SOLACE

sixteen

       My chest felt heavy, I still couldn't catch my breath while I was crying, my vision was blurry. I couldn't stop crying because my throat was still aching and it felt sore.

I tried to stop the tears as I wiped it. I grabbed my phone and sent Henry a message. I couldn't even say a word, it hurt trying to speak. My head was already pounding from too much crying and the lack of oxygen.

I still couldn't breathe normally and I was surprised to see Henry not even ten minutes after I just texted him. The wheels from his car screeched as I heard his door slamming loudly.

He rushed beside me, wrapping his arm on my shoulders. I instantly hugged him and sobbed on his shoulders.

"Hey, you should relax first, okay? Inhale," He says softly as he soothes my back. I followed him and inhaled 

"Now, exhale slowly," I exhaled a shaky breath as I started to sob again.

Every time I closed my eyes, I could see her staring right back at me with no remorse. She completely loss herself with her addiction. I wouldn't want to ever come back and see her again.

"Should I call 911?" He asks and my eyes widened immediately as I shook my head but I was worried about Kai now. 

"Are you sure? This is already way out of line, Ad-" I shut my eyes as I looked down and shake my head again. She's still our mother, I didn't want her to be prosecuted or anything.

I took my phone and quickly typed a message to Kai. Not even a minute had passed, he was calling my phone already. I answered it but I gave the phone to Henry because I couldn't speak.

"Dela, where are you?" Kai asks on the call. Henry looked taken aback hearing a different version of my name from Kai but I guess I'll just have to explain to him everything soon.

"Uhm, it's Henry. Adeline can't speak but she's with me at the park." Henry replied to Kai

'What happened?' I mouthed to Henry which he followed up on asking Kai.

"I left the house before she could hit me again, I'll be messaging you again later. Don't ask where I'm going. Just be safe," Kai answered before he ended the call. Henry looked at me knowingly and I think he already connected the dots.

I sighed in relief before Henry assisting me in standing up. We walked up to his car and opens the door for me. He buckles my seatbelt before I could even grab it and hands me a water bottle.

The whole drive was quiet and I thought we were going to his house but instead, we took the familiar street going to the apartment. I hopped off the car and waited in the front door quietly.

"Uh, I thought you'd want some space. So, I brought you here. My aunt lends me a unit," He explains as we entered the building. 

He fished out the keys from his pocket when we entered the elevator and stopped on the fifth floor. The sounds of dogs barking from the other units could be heard from a distance.