The walls wore a calming shade of pale lavender, adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork and photographs that captured moments of laughter and adventure. An elegant sofa sat nestled against one wall, its plush cushions inviting relaxation. Its muted beige upholstery contrasted gently with the walls, exuding an air of comfort and serenity.

Beside the sofa, a dining area beckoned, a sleek wooden table surrounded by chairs that seemed to promise many shared meals and conversations. The open space seamlessly flowed into a modern kitchen, where gleaming countertops stood adorned with small potted herbs, lending a touch of nature to the sleek design.

A large TV screen adorned one wall of the living room, a portal to countless stories and worlds waiting to be explored. Its sleek black frame seemed to mirror the quiet elegance that permeated the entire space.

Walking together, Olivia and Sandy made their way toward the inviting sofa. Sandy gracefully took a seat and put the bag beside her.

“Why don’t you go to the police and report her?” Sandy’s voice trembled as she broke the hug, her fingers delicately parting the fabric of the bag she held.

“Are you out of your mind?” Olivia’s words were an explosive exhalation, the raw emotion behind them startling even herself. Sandy recoiled slightly, her wide eyes betraying her shock. Olivia’s voice softened, a hint of remorse lacing her words. “I’m sorry, Sandy. I didn’t mean to shout at you like that.”

Sandy whispered a forgiving reply, her voice barely audible, her shock still etched on her face like a fading echo. Olivia sank onto the floor, her weary hands finding refuge against her flushed cheeks, fingers tracing the contours of her own face.

“It’s okay,” Sandy’s hushed reassurance lingered in the air, a fragile attempt to mend the fabric of their bond.

A heavy sigh escaped Olivia’s lips, a weary sigh that carried the weight of a thousand battles fought in silence. “You know how powerful my mom is, right? If I go to the police or even the child support NGOs, she’d buy them off or make them disappear. And who knows what she’d do to me afterwards? Sell me to some wretched man or beat me senseless.”

Sandy’s eyes widened with realization, the sinister depths of Olivia’s plight unfurling before her like a nightmarish tapestry.

“Then why don’t you run away from here?” Sandy’s voice held a tremor of hope as if casting a lifeline into the shadows that engulfed her friend.

Olivia’s gaze was distant, haunted as if she were peering into the abyss of an uncertain future. Sandy reached out, offering her support as she helped Olivia up from the floor, guiding her gently to a seat. From her bag, Sandy retrieved a first aid box—a routine by now—a silent testament to the ritual they had come to share. Olivia’s wounds, both visible and unseen, were tended to with a tenderness that spoke of years of companionship.

“It’s easier said than done,” Olivia’s voice was a weary whisper, her eyes cast downward as Sandy cleaned her wounds with practised care. “Where would I go? How would I survive? I’d be trading one prison for another.”

“But you can stay with us,” Sandy’s voice was laced with determination, her fingers pausing in their delicate ministrations as she met Olivia’s gaze. “My mom would be glad to have you.”

A fragile smile graced Olivia’s lips, a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the chill that surrounded them. “I appreciate it, Sandy, but your family already has enough on their plate. Besides, if my mother found out, she’d make you suffer too.”

Sandy’s heart ached for her friend, the weight of Olivia’s world pressing down upon them both. She longed to offer solace, to promise a future free from the chains that bound Olivia, but the truth of their reality was a bitter pill to swallow.

“Why does she treat you like this? Is she even your mother?” Sandy’s voice was tinged with disbelief, her eyes blazing with righteous anger.

Olivia’s gaze flickered, a shadow of uncertainty clouding her features. “I’ve wondered, but I’ve never dared to ask. Once, I searched her room for answers, but she found out and punished me.”

Sandy’s arms encircled Olivia, a silent embrace that sought to shield her from the darkness that threatened to consume her. Tears fell unchecked, the weight of Olivia’s suffering spilling over in silent torrents.

“Don’t worry, Olivia. There’s always a way out,” Sandy’s words were a whisper of hope, a lifeline cast into the abyss.

With a delicate touch, Sandy shifted the conversation, redirecting the currents of their thoughts toward a more bearable horizon.

“Look what I’ve brought for you today,” Sandy’s voice held a note of excitement, a glimmer of cheer in her eyes as she revealed the contents of her bag. “Your favourite fish curry, bread, and chocolate cupcakes.”

The utterance of those delectable dishes caused a symphony of gurgles from both their bellies, a harmonious chorus that betrayed their undeniable hunger. Laughter bubbled up from within them, a shared understanding of their bodies’ demands.

As the lid of the box was lifted, a tantalizing aroma wafted into the air, swirling around the room like a tantalizing dance. Their appetites were immediately roused, and without a moment’s hesitation, they delved into the feast before them, savouring each mouthful as if it were a precious gift. The food vanished as quickly as the shadows beneath the noonday sun, leaving behind only the contented smiles of two friends who had shared not just a meal, but a moment of respite from the world’s trials.

Once the plates were emptied and the crumbs were mere memories, the remnants were carefully stowed away, a brief interlude before another phase of their day began. Sandy’s kindness extended beyond just culinary delights, as she lent her hand to Olivia in the completion of her household chores. Together, they navigated the tasks at hand, turning mundane responsibilities into a shared bonding experience.

With their obligations behind them, the two friends retreated to Olivia’s room, where the atmosphere was suffused with the soft glow of knowledge-seeking. Textbooks and notebooks sprawled across the desk, ready to be conquered. Hours passed in the rhythm of diligent study, punctuated by occasional whispers and moments of shared understanding.

Time had a tendency to slip away unnoticed, and soon the day was dimming into twilight. As always, when the world outside painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Sandy’s departure drew near. With a quiet promise to return soon, she slipped out through the backdoor, leaving Olivia’s haven momentarily empty. It was a well-practised routine, a dance they performed to avoid the looming presence of Veronica, Olivia’s mother, who had a knack for extinguishing even the faintest glimmers of happiness.

As the door closed softly behind Sandy, Olivia found herself alone once more, the room filled with the fading echoes of their shared laughter and camaraderie. She nestled into her haven, plugging in the earphones and allowing the music to transport her. In her mind’s eye, she twirled and swayed, a radiant heroine dancing alongside her imagined prince charming.