joanne lehrer (withoutaname) wrote in musingslogs, @ 2010-11-15 18:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | johan liebert |
Who: Annie & NPC Victim
What: Tying up some loose ends.
Where: A bridge
When: Friday to Early Monday Morning.
Warnings: Suicide/Death.
There were three things Annie knew when she first laid eyes on Amber Sommerset. She was average, she was lonely, and she was going to kill herself in a few days. She'd never seen Teddy that sloppy before, and it was a little disconcerting, but it was fine. It was just a mess she'd have to clean up for him. It was a favor returned for the one that he had done her.
When she first met Amber face to face, she was sitting on a park bench, watching children play with their parents not too far away. She thought it was a safe place. It was in broad daylight, and it was public. That never stopped Annie from her task. No, she'd sat down right beside her started up a conversation. She ignored the poorly masked bruises at first, but as they continued, she subtly hinted that she could offer a way to hide them. No one would know it had even happened. They'd gone into the bathroom, and she'd emptied out her purse, placing each layer on expertly. The woman ate up her suggestions, and the next time they met, her face looked flawless except for the slight swelling.
She told her she was lovely, and that whoever did that to her was not a good person and should be punished. That was when it all came out, and Annie ate up every word of it. Her lips tightened into a straight line and she cried with her, holding the woman close for as long as she needed. When they parted, she agreed to meet with her again soon, but not before she had infected her. The woman hadn't wanted to go out with her friend, and she was none to pleased with being cowed into it. Annie wasn't sure if that was the reason she felt the pang of regret, but she latched onto it, spending as much time with her as possible.
These things had to be dealt with delicately. She didn't say much about herself, and they hadn't exchanged numbers. Her main focus was all Amber, and no one had ever seemed to care that much about her. All her friends hadn't even really checked up on her outside of wanting to know how her and the guy had gotten along. She'd been too embarrassed to tell them what had really happened and told them she needed a few days to recover. They never cared to check up on her. Hell, not even the police had cared enough to follow up. At least, that's where Annie had gotten her by the time they'd reached the bridge.
They'd gotten out of the car. It was raining, she felt it was fitting enough. It resonated so loudly now, she could practically taste it. It wasn't as strong as it could have been, but the woman was swimming in her own self-loathing. No one cared about her. She wasn't going anywhere with her life. That man who had done this to her was the best she was ever going to get, and he probably wouldn't have hit her so much if she'd just let him take what he wanted. She couldn't even do that right, could she?
She never raised her voice. She could barely be heard over the downpour. When the woman looked for that supportive girl she had met the day before, the one who had been leaning on, she found she was gone. Annie's eyes had hardened, cold, distant, completely judgmental. She played her part perfectly, explaining how girls like Amber made her sick. Her life was disgustingly average. She would never amount to anything. Even her family didn't pay her much attention. when was the last time she'd talked to them?
The silence had spoken volumes. No one cared. It was just starting to sink into the woman. Annie could see it all over her face. There was no point in living.
She watched as the woman climbed over the railing. Amber’s long pale fingers gripped the railing tight to make sure she wouldn't slip. She could see her profile from where she stood. If it hadn't been raining, if there was better lighting, she'd probably be able to see the tear-stained face the woman wore. The rain matted her hair against her head. She looked completely and utterly broken. There was no hope there, only pain. Amber didn't look back at Annie before she let go. Annie turned and walked away.