Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 2

September 23rd, 2019

I awoke to hear Ben's shouting and I sat up quickly. Javi was still asleep, so I tucked the comforter around him tighter and crept to the top of the stairs to listen.

"Yes, I know Marcie. It's not like I haven't seen the bloody cops watching me," Ben huffed into the phone. He listened for a moment.

"Coming home is too risky. What if they recognise her?" His face soured. "I'm not stupid, Marcie, it's been thirteen years. The odds are low, but the older ones might," He let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple with his free hand. "Yeah, the kid's got his Visa and she's got a passport that should do the trick," His expression hardly faltered. "Fine. And you're sure the house is prepped?" He listened for another moment before answering. "Good, we'll be there soon," I shifted my weight, turning to go back to the bedroom, but the floorboards creaked. Ben whipped around, locking eyes with me. But instead of lashing out he just glared at me.

"Start breakfast," he ordered, before walking away. I quickly scrambled downstairs to the kitchen, not giving him any reason to lose his good mood.

"Oh, and Amelia?" I turned back to face him, scared. "I want you and your brother to pack up all your shit. We're leaving," I stared at him.

"We're moving?" I repeated. He rolled his eyes, nodding.

"And pack light, I'm not lugging all of your shit to the airport," He turned to leave. "And be quick about it. Our flight leaves in a few hours,"

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

"America,"

***

We walked out of the airport, Javi excitedly skipping along, his hands clutching his backpack straps. I thought for sure he'd be so confused as to why we were leaving, but he just smiled and talked about how excited he was to ride on a plane.

"Hurry up, Amelia," Ben huffed. I shuffled forward, my hand tightening around the handle of my suitcase. I'd managed to pack most of our belongings, and some of Ella's too - to not forget her. We didn't have much, but I'd packed most of Javi's things in his backpack, and mine and all the rest in the suitcase.

We walked out into the busy terminal and waited. I kept Javi close the entire time. He'd done exceptionally well on the plane for an energetic six-year-old. We'd played tic-tac-toe on a napkin until he'd fallen asleep.

"Let's go, she's here," Ben grumbled, picking up his luggage and marching over to a sleek red car. I groaned as I saw the woman inside. I remembered Marcie Byrne from all the horrible times she used to visit. One of Ben's terrible friends. Marcie was an awful woman - as bad as Ben.

"Hi, Sweetie!" She cooed at me, taking a drag from her cigarette. I tossed my bag in the trunk, climbing into the backseat with Javi. Her whole car smelt of smoke. Ben clambered in the shotgun, and Marcie took off, definitely over the speed limit. Javi leaned against me, closing his eyes.

Marcie took another drag on her cigarette and blew it out as she looked at me in the rearview mirror.

"You know, I have some clients that would just kill for you, Sweetie," she informed me, her eyes raking over my body. Ben swivelled to look me over too.

"I bet we could get a nice haul from her," he agreed. "Maybe if she lost the weight," Marcie and Ben both chuckled before tuning us out and chattering. I knew I was anything but overweight. I was so skinny I was practically paper-thin. Javi too, from the lack of proper care. My mind drifted to another horrible memory - caused by Marcie Fairn herself.

Ella's funeral, 2016. I was thirteen years old and struggling to get over my sister's death. Marcie was there, Ben, and then a bunch of people I didn't know. Poor Javi was only two years old.

The whole thing was just a scheme to get money and free stuff. And of course, to get women to bring us all sorts of pies and lasagnas. "Pity food" essentially.

It was during the after-party, and I was standing near the back of the room, trying to be left alone.

"Sweetie, come here," Marcie drawled. I reluctantly walked over to where she was standing, with a few young men and some middle-aged women.

"Oh, isn't she just the sweetest thing!" One of the ladies cooed at me. I forced a smile.

"This is Ben's daughter, Amelia," Marcie introduced me.

"He's not my dad," I said defiantly. The ladies looked surprised and a little off-put. Marcie dug her fingernails into my arm, harshly whispering in my ear.

"Don't embarrass me, Girl. I know how to make your night a lot worse,"

"She's feisty," One of the guys commented. Mason Harris - I recognised him vaguely as one of Marcie's wicked clients.

I just scowled.

"You didn't even know my sister!" I cried. "You're just throwing the party to get attention! Ella never would have wanted this!" I stared at her directly in the eyes. Normally, I'd be too terrified to speak out in front of a crowd, but I'd do anything to avenge my sister. Marcie's eyes narrowed and she hotly glared at me.

"You'll regret this, Amelia," she hissed. I excused myself and headed up the stairs to find a restroom. The estate we were in belonged to one of Marcie's rich friends, and they only invited the drunkards and the snobs. Typical.

I let out a sigh and found the room I was looking for. I exited quickly and started to head back down until I heard a few vulgar voices calling me.

"Where you goin' little missy?" Someone teased. I turned to see the guys from earlier. They'd followed me.

"Leave me alone," I said, turning away. One of them grabbed my wrist.

"And why would we do that?" I felt my stomach tighten. Of course Marcie would sick her clients on me.

"Let go of me," I hissed, struggling to get out of his grip.

"Stop struggling, love. You're coming with us," Mason chastised playfully. His friends were laughing as he dragged me down the hallway. I debated screaming, but the music downstairs was so loud I doubted anyone would hear me. He shoved me into a bedroom, shutting the door after all his buddies filed in.

"We're going to have a lot of fun tonight, love," He said crudely. He pushed me onto the bed, climbing on top of me, the rest of the guys holding me down.

"There's no one to hear you scream, Amelia," He whispered in my ear. "It's just us,"

"Mia?" Javi poked my arm, whispering. "Is you okay?" I smiled and ruffled his hair.

"I'm fine, Javi, go back to sleep," He rested his head against my arm, his little hand clutching mine. I leaned against the cold window, taking in the lights of the city. New York was almost exactly how they depict it in the movies. I wasn't sure I was ready to take on the new challenge, but for Javi's sake, I'd sure try. Besides, who knows what would happen?