(Untitled)

[gold_i_locks]

Who: Amelia Wright (Goldilocks) and Neil McLaughlin (Caterpillar).
Where: Amelia's apartment.
What: A much needed chat and slight intervention.
When: 4:15 PM
Rating: TBD

The corners, floors, kitchen, and various other rooms, not including Eleanor’s, had been cleaned to such a state of spotlessness that dirt itself feared being found in such a place. The

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[gold_i_locks]

[off_the_hookah]

Everything about her body language convinced Neil that he was on the right track, and confirmed that the dream was rooted in reality, possibly a memory that was sublimated and trying to get to the surface. A memory of something horrible that happened to either Amelia or her sister, possibly both. God, he hoped she wasn't raped as children.

Though Amelia could not see his face, Neil grimaced at the thought, but kept his voice steady. "You say this dream is a reoccurring one? Does the dream turn into a nightmare? Does... something happen... to your sister, Jennifer?"

[gold_i_locks]

In truth, the worse part about the dreams was the feeling that Jennifer would die, as if Amelia’s memory was just playing in a loop, refusing to allow her to get over the dreadful event. Amelia and Jennifer would be running the dreams, laughing, and then it would become quiet as the eight-year-old Amelia went in search for her sister. Never, in all the years that she had been having the dream, did it show how Jennifer fell. On particularly nasty nights, however, the visions showed Amelia staring down at her sister, from the branches of the very tree Jennifer had fallen from

[off_the_hookah]

Even though Neil was readying himself for something awful, actually hearing the truth coming from Amelia was sobering, to say the least. It wasn't just what she said, but the way she said it, trying to be rational and emotionless when Neil knew it must be tearing her up inside to elicit such behavior out of her. Hell, that Amelia said anything at all was something, considering how private a person she was.

"I'm sorry to hear that about your sister," Neil mumbled, not sure how else to respond to the news. Amelia must've witnessed it, she must have. "How did it happen? Did she fall?"

[gold_i_locks]

[off_the_hookah]

What Amelia needed most of all was to be comforted, and with his arm still around her shoulder, he gave her small hug. "It must've been horrifying," he muttered. He never suspected that she had something to do with her sister's death, but took it at face value.

From the sound of it, though, Amelia felt guilty for not being able to prevent Jennifer's death. "It's not your fault, Amelia. Accidents occur."

[gold_i_locks]

[off_the_hookah]

This was the most emotion that Neil had ever seen Amelia display - usually she was guarded, unwilling to reveal anything about herself. Seeing this as a breakthrough for both her and their friendship, Neil held her, much like a protective parent.

He didn't hush her or tell her that it wasn't going to be alright - this was exactly what she needed to release the bottled up pain and misery she was feeling. Neil even hazarded to kiss her gently upon the top of the head, and let her cry as much as she needed.

[gold_i_locks]

She wasn't accustom to warm embraces, but the quiet comfort was soothing in its own unique way. It was easy to see that moments of watery hurt and emotional displays were not Amelia's forte, and even as she clutched his shirt, like a child refusing to let go of their item of comfort, she found herself trying to even her breathing and regain control of her emotions. The meticulous control and balance of her thoughts and feelings had always been held at such a high regard in her life that letting it go, even momentarily, made her feel weak.

It didn't take long for her sobs to slow to quiet tears, and then to nothing but soft breathing.

[off_the_hookah]

All the while, as Amelia was sobbing, Neil kept his eyes focused on the wall opposite them, honestly thinking about nothing in particular and stroking her hair with his hand. When Amelia grew silent, his eyes drifted down to look at her. He wondered whether or not if she would want him to stay or leave, so he remained still, waiting to follow Amelia's lead.