After The End

Safe

The size of this place was intimidating. Though I was surrounded by air, I couldn't breathe. They said I was safe, but I couldn't let my guard down. Everything around me seemed to blur.

Auden and Barrett led me to a house with a white door. I felt my body shake as I approached the door. Barrett, I guess his name was, was supporting me by the waist. Auden detached from my other side going into a room down the hall.  Barrett led me to a door, he opened it to reveal a dimly lit bathroom.

"Sorry about the lighting, we can't turn on the lights at night. It draws too much attention." Barrett quietly murmured to me, his expression unreadable. I stepped in to the bathroom turning I was frozen in place.

Looking in the mirror, I saw a unrecognizable girl. Her hazel eyes were filled with sadness, and were lifeless even. Her long brown hair matted to her face with blood, her bloodied pale skin. She looked weak. Helpless. I felt a tear slip down my cheek.

"I'll leave you to it." Barrett said turning on the shower and leaving as quickly as he could closing the door.

I slowly removed my shirt, then my pants leaving me in my undergarments. 

The girl in the mirror was too thin. Her collarbones and ribs stretched against her skin looking as if they were ready to break through the skin.

The water flow was the only sound that penetrated the room. I stepped into the shower, feeling the slippery tiles against my bare feet. The water was scalding, it left a burning red streaks down my skin. I welcomed the pain. I watched the water below go from an angry red to a pink tinge to finally clear. I felt tear stream down my cheek as I watched the last thing I had of my parents do down the drain. I sat in the warmth of the shower until it ran cold.

Stepping out of shower I noticed a pair of leggings and a large cashmere sweater along with some undergarments. I dressed quickly not wanting to remain in this bathroom a minute longer. I stepped into the hallway where I heard some commotion down the hall in the kitchen.

I walked to the kitchen feeling the wet tips of my hair dripping down my back. In the kitchen revealed to be Auden cooking. He turned to look at me, realizing it was me he smiled. It made me feel a spark inside.

"I thought you might be hungry so I made you some food." Auden sweetly said nodding his head at the plate of food on the counter.

The food looked delicious. I was so hungry at this point I could eat anything.

"Thank you." I smiled at Auden. I sat down at the t counter and dug in. The food was so hot it was burning my throat, but I didn't care. I continued to scarf it down. I finished it with in five minutes. I looked up to meet Auden's sad eyes.

"That was good, thank you." I looked down. I didn't want to see the pity in Auden's eyes because I didn't need it.

I heard the door slam behind me startling me.

Barrett walked in from the outside running his hands through his hair, clearly a nervous habit. I could hear him mumbling something, but I couldn't make out what he said.

I looked back at Auden whose eye didn't leave me.

"Are you tired, Emerson? Would you like to show you where you will be living?" Auden said with a tight jaw clearly trying to ignore his older brother.

I nodded getting off the stool. I followed in quick pursuit of Auden. He brought me to a very minimalistic room.

"My room is right down the hallway if you need anything, Emerson. Get some rest." Auden said with his sweet voice. He closed the door leaving me alone.