Broken

.day three.

Hanna

There were only two ways to tip off the press: pay them to do it, or calling from an untraceable number.

I wished I had known before I called them using my number.

Cameras flashed left and right, my vision turning white every few seconds. I pulled the blinds down to find at least 20 people outside the door, shouting things I couldn't hear. My phone was stuffed in my pocket, and I bit my lower lip. They came at two in the morning because of what I had said about the government issue, and now–

"Hanna?" My mother's sluggish voice pierced through my racing thoughts. Her slim figure made its way to the front of the house, and she stood beside me before glaring in my direction, her pale eyes icy. "Hanna, what the hell did you do? You know you can't let them find out about this! It'll spread through the city, and..." I watched her trail off and inhale sharply. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Mom, I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to call them!" Even as I spoke, my voice caught, my gaze drifting back to the people outside. They seemed to perk up as I turned to them.

The disappearance of my father wasn't what I had intended to call upon. There was no way to contact him, and now, search teams would be traveling all over the country to find him. They might never find him.

It would all be because of the foolish decision I had made. It would be my fault if they never traced him. I would be blamed and harassed all because I informed the press about the truth.

I let my fingers release the blind, and a thin hand pressed against my back. I felt someone guiding me up the stairs, whispering phrases in my ear. My younger sister was asleep, and the door closed silently behind me. I stifled a yawn as fatigue tugged at my body, and I fell against the mattress, running a hand through my light hair.

"Han?" a soft voice called to me. My gaze rested on Esther, who was rubbing her eyes, yawning every few seconds. "What... why are there people... outside? Why are they... taking pictures?"

Her voice brought me back to ten years before, remembering what she had asked. I smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her bony shoulders, kissing her forehead. "They're just seeking attention, Bunny. It's nothing important, I promise. They'll leave in a few minutes."

Esther nodded, her frame tense and hesitant and cuddled next to me, falling asleep in my arms. As I watched her breathing, I knew I had to tell her the truth. One day, I would.