Our Fight (Book Two)

Chapter 13 - Elsie

Chapter Thirteen

                                               Elsie                                                              

My lungs are burning, my legs are aching and my heart feels like it's going to beat right out of my chest.  I reluctantly follow the others up the steps and into the house, wincing with every step.  Rose holds back a bit until I am beside her, she looks at me a strange expression on her face. 

"Have you been to see Alex?"  My heart stops, I can feel all of the blood draining from my face.  Rose recoils from me slightly, she knows she has said the wrong thing.  "I'm sorry if that upset you, I just thought you would have wanted to see him."  She shrugs her shoulders, I breathe out and look down at the ground.

"No, I haven't been to see him.  To be honest, I didn't even realise that we could visit them."  My eyes fill with tears, I try to fight them but they fall down my cheeks leaving drop marks on my t-shirt.  Rose puts her arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a hug, despite the fact that I haven't know her for very long, I cuddle into her side resting my head on her shoulder.

"It's ok Elsie, we will find a way to get him back.  he's still in there somewhere."  I sniff loudly and wipe away my tears with the back of my hand.

"Sorry, I must look like such a mess."  I giggle with embarrassment and try to hide my face with my hair.

"Don't be silly, you look fine."  Rose smiles down at me, moving my hair away from my face.  She takes hold of my hand and leads the way into the main hall.

I keep my hand in Rose's, it's quite comforting to have someone there, Maddie's so busy with Violet, I get lonely.  My heart aches in my chest, how I long to feel Alex's arms wrapped around me, his lips on mine, to hear his voice, to see his face!  I let out another sigh and take a seat next to Rose at the front of the hall, not letting go of her hand.  Lea slowly walks into the hall with a straight face, her eyes looking forward, her stride is strong.  Maddie and Violet follow behind her, Maddie's eyes are darting around the faces in the room, something is wrong.  Lea takes a seat in her throne-like chair and sits in silence for second.  When all is quiet and all eyes are on her, she clears her throat to speak. 

"I would like to start off by saying that I am so glad that all of you managed to return unharmed and with Rachael."  Lea glances at Maddie before continuing.  "Maddie has informed me of something that I am finding hard to believe.  I am asking you all to be honest and respectful when you answer my question."  Everyone in the room turns to look at Maddie, she shrinks slightly into her chair clutching Violet close to her chest.  "Maddie, would you please come to the front and tell everybody what you have told me."  Lea stares at Maddie with bold eyes, they follow her as she hesitantly walks up to the front.  She turns to me and holds out Violet, her eyes look down at mine and Rose's clasped hands, I let go and carefully take hold of Violet.  I look into Maddie's eyes but she doesn't show me any emotion, she silently sighs before turning around and facing the group.