Shit.

“We were just gonna catch a movie.” I said quietly, not meeting her intense gaze.

She just continued to stare at me.

“I need to talk to you.”

I let out a breath.

“Me too, I mean, I was going to call…”

I faltered when she pulled a folded manila envelope out of her jacket pocket. She held it out to me. I just looked at it, confused.

“I-don’t-“

“Open it.” Her eyes didn’t allow for refusal.

I tentatively felt inside the envelope; a feeling of dread gnawing at my insides. Don’t let it be, I thought, knowing that it was.

I only had to see a glimpse of the first photograph; vividly black and white flesh, the curve of Alice’s thigh, my arm…

I quickly slid them back in, and forced myself to look up at Lara, my eyes imploring her to forgive me.

“I’m so sorry you had to see those.”

Her face remained emotionless but stiff, as if it could crack at any moment.

“I didn’t send them…” I started.

“Alice?” She asked harshly.

“No.”  I snapped, then softer. “No-I mean it was- I think it was her ex.”

Now Lara frowned. I tried to explain.

“He came to her apartment a few days ago, tore the place apart… he took them.”

Lara looked away, pain etched on her features now.

“Nice of him to share them.  Are they recent?”

I shook my head, feeling the heat rising in my face. I never expected to be discussing them with Lara.

Without thinking I brought my hand up to rub her arm, to say I was sorry. Sorry that she had been dragged into Ethan’s sick little games.

Then Lara suddenly looked behind me, her eyebrows rising.  I spun around to find Alice, gazing upon this seemingly tender meeting; her dark eyes wide and her face white. There was a frozen moment, where I stared at Alice, Lara stared at me and Alice stared at both of us and then she turned abruptly and ran off. I remained for a second then with a quick glance at Lara I tore off after her, the envelope flapping in my hand.