Scattering Lilac Ashes

Chapter Ninety-Five

The euphoria Lila felt from Asher's message had well and truly worn off by the time Lila awoke on Wednesday morning. He hadn't opened her last message, but she had expected that much. Only today, tomorrow, then the day after left...

Yawning, she made her way downstairs, ready to demolish some cereal, and encountered her parents speaking in hushed whispers over cups of steaming coffee.

"Morning," Lila smiled, giving another yawn.

"Good morning, Lila," her Mum returned her smile, blowing on her cup before taking a sip.

"What're you guys talking about?" Lila asked idly, moving past them both to open the fridge and retrieve the milk.

"Just plans for the day," her Dad replied with an edge to his voice that halted Lila's movements. She glanced back at him, but he was staring down at his cup as though it interested him deeply. Pursing her lips, Lila continued her morning routine. Did she dare ask? Eyeing her Dad again, she could see him pointedly looking away from her.

"Is it... about how to keep me at home?" Lila asked after a pregnant pause. She saw her parents exchange a look before her Dad placed his cup on the counter with a sigh.

"I was just telling Mum that you're my daughter, through and through," he said, though his tone wasn't exactly pleased with this revelation. "You've got things to occupy you at home, yes?"

"Yeah, Dad. I'm not interested in going anywhere," Lila responded earnestly. "Don't worry about me."

Lila's Mum tutted before sighing as well.

"I'll finish what I need to today," her Mum said, her eyes flickering to Lila's Dad for a moment, "then I'll stay home with you for the rest of the week."

"I'll be fine by myself," Lila insisted. Her parents both looked at her dubiously.

"Lila, the one thing that we do not want is for you to start looking into Piper's death. This isn't child's play. I know your curiosity is growing – I saw it start yesterday. Like I said, some things are better left alone. The police can handle it," her Dad warned.

"I wasn't going to," Lila responded defensively. It was the truth – she had other avenues of interest to explore anyway. Today, actually, once her parents left for work. Not that she was going to divulge that to them. It was lucky, in a way, that everything she needed to continue her inquiries was with her at home. It would keep her occupied, just like her parents wanted.

Besides, it wasn't as though Piper's death was relevant to Asher's Mum. Except... maybe it was relevant to Marlene. She still hadn't found anything for or against that.

"... Alright," her Dad acquiesced, raising his hands as if in defeat. "I'll trust you for now."

"Thanks, Dad. Glad to know I'm on thin ice."

He gave her a sharp look before shaking his head. "You sure are, when you say it like that."

Lila laughed, pouring her cereal. Her parents seemed content as they finished their coffee over discussions of the weather, and the news that their interview at the show had been uploaded to the internet. Lila made a mental note to check that out later as her parents rinsed their cups and disappeared to finish getting ready to leave.

Sitting down at the kitchen table, Lila lifted one leg onto her chair and looked through the Facebook page for Channel 10. Sure enough, she saw herself and Daniel three posts down, their faces taut with nervousness.

'Not the most flattering angle,' Lila thought, pressing 'Play' on the video. It proceeded as she remembered, though she cringed at the sound of her voice. It really didn't match with what she thought she sounded like.