Till Death Do Us Part

Second Chances

One night later

The full moon shares its light into the cellar. It penetrates through the scarce windows high up on the walls. The concrete structure is silent, only the unsteady breathing of Minnie can be heard.

Omar is passed out in a chair a few feet from the girl. The girl is malnourished, her clothes bag off her skin, and her face has become slimmer. A fresh plate of today's dinner sits in-front of her, which she has refused to eat. Minnie stares at her hands wishing that she could we free from this nightmare, from that boy. Every sound generated in the room gives her extreme anxiety, that it could be the product of her boogeyman.

I want Vi. Violet told Minnie yesterday that she was coming to spend the night with her. She's been looking forward to having someone she trusts by her side, especially if the boy comes back to torment her. Although the boy's visits have become a rare occasion, the times he did come haunt her all the way to his next visit. Minnie shivers as a random gust of cold air surrounds her bones.

Omar smacks his lips together and repositions himself on the chair causing the girl to look around in hysteria, hoping not to see the boy. Vi please...hurry.

Violet rubs her forehead staring at her boots, mulling to herself if what she is about to do is the right thing to do.

*knock* *knock*

Vi is broke out of her deep thought. "Vi! Open up, it's Louis." A muffled whisper breaks through the door. Vi opens the door allowing Louis to come inside. She notices that he's by himself. Her brow furrows. "Clem not coming?" Louis shakes his head. "She fell asleep, I didn't want to wake her." Vi nods a little upset that Clem wasn't going to be with them. Man I don't feel so great Louis thinks to himself. The blonde takes a seat and plants her hands into her palms. "You okay Vi?" Louis timidly creeps up beside her. "Can we try to bring her back one more time?" The girl asks from her palms. "We can try." Louis says. The blonde nods her head and puts her boots on. She stands up and grabs her pistol from the top of the drawer. "Let's go." She says in a low tone walking past the boy.

*loud squeaking* *slam*

Omar jolts awake looking around the room. He hunches over rubbing his eyes. "You're sure about this?" Louis' voice echoes in the room. Vi! Minnie celebrates to herself. "I'm here aren't I?" Vi responds. Louis shamefully nods. Omar gets off the chair and walks out of Minnie's sight. "What are you two doing?" Omar asks mid-yawn. Louis motions his head behind the plump boy. "Minnie awake?" Omar bobs his head. "Yeah, why?" Louis and Violet exchange a look to one another. Louis motions Omar to get closer, he whispers into the boy's ear. Omar's eyes widen. "Do what you guys have to." The boy tells the two. He glances back where the girl is being held, he looks forward and walks out the cellar.

Minnie spots the blonde girl walk around the corner, making her feel more secure. Although she didn't show it externally, it shines internally. Louis leans his body against the concrete wall because of the weird feeling he has inside himself. Vi takes a knee next to the redhead. She grabs her bowl of food and scoops a spoonful. "Please eat." The blonde asks of the girl. Vi holds the spoon out near the girl's mouth. Minnie eyes the substance, she timidly gets a small portion off the spoon and eats it. That's better Minnie...much better. Vi scoops another spoonful and motions it to the girl's mouth. Minnie eats another spoonful. Vi looks to Louis who is stunned seeing Minnie for the first time calm instead of her usual struggling self. Minnie stares back to her hands swallowing the cold particles of food. Vi looks back to the girl. "You wanna talk?" Minnie remains silent staring into her hands. Vi puts her hand on the girl's shoulder which makes the redhead flinch and back away from her. Tears start to fill Vi's eyes. "Please talk to me." Her voice sad and choppy. Minnie remains silent. The blonde girl drapes her head down in disappointment, believing that she could have brung her back. But now she sees that Louis was right, maybe this would be better than letting her suffer. "I'm sorry." Minnie admits to the girl. Louis is frozen in disbelief. Vi looks up to the girl with tears threatening to break from her eyes. "I'm sorry for what I did." The redhead restates. Minnie glances at Louis' scarred face and quickly turns back to her hands. "I know that now." Vi goes to Louis' side. "We can't do this...not now." Louis keeps his eyes on the redhead and nods his head hesitantly. "I think you're right." He responds.