Out of The Shadows

The Most Complicated Day Ever

*SCARLET'S POV*

Alysha ran off. She's scared. Two things: Nathan when she gets home, and Skylar finding out this massive secret that she can absolutely not know. But to be honest I think she's overreacting slightly. This isn't that much of a big deal.

"Scarlet what's going on? Why is Alysha so freaked out about this fight she had with Nathan?"

"It's complicated."

"Then explain it to me"

"I can't"

"Why not?"

"It's not my place."

"Why did she tell you and not me?"

'What am I supposed to say? "Oh I only know because I found out from my mum, after listening in on a conversation she was having with Nathan. And Nathan has threatened to kill me if I say anything and the same goes for Alysha." Yeah, totally going to say that!'

"...Sky it's just... I can't tell you, I'm sorry. This whole thing with her and Nathan is a lot more complicated than just a simple fight between two cousins."

"What do you mean? You are not making any sense." I really wish I could tell her; I'm lying to my best friend, to her face. I feel so bad.

"Put it this way, Alysha can't simply just apologise and everything will be forgotten. The relationship she has with Nathan is based on... trust and respect, more so than any other cousins. They have a long history, not even I know the full story. Basically if Alysha does something to irritate Nathan, it isn't easy to fix." It might be more information than I should tell her but it's the only way I can get her to stop with questions without raising more.

"And there is nothing neither of us can do about it?"

"No, this is something that Alysha needs to sort out with Nathan alone. We can't interfere."

"Okay, but it still doesn't explain why Alysha is so panicked. I mean when we were talking she paled, started shaking. What's with that?" 'She doesn't give up does she!'

"She hates it when she's made Nathan mad, she doesn't like talking about it. Nathan can be... kind of scary... when he's mad."

"What? Does he get violent or something?" She was alarmed and that got me alarmed. She could never know. I had to play it off.

"What! No! He's just... you know if you get in trouble from your dad, how he seems scary?"

"Yeah...?"

"It's like that; Nathan's become Alysha's 'parental guardian' since she's been living with him so Alysha sees him as a mix between a brother, best friend and a father even though he's just her cousin. You get it?"
Oh my god I really hope she buys it, I'm a terrible liar and if she finds out that Nathan does get violent, then we are all in serious trouble – Alysha, me and Skylar.

"Oooooohhh, so that's why it's so complicated. And why respect and trust are more of an issue..." I just nodded. Crisis adverted.
'THANK GOD!'

The bell rang, breaking the awkward silence that fell between us. I told Skylar to head to homeroom while I went to go find Alysha. It took a few minutes but I eventually found her in the bathroom.

"...Please, I'll do anything"
"...I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it I swear." It was Alysha, almost in tears. Nathan was probably on the other end of the call. There was silence for a while before she spoke again.
"...No, please, Master I-"

'Hold up! Master?! WTF'

The call must have ended because I heard a phone drop and Alysha burst into tears. I felt shattered. I knew I couldn't do anything to help her but she's my best friend.
I knocked on the door of the stall and called her name quietly.