A Dark Corner

Chapter 9

A Dark Corner

Elara Winterfell.

My clothes were beginning to stick to my skin due to sweat that poured down as I walked tiredly under the hot sun. I was roaming the streets while trying to put my mind together. There were numerous people who saw me and had taken pictures and videos to mock me.

What would I do at this point? A face jumped into my mind and I jolted in my trance. Tricia! I could call her for help. She still lives in the state, maybe she could help me out for a few days until I could find my feet.

I took out my phone and looked for a shade to stand under. I dialled her number and she picked on the second ring.

“Hello? Hello? Who is this?” Her voice filled the speaker and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least she picked up the call.

“Tricia… It's me.” I said softly. “It's Elara.”

“Oh…" I could hear the disappointment in her voice. “How are you doing, Elara?” She asked with no hint of warmth in her voice.

I could picture her standing in her house with her weight resting on one leg, one hand folded across her body and the other hand holding the phone.

“I'm alive…" I trailed off, trying to crack a joke. “How are you? How have you been? It's been really long since we spoke to each other. How's Ben?” I asked, referring to her boyfriend.

“What do you want, Elara?” She asked coldly, and my heart dropped at the tone of her voice. “I heard what happened.” Her voice was clipped.

I sagged against the tree that gave me a temporary shade, “I need your help, Tri.”

“I know. There's no other reason for you to call me.” She replied sharply making me flinch. “You only call when you need help with something. So, spit it out already. What do you need me for?”

I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds before asking.

“I…" I didn't know how to form the words, but I knew I had to ask. “Can I crash at your place for a few days? I currently don't know where to go, and I don't have…"

“No.” She cut me off as soon as the words were out of my mouth, and that sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach worsened.

“Okay. I understand.” I replied.

“Listen…" Her voice came again as I was about to end the call, and I paused, my spirit lifting a little. “I'm not saying 'No' because I don't want to help. I will send you a little money to get yourself a motel room or something. I have a lot going on right now, and it wouldn't help if you're here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your presence will always be accompanied by the press, Elara.” She said calmly, “I don't need any of that right now. My life is in chaos as it is, I'm better off without more chaos.”

“I understand.”

She wasn't wrong. I was being closely monitored by the press, and I knew it would be on the order of Isabel. More people didn't need to get involved.

“Thank you.” She replied. I was supposed to be the one thanking her for this! “What about the father of the child?” She asked calmly.

There was a silence between us for a few seconds before I gathered myself to reply. Honestly, I hadn't even given much thought about it.

“I don't know.” My voice was so low. “It's a long story. I don't know how to explain…"

“Don't bother.” Tricia replied. “I know it has everything to Isabel. I always warned you about her, but you refused to listen.” Then, after a few seconds of silence, her voice came again. “I've sent you some money. Manage it until you find some work to do.”

“Thank you, Trish.” I thanked her profusely as the call ended and rushed to my bank app to check.

I stood rooted to the ground as I stared at the money that she had sent. Two dollars? It was then I knew she had been mocking me the whole time. Suddenly, a laugh escaped from my lips. I laughed at myself and my situation. I saw a flash of light, and I could tell it was a camera flash. People were still at it.

I checked the time on my wrist, and it was just five in the evening. I guess I didn't have much of a choice but to book a motel room. I was looking for how I could save some money that could last me for the week, and if I booked a motel, the money would only last me for a night.

I started my aimless trek on the road, the intensity of the sun had gone down, but I could still feel the sweat running down my face, drenching my clothes.

The road was almost empty of vehicles, and there were no cabs passing. Suddenly, tires squealed in front of me and I jumped back in shock.

The window of the big black SUV was rolled down and two men I didn't recognize beckoned me to get in. I stared at it skeptically.

“Get in.” The man closest to me commanded. “It's on the orders of the boss.”

“Your boss?” I asked in confusion. “Who is your boss? What does he want? Do I owe him? Is this Connor's handwork? What else does he want from me? Has he taken enough? I don't have anything on me that belongs to him! Leave me alone already!!!” I almost screamed out in frustration.

The man barely regarded me as he took out his phone and stretched it out to me.

“What's this?” I asked in confusion.

“Get in the car, Elara.” A deep cold voice emanated from the speaker of the phone and I shrank back.

I could recognize that voice anywhere. Was my life about to get even worse?

"S...sir?” My voice shook in reply.

“Ten minutes.” He said coldly. "If you're not here within ten minutes, there will be serious consequences."