Invisible Strings

Chapter 9: March

Isadora's shoulders slumped, guilt written in every line of her posture. "I know I shouldn't have," she said quietly, almost to herself. "I... I just couldn't bear not knowing. I care too much, Hannah. If I hadn't tried to understand... if I hadn't known even a little... I'd keep worrying. I can't stop thinking about you, and I had to do something."

Hannah's chest tightened. She wasn't angry, not really, not yet, but she felt the sting of betrayal and invasion.

Isadora swallowed, meeting her gaze with quiet intensity. "I know," she said, voice low but steady. "I know it was wrong. And I can't take it back. I can only promise I'm here now. I want to help you, not hurt you. I... I need to know, Hannah. Because if I don't... I'll just keep worrying. And god, Hannah... I can't stand seeing how you walk around holding something in you that I can't help." Isaodra took a breath and closed her eyes for a moment before looking at Hannah again. "That I can't help you."

Hannah's arms remained near her sides. Her chest ached with the complexity of her feelings. A mixture of fear, hurt, and undeniable care. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, unsure how to respond.

Isadora took a cautious step closer, letting her presence fill the space between them without pressuring. "You don't have to say anything yet," she whispered. "I just... I had to come."

Hannah's gaze softened, though her heart was still unsettled. "I just... I didn't want to worry you. I don't want to worry you."

Isadora's chest tightened even further. "Hannah... I'll always worry. But I also... I just want you to be safe. I need to know you're okay, even if it's hard for you to talk about. I can wait. I can be patient."

After a long, quiet pause, Isadora moved gently, guiding Hannah toward her bed. She sat down slowly, letting Hannah settle against her. Isadora wrapped her arms lightly around her, feeling the subtle tremors beneath her ribs, the quiet rhythm of her breathing.

They stayed like that for a moment, the silence heavy but comforting. Hannah's fingers twitched, then found their way to Isadora's hand, fidgeting with the rings and gentle lines of her fingers as she often did when lost in thought. Isadora let her, keeping her arms steady, her own heart thudding softly in her chest.

After several moments, Hannah's voice came, quiet and hesitant. "Isadora... what did you find?" She didn't look up at her, eyes fixed on the way her fingers twisted around Isadora's rings. Her tone wasn't accusatory, just wary, as though she were bracing herself for an answer she wasn't sure she wanted.

Isadora's thumb brushed lightly over the back of Hannah's hand. "I... I found a record of your father. That's all I can say for now," she murmured carefully, her voice low, calm, and steady. "I didn't dig into everything. I just... wanted to know enough to make sure you were safe."

Hannah's fingers stilled for a heartbeat, then twitched again. Her chest tightened, a small ache spreading through her. "...You shouldn't have," she whispered, a mixture of disappointment and reluctant understanding threading through her words.

Isadora nodded slowly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Hannah's head. "I know," she admitted softly against the soft blonde locks. "I shouldn't have. But I care too much about you to stay away. I had to know... even a little."

Hannah remained quiet, fidgeting just slightly, letting the words sink in. She didn't speak, didn't respond with anger or accusation. Just let herself rest against Isadora, aware of the closeness, of the warmth, and the undeniable care that had drawn them together over the past weeks.

Isadora's thumb continued to brush over Hannah's hand, her voice gentle but steady. "Hannah... can I ask you something?"

Hannah tilted her head slightly but didn't pull away. "Hm?"

"When... when did you leave your father? How did you even... manage it?" Isadora's words were careful, like walking over fragile ground. Her heart ached at the thought of Hannah enduring whatever she had. "Who was taking care of you after? Who... who is taking care of you now?"

Hannah let out a long, quiet sigh, leaning a little heavier into Isadora. Her fingers continued to toy with the rings on Isadora's hand. "It wasn't... easy," she said softly, almost to herself. Her voice was steady, but a shadow lingered beneath it. "I ran away. I... a friend helped me. A... siren. They got me into Nevermore. Sirening our late Principal Weems. And um... well it works out... I have a dorm for most of the year... And food here." She said it almost a little too casually, as if any of this is okay. "And I'm eighteen now, so after graduation... I'll figure it out."

Isadora's chest tightened, eyes widening slightly. She had expected darkness, but the quiet gravity of what Hannah had just admitted stole her breath for a heartbeat. "You... you did all that on your own?" she asked quietly. "You're on your own, Hannah?" She then said, tilting her head down a little to look at Hannah's expression, but Hannah tried to avoid being seen. "Darling..." She whispered, feeling her heart break more.

Hannah closed her eyes and buried herself more into Isaodra, if even possible. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. She didn't have anything to apologize for, and Isaodra especially knew that.

Isadora drew her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Hannah's head. "Oh, hun..." she murmured. "You've been through so much. You're safe now. And I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep you that way. Don't ever say sorry."

Hannah let a fragile exhale escape her lips. She didn't need to hide anything from Isadora. Well, not everything... The burden of her past was heavy, but for the first time, it felt a little lighter... shared.