Redemption || MorMor

How Things Can Change

Sebastian's phone buzzed and flashed on the cheap table of one of the only cafe's open at 11pm in that part of London. He sighed as he arranged with Severin what he was doing. Luckily, Severin didn't have much stuff in Jim's house so he would just move in with his girlfriend. But it was different for Seb. Everything he had was in that house. The only thing he had to his name was his bank card, which was sufficient to keep his going for a long time, he was sure.

Florence sat opposite him, eating everything in front of her as fast as she could. She had been so hungry for so long. She watched people around her with wonder and happiness. She thought she would never see any humans again and yet there she was, in a cafe drinking hot chocolate, surrounded by people. How things can change.

Seb, after 2 long hours of texting and sighing, arranged to stay in a flat around the corner for a while. A friend of his owned it and agreed to let him stay there for a price Seb was only too willing to pay given his desperate situation.

"Thank you, Sebastian," Florence muttered, having finished her 5th sandwich.

"Sure, don't mention it, kid." He sighed again, trying to mask his upset with anger, like he had done throughout his entire life. He didn't want to walk out on Jim, his fiance, he just had an epiphany that he couldn't ignore. He realised, in one single moment, how wrong he and Jim had been. And he couldn't live like it for a second longer.

"I'm going to be a good person... From now on. No more killing, no more anything. I'm going cold turkey."

The girl smiled at him, the bruises on her face contorting as she did. "I'm glad you've realised."

"You're awful perky for someone who's been in a basement for 3 months," he raised an eyebrow but he didn't mind. He liked having someone so positive around.

"Well I'm perky for someone who's been released from a basement after being there for 3 months." She corrected him with a smile. "Thank you so much for getting me out." She began to stand up, "I wish you the best for the future. Stay positive. Stay a good person."

"Where the hell are you going?"

"A friend's house."

"You-you can stay with me if you want, have a solid home to stay in."

"What, really?"

"Of course, yes. Besides, I won't be used to being alone after-" his voice broke a little and he cut his sentence off abruptly. Florence quickly went over to him and hugged him.

"I know it's hard... I know.... I'll help you through it. I promise."

"It's just... He was all I had!" His voice raised in pitch as he cried a little. "I don't know how to be without him... It's been so long."

"I understand... It's going to be tough but you will get through this I promise you, Sebastian." She pulled away cautiously and looked at him. "Thank you for being so kind and offering me a place to stay with you. I can't thank you enough. In return for your kindness I will promise to help you through this."

Seb managed a small smile. And there, a friendship blossomed.

Florence, as it turned out, was very good for Sebastian. She was there to support him when he needed her. She would take care of the house and make sure he ate and stayed clean on days when he wasn't doing so well, which was common to begin with but got less frequent as the weeks ploughed on.

She got on with her life, which was better than ever now she had a fixed address and food in the table. She got a job in a coffee place around the corner. But she would always ring Seb in her lunch break. Just to make sure he was okay.