Extraordinary

Broken Trust

Drawn-out footsteps befell the stairs, the sound echoing across the room. Tip... Tap... Tip... Tap... Black shoes came down, and a face materialised through the tears. Gerald. A flurry of emotions grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and I hardly even noticed the look of shock and horror that was plastered on his face. Sudden motion introduced itself to my eyes, and next thing I knew the door clicked unlocked, Gerald frantically running to it from the keypad.

Throwing opening the door with earth-shattering force, Gerald darted over to me. The waterfall of tears had thoroughly dried, leaving nothing but a salty patch of barrenness on my cheek, and a sense of complete impassiveness.

"Lexi?" he whispered as he helped me to my feet, tenderly taking my arm and leading us both out this prison cell that had entrapped me in my own emotions for the past two hours. But those two hours seemed like eternity. I did not answer his question. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. I just... couldn't. Suddenly stairs loomed in front of me, and gingerly I took the first step. "Lexi? Are you ok?" This time I found the strength to turn around and simply nod. Half-hearted at most, but a nod nonetheless.

Trudging up the stairs, my mind was like an infinite vacuum. I could hear the gentle pitter-patter of rain outside, but hardly even noticed. Seconds later it struck me - and I frowned. It's raining. Yet another thing that is my fault.

I walked outside and turned invisible. The cool rain poured down on me, enveloping every inch, soaking right to the bone, as if it was alive. I could not care less about the potential of my face turning into a pimple farm - and having Niagara falls flowing from my hair. I just couldn't care less. I had no one to impress in any case.

The rain bucketed down, impregnating the ground with every drop. Thunder rolled around everywhere above me, sounding like an atmospheric gunfight, of which lightning was the stray bullets. In spite of this, I walked the lonely path to my house, daring the weather to come get me.

My dad was supposed to be "away" - yeah right.

Eventually I arrived at the pavement of our house. Not caring about the mess I made, I trudged in through the door and into the lounge.

Cameron was just reclining in front of the TV, legs propped up on the coffee table. At least I still had him I could trust with all this information.

I was still invisible as I ambled in, but I saw Cameron frown. "Lexi? are you there?"

Ignoring him, I went up to my room. Telling people your emotions was so overrated.

Slumping down on my bed - which was a lot more comfortable then the floor of the training room - I continued to stare into the abyss of nothingness. Motion suddenly caught my eye - my door was opening.

Could it be my dad?

As the door opened wider, so my heart rate quickened. The hinges let off a muted squeak, heightening the dreaded anticipation. I activated my invisibility and held my breath, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Lexi?" I heard as the door opened fully, clunking loudly against the wall. I recognised that voice... It was Cameron.

An exhausted sigh released itself from my lungs, causing Cameron to focus on where the sound came from - my bed.

"Lex?"

I turned visible and turned my eyes to Cameron.

"What's wrong?" He said, frowning as he noticed my face. My tear-stained, worn-out face that probably looked anything but human. I couldn't even imagine what I looked like! Make-up smudged, swollen eyes, drenched hair...

"Please leave." I said as nicely as I could.

"Something is wrong, and this time I'm not leaving it. What happened?"

"Dad happened." Looking up at the ceiling I could feel my eyes starting to sting again for the umpteenth time.

"Dad is away Lexi. How can it be him when he isn't even here?" An edge of frustration was apparent in his voice.

I suddenly heard hurried, heavy footsteps marching up the stairs. My eyes widened. It could only be one person - It could only be dad. Shooting off my bed I yanked Cameron's hand and turned us both invisible... Just in time.

Dad barged into my room with no sense of courtesy whatsoever. I soundlessly put a finger on Cameron's lip, silencing any grunt or groan which tried to make a run for it. I could still see Cameron - he just looked a little washed out. That's how I could tell if I had turned something invisible.

We both remained completely motionless. Next thing we knew, my dad lifted his watch to his mouth and started speaking in it.
"She isn't here either. I don't know how she got out of the training centre."

Crack, went my heart.

I could feel a massive fissure tear itself through my heart, top to bottom, left to right.

Cameron's face turned in confusion - then, his eyes widened.

"How's the boy doing?" My interest piqued. I could make out a very faint voice but the phone speaker wasn't loud enough for me to decipher any words.

"Okay well just don't kill him, not until I am there."

My eyes were holding back a dam of tears. I wanted to collapse.

Watching Cameron, his eyes turned visibly cold towards our dad. A pure, unadulterated hatred was forming. There was no disappointment anymore, only revulsion. And it was justified - even though I was his own daughter, he would still take my life because of his beliefs.

Absolutely torn, we watched our dad saunter out my room. Not taking any risks, we stayed completely invisible, motionless and deathly silent until we heard the house door slam shut.

I let go of Cameron, turning him visible. But I stayed invisible sinking to the floor in a complete emotional train wreck.

"What just happened?" Cameron asked shakily, hesitating, not knowing where I'd disappeared. "Lexi, I can't help if the only thing I hear is cries out of you. Give me words. I don't even know what you are crying about? And what boy was he talking about?"

"Cameron who do you think!" I screamed, turning visible again and storming off to the bathroom.

When I came out again, I could see the sudden realization hit Cameron. "Kade?"

"Well done, genius." Rolling my eyes, I slowly edged towards my bed.

Cameron sighed. "Lexi, I'm beyond confused. Please, please tell me what is going on?"

I was exasperated and couldn't stop the sighs from coming. Suddenly my head was resting in my hands. "Cameron if I tell you what happened," I whispered through the cracks in my fingers, "it will be like reliving the whole thing all over again. From the beginning. And I don't want to relive that," I buckled down onto my bed. "Ask dad what happened." Came the mumble. I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come save me.

But every time I shut my eyes, I would see the whole thing play over and over again.

Minutes passed. I didn't even know what Cameron was doing, nor did I care.

"Lexi I can't just ask dad. Plus I don't feel like I can trust him at the moment, considering he was looking for you. Furthermore, he is supposed to be away!"

"Yeah that's what I thought too. Guess not." I said. Right now, I seriously wanted nothing more than for Cameron to leave me alone.

"Are you going to tell me anything?"

"No I'm not." I muttered and turned my back to Cameron.

I heard him sigh and his retreating foots steps faded away as he left.

Here came the sobs. Again. More tears. Obviously the dam wall must have broken.

I still had school tomorrow. I don't know if my emotions could handle this. I don't know if my mind could handle this. I don't know if I could handle this. All those people - but no Kade.