Stay. ((Celia))

[kyra]

Kyra studied the dead, icy lake with her tiny greens eyes. She scrunched up her nose at the smell of murky lake water. Kyra sighed. Why had she brought herself to this? Why did she let him over come her like this? Kyra shook her head lightly. She hated that he had this impact on her. She wanted nothing more to never go back there. But, Kyra had three good reasons to stay. And those reasons would be Delaine, Layne, and Chloe. Kyra couldn't leave them in Hogsmeade with Blade. She wasn't that self-centered and she knew what he was capable of. Blade could do anything he wanted to those three ladies that Kyra loved so dearly. Kyra loved her mum, Delaine, but she was naive. She could get the whole family away from destructive Blade, but she insists that she loves him. Chloe would do anything for Kyra and vice versa. Kyra needed her aunt. And Layne, Layne was Kyra's sis. Her little sister and Kyra couldn't leave her alone to deal with Blade even though Layne was Blade's daughter. Kyra was glad that she was only his step-daughter, herself, but she was afraid for Layne all the same. Kyra looked to the sky. What evils decided that her life would be like this? She stared to the clouds. Why was this the life that was chosen for her?

Kyra walked the grounds amiously. She had hours before she was supposed to go to Hogsmeade. But, one question remained. Would she go? She didn't have to of course. After what had happened the weekend before, Kyra doubted that Blade even wanted to see her, but yet again, he had never been a smart one. Kyra questioned weather to go or not in her mind. She shivered as she covered her bruised eye with her hand. He had hurt her pretty bad with that punch. She sighed. Now, it was a getting less purple and more golden yellow as to say that it was healing. Kyra sighed. She had refused to go to the Hospital Wing because she was used to this. She could deal with it. But, she didn't want to. Just as Kyra had told Delaine the week before, Kyra didn’t need him, she didn’t need his ways, but Kyra doubted that Delaine listened. She never listened. Delaine was more naïve than anyone in the family. Kyra was smart. She knew what Blade was doing wasn’t right.

Kyra’s vivid red hair was worn down as to cover the bruise. But, she had, had difficulty with that all week. It was something that was hard to cover. But, Kyra decided that if she did go to Hogsmeade, she would wear her hair down. Sort of as to say, ‘See, Blade. I don’t care.’ But, of course she did. Kyra cared that her step-father did this to her and she cared that he did this to Delaine. But, what could she do? Kyra was a fifteen year old loner that felt as if she didn’t even fit in Ravenclaw House. Kyra never had thought of herself as smart. To be honest, if she would have been placed into Slytherin, then she would have known that her birth father was a wizard, but she hadn’t. Kyra knew that if she truly was a pure-blood, then Sytherin would defiantly be her house. Kyra winced for a moment. What did house sortings have to do with standing up to Blade? Everything in Kyra’s opinion. Why was Blade in the center of Kyra’s life. She sighed. No more. “No more.” She said aloud. Kyra glanced at the lake again from the spot that she was at and then headed down closer to the lakebed.

Kyra sat down on top of a cliff. True, rather curious. To the untrained eye, it might look as if she was considering jumping off into the shallow murky water. This cliff was too close to the shallow water and Kyra was fairly sure that everyone knew it. She sighed. A cliff a few minutes down could be a great swimming hole easily, but Kyra was fairly sure that if she jumped this cliff, she would die. She looked hard down at the water. Was she really considering this? Not really. Well, a part of her wasn’t, but a part of her was. Kyra sighed. She didn’t have the strength to do it and she wasn’t going top. But, the thought did seem rather promising. Kyra eyed the murky water again. Her feet were dangling over the edge as she sat. Kyra looked behind her. Students all exchanged glances with her thinking that she would jump off, or so it seemed. But, Kyra didn’t budge. She didn’t care what they thought. She looked back to the water thinking. She still had a decision to make about Blade, but that would have to wait. For now, she felt free just sitting on this cliff. Stay.

[Celia Richmond]

Celia needed time to reflect. It had been a long week, longer than she had hoped for. She wanted nothing more than it to be over, then a new week would appear over the horizon, and she could at least attempt to make a new start. So much had happened...Amy...her dad...the quicker the next 18 months passed the quicker. Then Amy would be here, safe, away from that man. How could she ever call him her father again. What must Amy be thinking now, she was only 9 years old, coming up to 10 in 2 months time. And her mother...she must be devastated-to think that her former partner would do such a thing, to his own daughter. To their daughter. Their daughter...just the thought would cause her to freeze up, even on the warmest of days. They had been seperated for almost 7 years now...what on earth caused him to return now? And for Amy too, whatever for?

These thoughts causes celia to wander through the dewy grass of the grounds near the lake. How could she possibly do anything at a time like this? She had fallen behind on all her duties, to the prefects, to the teachers...she hadn't even had the courage to tell them...thought undoubtedly they would soon find out. She hadn't told anyone, she'd just carried around the letter and a cute picture of her little sister laughing while they were away last summer, as if to protect her. If it had been possible, then she would have gone back home as soon as possible, but she couldn't. She had too much to worry about as it was...though she could barely concentrate. She just wanted to be over there with her sister...protecting her...but what if that would be the wrong place to be, what if that would put her in danger too. It was unbearable to think about.

Celia found herself at the tip of a cliff by the lake. The onshore breeze blew her hair across her face and her robes flew out behind her...it was getting dark too, and the clouds above her head spelt out that a storm was on its way, but she didn't care-this could easily be a scene from a movie. A horror movie. She walked closer to the edge and let these thoughts overtake her mind. The sooner Amy was safe, and she could be with her, the better. She didn't admit it often, but she loved her sister, even if she could be a pain in the neck at times, but couldn't all siblings? She walked along the cliff for another five minutes, until she saw someone sitting there-Kyra Stone, another girl in her dorm she had barely talked to ever. As she approached, she heard Kyra say "No more" out loud-what was all this about? She decided to walk up to her and sit besite her, feet hanging over the edge of the cliff.

Kyra looked as if she was almost ready to jump. Something serious must have happened-something deadly serious...Celia turned her head towards her, and looked into Kyra's tiny green eyes, not an awful lot different from her own. There was very little sparkle, like there should be...she seemed to be oblivious to her surroundings-had she noticed Celia arriving? Celia said a tentative "Hey..." as she turned her head back towards the lake. "What's up? Fallen on hard times, huh? You're not the only one..." Kyra wasn't responding...what had happened to the poor girl? Celia barely knew her, but she recognised the signs of a serious incident when they were there, and Kyra was displaying almost all of them.

[kyra]

Kyra looked to the skies. Why did she have to go through all this? She sighed. She was used to it all. Sadly, she was. Kyra frowned looking down to the shallow water. She hoped that Layne was alright. But, how could she be certain? She couldn't really. No, Layne was in Blade's hands for now. Until, Kyra could get her far away from him. But, this would take much thought and planning. Kyra already knew this. Kyra sighed as she stared passed the lake. Her eyes could nearly make out the town of Hogsmeade, but not entirely. Kyra squinted her eyes to try and see the city and helped a bit. She sighed. What could she do? Was there anything to do? Kyra was fifteen years old for lord sake! She was a misfit, half-breed, Ravenclaw student that didn't belong at Hogwarts. She had never felt as if she had. How was she supposed to help Layne? Kyra couldn't even convince her own mum to leave Blade. So, how was she supposed to save her? Kyra sighed. This was all too confusing. Kyra put her head to the wind. Was she supposed to come up with some great plan? Because, she didn't have one. Not at all.

Suddenly, Kyra noticed a girl sitting beside her. Kyra winced. How long had she been sitting there? Kyra hadn't noticed. It wasn't very common that Kyra talked to anyone. It wasn't that she was shy. Kyra had just always been a loner through and through. She tilted her head slightly. The girl's name was Celia; she was a Prefect girl in Kyra's house and year. Kyra shared a dorm with her, but she didn't really talk with her. Kyra didn't really talk to any of the girls in her dorm, but that wasn't unusual for Kyra. She sighed looking at Celia. Was she supposed to talk with her? Yes. Kyra told herself still not wanting to say a word. It wasn't that Kyra didn't want to talk to Celia. She just didn't want to talk with anyone at all. She never had and Kyra was pretty sure that she never would. Kyra watched as Celia said hey. She sighed. Kyra could feel a conversation coming on now. She could feel it.

"Hi." Kyra said in the cool tone of voice that she naturally had. She always sounded so hostile and yet she really couldn't help it. Plus, Kyra had always been the master of the one word answer. She was pretty sure that was why she was so unapproachable, but she wasn't sure nor did she care. Kyra looked at Celia. She seemed nice enough, but not normal. Kyra could tell by the look on her face. She didn't know what was wrong with the girl, but she could just tell that something was. Kyra winced as Celia talked. She was supposed to answer, yes? Yes. Kyra sighed. The wind picked up her bright flame like red hair. Kyra pulled it back as fast as she could, but she was pretty sure that Celia had caught a glimpse of her purple, yellow bruise around her eye. Kyra's arm jolted.

She would pretend like it hadn't happened. She did that a lot. But, this time maybe it was actually for the best. Kyra wondered if Celia would say something, but she wasn’t sure. Kyra eyed Celia as she spoke. Kyra looked out over the water then back at Celia. She eyed her coolly. Kyra sighed. “I don’t fall and no, not hard times. Difficult times.” She explained in her usual cool tone. “I can handle difficult.” Kyra commented. “No, everyone has hard times but I don’t. I have difficult times. To me, there’s a difference.” And there was in Kyra’s mind. To her, hard meant tough to get through and difficult meant that there was a way through the toughness, but that was just what Kyra thought. Kyra eyed Celia calmly. She wasn’t a social person. Never had been, never would be.

[Celia Richmond]

Celia looked carefully at Kyra. She seemed to be being tentative about whatever had been happening to her. It was obviously a lot, but it was as if Kyra was surveying the events, and planning out exactly what she could. Or perhaps whether she was going to talk at all. Celia started thinking too. Should she tell Kyra about what had been happening with Amy? Maybe she would understand, maybe she had been going through something similar, and she wanted to talk to someone she could relate to. If she was anything like Celia, then that would be the case. Celia always wanted to talk about her problems, not always at first, but there was always a time when she realised the only way she could relieve the pain was to tell someone. Anyone. A friend, professor, other member of staff, even her mother or sister, if she was at home. And that time had been becoming shorter and shorter every time-when she was younger it had been weeks, even months at times, whereas now it was rarely more than a few days.

But what if it was right at the end of the scale. What if it was worse than she ever could have imagined? Maybe it was beyond empathy levels, maybe even to that really horrible stage. The stage when even trying to help could offend, by acting as if you know how the other person feels, then you say why, and whatever you say seems like a stubbed toe to their badly broken leg of pain. She didn't want to push it that far. She was sure that the last thing Kyra wanted was for someone to say the dreaded "I know how you feel line" when they hadn't been through the utter torture that they'd been through. Celia didn't yet know what thoughts were going through Kyra's head, or whether she would ever know-she would let her say as much as she wanted, even if she personally did feel that talking was the best way.

Then Kyra started to talk. She was saying that she had been going through difficult times, and not hard-there was a difference, apparently. And that she could handle difficult. She was talking in a sort of hostile tone, as if she didn't want to speak, and the only reason she was talking was because someone had turned up, indicating that she should talk. She probably didn't expect anyone to come and talk to her, and that she would be left alone. That's what happened most of the time...Kyra wasn't a social girl, and everyone recognised it, and left her to her ways. It wasn't until now that Celia realised that there was more to Kyra than the-girl-hardly-anyone-talked to...there was a deeper side. She may be alone, but she wanted to get to know Kyra better. Whether as a friend-Celia believed that everyone needed friends, or as support, or just as someone Kyra could feel happy to talk to-someone she could trust.

Celia thought it was time to respond, having pondered over this for a few seconds. "Hey, hey, no need to be so hostile. I get what you're trying to say. I've been going through more than usual recently. I expect that whatever's been happening to you is likely to be much worse. I don't expect you'll want to say much about what you've been through, but remember, if you do want to talk, then you can always come to me. I can be trusted, and I will trust you, and believe you, unlike many people. You may be thinking 'what would telling her anything do that keeping it to myself wouldn't?' Well, from personal experience, I know it works. Knowing you can talk to someone other than a teacher in confidence is a good thing. It somehow seems to lessen the problem...the person you talk to could perhaps help somehow. It takes a while to realise how, but when you do realise, it's a great relief."

It was then that Celia noticed the bruise on Kyra's eye. What was it from? Was it just from a nasty fall or other accident. Or was it intentional? Had she been attacked? Was that her problem? Maybe she was continuously being hit, and beaten up? Wow, that would be a shock, if she found out someone she shared a dorm with was being attacked at home. Well, everyone knew that she always went home at the weekends-she only lived in Hogsmeade. Whatever caused the bruise, it was a serious matter. "Also...what happened to your eye, with the bruise? What happened to you? Were you attacked? Or was it just an accident? Kyra, if it's because you were attacked, this is a serious matter. Dumbledore must be told, if he hasn't been already! It'll be for your own good-he will be able to help, most likely."

She stared at the other girl. She seemed to be putting together the pieces of the puzzle. She went home at the weekend. She had a bruise, which looked as if it was at that stage just before it went away, after a week or so. She always seemed to be hostile and really depressed. Unless she was missing something, Celia had some idea about what was going on. Someone where Kyra lived was attacking her, and by the sounds if it, not letting her tell anybody. She only hoped that her own father wouldn't resort to extreme violence over Amy. She only hoped that Kyra, and Amy, would be safe as soon as possible. She hoped that she could help both of them as much as possible. She simply couldn't allow this violence to continue.

[kyra]

((Note to anyone reading: This post is set before the Gone post.))

Kyra sighed. She didn’t like talking to people. Not anyone. Well, besides Chloe and Layne. Of course, Kyra had to talk to Blade and Delaine when needed. Delaine was Kyra’s mother, but Kyra was tired if trusting Delaine only to let Delaine let Kyra down. She was tired of it. Kyra didn’t need Delaine. She only stayed at home for Layne’s safety. Kyra couldn’t let her sister down. Layne was the perfect little sister. Kyra loved her dearly and she hated seeing Layne anywhere near Blade. He would ruin her. He would ruin her like he ruined Kyra. Kyra wasn’t going to let that happen. Kyra eyed Celia. It seemed like she meant best. It really did. But, Kyra didn’t let people into her life. She barely let Chloe in and Layne was too young to understand some things. Kyra couldn’t just open up in the blink of an eye. Just like she didn’t believe that you could fall in love in the blink of an eye. But then again, Kyra didn’t believe in love. She thought that if her mom loved a man that could hurt her daughter, then love wasn’t real. If that’s what love could be, than it wasn’t precious, it wasn’t pure. So, it defiantly wasn’t real.

Kyra eyed Celia. Anger flickered in Kyra’s eyes for a moment. Did Celia really expect Kyra to open up? Seriously? Kyra had to keep her anger inside. She means well. She means well. Kyra told herself. “Celia.” Kyra started in her cool, natural tone. “Do I look like the kind of girl who opens up?” Kyra started. She sighed. “I’m sure your going through some tough stuff, but unlike you, I can handle it.” Kyra didn’t mean to be so tough and sound so mean, but that was the way her words seemed to come out. “I’m used to pain and sadness. I’m used to everything I’m going through now. If you grow up with something, you get used to it.” It shocked herself that Kyra had said so much. Usually, she would just shake her head and walk away. Usually, Kyra wouldn’t have said as much as she did. “I manage Celia. I manage all by myself. “I have to stay where I am and keep my problems because if I don’t, then someone I love will get hurt.” Kyra was shocked at her own words. Why was she saying this? Oh well. It just slipped out. Kyra sighed.

She shook her head lightly. “I don’t need to talk. Not everyone does. Keeping stuff inside me keeps me safe. Safe from more things than anyone will ever understand.” Kyra finished. No more. No more. Kyra wasn’t going to let herself say anymore. What ever happened to the girl who was a master at the one word answers. Where did she go? Did she even exist? Kyra sighed. She wasn’t a friendly person. She never had been. In Hogsmeade, she didn’t have friends and she didn’t Hogwarts either. There were few people at Hogwarts that were like Kyra in any way. Most of them were social butterflies except for a few. Even those few, weren’t the same as Kyra. They were just different than her. No one understood the complicated home life that Kyra had. No one understood what she went through. Kyra didn’t want anyone to understand. A part of her liked being isolated. Then, she was silent.

Kyra shook her head as she realized that Celia saw the bruise. Now, she felt weird. Kyra felt vulnerable. She hadn’t even opened up, but now, her bruise did that for her. She wasn’t going to say a thing more, but what was she supposed to say now? What was she supposed to do? Kyra stood up. “No.” She protested. Kyra had fire in her eyes no. Was she just supposed to lie? She stood her ground. “Look, Celia everyone gets hurt once in awhile. People fall, run into doors. So, why is this any different?” Because it was. Because it is. Kyra told herself. Kyra eyed Celia. Was she going to break down? Kyra felt it a bit. She wasn’t going to cry. She didn’t cry. “Look, the situation is being dealt with, okay? I’m fine, mum’s mum, Layne’s fine. We’re fine. I can manage, we can manage.” Kyra said strongly. “You don’t need to tell Dumbledore a thing. Even he can’t keep Blade away.” Kyra gasped at her words. Great, she had nearly blown her secret. “Leave it. I’m not budding into your life.” Kyra began to turn to leave, but something stopped her. She just stood there, turned around. She stared at the ground. Kyra hated doing this. She hated being this way. What was she supposed to do.

[Celia Richmond]

Celia looked out towards the water. Kyra made it fairly obvious that she didn't really want to talk. A few minutes of an awkward silence was enough to show that. She didn't mind. She would wait until something happened, if anything was going to. It was actually a peaceful sciene, in a weird sort fo way. The water was calm, it wasn't too windy. It was just...calm. Anyone walking past would just see two Ravenclaw girls, sitting there, and not think much about it. But on the other hand, she was also very concerned about Kyra. She couldn't just let her go on like this. If what she feared was happening was the truth, then she was in danger. She no longer cared about what was happening in her own life. That could probably wait for a while...she would worry more if she heard anything. For now though, Kyra was the focus.

She noticed Kyra eye her angrily. What had she done? Right, Kyra didn't want to talk, and now she was basically telling Celia to stay out of her life, because she could handle it, and that Celia apparently couldn't handle her own life, and that she was used to what was going on. She bowed her head. Those were harsh words from Kyra, but she didn't really mind what she was saying...it was just the bitterness in the way she expressed her thoughts. But what thoughts were those? What was making her say these things? It wasn't like Kyra to say much at all, so this must be something she felt strongly about. Whatever was happening was having a major, major effect on her life.

Wait. Celia had to backtrack a second. She said something about one of her loved ones getting hurt. This was even more serious. if she was right that someone at home was abusing her, then that person must be abusing someone else. Kyra was persisting that she could handle it, and that she didn't need anyone's help. That was usually a sign of the opposite. She was trying to be strong in a situation that was hard to be strong through. Apparently keeping things inside her made her safe. How exactly? Nobody else knowing meant that nobody else would be a potential victim, if that was what Kyra was. But it also meant that nobody else could help. Nobody that could be a great help. But Celia still wasn't completely sure what was going on, so she just had to ask to get her head around it.

Celia glanced at Kyra. She had to ask, but how would she phrase it. And how would Kyra react? Would she deny it even if she hit the nail on the head? Or would she just admit to anything, just to get Celia off her back? Whatever, she just had to ask. "Kyra, please, don't take this too harshly, but I think I have an idea of what's happening. I'm not stupid, or blind. The bruise on your face looks like it would if you got it about a week ago. You go home at the weekends, right? I can see how depressed you've been this past week or so, and then you mentioned about someone you love getting hurt. Is someone at home hurting you? Physically hitting you, and that's how you got the bruise? Are you being hostile because you don't want anyone else to know about it? And someone getting hurt...is the same thing going to happen to them if you tell people and they find out? You mention Blade...is that who's hurting you? And putting you, layne and your mum in danger? kyra, I'm being serious. I'm trying to hepl you. You may hate me for it, but just let me do anything I can. If I get hurt, I don't mind."

They were fine. Nobody can help. That's all that Kyra was saying. But Celia didn't believe her. These thoughts had already crossed her mind. She was almost brought to tears. What could she do? What on Earth could she do? Just by asking, she was putting herself in danger. She brought her hands to her face. What was going on? What was Kyra going through? Celia felt a tear trickle down her cheek. What could she do about all these problems, and how could she help? She couldn't leave people helpless, whatever their situation was...