Sharon Leal as Katherine "Katy" Wills 

Brian J White as Aaron

Rain

After a long and needed shower, I quickly dried off, wrapped the towel around myself, then looked at what Katy laid out for me. I quickly tore open the new Hanes underwear and put a black pair on before looking through the basket.There were plenty of menstrual pads to choose from so I settled for The Always Thin night time pads. The pajamas she left smelled of fresh linens that made me want to bundle up in them. They were warm as if they had just come out of the dryer.

Once I was dressed, I refused to leave her bathroom a mess so I looked under the cabinet for any cleaning supplies she might have and found a bathtub cleaner and all purpose cleaner. I cleaned the tub to make sure I left no trace of blood or bacteria. I went ahead and wiped down the counters as well.

As I put everything away, I noticed she had a first aid kit. I quickly took a few bandages and dressed my wombs with them before putting on my sweater over the shirt she gave me. I gathered my clothes and dirty towels then made my way out of the room.

Creeping down the stairs, I could hear Raiden's soft voice mixed in with Katy's cherry voice. I can't lie and say I was happy to hear her voice filled with joy again. I'm not sure why but her aura seemed low these past couple of weeks, so hearing it even if it was for a moment.

" You can't eat it just yet buddy. It's still hot." I heard her sweet voice. The word eat brought my senses back as the smell of home cooking filled my nostrils.

The cold hardwood creaked announcing my presence. Although he is sick, Raiden's face lit up when he saw me.

" Hi Rainy" He greeted, he was seated at the kitchen table with a bowl of vegetable soup and saltine crackers sitting in front of him. I greeted him back with a soft smile.

Katy walked over to me, taking my dirty laundry out of my hands. " I'll wash these later. How are you feeling?" she asked me. She walked away from me before I could answer and went into a room off to the side of the kitchen. I then realized she still wanted me to answer when she stuck her head out to look at me.

" umm I'm okay. Sorry If I took too long" I told her then put my focus on Raiden, who was trying to eat. I sat down next to him and took the spoon from him, then scooped up more soup. " Here, blow on it like this." I pucker my lips and blew on the food lightly before giving it to him. He then took over wanting to do it himself.

Katy came back and grabbed two more bowls that she already had prepared, setting one in front of me and one in front of her. She silently prayed to herself before digging in. I looked down at my bowl and sighed. It's not a surprise that this is going to be my first of the day. As I took a bite of the tomato based soup, my posture instantly relaxed as my eyes closed.

Usually I would gulfed down any food that was in front of me in fear that it would be taken away from me but as I ate I couldn't help but to savor every tasteful bite. With every silent bite was a cry for longingness for this type of satisfaction everyday. I wanted to feel full to where it would stick on my bones. Something so simple as vegetable soup may have cleansed my battered soul.

_____

Third Person, some hours later.

Aaron walked in the quiet house after a long day at work. He was supposed to be working an overnight shift, but asked his boss if he could take a long break to check on his wife, Katy. Katy hasn't really said much to Aaron since his mistake of getting her mother involved in their situation. Although they are on the rocks, it is not like Katy to text or call throughout the day. Aaron being worried was an understatement, since the last time she didn't answer his calls she was going through a miscarriage by herself.

He took off his work boots at the door before rushing upstairs to their room. Once he got to the door, he stopped in his tracks, confused at what was laid before him. His wife was in bed with a young child in her arms. Her back was up against the headboard while, young boy slept on her chest. There were towels draped on either side of her and a trash can on the side of the bed. By the look on her face, He could tell she wasn't in a comfortable position while the kid slept peacefully.

He slowly walked over to them. " Kay?" He whispered. Katy instantly stirred in her sleep then opened her eyes to see her husband. " Whose this?"

" What time is it? I wasn't expecting you tonight." Katy closed her eyes and opened her eyes again.

" Just past midnight," Katy sighed and grabbed her phone as if she needed to confirm the time but really she was checking to see if the kid's uncle contacted her. When she didn't see any missed calls from him, she looked at her confused husband.

" This is Raiden, Rain's brother."

" Who?" He whispered, sitting at the foot of the bed.

" My student. Why are you here?" She answered. She didn't mean for the question to come out the way it did but he was supposed to be at work.

" You say that as if I don't live here." He lowkey snapped.

" Please don't wake him, He's already had a rough night." Katy shifted with Raiden still nestled in her chest so that now she was laying on her side.

Once Rain fell asleep on the couch while watching a rerun of living single, it was like all hell broke loose for Raiden. His food barely digested before it came up all over him and the floor. Katy had quickly cleaned him up enough to clean and mop the floor so the stench wouldn't settle in the house. Rain managed to remain knocked out through it all. Katy ended up giving Raiden a bath. She didn't want to oppose on his privacy but he was only four and asked her for help a million times.

While bathing Raiden, he said something that really stood out to Katy.

He said " You're not like the others. You're really nice"

Before Katy could ask him what he meant, he got sick again. She wrecked her brain over that statement for a while, that feeling in her gut that made her ask to take care of them for the night had returned.

" So this is what we're doing? Bringing our work home and ignoring each other's calls." Aaron asked, gesturing towards the sleeping child. He noticed his missed calls on her phone. He couldn't help but feel it was purposeful.

" Goodnight, Aaron" She dismissed him, closing her eyes. He smacked his lips and got up to leave the room, bumping right into a small girl in the process.

Rain gasped and jumped back, not expecting to see him when he turned the corner. " i..I..I'm sorry" She stammered.

" It's okay." Aaron said back stepping out of her way.

" You can come lay down in here, Rain." Katy called out, opening up the cover for her to join. Rain was a bit startled by her husband so it took her a minute to adjust. Once Rain was fully inside the room, Aaron closed the door behind him.

Rain didn't relax until she was in bed and even then her mind raced a mile a minute.

The next day after breakfast it was time for them to go home. Rain was dreading it, but what she didn't know was Katy was also dreading it.

Pulling up to their small house, Tom's green pick up truck can be seen in the driveway. Before they got out of the car, Katy stopped Rain, that eerie feeling never leaving.

" Rain, is there anything going on that I need to know about?" She couldn't help herself in asking. Katy desperately wanted Rain to open up to her if there is anything going on. Whether it be bullying at school or lack of food, or anything. She couldn't accuse Thomas of doing anything if she didn't have proof. She had already told her superior about Rain's bruised face when she claimed a stray cat attacked her and nothing was done. No conversation, no wellness check or follow up.

Rain didn't say anything, instead she furrowed her eyebrows as if she didn't understand. Katy glanced back at Raiden , who peered up at her innocently.

" Rain, I need you to tell me something before I let you go back in that house. Is someone hurting you?" she asked directly, her heart pounding as she did so, while Rain's heart sank.

Rain glanced at the house then back at Katy. " No mam, I don't know why you would think that." Rain, feeling her nerves trying to get the best of her, she opened the car door. " Raiden, let's go."

Katy got out of the car too, urging Raiden to wait by the porch. " Just listen to me for a second, Rain Something isn't right. I have this feeling and it just won't go away. I couldn't bear it if I ignored my gut and something really was going on."

" There's nothing..."Rain started but was interrupted.

" Raiden said that I wasn't like the others. That I was nice."

" Raiden is also four. He thinks everyone is mean when he can't get his way." Rain snapped, looking up at her, unwavering in her stance. " I thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. We're fine. "

Katy started to say something more but stopped herself. She already made a bond with the two of them, she didn't want to jeopardize it by making them uncomfortable. She would have to trust Rain, even if it made her stomach flip.

" Do you still have my number?" Rain nodded. " Please use it. It doesn't matter the time."

With that she painfully left them there on the porch. She made sure they got in safely before driving off.

As Rain closed the door of the house, she stared at it as her heart nearly shattered in her chest. She felt Uncle Tom's presence behind her. He snaked his hands along her sides.

" Good Job" He said in her ear, making her skin crawl. 

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Hey guys! I hope you paid attention to the small details. It might show up in future chapters or even in Broken when it returns.