Memoirs

Part Three

"But I don't think you understand, my sweet flower. There is nowhere else for you to go, you have no one else." his venomous voice flowed out as if nails were being dragged across a chalkboard.

He was wrong though, he had to be. "No, you're wrong."

I had just seen him half an hour ago, he went to get some groceries for the time being. We didn't know how long we'd get to stay in the old musty hotel room. There was a slight cough and my head darted to the door where he came in with a few grocery bags. As soon as he noticed what was taking place he took my hand and ran, straight through the window. We were only on the second floor so it didn't hurt that much but wow, my leg was in a lot of pain.

"Don't hold back on me now Lil, we have to run. We have to go. You need to be safe."

I shot up from the bed, clutching to the sheets for dear life and looked to my right seeing the time.

4:19 am

It always occurs at that time. Different nightmare, random days, the same exact time.

There was no use going back to bed, instead I got up and quietly padded out of my bedroom and to the kitchen, preparing myself a cup of tea. I didn't necessarily enjoy coffee, the taste was always off to me no matter how much creamer or sugar you wanted to add.

I walked to the window, seeing the stars in full bloom along with the faint sound of crickets. Sarah never got nightmares, but she also wasn't in this situation as long as I had been. She's only had the pleasure of dealing with it for five years, not that dealing with this in general is a pleasure; it's an absolute hell. To be in fact, numerous people in our positions couldn't take it anymore, so they found their own way out. Death. But that was never a route I could possibly think of again, I wouldn't put anyone I knew in that kind of pain. Not after-

A high pitched scream came from the pot on the stove, pulling me from my thoughts as I walked to take it off and pour it in a mug. I added milk and honey, allowing them to blend with one another then sat on the couch observing the cherry wood. I was never one to take a notice to things, especially furniture, seeing as this place came completely furnished. Although that didn't matter, when we came to Seattle I only had a duffle bag full of memories and not even two dollars to my name.

By the time I finished my now cold tea, it was already 7am. Sarah sauntered out of her bedroom, hair perfectly in a bun with soft curls loose in the front. I smiled at her in awe, "I have a busy day apparently," she huffed in annoyance as she popped some bread into the toaster, "meaning I won't get to go out for lunch today. I mean honestly, you'd think that an art store would have more staff but no."

I held back my giggle and told her it was okay before going into my bedroom to get ready. Last nights makeup was gone, as if it had never happened. I let my hair fall in straight yet messy waves. My skin had paled slightly due to the weather, and it was possibly a really crappy thing since my face and body never took a real like to matching on skin tones. But it'll do.

I threw on a loose fitting grey long sleeve along with a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans. For a while now these have been my go-to jeans. They weren't too tight and they were rather comfy so I could get away with the entire bum facade. After slipping on my vans I grabbed my bag and said my goodbye to Sarah before leaving the apartment.

/

I sat on the stool behind the counter, listening to the soft strums of the music playing around the quiet book store. To be quite honest, I've been reading the books here around the store. It's an easy pass time and I don't have to waste money that I don't have.

Someone cleared their throat, I quickly put the book away and began ringing them up without looking in their direction. "I'm so terribly sorry, I sometimes forget that I am at work." I say rather quickly before adding, "Also, the total is $10.68." I finally turn to the customer and my body burns slightly in embarrassment.

His green eyes bore into my blue ones and it's as if earth meets water for the first time in ages. But then I realize I am at work once he hands me the money. "So, Lily is the name huh?" I was so confused as to how he knew my name and I was about to ask before realizing the stupid name tag said it. We were required to wear them since we didn't necessarily have a dress code and now I'm beginning to regret it. I didn't think I'd have to see this man again. "Uh, yes." I say softly before handing him his change and the bag that holds his item which I took notice to it being a leather bound notebook.

"That's a very nice name, it has a certain ring to it. Lily, sweet like the flower."

I felt like all the blood has been drained from my body by that one word, flower. "Lily? Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?" Harry asks, concern flooding his entire face. I shook my head in response then realized that's not answering anything, "I.. I'm fine. I'm okay, you did nothing wrong. Just didn't eat breakfast is all, yeah. That's it." I told myself more than him but we all knew that wasn't the case.

"Well, when is your lunch break?" he asked curiously and I looked at the clock, realizing it had begun five minutes ago. "Uh, five minutes ago." I spoke and this cause him to smile like a child. He took my hand and practically dragged me from behind the counter and out the door, making me run in the rain to a small cafe across the street. I quickly removed my small hand from his rather large one and fixed my clothing.

We sat in front of the window, the cafe only filled with a few people. Students on their computers, business men out for their afternoon coffee, the workers, and an old couple who look as if they've been coming here for ages.

"So tell me Lily, what happened last night?"