And so it begins...

Selfless Part 2

Mum and I are walking down the street back to where I last saw the young girl. I guess I should call her Layla, now that I know her name.

"Mum. There where marks in her wrists. What could that have been?" I ask not knowing if I really want to know the answer. Mum sighs.

"This is something that I try to protect you from. Someone your age should be thinking about rainbows and all things happy. Our situation has exposed you to sides of the world that I don't want you to see." She looks at me and gives a hesitant smile before she continues.

"The marks on her arms could either be from rope or someone's hands. Can you describe them to me?" She asks. I gulp.

"They where red and scabby. I didn't get a really good look though" I whimper at the thought of what it could be.

"It's probably from rope then" my shakes her head. "Poor girl. It's ok, where going to help her" mum smiles.

We made it to our hill but it's a bit dark to see so mum pulls out her torch and shines it ahead of us.

"Which direction was it?" I point to her left and we begin walking that way. We try to be as quiet as possible because if she's still there, we might scare her away.

We walk up to the hill and I point down and whisper "down there". Mum nods and tells me to go down there first.

Before I go down, mum hands me an apple and tells me I give it to her so she knows in no threat. It didn't work before but it's with a try I guess.

"Hello?" I say. I see the door to the tree house open a crack.

"W-who's  there?" She says with a shaky voice.

"It's me, Cleo. I brought you some more food." I extend my arm to show her. She steps out of the little house and approaches me.

She stands about 3 meters away from me. She's probably still too scared to come any closer.

"You can sit down I you want and I can roll it to you?" I question. She nods and slowly sits, watching me the whole time. Once she's down I roll the fruit to her and she picks it up, biting it hungrily.

"You must be hungry" I giggle and she mimics me.

"Yeah" she whispers.

"Can I ask you a question?" She asks. I nod my head with a smile. She's beginning to trust me I think.

"Where am I?" She whispers.

"Your in east hollow wood. But the Suburb is called brasi street" she looks confused. I don't think she knows where that is.

"Since you asked me a question, can I ask you one?" I question. She nods and bites her apple again.

"What's your name? You know mine" she finishes her mouthful.

"Layla" she says. I look up at mum quickly and she uses her hand to tell me to keep going.

"That's a pretty name" I compliment and she gives a small smile.

"My last name isn't too pretty though" she mumbles.

"What's your last name then?" That was easier then I though.

"Brown" she giggles and it must be contagious because I giggle too. She finishes her apple and her stomach gives a mighty growl.

"Are you still hungry?" She nods but then changes her mind.

"My tummy hurts" she clutches her stomach.

"Is there anything you want me to do?" I really have no clue what in suppose to do. She shakes her head. Her face relaxes and she unclenches her stomach.