LJ Idol Week 14: Barn Raising
They were a community of busybodies and gossips. Anything that happened within the town, they knew about it.
They thought they did, at least.
But no one seemed to notice the child. The thin little girl with the haunted blue eyes.
The neighbours minded their own business. Maybe some suspected what went on behind closed doors. Some of them tutted and shook their heads when the police turned up on the doorstep yet again.
But no one tried to help. No one intervened.
The child drifted by silently. Never speaking or shouting, laughing or playing. She just existed, like a little ghost.
Until one day she was gone.
The stories said that she was beaten. Starved for days. Ignored. Locked in the bedroom. Killed by an awkward blow to the head.
People shook their heads and said what a shame it was and what was this world coming to. But they averted their eyes and quickly changed the subject. They knew.
The little girl had needed help. Had been crying out for help.
But it was “none of their business”.
The community had failed her... and they knew it.