Trigger warning: violence at the very end.

Isabella alternated working and taking breaks for the next couple of hours. We both seem to get lost in the content material, because before I know it, there is a ding.

“It’s my father,” Isa had pulled out her phone, and her face went pale. “Oh my gosh. I did not realize that it was already six o'clock. I have family dinner tonight.”

Isabella was visibly upset. “Hey, hey, it’s okay! You were doing so well that we didn’t notice the time. It just means that you are an awesome student! I am sure your father will be proud of that.” I smile trying to get her to calm down. I look to Thomas for some back up, but he seems just as distressed as Isa.

“That’s not the problem,” Isabella looks like she is going to be sick. “I didn’t think about what to get you for dinner or how to get you back to my room. I forgot that it was family dinner night, so I just assumed that we would eat together in my room. Thomas has to bring me to the dining room. I can’t go without him, but you can’t go without him either. My dad is going to want me there in the next five minutes. Oh my gosh. What am I going to do. What am I going to do?”

“Take a deep breath,” I model a deep breath with her. She was talking so fast I almost couldn’t understand her. “It will be okay. Let’s think of some solutions together, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.” She had calmed a bit.

“Can I stay here until you’re done with dinner?” She shakes her head no. “Can someone else take you or come get me?” She shakes her head no again. “Hmmmm. We are in a bit of a bind then.”

“Wait!” Thomas jumps up, holding his hand to his ear. “We’re saved! Ms. Herrah is going to come pick Sophia up. She’ll take her back to your room, Isa, and then grab Sophia some dinner. That way we all get to where we need to be.”

That causes Isabella to sigh with relief. Within seconds of Thomas’ exclamation, Ms. Herrah enters the rec-room and takes us all in. “You forgot about family dinner, didn’t you?” Ms. Herrah can’t hold in her chuckle, so she covers her mouth with her hand. “You’re lucky that I remembered. You two get going before you’re late enough to get your father upset!”

Thomas and Isa hurry out the door and Ms. Herrah turns to me.

“Marcos is making you some soup, so as soon as it’s done, I’ll bring it up to you.” She links her arm with mine to steer me out of the room and up a quick set of stairs leading to Isabella’s room. Once we get to the room, she pats my arm before letting go. “You just stay here and relax a bit. There’s a tv as well as books. I set out some pajamas for you, and put some sheets on the couch for you. Not that I expect you to sleep right away…”

“Ms. Herrah, you are an angel! Thank you for all that you do.”

“Well, Ms. Sophia, you are an angel too. I haven’t seen Isabella so excited about her lessons, heck her life even, in a long time. You just keep doing what you do, and we’ll all make sure that you are taken care of.”

I could cry. I do cry. A single tear slides down my face and Ms. Herrah swipes it away before pulling me into a hug. Chris was great, but she was never really affectionate. This feels like I have a mother.

“Let me go check on that soup.” After holding me for a good minute, she boops my nose and heads out the door.

I sigh and fall into the chair I had been sitting in when I first heard Ms. Herrah’s voice. I was so terrified of her, yet here she is comforting me and bringing me food. 

This morning feels like an eternity ago. I let my head fall to the table. I don’t want to think about anything for a little bit. It’s all too much to process.

Suddenly, I am jostled awake. I snap up to a very worried Ms. Herrah.

“Sophia, I have been calling your name and trying to shake you awake for the past two minutes. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I am sorry. It’s just been a long day.” I give her my best smile.

“I think you should eat and head to bed then, yeah?” Ms. Herrah did not seem fully convinced that I was alright. And rightfully so. My whole body ached. Especially my wrists, neck, and stomach. 

She’s right though, food and some good rest would do me some good. So I nod and sit back a little straighter. She placed a bowl of soup and a plate of bread in front of me. It smelled so good, I could feel my mouth watering. “Go ahead then, dear.”

“Are you going to eat with me?” I look up before taking my first spoonful, hopeful that she wouldn’t leave me alone.

“Oh, I wish I could my dear, but I have to get home to my son.” She had a soft smile.

“I am sorry to impose!" I look at my watch and notice that it's almost seven. "I did not even think of the time! I am sure that you want to get home as soon as possible. I am so sorry that you had to stay and help me.”

“Do not be sorry at all. As I said before, you are an angel. I can see why Sophia was so happy when she found you.” She ruffled my hair. “Now eat up. When you are done, just leave the tray in the hallway, someone will come pick it up. Go on, I’ll wait until I’ve seen you at least get a bite in.”

I flushed a bit. It was such a mom move and it made me feel so loved. I took a bite and swooned. Marcos sure knows how to cook. I took a couple more bites, and when Ms. Herrah was satisfied that I would eat the whole bowl, she bid me goodbye and took her leave, telling me that she would see me tomorrow. I look forward to it.

Not being able to stand the silence, I turn on the tv and put on the first movie I see. The background noise keeps me from falling too deeply into my thoughts, which I appreciate. I don’t think I can handle thinking about my situation right now.

I finish the soup and bread and put the plate in the hallway, just like Ms. Herrah said. Should I take a shower now, or later? I sway a bit coming back from putting the dishes in the hallway. Definitely later then.

I put on the pajamas that she set out for me. I look at how cozy she has made the couch. She is too good to me. I can’t wait to just fall into bed and sleep.

But, before doing so, I should let Isabella know what’s happening. I don’t want her to feel sad that I didn’t wait up for her. I grab a piece of paper and a pen to jot down a quick note:

‘Hey girlie! I hope that family dinner went well. I am sorry that I could stay up to greet you when you got back, but please wake me up so I can tell you good night! Thanks for being awesome (:’

Satisfied with my note, I turn off the tv and slide into bed on the couch. I don’t bother turning the light off, that way Isabella can see when she gets back in. I have never really minded sleeping with the light on. I am out the minute my head hits the pillow.

------

“Sophia?” I am being shaken awake again.

“Hmmm?” I barely open my eyes.

“Your note said to wake you, but please don’t get up. I am just going to hop in bed too.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow then,” I nod and smile. “Good night, Isabella.”

“Good night.” I fall back asleep, thinking about what a precious child she is.

------

I wake up, and I don’t remember where I am. All that I know is that I can hear soft crying. My eyes adjust to the darkness and I finally remember where I am. Isabella’s room. Isabella is crying. I bolt off the couch and make my way to her.

I can tell that she is still asleep. It must be a nightmare. I rub small circles on her back. “Isabella, honey, it’s a dream. I am here. It’s okay. I am here.”

She turns towards me and whimpers. In this moment, she looks way younger than her ten years. She looks fragile. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She shakes her head no.

“Do you want a hug?”

She shakes her head yes and scooches over to wrap her arms around me. I feel her tremor and my shirt is getting slightly damp from her tears. I pat her head, trying to soothe her. I don’t have much experience in this. But for her, I am trying my best.

“Is there anything that I can do to help?” I ask after she seems to stop shaking.

“Can you please tell me a story?” I couldn’t have said no, even if I had wanted to. The look in her eyes nearly killed me.

“Of course I can tell you a story.” She moves over once more and pats the bed for me to sit on.

“Once upon a time…”

------

At some point in my story, we must have both fallen asleep, because the next time I wake up, it is to a phone alarm. I turn to see Isabella stretching beside me.

“Thank you for helping me last night.” Her voice is quiet.

“Of course, hon.” I hope that my voice makes her feel better. “If you ever want to talk about it, know that I am all ears.”

I cup my ears when I say this, then boop her nose. It gets her to laugh, which is a lot better than the pensive face she was just wearing.

“Thank you, Sophia. I really, really appreciate that.” She hopes out of bed. “I am going to go pick out your outfit for the day!”

We didn’t really address the emotional distress she seemed to be in, but I let it slide for now.

“Sounds awesome!” I also get out of bed. I smell fine, so I choose not to shower, deciding that will be something I do tonight. “I am going to freshen up a bit then.”

“I’ll let you know when Jessica stops by with breakfast.” Isa smiles before heading into the closet.

-----

The day follows very similar to the one before. This time, we start our lessons on time, and we get to do math. We have a great discussion about science before we go to the atrium to eat another picnic lunch with Thomas, Ms. Herrah, Jessica, and Marcos. I got to hear more about them today at lunch. It was fun to hear how each of them got their unique hair color… Isabella had picked it out and dyed it for them. She really has a knack for hair.

After lunch, Isabella, Thomas, and I made our way back to the rec-room for more studies and more basketball. This time, Isabella didn’t have a family dinner, and I kept better track of time. We were back to her room by 5:30 and Ms. Herrah came by with our dinner by 5:45. She wished us a good night. We ate, watched a movie, each got in a bath, and read for 30 minutes. I insisted that we read, because what type of teacher would I be if I didn’t insist that we read for a bit before bed.

I turned out the lights and went to head to the couch. Even though I fixed it up this morning, someone had come in and made it immaculate. I presume it was Ms. Herrah. She’s just too sweet. Before I can get into bed, I hear a quiet voice call out to me.

“Sophia… Can you please tell me another bedtime story?”

“Of course,” I smile and walk over. “Do you want me to sit next to you again?”

She nods and I sit by her, starting my story.

------ Start of the section where there would be a trigger.

The next two days are much of the same. We are falling into a great routine. I am almost all the way through with the premade lesson plans from Isa’s old teacher, but I know where I want us to go next. I am excited to be teaching, especially such a wonderful student.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

“Hey Jessi… You're not Jessica?” I answer the door, expecting Jessica to be there with our breakfast.

“Hahaha, no, I am not Jessica,” Thomas laughs, but instead of the normal joy that comes with it, all I feel is nervous. “We are going to go out for breakfast today.”

“We’re going out today?” Isabella joined me at the door. She also seemed incredibly nervous.

“Yes.” Thomas sighed. “And Isa, I need to talk to you. Would you mind just walking a few steps behind us, darlin’?”

I nod and wait for them to head out the door. Even though I am dying to eavesdrop, I refrain and stay a good twelve feet behind them. I can’t stay too far away, because I don’t know where we’re going, but even this far away I have to actively not listen to their conversation.

I am trying with all my might to not listen, when I hear something shift behind me. I whirl around just in time for a knife to be embedded in my chest. I try to scream, but hands quickly wrap around my neck, cutting my voice off in its tracks. I am suddenly on the floor and my vision and hearing are fading fast.

“GET HELP!” A blurred body runs towards me and another runs away. I look into the bloodshot eyes of my assailant, and everything goes black.

TBC… but in a different POV. The story thus far has been from Violet-Rose’s perspective. The next couple of chapters are going to be third person. I will let you know when we switch back to Vi’s POV.