See No Evil (Anthony Lockwood)

chapter 34

Violet ate lunch with the other's that day. It was the first time since the incident that they had all actually sat down together for a long period of time and just relaxed. Well...not really relaxed. Just positive.

George was talking about his research for their case, shoving bites of his sandwich in his mouth between sentences. But he seemed actually excited. Violet was happy to see him so enthusiastic and animated. He was waving his arms around, pointing at the papers, speaking at such a fast pace that they barely caught what he was talking about.

Lucy was buttering a piece of toast, adding in some input every once in a while. She looked happy to be back in her usual work clothes. She had already put together their kit bags for the job hours earlier in her excitement. She really just wanted to go out and kick ass. It might be better for her to take her extra anger out on some ghosts than on her friends.

Lockwood was eagerly waiting for the time to pass on so he could leave. He barely even picked at his food as his leg bounced up and down. A wide grin was on his face, his eyes lit up. He was already dressed and ready to go with the exception of his coat.

The three were all sitting close together as they talked. An air of happiness floated around them. Their expressions were so delighted and determined.

And then there was Violet. She sat at the other end of the table, all by herself. She watched with a bittersweet expression and listened quietly. She was happy that they seemed to be doing better and would get to go out and do what they do best. But Violet couldn't help the isolated feeling that overtook her. The job is all those three wanted to talk about since they opened back up the agency to customers. Usually they would subtly kick Violet out of the room because they felt bad that she couldn't come, but today they were just too jittery and excited. Violet doubted they would even notice if she slipped out of the room.

Violet was about halfway through her writing exercise workbook. She was improving a lot. Her sentences were mostly coherent and her writing wasn't as shaky from her tremor. She had found a better way to grip her pencil for that.

Eventually the time came for the three to leave and they stood up from the table.

"Maybe someone should stay back with Vi," Lockwood suggested, casting the girl a worried look.

Violet looked up from her notebook and shook her head, "No, you guys go ahead."

Please don't leave me.

"I'll be fine here."

I won't be fine.

"I can handle myself alone just fine," she smiled.

I can't. I'm drowning.

But none of them noticed the lies that slid smoothly off her tongue. They couldn't hear her screaming and crying out for help. They couldn't see that she was drowning. Because Violet wouldn't allow them to.

In the past week, what Violet had learned to do was how to hide. She learned how to fake it all. To make them think that she was improving and healing. But she wasn't. All she was doing was isolating herself and slipping further and further away. She masked all of her pain with a facade that she was beginning to perfect as every day passed. And none of them noticed.

Lockwood leaned down to press a kiss to Violet's cheek before he left. Lucy gave her a smile and squeezed her shoulder. And George...George just nodded. But at least that was something.

Violet's expression fell to a blank one and she stared ahead, listening to the sound of their footsteps until they got out the door, closing and locking it behind them.