Chapter 52

Ava's POV

The final straw.

While driving through the town, delivering newspapers in the early hours of the day, Mae's words kept echoing through my mind.

Like I suspected, Mae had a rough time and 'her friend' apparently took advantage of her vulnerability. She didn't say more though and I began to wonder what else lead her to such a terminal decision.

Because of the fact that she already tried to commit suicide, I couldn't leave her behind at the apartment while Sean was still asleep. Instead Mae is sitting on the backseat of my car, staring blankly out the window. That's all she ever does.

"Again?" I said out load as I saw a police car in front of me, waving me over. A quick glance over my shoulder, confirmed Mae saw them too.

"What are you going to do?" I asked as I parked the car and when I looked back again to her, she was already hiding.

*****

Maeve's POV

As the only customer in the store I stared at the many different options it held regarding hair color. I wasn't aware that a small town like this provided such a variety in hair dyes.

Ava was sitting in the car since I just wanted to get a toothbrush real quick and she could see me from the outside.

While debating wether I should or should not spend my last 20 dollars on hair dye instead of something I could actually use, I decided dark brown hair would fit me well and it would change my appearance a little, so I hopefully wouldn't be recognized as quick.

Without further thinking, I just went with it as I placed the toothbrush back on the shelf and walked with the hair dye in my hands to the register.

To my luck, the cashier put the dye in a bag without me asking. I planned on hiding it from Ava until we were back at the apartment.

*****

Ava's POV

On the way back to the apartment, Mae kept her blank stare that covered her face nearly every second for as long as I have known her.

"Mae, what is your plan?" I asked her as we walked up the stairs to the front door.

Her head hung low, I held the door open for her and as she passed me, we locked eyes. This was the first time I could see them clear without any outside influences like sunlight shining into them and for the first time I noticed their emptiness.

"I never thought my plan would fail" she told me before walking further into the apartment.

"Morning ladies" Sean greeted us, he was in the kitchen preparing breakfast and after Mae disappeared in the bathroom, I walked into the kitchen, immediately pouring myself a cup of coffee.

"Is she a little more talkative today?" Sean asked me but I just shook my head, I wasn't in the mood for talking either.

However, he sensed my quietness as a sign that something wasn't right, which was true, but Mae's problems are nothing I am allowed to discuss with anybody else than her.

In fact, I, as a woman, cannot imagine what it's like to be betrayed like this, to be used the way she was, by someone she thought she could trust without a doubt, someone that probably knew all her strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't be able to trust ever again.

"Listen, Av, if you're angry because of my remark yesterday about her not being Emily, I am sorry! I truly am. I love that you care enough for strangers to take them in without a second thought... I am just looking out for you, okay?"

My green eyes met his brown ones, they were telling the truth, he was worried. Maybe I am compensating for letting Emily down by trying to help every stranger in need that I meet.

"Even if you're right, is it wrong of me to want to help her for my own conscience?"

As he stared at me, I could feel his expression soften before shaking his head lightly.

"Of course not" he smiled lightly at me before his eyes travel back to the stove, where he had bacon and scrambled eggs in a pan.

In silence, we sat and ate our breakfast, a plate set for Mae, but she still hasn't emerged from the bathroom.

Slowly my eyes looked at the plate as I realized its been a while since she disappeared and in fear of her hurting herself, my body shot up as I sprinted in the direction of the bathroom.

"What has gotten into you?" Sean wondered.

"She has been in there for quite a while!" I yelled as I burst through the bathroom door without knocking.

Immediately I stopped in my tracks as I found Mae standing in front the mirror, a strand of hair in one hand and a brush with dark color in the other hand.

My eyes traveled to her arm that was holding the strand of hair, it looked a little awkward to hold her hair like this.

Mae was wearing a top without sleeves when I noticed a huge scar on her left elbow, my eyes widened just a little.

Mae noticed me staring as our eyes met through the mirror. "I can't bend my arm further..." she simply explained.

After clearing my throat, I stuttered. "Do you... um... do you need help?"

With the familiar blank expression on her face Mae nodded as I walked over to take the utensil out of her hand.

I made her sit down on the edge of the bath tub as I started to dye her hair.

"Everything's alright in here?" Sean knocked on the open door before peeking in.

"Yeah" I nodded smiling softly at him before continuing. To me, this was a good sign that Mae wanted to dye her hair. It meant she was one step further from taking her life.