Chapter 13 - Aurora

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You can read all of Forgetting Arlo and Liberty. You can also read ahead of my new stories Destined and The King's Lost Queen plus many more stories. You will always be supporting me. To find out more, please click on this link: patreon.com/littletroublemaker

Word count: 2151

"The hardest part about seeing someone you love in pain is not being able to do anything about it, except try not to make it worse." — This Is Us, 2016-2022

WARNING:  This chapter mentions drugs, overdosing, and suicide. If you are uncomfortable with any of this, please skip the chapter! 

HARRIET'S party was packed.

As soon as I stepped in, I was pushed against sweaty bodies. The air was thick with sweat and alcohol.

My eyes scanned the big warehouse, searching for Harriet or Jared. I hadn't seen them since this morning and I was worried something might have happened to them.

The thumping music did not help my nerves in the slightest.

It was so busy today. Word must have spread about Harriet's party.

I barged my way through the heavy crowds to the edge of the room and let out a breath. It was so hot in here; my clothes were beginning to sweat.

"Hey pretty lady, you okay?" A young man asked, slurring his words. His light brown eyes were glazed over with alcohol and all I could smell on him was sweat.

"I'm fine, thanks," I answered, politely.

He furrowed his bushy eyebrows and leaned closer to me. The man was taller than me, practically towering over my small height. I despised how tiny and insignificant he made me feel.

"Sweetheart, you don't look fine. Why don't you stick with me? I'll show you a good time." He whispered into my ear, trying to be flirtatious.

My nose scrunched up in disgust, my body shivering in revulsion. I didn't want him anywhere near me. I wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.

"I'm fine but thanks for the offer," I muttered, the words feeling like acid in my mouth. I wanted nothing to do with him.

His eyes narrowed, a fire burning inside of them. He leaned his arm against the wall, keeping him steady. I could taste his alcoholic breath on my face. "Sweetheart, I'm the only man here who will treat you with any sort of respect. Do you even know who I am?"

I shook my head, having no clue who he was. This seemed to annoy him. Was I supposed to know who he was?

"N—no," I stuttered, playing innocent. I feared the glint in his eyes. It wasn't one of warmth or friendliness.

"I'm Carl from the East Side." He introduced himself as if that supplied all of my questions. My mind latched onto East Side, hearing those terrifying words. What was an East Sider doing here? More specifically, why was a member of the East Gang here? They never came to these events.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I racked my brain for some kind of response.

"I—I didn't know, I'm sorry," I apologized, cursing myself for getting into this mess. My heart was hammering in my chest so loudly; I was certain he could hear it.

"You're quite fragile, aren't you?" He commented, bringing a hand up. Involuntarily, I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut. I expected some kind of pain but all I got was his rough fingers stroking my cheek. Hesitantly peeling my eyes open, I watched him in terror.

He knew he was scaring me and he loved it.

"You're like a dove. So innocent and pretty. Has this harsh world tainted you yet?" He asked, transfixed by me.

"I—I don't think so." I stammered, afraid of what he'd say if I denied him. I needed to find a way to get out of this. Until then, I had to play along to stay alive. 

He smiled but it wasn't a smile of kindness. No, behind it held dark promises. "Good."

"Hey man, what are you doing with my girlfriend?" A familiar and assuring voice called out to Carl. My shoulders sagged in relief as I met Jared's eyes.

"Girlfriend?" Carl quirked an eyebrow, darting his eyes between the two of us suspiciously. 

"Yes, girlfriend," Jared confirmed, folding his arms over his chest.

"I didn't know she was yours," Carl stated, skeptically. He didn't believe us but after eyeing Jared's impressive form up and down, he debated whether he should fight Jared on this or not. 

My orbs pleaded with Jared's, begging him to get me out of this.

"Well, she is, so I expect you to leave her alone." He demanded, coldly.

Carl cocked his head to the side, putting the pieces together. "And what about Harriet? Aren't you dating her too?"

Jared faltered for a moment, his intense gaze wavering. I knew he was good at quick thinking on the spot. I just hoped whatever he said would be believable. 

"Harriet knows I don't believe in monogamy," Jared started, steadily. "She's perfectly fine with me and her." He added, pointing at me.

Carl shuffled away from me, albeit reluctantly, a crease present between his brows.

"Right," He mumbled, storming off into the crowd. 

Once he was out of sight, I let out a long breath, my lungs stinging painfully. It wasn't the first time a man had approached me and it probably wouldn't be the last. I never got used to the terrifying feeling. 

"Are you all right, Aurora?" Jared queried, assessing my body to see if I had any visible injuries. 

"Y—yeah," I replied, attempting a reassuring smile. "Why was an East Sider here?"

This time, Jared sighed, his shoulders tensing. He dragged a hand through his hair shakily, unsettled by something.

"Harriet was cornered by him earlier. He's demanding money." He informed me, his tone laced with worry.

My eyes widened and I whipped my head around, hoping to find Harriet. "Is she okay? Did he hurt her?" Questions rushed out of me, my stomach churning with concern. Harriet owed people a lot of money—money that people would kill for. 

"I think so. She...she wanted something to ease her mind after the ordeal." He told me, referring to drugs. Whenever she felt too anxious, she turned to them immediately.

"Where is she?"

His eyes drifted to the floor, wordlessly telling me she was downstairs in her bunker.

My body seemed to work on autopilot, heading straight to the entrance.

Jared's hand shot out and grabbed onto my arm, delicately. I peered up at him, confused.

"She might not be in the best state, Aurora. Last I saw her, she was mumbling like a crazy person." He warned, his voice cracking. He hated seeing her in this state. We both did. 

Rolling my lips together, I nodded, mentally preparing myself for the worst. I had seen Harriet in all types of states. She has thrown chairs at me; she's told me to never come back and she's broken down crying in my arms.

"Thanks for letting me know." I thanked him, grateful for his presence in her life. She needed someone like him—someone who understood her drug problems and her emotional state, who could alleviate her darkest thoughts and help her combat her deepest desires. 

I squared my shoulders and pushed through the crowd; my purpose as clear as day.

Throwing the hatch open, I snuck downstairs, my eyes examining the room. It was messier than usual but it still felt like Harriet's home.

My eyes rounded around the room, searching for the black-haired beauty. I found her, lying on the bed, unconscious. Sighing in relief that I had finally found her, I stalked over to her. What had happened to her?

As I got closer to one of my closest friends, something felt off. My stomach twisted painfully and bile rose in my throat. I sucked in a breath and hovered over her limp body.

The first thing I noticed was that her chest wasn't moving. Then, it was her skin. She was so pale—too pale.

"Harriet?" I mumbled; my throat as dry as the Sahara Desert. "Harriet, please wake up. This isn't funny." I begged her, sitting on the edge of the bed. But still, she didn't rouse.

It felt like I couldn't breathe. Because she wasn't breathing.

"Harriet! Oh god, please don't do this to me!" I begged her, shaking her lifeless body. "Jared! Jared, come here! H—Harriet's not moving!"

He couldn't hear me. The party above was in full swing. Above me, people were having a good time, forgetting about their troubles. They had no idea that below, the host of the party, the life of the party, was...dead.

Sobs racked through my body. I was panicking. 

Black dots covered my vision. It took me a moment to realize I was having a panic attack.

Trying to control my breathing, I focused on an indentation on the floor. I thought of happier times with my parents, Ash and...with Harriet.

Time passed differently. It felt like I had been falling down a black hole for hours when in reality, it was probably minutes.

My labored, ragged breaths turned into shudders. A wave of mental and physical exhaustion flowed through me. If I stood up now, I would fall. My legs felt like jelly. 

"Please don't do this to me, Harriet! I—It's not fair!" I continued blabbering hysterically, dry heaving. "Y—you are one of the few people left in my life. Y—you're my rock."

After Ash left, Harriet was the one who took care of me. She always offered me a place to stay, and always gave me food when I could barely stand anymore. She was my support network.

Even though she was facing her own problems, she was always there for me.

I felt awful knowing I couldn't be there for her the one time I needed her.

The reality of the situation slammed on me. My blurry eyes finally flickered to the table where a needle and an empty plastic bag lay.

Harriet had overdosed.

She had...

No. Don't say it. Saying it will make you spiral even more.

I knew her life wasn't perfect but I never knew it was this bad. Had I missed the signs? Had something awful happened to her?

On the table, beside the needle, was a folded-up note. The edges were curling together and there were ink smudges.

The note was addressed to me.

With shaky hands, I leaned over and grabbed the note. I couldn't read it with her dead body next to me so I slowly rose to my feet and leaned on the bedpost to support myself. I grabbed the raggedy knitted blanket from the end of the bed and placed it over Harriet gently.

Stumbling over to her small dining table, I collapsed onto the seat and grabbed the nearest flickering candle. Using it as a source of light, I opened the note.

My dearest Aurora,

I don't know how to say this to you. You deserve so much better. You don't deserve to go through this pain. Words cannot emphasize how sorry I am for doing this to you.

Just know that I had to. Jared was in danger. The East Gang was demanding money for...well you know what and I didn't have it. They...they would come for him eventually.

My...death was the only way to protect him. They don't know who he is to me. And they will never know about him. He's...safe now.

This world wasn't fit for me. It never was. I was born at the wrong time. But...you. You are made for more. You always have been. You have a beautiful light in you that cannot be snuffed out. You have more hope than me. You have a strength I could never imagine.

Take care of yourself, Aurora. Be kind to yourself. I love you with all of my heart.

Tell Jared that there was nothing he could have done. Don't let him beat himself up over this. Make sure he moves on. Don't let him spiral.

Harriet.

New tears fell from my eyes. Harriet sacrificed herself to protect the man she loved.

It was honorable and so like her. She claimed she had no strength but that was the ultimate testament to her strength.

And she did have hope. She had hope for her life with Jared. She might have used drugs to be happy but her love for Jared was real and pure. It was the kind of love I secretly wished for.

Oh, Harriet. You amazing, kind and gentle human being. I will miss you. 

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