CAPTURE THIS (Updating regularly)

Chapter 18

A small smile rose to Ann's face. 

"God, look at you, I can almost see the bump!" Amber's voice rose to a squeal in excitement. 

Ann smiled fondly and placed a protective hand on her stomach. "It's getting harder and harder to hide."  

"Come on, let's go inside. We don't want all your nosy neighbors knowing your business," Amber suggested, walking toward the door. 

Ann hesitated, her relaxed smile falling off of her face. "I just want you to lower your expectations, Ambs. It's not the nicest place but it's the only thing Jon and I could afford." 

Once they walked into the flat, Amber could understand her sister's apprehensiveness at showing her the inside of the building. It was dimly lit with fuzzy fluorescent lights, the walls were painting a yellowing white colour that reminded Amber of a prison documentary she had watched recently. The floor was uneven wooden planks painted hastily in black. The entire building had a musky smell of cats, despite the bold "NO PETS ALLOWED" sign outside. There were no elevators. So the girls trekked up the stairs, occasionally pausing so that Ann could catch her breath.

"What floor is this?" Amber puffed out, trying to normalise her laboured breathing. 

Ann unlocked the door and gave it an almighty shove. "We're on the eighth floor. Damn door, it sticks sometimes. Jon called someone to fix it but he never showed..." 

The flat was extremely empty. It was a small one bedroom apartment that was lined with a few boxes, most of which were labelled 'JON'. The apartment itself was in much better condition than the rest of the building. Despite being painted a depressing grey colour, it was clean and definitely had enough space for Ann, Jon and a newborn. 

Ann led Amber into what was supposed to be the living room. There was nothing but a few chairs and a small table that was meant for the garden. 

Amber could feel Ann watching her expectantly. Amber was very aware that her sister was already an emotional person and whose emotions would be heightened by her pregnancy hormones: she would have to choose her words carefully. 

"You have a great view," Amber commented, walking up to the large window that overlooked the local park. 

"I like to look out of it when I start feeling nauseous." 

Amber could feel her sister hesitating. There was more Ann wanted to say but she was afraid to say it. Instead, she gazed down at her little bump and stroked it thoughtfully. 

"Do you want to know how things are at home with Dad?" 

There was no point beating around the bush, Amber knew her sister well enough to know that's what she was hesitating to mention. 

Ann nodded, unable to look Amber in the eye. 

"Dad's being difficult," Amber began with a sigh. It was nice to finally vent about the uneasy atmosphere that was left behind in Ann's absence. "I know that he misses you but he won't back down. I really think that he thinks he's doing all this for your best interests, Ann." 

It was a weak appeal to Ann to sympathise with their father but after a quick peek of her face, Amber realised it was no use. There was nothing but rage in Ann's murky eyes. It was frighteningly fierce, an expression that Amber found herself having to get used to recently. 

"Well, if that's what he thinks..." Ann trailed off bitterly and gazed out the window. 

Amber watched her sister in despair.  This wasn't how she had planned for them to spend their week together.