I wake up to a soggy shirt and aching limbs. I sit up, my heart beating frantically in my chest. I warily glance around my surroundings and recognize it as an alleyway. Then everything floods my brain at once. I blink back the tears that threaten to spill down my face. I sit there, frozen, trying to comprehend what happened. I almost died yesterday. I- What's happening?
My fingers subconsciously press against the place where my neck had been sliced, now healed by Paen gel. I crane my neck back to see my bag safe and sound, some of its contents messily spilled out onto the ground. I pick it up and grimace from the sharp pain that shoots up my neck.
I slip off my bloody shirt since the blood hadn't soaked through onto my sports bra. I stuff it into my bag and shakily stand. My knees wobble all the way to the bus stop.
I make my way home. I walk across the flat walkway and stumble into my home. I can't shake the chill on my shoulders.
I press my hand against the pad by the door and wait for it to finish sliding open before I stumble in.
I glance around, familiar light fixtures hanging above a white island facing the stove and cabinets and brown walls help ease my mind. The fuzzy rug with a mini table placed on top of it is littered with my mother, Ophelia, and my father. They all lean against my tan couch as they’re brown and blue eyes stare at me in complete and utter shock. Mom makes the first move, pushing up on her visibly shaking legs. She staggers toward me before pulling me into a tight hug.
“Where have you been?” She whimpers into my shoulder.
I close my eyes as I remember everything that has happened. My throat dries and I can barely get any words out. Tears spill down my face, blurring my vision. "I-I was attacked," Is all I manage to get out.
My mom hugs me tighter. I feel another set of arms wrap around my shoulders.
"If you're not comfortable talking about it now, we can later," Mom says.
I nod into her shoulder. I hold her for the longest time until Mom decides I need to go get changed. I wobbly walk to my room and nearly collapse in my bed. I want to wrap myself in blankets and never leave, but I can't stay in this sports bra forever. I change out of my clothes and into a loose t-shirt and shorts. But as I look in the mirror, I notice something strange. A new mark arches up and down around my shoulder like the birthmark of water. My heart begins to beat faster, this can’t be real, can it? Did someone draw on me? Is this ink? I lick my finger and rub at it. Nothing comes up. I take in a deep breath. Relax Lars, it can’t be a birthmark of water.
A sharp, loud, knock is heard on my door.
“Larissa? Lars?”
It’s my older sister, Ophelia.
I wipe at my eyes and frantically pull on my t-shirt.
“Come in!” I cry, wanting to hope that my voice isn’t too wobbly.
Ophelia slowly pushes open my bedroom door.
“You okay?” Ophelia asks.
I nod, I can understand her concern, I don’t normally take this long to get changed.
“Yeah,” I respond.
Ophelia smiles and closes the door. I finish getting changed and pay no mind to the new birthmark I’ve encountered.
I leave my room and take a seat at the counter in my kitchen.
“Where is Rose?” I ask, wondering if I should be hurt she didn’t try to find me or if she did.
“Rose went home crying yesterday. She tried to find you but only ended up lost. She came back and told me everything.” Mom smiles sadly.
“I hope she’s okay.” I tell mom.
“She is now that she knows you’re safe.”
I nod, furrowing my eyebrows. At least, I hope I'm safe.
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