Start of Time ▷ Seth Clearwater

FOUR

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FOUR; THE GREATEST BETRAYAL

     AMELIE STARED DOWN at her hands, littered with purple bruises because of her inability to do anything right. How did she let the situation get this far? How could she allow Jasmine to harbor this secret for so long? The questions running through her mind was making her insane.

     It wasn't helpful that she failed to say anything to Chief Swan since she arrived at the police station. She knew he had already called the Clearwater house to inform her sister of what was occurring. Amelie begged for him not to call Madeline, who would probably stop Amelie from making her next decision.

     "Can you tell me anything, Amelie?"

     "I'd like to wait for my sister," the girl timidly responded. "If that's okay with you."

     Charlie nodded, his gaze drifting despite his lingering stare. Amelie knew exactly what he was looking at — she failed to do something tonight that had been a recurring routine for her, which was putting on makeup. From Charlie's view, he could see all of the scars and bruises that Eli had done to her.

     Eli. The simple name caused Amelie to second guess her decision, but she remembered what her sister always told her. She couldn't use love as an excuse for the kind of abuse she was receiving.

     The door to the police station swung wide open, a frantic and panting Jasmine rushing in. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Amelie, sitting in front of Charlie.

     The man stood up to greet her. "Hi, Jasmine. Amelie insisted that we wait for you before beginning questioning."

     Jasmine released a sigh of relief. "Good." She stood over Amelie and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay?"

     It made Amelie's heart hurt. Her sister was such a kind and gentle soul, but lately, Madeline had reduced her personality until she became a shell of her former self. However, she still worried about Amelie despite her cold shoulder towards Jasmine. Amelie could never repay her sister back.

     "I'm fine, Jas."

     "Look me in the eyes and say it again and I'll believe you."

     "Why don't we start with the questions?" Charlie asked awkwardly. Jasmine took her seat next to her sister.

     "Are you ready for this?" She whispered softly to Amelie.

     The younger girl nodded. "Yes. It needs to be done."

     "Alright," Charlie cleared his throat. "How about we start from the beginning, Amelie?"

     She shifted in her seat, unsure of where to begin. "It was a few nights after our dad died," she murmured, eyes staring at her lap. "I was prone to being ill-tempered back then, and I wanted nothing but to hear my father's voice again. I began lashing out at Eli, telling him that the love he gave me could never substitute the love my father had given me. Eli — he used to be a calm guy. He was shy when we first met, leaving roses in my locker or letters in my backpack because he failed to formulate coherent sentences when he was actually in my presence. I really can't say what set him off that night. He was becoming so angry by my words and I knew I should've stopped-"