Silent Scars

CHAPTER 3

Aria’s footsteps were quiet as she made her way out of the house, clutching a small, worn bag with her few belongings inside. She glanced back only once at the home she had grown up in, a place filled with rules, tension, and pain. The walls she was leaving held memories she would rather forget, moments she couldn’t erase. Now, she was finally walking away.

Outside, her social worker, Ms. Lila, waited with a soft, patient expression, her eyes filled with quiet reassurance.

“Are you ready?” Lila asked gently.

Aria nodded, her face impassive, though her heart raced. They walked to the car, the air cold against her skin, and settled in for the drive to the airport.

The journey was silent. Aria kept her gaze down, watching the passing streets blur into each other, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease.

Soon, they arrived at the airport, bypassing the busy terminals and heading to a private hangar, where a sleek jet waited. Aria’s eyes widened as she took it in.

Her eldest brother had arranged a private plane just for her. The polished exterior gleamed under the sun, and the interior looked luxurious, almost unreal.

“Your brother wanted to make sure you’d be comfortable.” Ms. Lila said, studying Aria’s reaction.

Aria looked down, unable to process this gesture from a stranger she barely knew.

As they approached the plane’s stairs, Ms. Lila turned to her with a warm smile.

“All the best in your new life, Aria.” She reached out, a gentle touch on Aria’s shoulder, but Aria flinched instinctively, pulling back. Ms. Lila quickly drew her hand back, her expression softening.

Aria fumbled in her bag, pulling out a notepad and pen. She quickly scrawled "Thank you" on a page, then held it up for Ms. Lila to see.

Ms. Lila smiled, her eyes kind, and with a final nod, she gestured for Aria to board.

With one last glance, Aria turned and climbed the stairs, stepping into the plush, quiet interior of the jet. The seats were luxurious, soft leather with polished wooden accents around them. It felt surreal. She had never been in a place so beautiful, let alone on a private plane. She wandered through the aisle, her fingers brushing the smooth seats, her mind reeling. Her brothers must be incredibly wealthy, she realized. It was a thought that both intrigued and intimidated her.

A flight attendant appeared, her smile polite and professional.
“Hello, Ms. Aria. My name is Emily. If you need anything, just press the button here.” she said, pointing to a small bell by her seat. Aria nodded silently, taking her seat and fastening the seatbelt as Emily instructed.

The plane began to roll forward, the engines rumbling with a power that made Aria tense up, her hands clutching the armrests as they ascended. Her ribs, still tender from the recent bruises, throbbed with every shift. She winced, feeling her breath come in shallow, uneven gasps. Once they leveled off, she let herself relax slightly, her mind trying to settle as the plane cut through the clouds.

She reached into her backpack, pulling out her notepad and quickly scribbling a message for Emily. When the flight attendant came by, Aria held up the note: "Bread toast and water, please." Emily smiled warmly, returning shortly with a tray. Aria took the food gratefully, drinking deeply to calm herself, then swallowing the painkillers she carried with her. The ache in her side dulled, but the exhaustion in her bones remained.

Emily appeared again, gesturing towards a small bedroom at the back of the plane.

“If you’d like to lie down, there’s a room here for you to rest.” she said gently.

Aria glanced at the doorway, feeling a sense of dread creep up at the thought of being in a closed space, no matter how comfortable it looked. She shook her head, choosing instead to remain in her seat.

Sleep crept up on her despite her discomfort. She drifted off, the hum of the engines lulling her into a restless slumber. But peace was fleeting. Dark memories stirred, rising from the shadows of her mind. The harsh words, her stepfather’s angry voice, her mother’s cold indifference. They closed in around her, suffocating, until she woke abruptly, her body drenched in sweat, struggling to breathe. She closed her eyes, grounding herself, focusing on each inhale and exhale until her heart slowed.

It was morning by now. The captain’s voice echoed through the cabin, announcing their descent. She felt the plane dip, her stomach tightening as they approached the ground. She gripped her seat, her breath hitching, a new wave of anxiety building with every moment.

Finally, the plane landed smoothly, rolling to a stop on the tarmac. Aria released her breath, relief washing over her as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Outside, she saw a sleek black Range Rover waiting, its dark windows hiding whoever was inside.

Stepping out of the plane, Aria was greeted by a tall man who introduced himself with a respectful nod.

“Good morning, Ms. Aria. I’m Marco, here on behalf of your eldest brother.”

His tone was professional, but something in his gaze held a kindness.

Aria gave a slight node, her heart pounding. He was a stranger, and so was this brother who had sent him. She realized, with a pang of confusion,

𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦.

She hadn’t thought to ask.

Marco waited patiently as she absorbed the new reality. Then, with a deep breath, she climbed into the back seat of the car, telling herself over and over that no more harm could come to her. This was a new beginning, she reminded herself, clinging to the hope that perhaps, finally, she could find some measure of peace.