Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

I Just Want To Help Her

TW: PTSD

Alexia's POV

Ona, Mapi and I were met in the hotel lobby by two of Hunter's Arsenal teammates, Viv and Danielle, and just by the look on their faces I could tell that this time it had been bad. Really bad. 

"Where is she?" I hurried towards them, always feeling choked and completely out of control when this happened. 

I was Hunter's big sister, I was meant to protect her and I'd failed at that. But I now felt I was supposed to always be there, I couldn't deal with it when Hunter had an episode and I was hundreds of miles away in Barcelona, Mapi always had to stop me from getting the next flight to London because all I wanted to do was be there for my little sister. Protecting her was my job and I learnt time and time again, that I'd failed. 

"She's in there with Jill," Viv pointed to the toilets in the hotel lobby.

I nodded, grabbing onto both of their hands for just a second, "Thankyou so much."

They all followed behind me. 

Knowing Jill had been here put me a little as ease, I'd come to really trust that girl, though I knew Hunter hadn't told her anything yet so I couldn't imagine how Jill was feeling. And even more so, I had no idea why Hunter had ended up in the Dutch national team's hotel in the lobby's bathrooms. 

"We'll wait outside and make sure no one comes in," Viv nodded. 

I weakly smiled at her, as did Ona and Mapi, "Thankyou."

Viv shook her head, "She's a good person, she'll be okay in the end."

Usually I'd have felt rather confused to hear those words from a total stranger but somehow Viv's words brought me a little peace. I gently nodded, "Yeah, I hope she will be."

I held my breath for a second or two before opening the door, bracing myself to hear those screams that turned my nights restless and sobs that broke my heart, but there was nothing. It was nearly complete silence other than the whispers I could hear from the end stall.

I looked behind me, to Mapi and Ona who seemed just as confused as I; Viv had described these screams to us down the phone but that no longer seemed to be the case.

Walking further into the bathroom, I eventually turned to see Hunter and Jill. Usually when I'd find Hunter my heart would stop and panic would instantly run through my blood as I tried to put her back together though here she was, in Jill's lap burying her head into the blonde's hoodie. Jill hadn't noticed me yet and was whispering things as she pressed her lips against Hunter's head, I couldn't hear her murmurs but they seemed to be working. 

I leaned against the doorway, feeling close to tears because I was heartbroken Hunter went through this but I couldn't believe she'd found someone who quietened it all down. It almost felt like Nana had known her time was coming to an end, so a few months beforehand sent Hunter down her very own angel; Jill.

Jill caught sight of me, her eyes widening and expression full of worry. 

I sent her a small smile, leaning down and gently combing my fingers through Hunter's hair.

"Alexia's here Hunter," Jill whispered.

"And Mapi and Ona," I quietly told her. 

Hunter didn't move, though I knew she was awake. I think Hunter felt safe with Jill, so trusted her to protect her while she sat vacant from the world, I doubted if Hunter could even hear me.

"What happened?" my words quiet and calm, knowing the slightest jolt or raise in volume could scare Hunter. 

"Viv found her in the bathrooms so came and got me from upstairs," Jill eye's were glazed over, she'd clearly found it difficult to see Hunter like this, "And she was screaming Alexia, just screaming over and over again."