Thin As Water

24.

TW: This chapter includes content involving panic attacks and mild self harm. Please use discretion when viewing. 

Lil blinked as the door opened and then quickly shut again. She sat up on the firm couch of the discipline room and rubbed her eyes. She noticed a plastic plate with a piece of toast and two sausages on it. It wasn't much of a breakfast, but it was the best she'd get all weekend.

The girl pushed herself off the couch and stretched, trying to get the soreness out of her back and neck. When she'd finished crying after James had stormed off the day before, she'd tried the door of the discipline room to find that it was locked. Her key was gone. This hadn't really surprised her; she'd figured James would find some way to punish her, but that didn't mean she was pleased with it.

At around 6:30, the door had swung open a bit, and her backpack was tossed in before the door was immediately relocked. Lil retrieved her bag and opened it to find a note on top.

Lilian,
You will be missing your classes tomorrow. Complete your homework for the night. Do not attempt to contact anyone to let you out, I will know if you do. I will collect you tomorrow at 2:30 sharp to leave for home. Be ready.
-James

Lil wasn't terribly upset at this turn of events. Firstly, she at least had something to do to pass the time. Second, she'd hidden some granola bars and trail mix in a bottom pocket of her bag, which meant that she had dinner. She'd worked on homework until the clock read 9:00, then she'd packed up and laid down on the couch. It was more comfortable than she had expected, although to say she was comfortable couldn't be true.

May as well go to sleep. No sense in throwing my schedule away just because I don't have a bed.

Her plan had been a decent one. She had gotten enough sleep. Unfortunately, that meant that she was now quite awake and it was only 8am.

Lil sighed and tapped on the door to see if anyone would answer. Nothing. She didn't figure James would wait around. She picked up the plate of breakfast and gently sat on the couch. Her bottom was still a bit sore, although that was to be expected after a caning. 

Well, what to do for the next 6 hours?

Lil felt herself slump down a bit. Waiting to get it was the worst. She really should be used to it, having to wait every time for her mother to finish with James, although she doubted that she'd have to wait this time, but no matter what, it still got to her. She was calm now, but she knew by 2:30 she'd be stressed and shaky.

Wanting to pass the time, Lil pulled out her computer and started drafting an essay. The essay wasn't due for 3 weeks, but it was something to do. Her mind went on autopilot as she gathered information and put it into writing.

Four hours later, the essay was done, and Lil was significantly more stressed. I don't have any homework left. She'd checked, and there wasn't a single assignment left to do.

Now slightly panicking, Lil pulled a sheet of notebook paper out and starting randomly drawing. She wasn't much of an artist, but Daisy and Hazel were constantly doodling, so it seemed like something to do.

After an hour, Lil looked at the sketch she had made. It was mostly just scribbles, but if she squinted, she thought the scribbles looked a bit like a face. Art is not my thing.

Feeling rather drained of creativity, Lil stood up and started pacing around the room. She could feel the panic welling up in here. One o'clock. I only have an hour and a half left here.

There's nothing to do.

I can't escape.

Lil felt herself breathing faster. She began opening and closing drawers and cabinets. Straps. Cane. Forms. Water. Hairbrush. Her mind jumped from object to object, moving faster and faster.

Lil blinked her eyes as tears began to fall. Her mind grew louder and louder. It was deafening. She couldn't breathe. The room was spinning. Her vision grew fuzzy. She tugged at her hair, the pain making her focus a little clearer. Everything was coming back in waves. Hazel staring at her as she left the room. Daisy crying. James stomping towards her. Tina smirking. Her mother moving closer.

Lilian snapped. She grabbed a strap from the cupboard and, without pausing to think, swung it down hard on her own leg.

SMACK

The voices all stopped. Lil froze and the strap dropped to the floor. Shakily, she lifted her skirt and looked at her thigh. A red mark was slowly growing brighter.

What did I just do?

In a daze, Lil moved towards the couch. When she reached it, she collapsed, the tears beginning to flow. She covered the mark with her hand, wishing it away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lil woke with a start as James tapped on the door at 2:30. She glanced down at her leg and saw that only a light red mark remained. Quickly, she gathered her backpack and tossed the strap back in the cupboard as James opened the door.

Her brother inclined his head slightly to see her ready, then motioned towards the door. He was holding two bags in his hand. 

"Do I need to go to my room and get clothes?" Lil dared to ask.

James motioned to one of the bags. 

So it's the silent treatment, then.

It was pretty much pointless to try to get her brother to talk, so Lil also fell into silence as she followed James down the hall. No one else was there, seeing as classes weren't out until 2:45 at earliest.

The two siblings passed the office and James poked his head in. "We'll be leaving, if that's alright."

"Name?" The secretary inquired.

"James VanGrayson."

"VanGrayson...yes. You're approved."

"Thank you." James tilted his head up and left, Lil behind him.

The drive home seemed to take hours, though it was really only 30 minutes. James unlocked the door with the garage code and motioned Lil inside. Lil noticed that there were no other cars in the driveway.

"James, where is Mother?" Lil asked.

James let out a long sigh. "She's at work. She'll be home at five. Go to your room and don't talk."

Lil noted that he didn't look as furious as yesterday, just annoyed. Deciding it would be smart to stay on his good side, she gave a quick "yes, sir" and retreated to her room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The small, dirty clock read 4:58 when she heard it. 

"Lilian!"

Lil's eyebrows shot up. "James?" She left the room and made her way down the hall. James was standing in the living room, looking shocked.

"James? What's happening?" Lil asked. James just continued to stare at her. Lil noticed that he had something in his hand. 

"Jamie, why do you have your phone? Mother could be here any minute, go put it away!"

"Lily, I-" James began but then turned pale as the sound of a car was heard in the driveway.

Lil's eyes widened, and she pushed her brother down the hall. "Go hide your phone! Hurry!"

James stumbled down the hall, and Lil took a deep breath. He called me Lily. Why did he call me that?

James returned a few seconds later. "Lily, I need to ask you something."

"What?" Lil looked at her brother in concern.

But it was too late. The door slammed open. 

Both siblings' eyes flew to the sound as their mother entered.

AN: It is now climax time, apparently. Sorry for the long delay in posting, I had a little writer's block.

PLEASE BE AWARE: The next chapter will contain depictions of child abuse. There will also be a warning on that chapter. Please take caution in viewing. 

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