Kate didn't remember when she fell asleep. When she woke up she had a blanket over her and Layla was nowhere to be found. Kate sat up and looked at the clock on Layla's dresser. It was noon. She stood up and left to find Layla.
Layla was standing in the doorway that connected the living room to the kitchen. She was trying to work up the courage to take a step in the kitchen. Everytime she tried, she would start to hyperventilate and step back. So many emotions flashed through her at once: Fear, guilt, anger. She didn't know how to process it. She felt weak.
She was also thinking about when she stabbed Stooge. As she imagined Stooge touching her shoulder, someone touched her shoulder. Without thinking, Layla quickly turned and punched the person. After that, she realized it was Kate. Kate rubbed the side of her head. "Damn, Layla." She whined.
"Sorry, Kate." She apologized.
Kate wrapped her arms around her sister. "No worries. What are you doing?" she asked.
"Trying to go into the kitchen." She answered.
"How long have you been at it?"
"An hour."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
Layla shrugged. "I don't know." They stood there in silence for a few minutes. Layla turned to Kate. "Come with me?" she answered.
Kate smiled. "Of course." Layla turned around and faced the kitchen. "Take all the time that you need." Kate whispered.
Layla stepped back and latched herself onto Kate's arm. "Let's go." she sighed. She and Kate took a step forward. One more step to go. Layla closed her eyes and took the next step forward, followed by Kate.
"Open your eyes, Layla." Kate whispered.
She did and saw that they made it into the kitchen. Layla smiled to herself. She new she had made a big accomplishment. But her pride was short lived, when flashbacks hit her like a truck.
Flashback:
Layla kept her back towards Stooge. She knew that wasn't the smartest move, but she was tired of looking at him. Half way through her apple, she heard Stooge walking towards her. She didn't know why, but she reached for a knife in the sink. She kept her hand and the knife in the sink. Once Stooge had a firm grip on her shoulder, reflex kicked in. She quickly turned around and stabbed him through the side of his neck with the big butcher knife. Stooge gasped in pain. Layla couldn't believe what she just did, as she slowly pulled the knife out of him and dropped it. The knife hit the floor at the same time Stooge's body did. Layla sank to the ground, staring at him. Ringleader came in. She thought he was going to kill her.
End Flashback.
Kate could feel Layla shaking. She looked down at the teen. "Layla?" she questioned. Layla didn't respond. She was staring out into space. Kate gently slipped her arm out of Layla's grasp and walked in front of her, bending over slightly to meet her height. "Layla." Nothing. Kate lightly shook her. "Layla." Layla blinked and looked at her. "Welcome back, where did you go?" she asked.
Tears fell freely down Layla's face. "I was standing by the sink, eating an apple. Stooge, or Daniel Carter, was standing in the doorway. I had my back to him. I was so stupid." She walked over to the sink, Kate followed.
"Layla look at me." Layla turned to look at her. "Sure, turning your back on him, wasn't the smartest idea, but it's not your fault." Kate tried to assure her.
"Like hell it wasn't!" Layla snapped. "It's easy for you to say! You're a fed, killing bad guys is apart of your job!"
Kate sighed. "That doesn't make it any easier." Kate decided they'd come back to that point. "You want to continue?" she asked
"I zoned out. I was thinking how I wanted you go come in and make them go away, then he started walking towards me. I don't know why but I grabbed a knife from the sink. He touched my shoulder and I just did it." She paused to sob. She couldn't stop the tears from falling. She started sobbing uncontrollably.
Kate wrapped her arms around Layla, again, pulling Layla to her. "It's okay." She whispered, trying not to cry herself. No wonder she scared Layla when she touched her shoulder.
Layla calmed herself and pulled away. "Ringleader walked into the kitchen and thought I'd be dead where I sat, but he was calm. He told me to come back into the living room. I tried to stop looking at him when I was leaving the kitchen." Layla sighed. Wow, talking about it did feel good.
Kate didn't know what to say, there's nothing she could say. She kissed Layla's forehead. She just needed Layla to know that she was here for her. "I know that there is nothing I can say that will make you feel better anytime soon, but you know that I'm here whenever you need me. You also have Leslie and Abby."
"I'm sorry, Kate." She said as the tears started again.
Kate nodded. "No, you don't need to be apologize. You're my sister and I love you. But I can't watch you destroy yourself. This isn't good for you. You have your whole life ahead of you, don't give in now." She paused to let Layla process everything she said. Layla was looking just left of Kate, thinking. Kate sighed. "Layla, will you please let me get you help?"
Layla sighed. She was afraid……..
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