⌞ the chain ⌝

*⌞ twenty-eight : guests ⌝*

(slight mentions of abuse, gagging, nausea, and throwing up)

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Maybe that's why it all moved so slow.

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"Woah..." 

I looked around the freshly decorated room. The soft blue walls with little plastic vines hanging from the ceiling. The open parts had fake moss and there were flowers tucked into everything with lights decorating all of it to look like stars or lightning bugs. And the bed was tucked by the window with floral sheets and a soft blue comforter. 

"How do we think it's going, Lils?" 

"Juju, this is perfect." 

"I'm glad you think so." 

I giggled as he picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder with a faked groan. I hit his shoulders, squirming as I was carried out of the room and into his. I was carefully thrown on the bed, giggling again. 

"It's not finished yet. Gotta stay in here with me." 

"Juju!" 

He shook his head, a goofy smile on his face as he walked toward the bathroom. I sat up, curiosity stealing my attention as I propped up on my elbows. But I flopped back down, hiding my face in the pillows as I saw the first aid kid. Jules sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed, his hand rubbing soft circles on my ankle. 

"Lily..." 

"Nuh-uh!" 

"Come on, fluer. You have to let me help." 

I shook my head into the pillow, the fabric rubbing against the cut and bruises on my face. It hurt a bit but I didn't try to move anymore. The bed raised as he got up and lowered again as he sat a bit closer, a hand coming to rest on my back. 

"Eilulia." 

I looked up from the pillow at the firm way he said my name. There was a soft look on his face as he beckoned me into his lap. I sighed and moved, getting comfortable as he picked me up to move toward the center of the bed. I tried to hide my face in his chest but it wasn't any use. Jules knew. He always knew. 

"Come on, kiddo. Look at me so I can make them feel better." 

I lifted my head and his face didn't change but I saw the look in his eye. It was the same look all my teachers gave me when I told them I fell or just played too hard with my brothers. The look of not believing me and the look of not being able to do anything. But like everyone else, he didn't say anything. He only reached for the first aid kit and pulled out an alcohol pad.

I flinched back as it touched the cut on my lip and Jules let out a soft apology.

"Only for a second. I have to make sure they're clean, kiddo." 

I nodded, hissing each time he put the pad against my lip. Once that one was clean, he went to the one on my cheek and then the one on my chin. There wasn't any use for a bandaid, the cuts stopped bleeding days before Jules came to visit. And as much as he tried to make sure I didn't hear, I knew he was yelling at Father. He told him he was taking me for some time. 

I didn't mind. I was safe here. Jules would take care of me and maybe by the time I went back home, Father would be cooled off. It would be okay by the time I went back to France. The bruises would be gone and so would the cuts. No one would have to worry about me anymore. It would all be okay. 

"Lily?" 

"Hm?" I looked up at him, the exhaustion from the travel kicking in as I yawned, tucking back into his chest. I felt his arm tighten around me like he was scared to let go. That I would disappear into thin air if he didn't hold me tight.