La Façade des Plumes

Chapter VII - Rebirth

4:20 pm (blaze it)

Bleach, Green, Paper...again. Again, bleach stung their nostrils. The vibrant lime green floor blinded them, and the papers pinned against the walls, rustling against the winds of the desk fan that rotated around the room. They sat apart from each other, staring down at their hands.

"What are you thinking about?" Anna quietly asked.

"I was going to take her to get froyo at 2 o'clock," Talva replied.

"What flavor do you think she would've gotten?"

"Vanilla with Oreos, and then the pink lemonade with gummy bears. Just like every other time."

"Why pick one when you can have both?" Anna quoted, forcing a small laugh.

Their first conversation, now gone, returning to the ominous silence. Refusing to look the other one in the eye. Anna slid her hand across the bench, lacing her fingers within Talva's.

"You're shaking," Talva commented.

"I thought that was you."

"Maybe it's both of us."

A soft, cool breeze hit their faces, followed by the smell of cologne. Both women raised their eyes, meeting not only Mendoza's eyes but also Lieutenant Ubel. Ubel gave them a look of sorrow as he loosened his posture. He extended his hand to Anna, "The loss you two have suffered, I can't fathom." Accepting his hand, Anna rose from the bench, "Thank you." Ubel nodded at the M.E. sitting behind the desk.

The M.E. led them down the hall, Mendoza following behind them. The two women walked side by side, fingers laced together. It wasn't long until they were reunited with the door. It was a tall, wooden door with patterns that resembled inkblots. If anything, they poorly resembled hand turkeys.

The room was dark and cold. A large metal table is placed in the center of the room. The body of a young teen occupied it. The large white sheet draped her body, making the women fear the unknown. They all stood under the light, however, Ubel stood in the corner, revealing only his eyes. Anna met with the vibrant sapphire color, exchanging blank stares. The M.E. and Talva acknowledged their strange moment, however, they shrugged it off.

"We're ready," Talva whispered. Anna's eyes fell to her sister's face, feeling her lungs paralyzed. Ivey's chapped lips were stained with blood once again. Her skin, once grey, is now blue. Her face was stiff, still frozen with sadness. "Was she-..." Anna spoke.

"No, there were no indications of sexual assault," the M.E. answered. Abruptly, Ubel shifted his confused face toward the M.E. Anna scrunched her brows at his reaction, however, her attention was quickly recalled by the loud sniffles from Talva. Brushing her hair with her fingers, Anna rested her face on Ivey's cold forehead, letting the warm tears drip onto her lifeless face. Talva lowered her eyes, squeezing Ivey's hand through the sheet. "I forgot how tall she became," Anna whispered, staring down at Ivey's feet. "She was probably gonna be taller than you," Talva commented. "She already was," Anna replied.

Standing straight, Anna's eyes returned to Ubel's as they became more threatening every second. Furrowing her eyebrows, she glanced back down at her sister's face only to see the white sheet. Talva placed her hands around her shoulders, escorting Anna from the room, however, they never broke eye contact.

Following the M.E. down the hall, Anna paused, turning back toward the door.

"Who even was that?" she asked.

"Lieutenant Ubel I think? Why?" Talva replied.

"He's...strange."

"What makes you say that?"