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It has passed almost three weeks since Pearl has been stuck with Venus. By now, the major family must be thinking that she was probably gone forever. She hasn't messaged them nor called them for any updates. Did Kai forget about her, or did she truly believe that Pearl was still with her grandparents?
Pearl had no clue, but she was starting to get impatient with these handcuffs around her wrists that didn't allow her to leave these four corners of the bedroom. She was mentally exhausted. She wasn't living like a human being, but instead, like a caged animal with no escape.
She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom like every morning routine and took a quick shower. Then, she wore the same grey strapless dress that Venus lent her. She has been washing it constantly since that was the only clothing she has been wearing these days.
When Pearl finished in the bathroom, she noticed that Venus had left her the breakfast plate on the floor like she usually did. It was a simple breakfast of fried sausages, eggs, and a toast. She didn't waste any time and ate it almost immediately. Pearl got used to the food and didn't complain about it anymore.
As Pearl ate her breakfast, she pondered about these two mafia families that have countless of mysteries that she still hasn't found out about yet. What was the difference between them if all they seek for is power and recognition?
Well, the answer is simple. The difference between the major and the minor family is no other thing than the word: "Home".
The major family is full of high expectations and they have a stronghold. However, at least all the family members respected each other even though they tend to be a little distant sometimes. There were still controversies, but they managed to grow and have the most power. The leader of the major clan nurtured his family the best way he could with love and kindness, making their home as strong as a large tree.
On the other hand, the minor family is like burning flames. Everyone is separated and they need to heal and teach themselves on their own. It's just like a flower that is running out of water and is starting to wither. Despite of the love that the two siblings have towards each other, it still wasn't enough to make the home bloom properly.
Pearl has been learning a lot about Venus these past few days, and she could tell that there were many cracks and holes that needed to be repaired inside of Venus' heart. If Venus was this broken, she didn't want to imagine how her younger brother, Michael must feel like at such a young age. He's only a teenager. He'll probably have to go through the same abuse that his sister went through at his age, and Venus doesn't want that. That's why she always defends Michael when her father insults him. She doesn't want Michael to suffer too.
When Pearl finished her food she went to brush her teeth with the toothbrush that Venus had also lent her. After doing that, she laid back in bed, not knowing what else to do. She gazed up to the ceiling until her vision darkened and she fell into another slumber.
A few hours later, she woke up again and realized that it was already late in the afternoon. She sat up and also spotted Venus sitting at the edge of the bed. What was she doing here, and why was she so dramatically silent?
Pearl couldn't see Venus' face because she was facing her back, but she couldn't help but to get a little worried. Could it be that the leader of the minor family came back to punish her again?
"Venus, are you okay?" Pearl uttered in a soft tone of voice as she crawled over to sit next to the other. That's when she realized what was going on.
In Venus hands, there was something. The hedgehog. She was holding the small hedgehog with both of her palms, not taking her eyes away from it as if she was examining the creature with full attention. The hedgehog didn't move, it was only breathing abnormally. He appeared to be in a bad condition, maybe he was ill.
"I'm okay, but he is not." Venus answered her with trembling eyelashes as if she was at the edge of bursting in tears.
"Is he sick?" Pearl asked just wanting to be certain of what was really happening.
"I don't know, but he's been breathing fast for a while. His fences are also watery. I have no idea what's going on and I don't know what to do to help him." Venus explained briefly, her voice shaking a little.
Pearl thought for a moment, trying to analyze the situation. These past few days Venus has been smoking a lot inside of the safe-house. She has been stressed with her father and she was relying on cigarettes lately. Could it be that the smoke has affected the hedgehog's lungs and that's why he is having difficulties to breathe?
"Isn't there a bodyguard outside? Maybe he can take him to the vet." Pearl suggested with a worried expression.
Venus shook her head, "There's no one. The bodyguard left with my father because of a meeting they have and he isn't coming back until tomorrow."
"Then...What can we do? Should we call a vet?" Pearl could feel the concern that Venus was having and she tried to give her other options to try and help the poor animal.
The room fell into silence for a while before Venus stood up abruptly with the hedgehog still in hand. "I'm taking him to the vet myself." She said before rushing out the door, leaving the house in a hurry.
Pearl was not expecting this sudden twist of events and she was left dumbfounded. Her eyes were locked on the door that had just closed and then they shifted as she scanned her surroundings. She didn't know why, but some hope came back to her. If Venus was really leaving the safe-house then that meant that she could find a way to escape now before it's too late, right?
This was her only chance!
She continued to gaze around to find a way she could unlock the handcuffs but there was nothing that could work. Her eyes then landed on the bed where Venus was sitting earlier. There was something there. It was a key.
There's no way!
This had to be some kind of trap, right?
Why would Venus leave the key of the handcuffs on top of the bed? It couldn't be because she forgot about it. That would be too foolish of her. Pearl knew perfectly well that Venus was not brainless to do such a thing.
However, why?
Unless...
Was Venus letting Pearl escape?
Did she leave the key behind on purpose?
There were numerous of thoughts invading Pearl's mind and she didn't know what to assume anymore. She didn't know why the key was left there but all she wanted to do was to get the hell out of here as soon as possible.
Without thinking it twice, Pearl grabbed the tiny key and attempted to unlock the steel handcuffs. Her eyes widened a little in disbelief when she saw the handcuffs falling off from her wrists. She was able to unlock them successfully!
Her heart was beating at full speed as if it was about to burst out of her chest. There was a feeling of desperation deep inside of her. Was she really about to leave the safe-house that easily? After such a long time, she was finally able to rub her wrists that were left with faint marks from the handcuffs. It felt so good to be free again.
Pearl got on her feet and gulped down with difficulty. She was so nervous to the point that she could barely breathe. She tried to compose herself as she took a deep breath before she made a run for it. She dashed out of the bedroom, going down the stairs until reaching the entrance doors. She took her time to glance around just to make sure that Venus was not inside of the safe-house. The doubt that this could be a trap was still haunting her.
The entrance doors opened slowly as Pearl went outside. There were trees and bushes surrounding the house. This place was truly a forest itself. It was going to take long for her to find the way out.
Pearl didn't know where exactly to head to but she was planning to continue running until finding someone that could help her find the way back to the city. However, before she could even move, she became aware of something that was in the distance.
It was the figure of someone. They were sitting on the grassy ground with their head lowered in a depressed manner. Blonde long hair, white clothing. Pearl knew exactly who this person was. She could feel her heart stopping for a moment as fear slowly got into her.
Why was Venus still here?
Pearl wanted to runaway but her body had suddenly paralyzed in the spot. It was not listening to her commands as if it was numb. Her brain was telling her to escape while she can, yet her heart was telling her to stay. She didn't know what to choose, and she also didn't know which option was the right one here.
She shook her head, forcing herself to get back to reality. Pearl needed to escape. Staying here with Venus was not going to be any good for her. It was time to go back. If she stays any longer, there's a high chance that she could lose her mind or even die in Venus' hands.
However, why was Pearl feeling upset to leave now?
If she leaves, will Venus be alright by herself?
Will she be able to tolerate the torment of her father every day without having someone to be there for her to console her?
Will Venus be able to hang on until the end?
Would she be hurt if Pearl leaves her behind?
Pearl bit her own bottom lip as tears formed in her brown eyes. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' Those words kept repeating inside of her head with an echo. It was unknown if they were directed to Venus or if they were directed to herself. The choice she was about to make was going to make a great impact in her life.
If she leaves, that will be it. She will have to go back to work and continue with her own life as it used to be. Everything will come back to normal. But if she stays, then that means that she will be stuck with Venus forever, risking her life, and ruining her own dignity. What did she really wanted? What was the choice she was going to pick?
Bare footsteps sounded loudly as they hit the ground repeatedly. It was fast at first, and then it became slow, until it reached to a stop, and the sound disappeared.
Everything was quiet. Only the serene breeze of the wind could be heard.
Then, the sobbing and weeping began as Venus' shoulders trembled. Her vision became blurry, tears overflowed from her emerald eyes. Her heart ached as she wondered why this had to happen.
Why?
Why did Pearl come back?
Why didn't she escape when she could?
It was true that Venus had left the key behind on purpose. The whole reason why she did that was because she didn't want to continue keeping Pearl here by force anymore. She knew that keeping her captive will eventually affect her mental state. But why? Why didn't she leave?
Did Pearl wanted to suffer that much?
"He died in my hands before I could even take him to the vet." Venus sobbed and choked on her own tears.
She was not going to ask Pearl why she decided to stay, because she now understood that Pearl felt the same towards her.
They needed each other. Even though things between them are still in a terrible mess, they knew that they couldn't seperate, or else it would be even more painful for them. They have somehow build up a strong connection in such a short amount of time and it bonded them together just like a pair of handcuffs around one of their wrists that didn't allow them to part away.
The damage was already made, but their feelings were also there.
Pearl wiped off her own tears with her hands and slowly sat down beside Venus on the ground. She glanced at the motionless hedgehog in Venus hands, and then shifted her eyes to stare at her instead.
Without uttering a single word, Pearl reached out with her hand and leaned Venus' head towards her, resting it against her shoulder. She ran her own fingers through Venus' blonde hair, caressing her head gently in a comforting way. Pearl didn't know what to tell her but it broke her heart seeing her like this.
Venus just lost something that was precious to her. Even though she was the cause of the death of the hedgehog because of her carelessness, she still didn't do it intentionally. She was going through hardships herself and didn't realize that smoking could cause harm to the poor animal.
"I'm sorry that this had to happen. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, Venus." Pearl said softly, feeling the drops of tears from Venus' eyes landing on her bare shoulder.
The 'I'm sorry' that Pearl repeated in her head earlier turned out to be directed to herself. She was apologizing to herself for choosing Venus at the end. She knew that this choice could have consequences, but if she chose to leave, she knew that she would feel worse deep inside.
Venus mourned until she couldn't shed tears anymore from how much she had cried, while Pearl tried to remain calm to cheer her up. They both grieved for the lost of the hedgehog and then they buried him on the ground, placing some white lily flowers they randomly found on top of the burial.
Rest in peace, Mr. Spikes. Now you're in a better place. You're going to be missed, but don't worry about your owner because she has found someone that gives her a shoulder to rest her head on. Rest assured in heaven, your owner will be fine. She has a new shelter that she can depend on and call it her real 'home'.
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