Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 35

November 28th, 2019

Today was Thanksgiving. Normally, we never celebrated, but today, I figured Javi and I should try to do something special before we were locked away again.

"Amelia!" Ben shouted up the stairs. "Get down here!" I scrambled down as quickly as I was able to, my body even weaker. I was coughing the whole way, feeling dizzy and out of breath. The room was spinning ever so slightly.

"Yes, Papa?" I asked quietly, coughing again. He shoved me, sending me crashing into the wall behind me. I let out an agonizing groan.

"Quit your insolent hacking," he demanded. "I'm flying out again, to London, and I expect all of your shit packed when I get back," My heart sank. There would be chance for me to smooth things over with anyone. I doubted I'd be able to say goodbye.

"We're moving?!" I cried in disbelief. He nodded.

"You've been acting out too much, we're starting over," I weakly pushed myself up.

"But Papa-" Ben kicked me, knocking me to the floor, completely winded.

"Don't argue with me, or I swear to god you won't even make it halfway there," he snapped. I nodded, biting my lip to hold back my tears. Ben grabbed his suitcase standing by the front door and promptly left.

I managed to get into a sitting position, crying out in pain. My bruised ribs were now more sore than they'd been five minutes ago, and my head was throbbing.

I didn't want to move. I'd finally made myself a life here, I couldn't bear to leave it all behind. My first best friend, my first almost-boyfriend, and Alan, all gone forever.

Even though I hadn't properly seen any of them in a week, it didn't mean I was okay with moving countries on them out of the blue. It wasn't fair to them. Especially if I left on such bad terms with Alan. I'd been able to sufficiently convince myself that we were in no way related, I just wasn't ready to face him and his family. Who knows how they'd react. I'd suffered enough this week, I didn't anything else to make it worse.

***

"Happy thanksgiving, Javi," I told him weakly as we sat down at the table. I'd made turkey sandwiches, roasted veggies, and mashed potatoes. It was the most I could do under my circumstances.

"Happy thanksgiving, Sorella!" Javi cried happily, stuffing his face with food. I couldn't help but laugh softly. He didn't really know what the holiday was, but he didn't seem to mind the occasion.

"Javi?" I started quietly. I had big news to tell him, but I wasn't sure how he'd react.

"Yes?" he replied, gazing at me with his big blue eyes.

"Do you like it here in New York?" I held my breath waiting for his answer. He nodded, grinning wide.

"I like it. I have friends here!" he said proudly. "Why?" His beautiful smile made me hesitate, and I decided not to tell him.

"No reason," I told him, brushing it off with a smile.

But one thing was for certain: now was our chance, and we left tonight.

***

"Where are we going, Sorella?" Javi mumbled sleepily, rubbing his eyes. I'd woken him up a few minutes ago. I'd spent the night packing whatever belongings I could shove into our backpacks. Mostly just clothes and a few other necessities.

"We're leaving, Javi. We're getting away for good," His eyes lit up.

"No more Papa?" he asked. I nodded.

"We'll be safe," I helped him into his coat, handing him his hat and scarf. I donned my own coat and fastened our backpacks. I took his hand and we stepped out of the house.

The streets were empty, and the roar of traffic from downtown could still be heard. I clutched Javi's hand tightly as we walked, beginning to grow a little dizzy. I took several deep breaths to calm myself. I just had to make it to the shelter I'd discovered online when I'd 'borrowed' Ben's computer earlier.

***

We'd been walking for almost half an hour when more heavy coughing racked my body.

Javi looked at me in fear as I hunched over, desperately trying to catch my breath. I was so cold and yet so sweaty. My chest felt like it was being stabbed one hundred times over, and I was beginning to feel tired. I was wheezing and spluttering until I sank to my knees on the pavement. My eyes began to flutter closed. I could faintly hear Javi calling for me, shaking me in hopes I'd snap to, but I could barely breathe and my vision danced in and out.

"Javi," I mumbled, and then the world went dark.