Haunted By Her Control

Heavy Hearts

Chapter 5 – Heavy hearts

Stacia

“We were just kids; we didn’t know how to stand up for ourselves against the likes of Luna Armstrong,” I say before looking at Amelia and then out to the water.

“The first few times she tried to scare us off, we stood up for ourselves. Yet she kept coming back, pushing and pushing us. We started to believe that it was our faults that Amelia was in the hospital.”

What if we had said something earlier? Told our teachers or parents? Would things have been different? Could she be walking around at this very moment? Not stranded in some hospital bed. But then knowing her parents would they have just made the truth disappeared and then taken her out of school and away from us? Into their horrendous hands.

“We went over every scenario in our heads together but it wasn’t until we had grown that we were able to see that it was out of our hands. There was no way us kids could have handled it. Maybe that’s why you pleaded with us to keep quiet. You knew and all you wanted to do was protect us.”

We didn’t listen and instead we blamed and abandoned her for all these years. We were mad at ourselves and the world. It’s time I set things right. First start by telling her what happened to push us away.

As I look at the water, with the ripples of the water traveling, I let myself travel back to the bleak hospital.

That hospital room felt wrong. Watching Amelia who has always been strong and independent loosing that and looking weak and dependent on people and medication. It shocked and scared me. I don’t know what to say or do. I am trying to be here for her but I don’t even know how to do that.

I look over at Max as we walk away from Amelia’s room towards the cafeteria. He looks deep in thought as well.

“What are you thinking?” I ask him as we reach it.

“I don’t know how to help her.” He simply replies.

“I think we just need to be there for her, and not push her to make any decisions. I think she just needs to focus on her recovery. We don’t know what she went through and we can’t expect her to be okay.”

“I am really worried about what happened to her, she doesn’t have the same look anymore. Although she is drugged up most of the time, she looks haunted.”

“I have noticed that.”

“What do you think about Miss Armstrong’s hold on her?” Max asks

“I don’t like it and I worried about her keeping the hold on her when she is in this vulnerable place. Unfortunately, the police that were investigating her, stopped without even talking to us. If she can stop that, what can we truly do to get her away from Amelia.

“I fear nothing,” Max admits before looking away towards where Amelia’s room is. After a few minutes, I see his face form a frown and his complexion slowly turn white.

I quickly turn to see what he is looking at and notice Miss Armstrong walking towards us with two police officers.

“Here we go,” Max whispers. We both have been fearing a moment when Miss Armstrong attempts her next play to push us away and out of Amelia’s life. Leaving her as the only support Amelia has.

I see Miss Armstrong turn and whisper to the police officers before they stop. Although she continues to make her way towards our table.

“Can we help you?” Max asks.

“I wouldn’t mind speaking with the two of you for a little bit.”

“Do we have a choice?” Max almost growls.

“Of course, you do.”

“And the police?” I whisper.

“They want to question Max, if he has heard from Amelia’s Mother and if he is aiding them.” she says.

“You know he would never do that!” I argue.

“Hmm, I don’t know what I know anymore. I would hate to overlook something and it come back to hurt Amelia. I did that once and I won’t do that again.”

“Oh, don’t pretend like you care about anyone but yourself. Your like having total control of every situation that you are in. You are addicted to control so much you crave controlling Amelia’s life. You will never let her slip through your grip. I would even bet that you can’t stand how close we are close to us and you are here to push us away.” Max growls out.

“I don’t like the sounds of your accusations. I would be careful what you say because I don’t seem to be the one in the hot water at the moment. I care for Amelia more than the either of you will ever know. I do believe that the both of you can be used by Amelia’s mother to get to her. She knows that you two are the most important parts of her life and will stop at nothing to use that. If you guys think I am jealous, she is nothing compared to me.” she says before sitting down.

“We won’t let that happen; Her mother has no control over us. We will never let her be hurt by anyone including her mother.” I argue.

“I think you both have proven that you are incapable are protecting her against her mother and father.”

“Hey that is unfair,” Max argues.

“How am I being unfair by just point out the facts. I am here to offer the both of you my protection from the idiotic police and there time-wasting investigations into the both of you. We all can agree that we want to keep Amelia safe.”

“We want to keep her safe, you want to control her.” Max growls.

“Enough with the niceties. I will protect the both of you from the police and the potential dangers of Amelia’s mother. If you walk out this hospital right now and never look back. Break all contact with her. I know it will be hard but it must be done.”

“What if we say no and decide to stick by Amelia?” I question.

“That will be between the police and you guys. If cleared by them, what is stopping Amelia’s mother from using the both of you to hurt Amelia?” Luna replies.

“Why?” I question while putting my head in my hands.

“I think I have already explained why.” She firmly says while standing up,

“I will give the both of you 10 minutes with Amelia before I hear your answers. Your futures are at stake” she says before walking away.

We make our way back to her room, finding her still nocked out but her meds.

“What are we going to do?” Max asks, finally breaking the silence.

“What can we do?” I question back.

“I don’t think we have much choice.” He points out.

“None of this is fair on Amelia, she doesn’t need to lose more people. She needs support not loss of support.”

“Miss Armstrong does have the immense resources to help Amelia more than we ever could. What would Amelia think if I was considered an accomplice in her mother’s escape?”

“I don’t see any way out that doesn’t cause hurt to Amelia.”

“It hurts me to say this but as much as we don’t like Miss Armstrong, she obviously only wants the best for Amelia and is a lot more capable of providing that, than we are.”

“It still doesn’t feel right.” I puff out. We both take a deafening breath, and just sit in silence.

Before not Miss Armstrong comes waltzing in.

“Have the two of you made your decision?”

“Yes, we have,” I speak with confidence even though I have none.

“Before I hear your answers, I feel its only right to inform you that police have issues a search warrant for your parents properties.”

“What! How dare you! You have no right.”

“Quiet before you wake Amelia,” she growls, Max doesn’t reply but he does look down at Amelia before looking up at the ceiling.

“I did nothing, this is all the police.”

“She is my cousin; I love her with all my heart and you just want me to walk away like she is nothing?”

“It is what’s best for her and you”

“If I agree to this, what is stopping you from hurting her? If we aren’t around to keep you in check.”

“Once she is settled and healing, there is a lot her and I need to discuss. But that is none of concern.”

“How can you stand there, and justify this?” I question with pain in my voice.

“I don’t need to justify anything. I am waiting for a decision; you both have two minutes.”

“Can we at least wait till she wakes up before we leave?”

“I think it is best that she doesn’t know. She doesn’t need another thing to process.”

“If I agree to this, its only for now. I refuse to leave her life forever.” Max firms.

“In the future, we will come back into her life and you won’t be able to stop us.” I confirm.

“Very well then but for now?”

“We will give her space but not because of you. We are doing this for her.” I say for Max, who now has his head in his hands.

“I will let you have sometime alone with her while I deal with the police. But when I get back, I want the both of you gone.” She says before waltzing out of the room.

“I am so sorry, Amelia. I wish we were stronger for you.” Max cries while reaching out to hold her hand.

“Hopefully someday she will forgive us for this,” I whisper while placing my hand on his shoulder.

“I wouldn’t forgive me, if I was her”

“She has always had a powerful view of the world, you never know. We can only do what we think is best for her and us. She hasn’t been delt a fair hand and unfortunately, we have been used as pawns.” I say before stepping up to kiss her forehead.

“She deserve so much more. I wish we could be there for her.” he says before kissing her head.

We both slowly make our ways out of the hospital with heavy hearts.

---

Coming back to reality I wipe away the tear that is traveling down my face before turning to look Amelia. She is just staring out the water, deep in thought.

“I wish I could say sorry and it all would go away. But it won’t, I can only try to make up for it. If you will let me.” I quietly say.

“We were just kids, dealing with problems past our control. I don’t blame either of you. I have spent to much time being angry and mad at the world to hold a grudge.” She says before turning around and giving me a hug. We both melt into the hug, letting the weight off our shoulders.

Please check out my photography @ https://zoeylee.picfair.com