Tommy likes Violet, but what about you?" It seemed stupid to ask, but I wanted to know the answer.