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My lips stretch in a thin line as I make my way to her small kitchen and set the kettle to boil. I open a few cupboards till I find her cups; a mismatched collection of different sizes and colours. I grab the closest one and open a few more cupboards till I find the tea. I chuck a camomile bag into the ugly green cup and wait.
She comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later. The layer of makeup has been washed away and all that’s left is the delicate, fragile, youthful look of a beautiful, scared girl. I want to be the one to take away her fear. I tip my chin towards the cup of tea, and her mouth splits in a weak smile.
“Thank you.” She curls her hands around the mug and pulls it close, inhaling the steaming fumes.
I give her a few precious moments to collect herself. She breathes, the tension in her shoulders starts to melt away.
“Has he threatened you before?”
Her gaze flits around the room like Derek might be hiding in the shadows before it lands on my face. She nods and brings the cup to her lips as if finding solace in the hot drink.
“I won’t let him hurt you,” I promise.
“You can’t stop him. No one can.” She whispers it into her mug, not looking up at me.
“Look at me, Amy.” Her eyes snap up to meet mine, a swirling green canopy in a heavy storm. “I won’t let him hurt you.” I cement my promise to her, and she bites her lower lip, sucking on it before her eyes drop back to her mug. I’m not sure if she believes me.
“Do you have his address?”
She nods.
“Write it down for me.”
“What are you going to do?” Her voice trembles.
“I’m just going to talk to him.”
She sets down her cup and opens a small drawer pulling out an old bill and scribbling something on the back. Her hand shakes as she hands it to me, and I can’t help but take it in mine. I study the round, red bruising that decorates her wrist like a cheap bracelet, and her eyes snap up to mine. “You’re safe. He won’t hurt you again.” She snatches her hand away and steps back.
I linger a moment longer, taking her small body in, the way it shakes beneath his invisible hold.
“I have to go.”
“Thank you.”
Her weak response compels me to silence. I snatch a final appraising look at her and walk to the door, closing it behind me. A few seconds later I hear the lock click into place.Good girl.
I look at the address she gave me and shove the paper into my pocket before tearing back to the station.
