Promises

23. She Had Valkyrie's Eyes

Still whimpering quietly, Bella tried her best not to move or squirm in Sophie's arms. She couldn't even take a breath without pain shooting through her. Her older sister and her father stared each other down, and the ticking of the clock added to the ever-growing tension. Sophie was trembling, fear coursing through her with every passing second.

"Go on," Skulduggery sneered. "Go get the murderer patched up. It really is a cycle, isn't it Sophie?"

She whimpered, slipping out of the kitchen hurriedly, heading for the front door. She then realised that she had no way of getting to the Sanctuary. "I'm sorry Bella," she winced, and started to run, the crying girl in her arms in agony the entire way.

***

Sophie burst into the Medical Wing, shouting for Reverie. She was extremely worried now. Her little sister had passed out, unable to take the pain any longer. Guilt stabbed at her.

Reverie Synecdoche bolted out of her office, eyes widening when she saw them. She gestured to a spare bed. Sophie moved over and laid her sister down. A whimper flew from Bella's lips and Sophie dragged a chair closer, sitting down beside the bed and taking her sister's frail hand in her own. Reverie got to work, and Sophie watched her in silence. In her head, she was trying to come up with a really clever story to cover up what had really happened, like she did every time. But she was coming up blank now.

Reverie didn't ask any questions, knowing for a fact that she wouldn't get a truthful answer from Sophie or from Bella.

The younger girl began to stir, and let out a shaky breath. Bella's eyes fluttered open and she jolted upright in a panic. She jarred her ribs and whimpered, falling back down with tears slipping down her cheeks. Reverie stared at her sadly, noting how pale and thin she was.

"Oh Bella..."

"He did it!" She blurted. "Skulduggery did this."

The room fell silent, and Sophie's heart began to pound. No... No, no, no, no... Bella had let their secret slip. If Reverie told anyone else and Skulduggery found out, they were all dead.

Reverie ran a hand through her tousled and messy blonde hair. "I knew something wasn't right, I just didn't expect this."

Bella burst into tears, relief flooding her body now that she had finally told someone. It almost felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. That secret had been suffocating her for twelve years. All the constant lies, hiding every bruise and cut, she didn't have to anymore. At least, not in front of Reverie. The blonde doctor watched her for a moment, then moved over to comfort her. Her thumbs gently brushed away Bella's tears, running over her sunken cheeks. Her eyes - which was glistening - were absolutely beautiful. She had Valkyrie's eyes. Reverie's face crumpled at the thought of her.

"Please don't tell anyone, Rev," Bella whimpered, her ribs aching. It hurt to breathe again. "He will actually kill me."

"I can't just let him keep hurting you, Bella," she scolded, going into mother mode.

"Please," she begged. "Please, Rev. I'm begging you."

Sophie blinked back tears, watching as Reverie's eyes began to water as well. She was torn between morality now. Damn ethics and values, the doctor thought. "Okay," she murmured. "I'll keep it to myself, for now. But if this happens again..."

Both of them nodded quickly. "You wanted to see me?" Bella said, changing the subject.

"Ah, yes," the doctor forced a smile. "Sophie, I'm very sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Sophie glanced at Bella and her younger sister nodded a few times. "It's okay. Go find Aibhlinn, tell her I'll be a little late to training."

Still looking unsure, Sophie just nodded and didn't say another word as she left the room, the Medical Wing door swinging shut behind her with a soft click.

***

"So, you're having suicidal thoughts?" Reverie asked, scribbling something down on her notepad.

"Yes, constantly," Bella sighed, running a hand through her hair in exasperation. "My self-harm addiction is getting worse too."

Reverie murmured something, still writing. "And you keep this bottled up?"

"All the time. I feel like no one will listen, and that nobody actually wants to listen. I get this constant numbing feeling that I can't shake or get rid of, no matter what I do. I try training, hanging out with friends, getting out of the house. Nothing seems to distract me."

"Nothing? Nothing at all?"

"Nothing," she sighed. "I always feel like I'm alone, like no one will understand what I'm going through, y'know?"

"A lot of people say that," Reverie nodded, looking up. "But Bella, trust me when I say this now, it does get better. And I know that's probably what you hear a lot, and you will get sick of hearing people say it. But, it is true. There are always going to be others who will help you. Don't bottle up your feelings, okay? We can help you in coming up with other coping methods, but for now I'm diagnosing you with severe depression, as all of your symptoms match."

Bella let out a long breath, running her hands up over her face again.

"Promise me something?" Reverie queered.

Bella looked up, met her eyes, and nodded. "That depends what it is though..."

"Promise me that you won't do anything stupid, and won't give in to those dark thoughts. And if they get too much, I want you to promise me that you'll come to me. I can help you."

Shehesitated, but only for a very short moment. "I promise."