Disclosed Truce

Free Our Friend

When morning came, Bristle hurried into some clothes, and made her way outside. There was no time to waste. Watching a few minutes of the news, it was evident they were looking for Lei because they believed she was responsible. What baffled Bristle was the news report saying that a gun was found underneath Lei's pillow.

That did not sound like Lei at all. What would she need with a gun? She loved her family. Lei's life was practically perfect, there was no way she would do this heinous crime. It was not in Lei's blood.

Stepping into the cold morning, Bristle dug her frigid hands into the inside of her pink coat pockets. Her eyes quickly scanned the tree house, reminiscing back on her most recent sleepover.

How could life change so fast and abruptly.

Walking up the old, wooden steps of the tree house, Bristle's mind wander a million thoughts. What exactly was going to be enough to prove Lei's innocence? She knew Lei was innocent, but how would she pull off persuading the whole town that Lei was.

When Bristle came face to face with the door, she looked back at her inviting house. Her sister and mother were sound asleep, while her father went to work almost an hour ago. Bristle waited until he left to avoid confrontation. She did not want anymore angering encounters with her family. Last night was enough.

The faded pink door held many different captions. Some were funny, sad, happy and so on. Over the years, that door had became Bristle's memory keeper. In order to not forget, Bristle would write down anything that came to mind, as well as her friends.

Pushing it open, Bristle let out a chilled groan. Why did the cold have to be so grisly? Her eyes scanned the dimly lit tree house. Only light radiating in the room was the sun that shone through the covers Bristle used as curtains.

Bristle was about to go further in when out of the corner of her eyes she saw a figure shaking. Scared, Bristle's eyes darted back to see Lei shaking in fear. The first thing Bristle's mind could register was fear. Panic took over, and Bristle went to hollering.

"Shhh..ut up," Lei fretted. It was clear to Bristle that Lei was scared. Why would she not be?

Bristle closed her mouth, curiously she asked, "What are you doing here? Wait Lei...is that?...is that blood?" Bristle began to panic again when she concluded whose blood it was. Why would Lei have blood on her? So much of it.

Lei's hands were covered in it, as well as most of her coat from yesterday. The dried blood even covered a bit of Lei's face. Even though, Bristle could tell that the blood was most likely smeared on.

Lei's eyes landed to the ground, "I went home. The front door, it-it was opened. That's when I knew something was wrong." Lei's body shuddered. "There was so much blood, and they wouldn't wake up. Jake wouldn't wake up. I couldn't get them to wake up." Lei began to cry. "I was so scared...th-I...I came here. My-my," Lei burst into tears.

Feeling overwhelmed by her friend's tragedy, Bristle rushed to Lei's side, only to be pulled back mid step. "Get away from my daughter!"

Bristle could not tell what strong hands were attached to her forearm, because they were too busy manhandling her away from Lei. The more the voice talked, the more she realized who it was. Her mother slandered Lei anyway possible. Bristle tried to free herself, only receiving sharp, stinging pain each time.

"Call the police, Alx." Bristle heard her mother yell.

Before being pulled completely out of the treehouse, Bristle sent Lei a bleak frown. Having her mother overpower her like that, and Lei just sitting there, broke Bristle down. Bristle was harshly shoved to the ground, when her mother had pulled her from the staircase. She received a twisted frown. Of course her mother was angry with her, when was she not.