The Nightscape

Secret Spilled

"Lyra, you do know that you can tell me anything, right?" Was her father's response to the flimsy lie she had to offer him. He didn't seem angry, or upset with her, just worried, and if anything that made it harder for her. If he told her off for lying, or acted standoffish with her, she could have hardened her heart and the decision to never tell him the truth would have come easily to her. Instead, he was doing what he always did, gently trying to get to the bottom of whatever it was that was bothering her. 

"I know, dad, I know." Lyra murmured, blinking back tears. He didn't say anything, the two of them stood in their kitchen in an awkward silence. Finally, Lyra spoke again. "Have you ever thought about moving back to London?" She asked. Her memories of that city were mere shades, a few sights and sounds and smells, as they had left when she was very young, shortly after her mother left. Lyra loved Tokyo, and her entire life was here, but she was in danger of loosing her father, the only family she had, if they stayed. Maybe, if they moved across the world and she convinced him to keep it quiet, they could escape all this madness. 

"I can't say I have, no. Lyra, are you in some sort of trouble?" He asked, brow furrowed with worry. Yes, she thought, I am, but not how you think. But she couldn't say that, so she just shook her head. 

"No, no, of course not. Just wondering. Anyway, I'm going to go and take a shower." She excused herself, making her way to her bedroom and throwing herself down onto the bed with a groan. God, what a mess her life had become. A feeling of despair washed over her as she stared at the ceiling, trying to summon the energy to get up and shower. Eventually, just as she was about to, her phone chimed in her rucksack. Once, she had loved it when she got a message, loved interacting with her friends, but now the sound just brought dread. Slowly, staring at her bag like it was about to come alive and bite her, she fished out her phone and checked the message. 

Yo, I'm on my way over to yours. ETA half an hour. It was from Anya, which was a relief, but Lyra didn't have the energy to pretend like everything was normal with her right now. Sighing, she answered her friend. 

Not today. Don't feel well. Lyra texted back, beginning to undress so she could shower. Just as she was pulling on a bathrobe, her phone went off again. 

Need to talk to you. Urgent. Be there soon. Was the reply. Lyra cursed under breath, knowing Anya too well to think that she could deter her if she had decided that she had to see her.

Fine. But if my dad asks, I was staying at yours last night, my phone was dead and I didn't have a charger, and we went climbing in that outdoors centre this morning, alright? She answered, figuring she might as well cement her alibi if Anya was set on coming round. 

Bit weird, will need explanation later, but fine. Lyra went to shower, wanting to wash up before the immaculate Anya arrived, and just as she was brushing her hair afterwards, she heard her father answer the door and Anya's loud, bubbly voice. The details of their conversation was too muffled to make out, but soon enough there came a rap on the door. 

"You decent?" She called through. Lyra sighed, knowing the inside joke she was waiting to hear, even if she wasn't really in the mood for it. 

"Not morally, but I have clothes on, if that's what you're asking." I answered, forcing some lightness into my tone. A second later, the door was thrown open and Anya waltzed in, plopping down on my bed and instantly making herself comfortable. 

"Thought you didn't feel well." She pointed out.

"I don't. Thought you had something urgent to talk to me about."

"Right down to business, you really aren't yourself." Anya commented, standing and closing the door before turning to face Lyra. A rare nervous look was on her pretty face, and she seemed to be struggling to look her friend in the eye. "You, uh, might want to sit down." Lyra didn't.