Page 44 of Fractured Souls
Two weeks later
I'm exhausted. Between trying to work a few days a week and worrying about Harley, I feel like I'm barely holding it together. I'm getting more worried.
One, because I need to know what happened. What if someone comes looking for her? She's a minor, and me not reporting that I have her is illegal. And two, it's been eighteen days total since she stepped foot out the door to run down the beach. I'm at a loss for what to do.
Linc comes over and tries to help, but we can't get through to her. She eats maybe once a day when I refuse to leave the room until she eats, and I know she's only eating something so I'll leave. The girl was already skin and bones when she got here, and now it's not getting any better. I'm debating stealing an IV kit from work to get some fluids in her before things get even worse.
Lost in thought, the front door slamming makes me jump and almost spill my coffee. A few seconds later, Linc and Atlas come into the room.
Atlas whistles. “Damn, Bri, you look like shit.”
Linc slaps him on the back of the head and shakes his head at him. “Don't say that shit, dude.” He looks at me. “You look fine. But I'm assuming nothing is better?” His expression darkens when I shake my head.
Atlas runs a hand through his hair. “Alright, let me talk to her. She needs to move and eat. And you,”—he points a finger at me—“need to see a change so you can sleep and not be so worried. This is wearing on you, and it's not okay.”
I shake my head. “Atlas, this isn't her fault. It's whoever did this to her and—”
“You're right. It's whoever did this to her. They are a piece of shit who doesn't deserve to breathe. But, Bri, she is letting them win. She's letting what happened to her, what they did, keep her in a bad place. She is showing them that they won, and she could be destroyed, and from what you've told us about Lilian, that girl is not weak. If she is even half like her mother, then there is fight in her. So let me find it. Go with Linc. Go down to the beach so you're still close, but go, because this isn't going to be pretty, and you don't need to be here to listen or coddle her.”
I sigh and glance up the stairs.Lil, if you're here, if you're listening, please give your daughter strength. I'm trying to do right by you. Please don't hate me.“Come on, sweet girl, let's go walk the beach,” Linc says as he throws an arm around my shoulder and guides me outside.
We soon reach the sparkling blue water and Linc stops walking. He turns so he is standing in front of me and cups my cheeks, bending down so he is eye level with me.
"You need to breathe, Brielle." He inhales, and I follow, exhaling when he does. I feel tears form in my eyes. "There you go. I know this is hard, and it was sprung on you out of nowhere, but she wouldn't have shown up here if this wasn't something that you needed as much as she did. Lilian leaving has always bothered you. This is your chance to mend that part of your heart and gain Harley as a permanent part of your life.”
I let my tears fall silently, and Linc wipes them away with his thumbs.
"I'm scared, Linc." I whisper. He opens his mouth to speak, but I shake my head, stopping him. "I know I'll be okay and can do this because I have you, Atlas, and Ryan. But Harley… I think you're right that everything has been bottled up. That scares me. What happens when these walls she's built do come down? What if I'm not enough to help her through this? I'm terrified that she'll be so angry that she does stupid things or… or worse." My voice cracks.
I can't even say it. I've seen people come into the ER and have to put on a watch. It's scary, and my heart breaks for them. I have no idea what Harley has been through and what is going to happen, and that alone is petrifying.
ChapterSeventeen
Atlas
Isteel myself for whatever I am going to be walking into. I know from experience that sometimes hurt people will lash out at you before things get better, so I prepare myself for it. Bri has filled me in on as much as she knows. I sympathize with Harley, but unfortunately, enough is enough.
I tap on her door lightly, then push it open slowly. She is curled up in the middle of her bed, facing the window.
“If you're coming to give me more pitying looks then just go away,” she mutters, her voice muffled by the blanket pulled partially over her face.
I clear my throat, and her head whips towards me. I walk in and lean against the dresser facing the bed, crossing my arms over my chest. “If you don't want looks of pity then stop being pathetic enough to get them. From my perspective, you want the pity. Otherwise, you wouldn't be doing this shit.” I gesture towards where she lays on the bed.
The look she gives me, it's pure fire, like a lit match behind her eyes, and it's burning hot now. Ah, there she is. Now to keep that fire. I smirk at her.
* * *
Harley
Who the hell does he think he is? He doesn't know me. I've heard Brielle and Linc talk about him and how close the three of them are, but that doesn't give him the right to speak to me like that.
I clear my throat, it being scratchy from the burning it has gone through and from not talking much the last two weeks. “Atlas, right? Why the fuck are you here? And who gave you the right to say that shit to me?”
The smirk on his face grows, and I feel like I could growl at him. He's really pissing me off.
Pathetic? I am not pathetic! I have been through hell. He has no idea the torment my own mind has put me through these last few weeks.
His smirk grows into a full-blown smile. “There she is; let it out. That anger you’re feeling right now? Let it out. Release it. You won’t hurt my feelings, Harley. But if you don't let it all out and find a way to live, then youwillhurt Brielle.”
