The Coming From the Shadows Series
Difficult Times Ahead: Part 1
Blackpool, Lancashire
May 17th, 2015 A.D.
Within the cocoon of her bed, Raven had begun to stir slowly; her body resisting the call of the dawn, her heavy eye lids sealed shut by remnants of a dream-filled sleep, an embodiment of drowsiness that clung to her like a second skin.
Throughout the previous night she had been engaged in a vibrant discussion with her girlfriend; Yasmin, their words tumbling over one another in a rush of excitement and anticipation; college, the looking giant in the lives was no longer a distant plan, but the next stage of their lives they would be stepping into.
The night had been filled with a giddy thrill of the future possibilities, a celebration of their future that was on the cusp of materialization.
However, the dawn brought a different energy entirely; the joy and excitement of the previous night had been replaced with a groggy unwillingness to face the day; a deep guttural groan escaped her lips as she instinctively pulled the pillow closer to her, using it as a shield against the intrusion of the waking world.
A rhythmic sound from her alarm began to blare through the room; a relentless call to duty breaking the fragile barrier she had created with her pillow.
In a moment of frustration Raven thrust the pillow aside, her muffled groans becoming irritated moans, a direct response to the relentless alarm.
With a controlled movement, she rolled to her side; her arm outstretched to find the familiar shape of her alarm clock on her bedside table; her fingers caressed the grooves of the device, instinctively she found the button to silence the mechanical intrusion, and the room fell silent once again with the early morning.
Her eyes, now partially open, began adjusting to the soft light filtering through the slits of her tightly drawn curtains.
The sun was relentless in its pursuit to brighten the world, sending its golden rays into her room, a gentle wake-up call from the universe; the light carried with it a promise of a new day, one that was to be filled with new potential and possibility, she would need to face the world with a renewed energy and determination.
Downstairs in the kitchen; Eliza was already awake, she had been up for many hours and was already dressed in her casual attire, a pair of worn-out jeans, a white shirt with the sleeves rolled upwards just above her wrists and a pair of trainers that would normally be seen amongst those partaking in Martial Arts classes; indicating of Eliza’s physical activities outside of the house.
Having already eaten breakfast, she was now focused on her new possession; her mobile phone, holding it comfortably in her hands, she was navigating its screen using her thumb, swiping left and right, scrolling up and down, this was still a relatively new experience for her, one she was still acclimating too.
Modern smartphones had only recently started to become popular; and this device, a sleek and shiny new piece of technology had been a gift to her from her boyfriend, it was a replacement for her old one; which he had accidentally broken in a moment of clumsiness; this new modern phone was a huge step up from her previous flip-phone and its simple button-driven interface.
A somewhat puzzled expression played on her face as she attempted to navigate the touchscreen, iy was entirely unfamiliar territory for her; evening something as simple as getting her text messages up was a challenge; despite these frustrations, Eliza still found amusement in her own confusion; it was like a silly game she was playing with herself, she let out a quiet laugh at own ineptitude finding the struggle an entertainment.
When Raven finally lumbered down the stairs—looking like a zombie in desperate need of caffeine—Eliza glanced up from her phone, her puzzlement over the device momentarily abandoned. With a grin that could rival a Cheshire cat, she chirped, “Morning, sleepyhead!” in a tone so playful it could bounce. But in a matter of seconds, her eyes were right back on her phone, utterly entranced by the screen as if it were the vault to untold treasures, determined to crack the code of its complex mysteries.
Raven noticed her sisters amusement and confusion; she couldn’t help but question “Are you still trying to work out how to use it?” it was obvious her question was drive by a mixture of curiosity and mild befuddlement at Eliza’s struggle with something to her, seemed so simple
Eliza absorbed in her task but still paying attention to Raven gave a mumble of amused confirmation; she knew that more technologically savvy sister would likely find her confusion just as amusing as she did “It isn’t even that difficult” Raven commented, she observed Eliza’s struggle with a slight shake of her head.
She watched her sisters foray into the digital realm with a mixture of amusement, but also mild irritation at how easily Eliza was flustered by something so commonplace
Out in the streets, the morning birds chirped, and the faint pulse of the town began to awaken; Yasmin sat motionless on a solitary bench along the promenade, listening to the harsh squawking of seagulls and the relentless crashing of waves against the seawall. Normally, this would have been a pleasant time of day, a moment of tranquillity offering a brief reprieve before the challenges ahead. However, for Yasmin, her morning was overshadowed by the troubling circumstances at home, where disputes and animosity had escalated to their peak, resembling a volcano poised to erupt with fury.
The painful reality of being rejected by her own parents, who both refused to accept her for who she was and for the person she had chosen to love, left Yasmin feeling utterly lost; her entire world felt as though it had collapsed around her, with the weight of their disapproval pressing down heavily, forcing her away from the only sanctuary she had. Nevertheless, she resolved not to burden her beloved Raven with this anguish, knowing that she did not want to add any more stress to her. Despite their earlier conversation that night, Yasmin was acutely aware that Raven was already preoccupied with concerns about the impending college challenges.
Taking a deep breath in, she felt the slight chill in the air, it wouldn’t be long before the warmth would begin settling in, but it seemed to match her mood at that moment, her mind was swirling like a storm, battling an inner turmoil, she was like an anchor in the midst of a storm, struggling to remain fixed amidst the chaos.
Her fingers moved, extracting her mobile phone from the crease of her pocket, her eyes drifted over the time that was displayed.
Her gaze then shifted, Yasmin’s attention gravitated towards a building further down from where she was seated, it wouldn’t be long now before its doors would open; the Advise Centre, a place that offered a ray of hope for those in need.
She hoped that it would provide her the answer to her predicament; tucking her phone back into her pocket, she pushed herself up and off of the bench, ready to confront the difficulties of the day ahead.
At the Advise Centre, one of its morning employees, Michelle, began unlocking the door, as she was doing so, she noticed Yasmin approaching from the corner of her eye, Michelle paused a moment wondering why Yasmin would be coming the centre; as Yasmin drew closer it became increasingly evident that the young girl was in need of assistance; Michelle decided to wait.
Standing by the door, she waited for Yasmin, wanting to make doubly-sure she wasn’t going to change direction; opening the door as Yasmin reached the threshold, she gave Yasmin a soft smile, gesturing for her to come in.
“Thank you” Yasmin said softly, her voice was more like a whisper; she made a quick glance around the centre a moment she had an uncertain expression forming before returning her gaze to Michelle
“What can we do to help you dear?” Michelle inquired, a gentle smile still present on her face; the two of them now moving away from the door and towards the front desk, where a young man was seated, Michelle listened intently as Yasmin began to explain that she had been kicked out of her home, but it was clear she was skipping some details judging from the pauses she kept making
After a moment, Michelle turned to the young man behind the counter “Could I get the key to room three please” she asked; the young man nodded before disappearing for a moment; Michelle looked to Yasmin for a moment and watched her, she was clearly looking around the emptiness of the building
When the young man returned, he held the key out to Michelle and smiled cheerfully “Here ya go Michelle” he said; she nodded her head in thanks before leading Yasmin to a more private environment where they could talk properly.
Once they had settled into the room, Yasmin sank into a rather plush chair, though she was comfortable, her body language betrayed the anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface.
She cast a few quick glances around for a moment, the atmosphere felt reassuring now, turning her eyes back to Michelle.
Michelle leaned casually against the sturdy table, she observed Yasmin noting the tension in her posture and the fidgeting movements of her fingers “Right then, talk to me” she encouraged gently, her voice was steady and inviting “I am not going to cast judgement on you, you look like you want to open up, I am here to listen; that is my job” she spoke with warmth, hoping to create a safe space for Yasmin to express her thoughts and feelings without the fear of repercussions
Yasmin met Michelle’s gaze, she was searching for sincerity and understanding; there was a moment of hesitation as she weighed her options; should she open up or should she just keep it locked away; after what felt like an eternity, she took a deep breath filling her lungs with air before then exhaling and she began to talk; as she spoke, her voice trembled slightly as she began to recount everything, essentially painting a picture of her homelife to Michelle.
Speaking of how her parents were so harsh through a lot of her life, the abuse she suffered at their hands that had left not only physical, but emotional scars; creating an unbearable environment, she described how they chipped away at her self-esteem, only reinforcing that she wouldn’t accomplish anything that would make them proud.
As she kept speaking, she revealed the more pivotal changes, the things that had the most direct harm brought about, the discovery of her sexuality it caused her to hesitate, looking at Michelle for encouragement; she could see a warm smile present as she made it clear she was listening.
Continuing to speak, she repeated the truth about her sexuality, that she accepted she was attracted to girls, but this revelation was met with a chilling hostility from her parents; she could feel her heart pound as she recounted the painful moments she came out to her parents, the rejection was palpable, it cut deep.
Despite all of the pain though, it was her relationship with Raven that flickered warmth; when she spoke of Raven, her eyes seem to sparkle for a moment, recalling the changes they underwent from friends to becoming girlfriends.
When she spoke of her relationship to her parents, the response was both swift and devastating, she was thrown out of her home.
As Yasmin poured her heart out, Michelle sat quietly, absorbing every word, she listened with compassion, allowing Yasmin the space to open up without interruption.
Each thing that was said, each revelation Michelle listened was building a block of trust between them, Michelle understand it was crucial for Yasmin, and she knew she had to help her, quietly vowing to herself she would do whatever she could to make things easy; first, she knew she would need to find somewhere for Yasmin to live, she wouldn’t sit idle at the prospect of Yasmin living on the streets; once Yasmin had finished speaking she smiled warmly at her ”Right; first, do you have anywhere to go, at all?” she asked; Yasmin shook her head a moment
“No” Yasmin replied, her voice was laced with uncertainty; she sat there contemplating the situation, the weight of her circumstances pressing down on her shoulders as she was thinking on what steps to take next.
The thought of burdening Raven and her family filled her with hesitation.
Michelle noticed Yasmin’s internal struggle, she could see it in her eyes, gently tapping the table, it prompted Yasmin to look back towards Michelle, the warmth present in Michelle’s gaze conveyed an understanding; encouraging her to share her thoughts without fear of judgement “How about your girlfriend” Michelle suggested, her voice was hopeful
Yasmin’s brow furrowed as she continued to ponder the idea, her mind was racing with possibilities and doubts; she remained silent, lost in her thoughts; Michelle sensed the hesitation, a gentle smile crept across her face filled with encouragement.
“I want you to write down your number for me” Michelle urged, her tone was firm yet supportive “Then, before you leave; I want you to ring her” it was clear to Michelle that Yasmin needed a nudge in the right direction; she understood the importance of keeping her off the streets and determined to help her find a safe place
Yasmin took a deep breath as she weighed the suggestion carefully, after a moment, she leaned forwards as Michelle slid a pen and paper across to her; with a trembling hand she wrote down her mobile number; and once finished, she glanced back to Michelle, she felt reassurance; then reached into her pocket and brought her mobile phone out, navigating across its touch-screen, she came to her contacts and scrolled through them until she found Raven’s name; taking a moment, she pressed her finger against the call icon, her heart started racing more as she felt her anxiety building up with; upon hearing Raven’s voice answer, she felt a sense of calm hit her, but she hesitated for a moment causing Raven to ask in a concerned voice if something was wrong “Yes” she finally said, her voice cracking
After putting her phone down, Raven sprang to her feet, knocking her chair back a little as she did so, her heart raced as she made a swift dash from the kitchen; her sudden movement surprised both her mother and sister who exchanged a puzzled look to one another.
They had only witnessed Raven’s changing expressions during her brief conversation on the phone with Yasmin, but it was clear something significant had happened.
Eliza’s brow furrowed with concern, putting her phone down, she decided to follow her sister upstairs.
Making her way to Raven’s room she found her hurriedly pulling on a pair of shoes, her fingers fumbling with laces in her haste “Where are you going?” Eliza asked, a mix of curiosity and worry in her voice
Raven, distracted and focused about Yasmin replied with urgency “To get Yasmin” her tone conveyed a seriousness, she didn’t look up from trying to tie the laces of her shoes
“Raven, slow down” Eliza urged, stepping forwards when Raven sprang back up in haste; she moved to intercept her sister as she was about to rush out of the doorway, she could see the worry etched on her sisters face “I’ll drive you” she offered, hoping to soothe Raven’s evident anxiety
Raven paused for a moment, the intensity of her focus breaking enough for her to process what Eliza said; nodding her head in response “I’ll just go get my keys” Eliza told her
Without wasting a moment, Eliza left Raven’s room, going to her own to retrieve her keys; after a brief moment she reappeared, jingling keys in hand and found her sister stood in the hallway “Come on” Eliza said; the two sisters now moving with purpose made their way down the stairs; as they reached the front door, Eliza glanced back and called out “We’ll be back in a bit mum” her voice echoed through the hall; the two soon leaving the house for Eliza’s car parked nearby.
Sitting back on the bench along the promenade; Yasmin was lost to her thoughts once again, she had her head low as she looked at the blank screen of her mobile phone; only occasionally pressing its button to highlight the screen to check the time, while only a few minutes had passed; it felt like it had been far longer.
Suddenly a beeping horn startled her, glancing upwards she glanced about, her eyes scanning for the source of the noise, her eyes landing on a car idling near the traffic lights not too far away; recognising it as Eliza’s car; there wasn’t any mistaking Eliza’s red car, it was rather distinctive.
Hearing Raven’s voice, she noticed her hand waving above the car; but the changing traffic lights meant Eliza needed to move, but it didn’t deter Raven who quickly climbed out of the car without a second thought much to her sisters surprise who was just about to move; the next car behind Eliza beeped its horn at Raven when it was forced to stop to avoid hitting her ion her haste to get across the road; Yasmin’s eyed went wide at how she completely ignored the danger of the traffic around her.
She was not use to how fast Raven moved though; despite how long they had known one another, she never usually displayed how fast she was; this sudden burst of energy that pushed Raven to move so quickly just left Yasmin in a surprised silence when Raven came up to her in a sprint; she looked at her with wide eyes; though feeling her warm embrace as she hugged her, she returned the hug, wrapping her arms around Raven “Where did all that speed come from?” she asked with surprise
“You needed me,” Raven said softly, tilting her head slightly, her caring gaze fixed on Yasmin, who felt the warmth of a smile begin to break through her worries; as Raven stepped back, their hands remained intertwined, a silent reassurance. “Now we just need to find my sister,” she added, her voice reflecting a flicker of anxiety as she realized in her rush that she had no idea where Eliza might have chosen to park.
When Eliza finally managed to make her way back to the promenade on foot; she couldn’t help but give her sister an irritated expression; with a furrowed brow she exclaimed “Please, never do that again; you almost gave me heart attack when you jumped out and ran in front of that car behind me” the near miss was quite vivid in her mind, it caused her pulse to quicken even now.
Eliza then shifted her gaze towards Yasmin, her annoyance now fading as she gave a warm smile; she understood that Raven’s actions were out of concern for Yasmin, her worry making her ignore the traffic when she decided to rush from the car to Yasmin
“So…” Eliza began, her tone shifting to one of gentle curiosity, as she scrutinized Yasmin with a careful gaze; she didn’t want to pry, but Raven’s urgency has sparked an interest about what had gone on that caused all of this need to rush “What happened”
Yasmin hesitated a moment, she weighed her words carefully before finally revealing “I’ve been kicked out of my house” her voice was low, laced with her sadness as she looked at Eliza
The weight of Yasmin’s words settled heavily in the air; Eliza’s eyes widened in shock, shifting her gaze back to her sister, she understood now why Raven was in such a rush; her eyes returned back to Yasmin “Then I take it, you haven’t had breakfast yet?” Eliza said, her voice softening as she looked at Yasmin; there was an unspoken understanding that they needed to address one of the more immediate issues; food.
With Yasmin’s relationship with her sister, Eliza saw in Yasmin a member of her family; and she as of right now, needed support; she didn’t wait for Yasmin’s response before Eliza gestured her hand over her shoulder, beckoning Yasmin to follow “Come on” she urged, already turning so they she can begin making her way back to the car.
Yasmin hesitated a moment; but Raven’s gentle tugging of her hand offered silent encouragement, she turned her eyes towards Raven a moment; her reassuring smile seemed to tell her everything was going to be okay; the two soon began to follow Eliza back to the car; their next stop would be somewhere to get breakfast for Yasmin
As Eliza opened the front door to the house; to welcome Yasmin inside, Yasmin felt a wave of familiarity as she stepped over the threshold, she felt much safer, but that anxiety and apprehension was returning.
Hearing the opening of the door, Eliza and Raven’s mother; Jenna emerged from the kitchen, she took notice of Yasmin and smiled warmly, she wasn’t expecting them to bring Yasmin to the house “Hello” she greeted warmly, her voice was filled with its usual charm and motherly affection, it eased Yasmin’s growing tension
“Hello Mrs Wright” Yasmin replied, offering a small, grateful smile; the anxiety was still present, but there was also gratitude
Eliza noticed the unspoken concerns hanging within the air, so she quickly began to fill in the gaps for her mother “Yasmin has been kicked out by her mum and dad” she explained, her tone was serious but gentle “That is why Raven was in such a rush” she added, her eyes shifting in her sisters direction
Jenna thought for a moment, then simply nodded with a warm smile; she knew what questions would be asked; and since Philip was away, as he would normally be for long stretches of time, she knew that Philip wouldn’t be creating any tension with his presence; with nothing further needed to be discussed she warmly smiled at Yasmin “Have you had anything to eat?” she asked, her voice conveyed a concern for Yasmin’s well-being
Yasmin shook her head, she was a little embarrassed “No, I haven’t” she admitted softly, her cheeks seemed to warm in response to a grumbling that came from her stomach
Nodding her head “Not a problem then; I’ll make something for you” Jenna assured her “Go ahead and get settled in”
With a gentle squeeze of encouragement, Raven took Yasmin’s hand, leading her away from the kitchen and leading her up the staircase; as they began to climb the stairs they encountered Dylan; the last of the Wright siblings to emerge from his slumber, his hair tousled and eyes half-closed “Hey…” he mumbled groggily, his voice was raspy from sleep as he brushed past the two girls on his way down, his eyes still adjusting to the morning light
Raven and Yasmin continued their ascent; the atmosphere was lightening as they reached the sanctuary of Raven’s room; as Raven closed the door, Yasmin sat down on the edge of the bed glancing about for a moment, her eyes then landed onto Raven as she approached her; watching as she kneeled down in front of her “I didn’t want to burden you” Yasmin said softly
“You aren’t a burden” Raven looked at Yasmin carefully “Besides, isn’t that what I am there for anyway” she smiled “I am pretty sure you once told me that” Raven smiled brightly, Yasmin thought for a moment before also smiling; it wasn’t long before Jenna shouted up “Come on” Raven smiled
Written By: Westley H.
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