Break Your Wall

Visitor

Flashback to one year ago

Annie sat frozen in her seat. The same words were ringing in her ears, over and over again.

"I'm sorry Annie, they're gone."

They're gone.

Gone.

Annie's aunt had just delivered the words that made her blood run cold. This can't be true. They can't be...dead.

Annie kept her empty gaze on the floor as her aunt stood up from the couch across from her. "Annie dear... I know this is a lot to take in." She didn't move as a hand was placed on her shoulder, "But I'm going to be here to help you."

Annie didn't pay much mind to her words, still in disbelief. The two of them were never close, her attempt to comfort her only made her feel more conflicted. She barely noticed when her aunt pulled her into an embrace. "I'll take care of you."

After a week passed by, Annie was being taken to what her aunt called 'a wonderful new opportunity.' She pulled up to an apartment complex, the both of them getting out of the car and grabbing Annie's belongings.

"Mind telling me why we only have my stuff?" Annie questioned as they entered the building.

Her aunt didn't answer and made their way up to the second floor, heading over and opening the door to the new apartment. She dropped her things off in the small empty space, then turned her face with a forced smile.

"Now, I'd love to stay and help you unpack but I have to attend to some things..." The woman walked past Annie, heading towards the door.

"Alright." Annie shrugged, not very interested in what she could be doing. She stepped forward and dropped her bags beside the others as she called over her shoulder. "When will you be back?"

She heard the footsteps stop, glancing back to see what stopped her.

Her aunt pushed her blonde hair behind her ears and peered over her shoulder, their crystal blue eyes colliding. "I'll be back later, no need to wait on me." She flashed the same fake smile, faltering before quickly walking over to embrace Annie.

The sudden action surprised her, her arms limp at her side. What's going on with her?

When she released Annie, there was a spark of emotion in her eyes that she didn't understand. Before she had time to ask, her aunt had already turned back around and briskly stepped out of the doorway. The last thing she saw was a single tear fall from her eyes before she shut the door.

What is she doing..?

-

"Nice to see you again, Annie."

Annie's sharp glare rested on those same eyes as a year ago when they abandoned her. "What the hell do you want?"

The woman raised a brow. "That's the kind of welcome I get from my niece?"

"You aren't welcome here." She deadpanned.

"I believe I'm the one paying for this place." She laughed. "So I believe I'm allowed here."

Annie glowered, trying to keep the emitting anger from showing too much. "I'll say it again. What the hell do you want?"

Finally her aunt dropped the lighthearted tone and matched the same deadpan Annie held. "I'll be blunt about this. I can't afford to pay for two apartments at once anymore."

Annie didn't say anything. All she knew was that nothing good could come from this. The girl attempted to reassure herself when the rising anxiety inside herself became nauseating, telling herself it won't be that bad.