Dear Gang Leader (COMPLETE)

Dear Gang Leader - 33

Avery breathed in the fresh scent of her home, finally glad to be back. Her arm was wrapped in a thick cast and she walked with a heavy limp on her left leg where her thigh was bandaged. Carl followed in behind smiling at her reaction. He pulled out a packet from his pocket and handed it to her. 

"Payment for finishing off those last orders when I was gone." He explained. She opened it up, realizing that she had way over what she was meant to get.

"Car-" 

"AND for taking care of the gang for as long as you could." He finished off pushing it further into her hand. She placed it on the table and walked around the house enjoying the lavender air freshener after being 3 weeks in hospital with that stale detergent smell. Carl watched her, glad that she was okay. Avery finally walked into the kitchen, preparing 2 sandwiches.

"Tuna, ham or... Chicken? No wait, date's gone. Tuna or ham?" She asks, pulling out the tuna for herself. 

"Tuna." She yelps as Carl's voice sounds right next to her ear.

"Idiot." She mutters. Carl doesn't move. instead his arms wind around her waist.

"What was that?" He asks as she stiffens. 

"P-prick."

"That's not what you said before." He pulls her closer to his body, stepping back so she was away from the counter. Avery shivers as he whispers down her neck.

"Let go Carl!"

"Nope"

"Carl..."

He spins her and pushes her against the wall. "say my name again."

"No."

He pushes even closer.

"Say it..."

"It."

"No, Say Carl."

"No."

He leans forward and her nerves go crazy, he lowers his head and places his lips softly near hers before pulling away.

"What the hell was that Carl!" She yells.

"There you said it!" He triumphs.

she growls and goes back to the sandwiches. Soon she's made then and sits on the sofa switching on the TV. Carl sit's beside her and grabs a sandwich. A tense silence settles between them and Carl can tell there's something on her mind.

"Ava. What's up?"

"Nothing."

"C'mon tell me."

"Wh- When you... found me did you - see him?"

"No. Why?"

"Just. How did you know.. it was - Gordon?"

"It's obvious. I just assumed"

"You don't assume."

"you know me so well."

"Seriously C. How?"

Carl considered this. Should he tell her? She would freak. But... No.

"What's your second name?" He asks changing the topic.

"W-What?"

"I don't know your second name."

"I- I don't have one."

"Reaaaallllyyy."

"yeah."

"Avery.N?"

"Where did you - "

"School books. When we were peer marking." He lied hoping all her books said Avery.N

"It stands for Nevda" she lied.

"So... Avery Nevda?"

"Yeah."

"liar."

"How?"

"Nevda isn't a name."

"no?"

"It's place. What does n really stand for?"

She sighs and goes to the other side of the kitchen counter filling up a glass of water and shaking her head.

"Tell me." He warns.

"No."

He stands up and places an arm over her shoulder.

"Why is your second name such a secret? a name's a name."

"Nobody."

"What?"

"N stands for Nobody."

"Avery Nobody? haha funny. now tell me."

"I told you. Nobody. I changed my name a long time ago."

"Why?"

"You ask too many questions. I need to shower.You should go. see you at school."

"You didn't ans-"

The door slammed shut and the water ran on full blast. Carl sighed and pulled on his jacket. He took one last look into the house before making his way home. Wondering what she was talking about. Why nobody? Growling, he pulled his hood up and quickened his pace. The quicker he got home, the quicker he could relax he thinks.

Avery finished her shower and sat on the sofa hugging herself. The memories came rushing back. Outside her house, the nurse, the drunk driver, her parents and... her. Gordon hitting her into oblivion again and again. The day she changed her name - not on her birth certificate, just mentally. The people. So many people. Crowds - swarming her. "you're the child of the devil!" The nurse yelled at her. The burn. The pain. The hurt. The hate. Before she could stop herself, a tear fell. Followed by another, and another and another until the water works were on full blast; along with short sobs. She grabbed the pillow and screamed into it, wanting the memories to disappear or even explode into oblivion. The  memories stayed, hurting her more and more. She stayed there for a long time, trying to push them to the back of her mind where it would never be thought of again.