Atlas Black

Chapter 5

L L A N A M O R O Z O V A

"Are you okay?" We're carefully making our way out the corridor onto the bottom platform, towards the gusts of air rushing indoors.

"I guess so..thanks." Her voice is petite. She seems shaken up, the poor girl.

"What happened between you two?"

"It's nothing, really. I think he just misunderstood me for some other girl." I'm looking at her questioningly, wanting her to elaborate further.

"What do you mean?" I find myself asking her out of mere curiosity and partially for her safety and well-being.

"He thinks I'm lying about who I am. Though I have no idea why."

I'm now confused. He thinks she's lying? "Why would he think you're lying?"

"Honestly, I have no idea and as much I'd like to know. I don't. So it's best to just stay out of his way and not anger him." When she says this, I'm instantly maddened.

Who the fuck does he think he is? But I'm caught off guard when I recall his face just earlier; the grin. It sends a wave of chills through me. The look told me everything I needed to know. Aiden Grey was bad news.

"Listen. Tina, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. The more you cower, the more he's going to take advantage of your weakness and use it against you. You have strength and courage inside you that you're yet to be familiarised with. Use it."

There's not much I can do but to show her through words. Actions can get you so far, but words are what empowers people to keep moving forward.

"Thank you, I really do appreciate what you did for me back there." She smiles. "What was your name again? Sorry I'm not good at remembering."

"Llana." She freezes once she hears my name leaving my mouth.

"Llana?" She whispers beneath her breath, fumbling.
"Shit. It's you. It's been you the entire time."

"What's been me?"

"He thinks I'm you, Llana. At first I forgot what he used to say he thought my name was but it's so much more clearer now."

Huh? I want to say to say she's not making any sense. How could Aiden possibly think Tina is me or even make such a ridiculous assumption.

We say our farewells and Im aware of my late arrival on the benches where I was intended to meet up with Atlas if he were to show.

Regardless, I still sit down, hoping beyond all hope that he hasn't left before I got here, or that he's still going to show.

I'm stuck with Tina's words for the moment. He thinks Tina is Me? But why? Could be another Llana. Nothing makes sense.

Without dwelling too much into it I rummage through my Jean pockets for my phone absently scrolling through past e-mails of Atlas. Needing to remind myself to stay put.

•

To: lilianamorozova07@hotmail.com
from: atlas.black@yahoo.com

Do you know what you remind me of? Lilies. Maybe it's because of your name. But I'm always associating you with lilies. The pureness. You remind me of such a type of girl and I can't help but smiling at the thought.

Do you know what your second name means? Strength and confidence. I know you're hurting Lil, you're hurting and I'm hurting for you. But let me give you a lesson you won't forget it. You don't recognise the strength that's within you because you keep it well buried underneath all that grief and sadness and the wall you've built around yourself. You're stronger than you think you are. Though I may have my life fairly stable right now, I can't bare to imagine what it would feel like to lose one of my parents. So I wish I could empathise with you. But I won't sit here typing to you bullshit about me knowing what you're going through because I have no fucking clue.