Silent Secrets

Chapter VIII

AN

Can I even have the audacity to call that last blip a chapter? Ugh. I am ashamed of myself. But what the heck, you got a crappy update. I'm sorry. Hopefully this chapter will be better?

....yeah probs not. You're right. Enjoy it anyway!

"I think she's waking up!"

"Honey, that's the thirteenth time you've said that this hour."

"Mum, I'm serious--look!"

I groaned, blinking dazedly. Bright lights swarmed over my vision, then slowly came into focus. Remus's face hovered over me, his eyes wide. A pretty blonde woman stood next to him, her eyes mirroring his concern. A plush, soft surface was beneath me, and warm blankets were piled on top of me, urging me to lapse back into sleep. My eyelids drooped shut.

You're in Remus's house. In a bed. Being cared for. Your dad is going to kill you!

I jerked upright, my eyes wild, darting around the room. My eyes widened with fear as I realized I had no idea where I was, or even how long I'd been away from home.

"Hey--hey! It's safe. You're fine. You can stay here," Remus soothed.
Anyone else would have stayed. I mean,I had an abusive home life and nothing keeping me there. But I knew deep in my gut that no matter where I went my father would find me. It wasn't just chilling paranoia--I genuinely knew he would find me, and hurt or even murder whoever harbored me. Well I knew it--I had tried to run once. The guilt of that night would cling to me forever.

I shook my head violently, my eyes bright with fear--not for myself, but for this stupid, stupid boy and his kind family, perfect strangers who were willing to take in a wounded girl and offer her asylum.

"Why not?" Remus yelled, frustrated.

I flinched, but didn't answer. Whenever I spoke my mind at home, my father would hit me.

"Remus," the woman--his mother, I assume--placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

He sighed. Looking at me, eyes soft, he quietly said, "You obviously have nowhere else to go. Why not stay?"

A dozen replies jumped to my mind, not the least of which being Oh, the psychotic drunk jerk I call my father will come for me and you lot will either get hurt or murdered.

I said nothing, however, and simply met his challenging stare with a level gaze.

He sighed again, looking away. "At least stay the night. Or for dinner. Then I'll help you home."

"Remus!" his mother objected, looking worried.

Remus silenced her with a glance. "It'll be fine, Mum. I'll be careful, I promise."

I smiled slightly at his caring, protective attitude toward me. It was unnecessary, however. There was no way I was letting him walk me home.

Remus's mother sighed in defeat and left the room, her face cloaked in the shadow of worry.

As soon as the door shut behind her, Remus turned to me, his eyes glinting determinedly. "I know that you're not gonna stay for dinner," he said, his tone laced with a slight disappointment. Why he was disappointed, I had no idea, but he quickly brightened, tightening his jaw. "And you probably don't want me to walk with you, do you?"

My jaw dropped. Dang, this kid can read people. I mean, I consider myself a bit of a conundrum to most people--strange, with a tough exterior that gave nothing away. No one could ever tell what I was planning--and yet Remus just read me like an open book.

His sharp eyes glinted, challenging me to deny it. Slowly, I wagged my head in admission. Yeah, I'd planned to ditch them. But what they didn't understand was that it was for their own good. My father would find me, no matter where I ran.

"I'm coming with you," he said, his eyes warning me not to argue. It wasn't threatening; he was genuinely looking out for me.

As much as I hated the idea of him coming anywhere near my house, I had to face the facts. I was an underfed ten--almost eleven--year old. I was about the size of a skinny seven year old girl who did gymnastics and was short for her age. If I wasn't murdered by street gangs, I'd probably be kidnapped.

Just to the alley, I promised myself. Then I'll lose him.

A flicker of a smile danced across my face, something Remus took as a sign of consent. He smiled back at me, his eyes filled with relief. It was nice to be cared for, I realized. Slowly taking off the covers, I found I was in new jeans, and a small t-shirt that was still to big for me. I panicked, looking around frantically for my old clothes. Remus sensed my discomfort, and sadly reached underneath the pillow, drawing out my old clothes.

"I was supposed to throw these away," Remus explained, "but I thought it would worry you. I-I don't want you to get hurt anymore."

For a moment, I allowed myself to dream. I imagined staying here, being fed and cared for, getting clothes that fit me, learning to talk again. I imagined having a family. I imagined a life without pain--or at least the pain I had grown up experiencing.

Then reality crashed over my fantasy. I imagined my father killing all of them--Remus, his family, and whatever friends I may have made. I imagined the guilt of their deaths hanging over me for the rest of my life, as I hid in my closet, forever fearful of my father's wrath.

I smiled at Remus, trying to convey my gratitude as I took the clothes from him. "I'll wait outside," He said, stepping out and shutting the door behind him.

I quickly shed the shirt and jeans Remus's mother had chosen for me. Then I realized that every inch of my skin, though once always marked and scared, was now smooth and whole. I remembered Remus mentioning that his mom was a brilliant doctor, but didn't get the recognition she deserved for one reason or another. I didn't understand why. She was phenomenal!

Soon I stood dressed as I had been before, in a black, baggy t-shirt and short shorts that were only just longer than my shirt. I tossed my hair behind me, realizing then that it was smooth and silky, completely untangled. I smiled. It was a nice feeling--light and airy.

I opened the door and found Remus waiting outside of it for me. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodded. "Good. We'll go out the window."

AN

Dedication to @cliffhangerbatch for being my 200th follower!! Thank you so much!!

And I'm sorry for that last chapter. That was pathetic.

Hope you enjoyed! Vote AND comment to tell me so!

Peace out my precious pineapples!

~marauders4ever~