Ray of Light

❊ Chapter twelve: New home ❊

I looked at her desperately. I needed to tell her. I needed to trust her. I did trust her - right? Before I even realised it, I was telling her everything. I let myself continue. It was important she knew.

Scarlett

Once Ray had finished telling me everything, she took a shaky inhale, screwing her eyes shut. What she'd told me shocked me into silence. What sick people treated a girl like that? I found my fists clenched and I hastened to unclench them. But oh god, I was pissed. It was bad enough that she was completely ignored by her own mother for a druggie stepbrother, but to be abused and ignored? That was beyond acceptable. Nobody should have to go through with that.

When Ray finally breathed out and opened her eyes, I could tell she was on the verge of tears but was holding them back. She didn't fully trust me yet, which wasn't surprising.

"I'm going to have to call the police," I told her.

Watching her eyes widen with fear, I quickly explained, "I didn't think I'd have to, but if the people in your house treat you so badly, it's for your benefit."

The girl seemed to calm down slightly and nodded.

"Where will I go?" she asked, dread lacing her tone.

"Not back there," I told her firmly. "Somewhere where you'll be looked after properly."

Ray nodded and stood up.

"I-I need to go to the bathroom."

I nodded and called after her, "I'll make you some breakfast!"

~~~✸~~~

So, I'm just gonna ignore the cut on Ray's wrist for now. Hope that it was from her stepfather and not something else. Now wasn't the right time to bring it up anyway.

"I-I don't wanna go," Ray muttered, swaying back and forth as we sat in the police station.

"Ray, you have to," the social worker opposite us said. "Neither Scarlett nor Colin are legally allowed to house you."

"But I stayed there last night!" Ray protested. "And that's not illegal!"

"No because it was temporary."

"Why can't it be temporary for a few days until she's allowed to let me stay?" Ray demanded.

The panic was making its way back into her voice and it hurt me to hear it. The social worker looked at me with concern. I returned the glance with a small shrug and the smallest shaking of my head.

"Because it's the law."

"The law's fucking broken!" Ray snapped, clenching and unclenching her fists with anxiety and frustration. "It lets some random guy live in my house with a guy who does drugs and gets away with it, but it doesn't let me stay with someone who doesn't fucking hurt me! How is it fair? Why- why- why-"

Ray slumped over her knees, hands around the back of her neck scratching, sobbing. The social worker nodded to me, then Ray, and left the room. My heart broke for the underfed, abused teenager sitting beside me. I moved over and put my arms around her, pulling her into my chest and stroking her head soothingly.

"It's alright..." I whispered into her ear softly. "It's gonna be okay..."

I rocked back and forth slightly as I held her, as I had picked up that rocking calmed her down, and it helped. I stayed embracing her for a few minutes until she mumbled something into my chest.

"Sorry sweetie?" I asked, moving backwards. "I didn't hear you."

"I had a dream," Ray told me, staring straight past me at the carpet. "I got everything I wanted. When I woke up, I realised it wasn't true."

"You have some of what you wanted though if I'm right."

"What do you mean?"

"You got to be an actress," I told her. "Got to play Lilian Maximoff."

"Oh, yeah," she managed a small laugh. "That's the best thing so far."

The sound of the door opening made us both look at the door. Ray pulled away from me, wiping her eyes.

"She's here," the social worker told Ray.

Ray looked like she wanted to argue, but instead she picked up her bag and stood up.

"Do you want me to come out with you?" I asked.

She shook her head, and asked, "Do I need to come into work tomorrow?"

"I'm sure you'll be allowed the day off if I explain to them why."

Ray nodded, then walked out of the room, the fingers of her unoccupied hands tapping at the side of her thigh anxiously. Good luck Ray I found myself wishing silently.