Chapter 21: Open Wounds, Closed World

Aurora's POV

After a few minutes of walking on a cold, windy morning, I've finally arrived back at the house.

I head inside and I saw my mom, sitting on the couch and she immediately gets up and walk towards me with a worried look on her face.

"Honey, where were you? You had me worried sick." She said as she wraps her arms around me, giving me such warmth and comfort that I could possibly need everyday. I hug her back as tight as I could and try to hold back the tears.

"I'm sorry Mom, I guess I just lost track of time while I was out. " I said, patting her back. She broke the hug and then made me look at her. Just by looking at her in the eyes, I can tell she's very worried about me.

"Aurora, are you sure you're okay?" She asks once more. I want to tell her that I'm not fine. I want to tell her that I'm crying for help. I want to tell her everything about Steven... the sexual harassments, the night when he raped me, the punishments... everything. It's killing me and I failed as a human being, who always lost to grab the chance to ask for help and feels so lost and trapped. But... I just can't... and I don't know why.

"Mom, I can reassure you that I'm fine," I said, forcing a fake smile.

'Lies.'

She then let out a sigh of relief and put on a smile. "I'm glad to hear that. You really had me worried back there."

'Mom... please help me. Can you hear me crying?'

"I'm so sorry mom. It won't happen again." I apologized. "I didn't really mean to make you worried."

"Well, all that matters is that you're back here safe and sound and knowing that you're okay." She said.

'Am I really okay... Mom?'

"Anyways, Dad and I decided to take a day off from work since you guys don't have school today. And Dad already took the boys out so it's just us two girls. Doesn't that sounds nice, sweetie?" Mom said and after hearing that, It just makes me feel a little bit better on the inside. "Is there anything in particular that you would like to do?"

"I don't know, to be honest." I replied, shrugging my shoulders. As long as I'm with mom, I don't care about where we're going to or what we're going to do for today.

"How about we'll go to the nice cafe that you liked? The one with a small library inside?" She suggested and I put on a small smile on my face when she mentions it.

"Oh, I missed that place," I said. "but it's a little bit early and I think it's still close."

"You're probably right. I guess it wouldn't hurt to wait for a while. You didn't eat any breakfast this morning, do you want me to make something else? I could make your favorite." She said.

"S-Sure." I stammered a little bit however I don't think she notices it. "I'm just gonna go upstairs and change."

Mom nodded and said; "Alright, just come down when you're ready."

With that being said, I just head upstairs with my hands tucked into the pockets of my dark jacket. Once I get to the third floor, I quickly head inside my room and close the door.

I take off my jacket and roll up my sleeve and some of the blood has dried up and smeared my entire arm. They sting a bit and I better wash all of the blood and treat my wounds.

I then walk towards the bathroom and immediately turn the faucet on and wash all of the blood off.

My deadly pale yet crimson stained skin became clean once again as the red liquid, mixed with the clear and cool water, trickling down and hoping the pain along with it will go down the drain.

Once the bleeding stopped and my arm is all clean, I turn the faucet off and walk out.

I pull out the crimson stained handkerchief and dry off my cold, wet and clear arm. The once crimson spots became a brownish red color and it's all dried up.

Since the sleeves of my sweater are all wet, I decided to change it. I just grab a plain navy blue sweater and I took off my old sweater.

But before I put on the new sweater, I head over to my side table, next to the bed, and pull a small first aid kit out of the drawer.

I open it and grab the things I need to treat my wounds. Rubbing alcohol, band-aids, and some cotton pads.

I sit down on my bed and started treating my wounds. I pour a good amount of alcohol onto the soft cotton pad as it became slightly drenched.

I put the bottle of alcohol away and I take a deep breath while looking at the red lines of my arm. I gulp and slowly tap the wet cotton pad and I hissed at the painful stings through my clenched teeth.

I then put the cotton pad on the table and took some band-aids and put them on each of my treated wounds.

Grabbing my sweater, in a shade of the darkest blue color like the ocean on a stormy day and feeling its warm and soft comfort of its fabric against my palms before putting it on. As it slowly embraces and covers my cold and pale upper body with its fleecy contact, it makes me feel safe and sound.

I grab my old sweater on one hand and decided to hide my dried up bloody handkerchief inside the first aid kit and put them away.

I suddenly felt a chill down to my spine. I remember the computers up in the attic. How could I forget that there is a hidden camera in my fucking room?! Throwing my sweater away, I start looking around my room. I remember Heather telling me a lot of information about hidden cameras in some mystery movies that we've watched together and she said about the first thing to look for hidden cameras in a room. You need to start looking for objects that can be removed easily and I need to turn off the lights in order for me to see either a red or green light.

Now that I think about it, there is an unusual, old school clock, obviously not mine, on the middle shelf of my bookshelf which is facing across from my bed. I turn off the lights and start inspecting the clock.

And I saw a small red light. I found the hidden camera. I grab it and I just throw it away and it got smashed really hard against the wall across the room. I quickly walk towards it, pick it up and noticed that the red light is no longer flashing, meaning it's broken. However, I smash it against the wall again, making sure that it's broken for good.

I then walk over to my bed, crouch down and hide the broken clock underneath it. I extend my arm in order to push the broken object further.

After that, I went and check the other possible objects that might have a hidden camera in them as well. I look everywhere and became suspicious of that one teddy bear, that is just sitting on top of another side table which is facing the bed and it's just nearby the door to the bathroom.

I pull out my phone from my jacket and turn the flashlight on. I flashed it on the eyes and I saw the lenses in the eyes. I grab it and hide it under the bed as well.

I check my room once again, including the walk-in closet and the bathroom, and the clock and teddy bear are the only items have hidden cameras in them. And they're located inside my room, facing the bed. Which gives me the chills, thinking about the fact that Steven has been watching me.

I shake my head and I decided to head out of my room. Grabbing my jacket and slightly drenched sweater, walked out of the room and head downstairs.

I walk towards the laundry room and put the sweater away. Then, I head towards the dining room and I saw my mom, sitting still in her seat. So I just sit down next to her and she acknowledges my presence as she puts on a soft smile on her face. She then pushes the plate of two ham and cheese sandwiches next to me. I take a small bite and another and another. I didn't realize that I'm this hungry.

"It took you awhile to change, sweetie." Mom began. "Is everything alright?"

I swallowed my food before opening my mouth. "Yeah, it's just that I have so many sweaters and I was a little bit indecisive to choose." I let out a fake yet nervous laugh.

"Oh okay. I just realized that we haven't done any mother-daughter bonding day in a while." Mom said. "And also... do you want to visit Dad before heading to the cafe?"

Oh... that's right. It's been so long since the last time we visited Dad. To be honest, I really wish he's still alive. I miss having conversations with him while walking around the park, do stargazing on a calm and cool night, and go out and eat some donuts while going on a joyride trip. I miss those times with him.

I nodded. "Yeah, sure." My mom shows a small smile and I just finished eating. She picked up the plate and stand up.

"I'll clean it up, you'll go ahead and wait for me. " She said and I grabbed my jacket, heading off.

I stood next to car while putting on my jacket. After putting it on, I lean against the car door and cross my arms while waiting for Mom.

"Okay, let's go." Mom said, heading towards the car and I hop in. Once Mom hopped inside the car, she closes the door and starts the car engine before driving off.