Chapter Text
She awoke with her body in unspeakable pain.
Without alcohol in her system, she was hyper-aware that her body was screaming in agony. But she realized that pain was good in this instant. Pain meant that everything still somewhat worked.
Pain meant she had survived the night.
As she slowly rolled out of bed, she could hear voices in the kitchen. Some whispering, some rising. There was one voice that stood out from the rest.
His voice.
Any and all of the courage she had from last night was drained from her body in an instant. Last night she wanted him to see her and her scars, but now she could feel her heart rate going up at the thought of Fez seeing the state she's in. Even the thought of him perceiving her was enough to make her throat tighten. She needed to get out of there, and fast.
She tiptoed her way to the back door where Ash's workspace was. She slowly unlocked the door and was almost out when she heard him for the first time in three months.
“Lexi?” His voice called out as the door slammed shut.
She heard his running footsteps and she bolted down the street. She could still hear him screaming and other voices calling out to her, but she refused to look back as she pushed herself to run. The only time she allowed herself to walk was when she approached her street. She prayed her stitches hadn't popped as she climbed up to her room window.
She was about to climb into bed, when she heard her mother's voice downstairs. That's odd. She thought. Usually she'd be passed out 'til at least noon.
She changed into different clothes and went downstairs where her mother was talking on the phone. “No, I don't care Cass! Your little sister is missing, and all you care about is some stupid boy that attacked her?”
Even from the top steps, she could hear her sister's hysterical screams on the other end. “Cassandra! Do you even hear yourself? I don't care if she started it or not! Your her big sister and it's time for you to start acting like one.”
“Um, I'm home.” Lexi whispered.
Her mother whipped around like she had see a ghost. She only hesitated for a second before running over to her and giving her a gentle hug. “My baby! Oh thank God you're okay.” She pulled back to look into her eyes. “Are you alright? Did that demon spawn hurt you?”
“Mom, I'm fine. I—”
Her mother put her hand on her shoulder and saw her flinch. Lexi didn't stop her as she pulled her shirt down and saw the now sewn up scar. She could see the emotions display out in her mother's eyes. Shock, disbelief, fear, and anger all play out.
“I'll kill that boy!” Her mother said through her teeth.
“Mom, wait!”
“No, Lexi. Enough is enough! I'm tired of dealing with that family. Ever since his father showed up, things have gotten completely out of control! He needs to pay for what's he's done to you!”
“I've already taken care of it, mom. Calling the police will just complicate things more.” She tried to explain.
“Just let me be there for you, Lexi!” Her mom pleaded. “I need to do what a mother needs to do when her children gets hurt. If I have to get the police involved, then I will!”
That was the last thing she wanted. If police got involved, then her past with Fezco could bring even more trouble to his doorsteps. As much as he hated him right now, she did not want to put him in any more danger than he already was.
As her mother reached for the phone, she pulled out her one trump card that she thought she never use. “Think of Cassie!” She screamed.
Her mother almost dropped the phone. “W—what?”
“Cassie is still living under him and his mother. If we do something drastic like calling the police, she'll just run from us further. If we want any chance of her coming home, we have to just let her run her motor out and be there for her when she comes back. If we try to force her back or get Nate in trouble, she'll think we're trying to control her life again.”
She saw her mother's conflicted face. She still had her hand tight around the phone and she knew what would be the finisher. “If not for me, do it for Cassie.”
Her mother frowned, but slowly put the phone down. She had an unreadable expression on her face that made Lexi feel incredibly guilty. She opened her mouth to apologies, but her mother pulled her in for a gentle hug. “I know I've relied my focus too much on Cassie in the past, but you are still my daughter. Let me...at least trust me enough to take care of you.”
She looked at her mother for what felt like the first time in a long time. She notice she looked different sober. She could see the little strands of grey coming from her roots, her eyes looked more tired than they had before, and her frown drooped lower than ever.
She nodded her head and they both sat on the couch in silence. She wordlessly laid her head on her mother's shoulders while her mother gently stroked her hair. She sighed at the peacefulness of the moment, knowing it wouldn't last, but grateful she could experience it even for a little bit.
After a while, she was convinced to go see a doctor. She had made up some bullsh*t story about how she fell on something in the kitchen and her friends tried to patch it up before she got there. The nurse didn't seem like she believed her, but they undid Faye's patch job and fixed her up none the less. Warned her not to do anything strenuous and to come back in a few weeks to get the stitches out.
The car ride back home was silent. Neither she, nor her mother, knew what to say to one another. Lexi knew her mother wanted to ask about what happened to her and why, but she knew she wouldn't. Her mother was used to her sister's yelling, crying, and acting unhinged...but she knew she wasn't used to this.
She was quiet, withdrawn, and she made sure no emotions played on her face. The ride home was dead silent and the tension was so thick, that she thought it would choke her if the tears she was holding back didn't first.
The moment they made it home, she went up to her room, locked the door, and crawled into her bed. She could hear her mother every so often knocking on her door, which she ignored. She just curled herself into a ball more, which made the stitches sting.
She wish she could've told the doctors what was actually wrong. Physically, she was somewhat okay, but she could feel herself rotting on the inside. But who would help her? Why would they? Could no one see how bad things had gotten?
Does anyone really care that much? Her mind echoed.
She looked at Cassie's side of the room. Untouched from the last time she was there months ago. Her bed unmade, her dresser draws and closet still opened and emptied, her photos still hanging around her mirror.
She covered her head with her blanket and put her face in the pillow. I won't sob myself to sleep again. She promised herself. It's not like anyone else is crying for me anyways.
