Chapter Text
Hannah skipped down the gravel road, humming to herself happily. She was practically dragging her sister Lex along with her.
“Was it a good day today, Hannah Banana?” Lex asked, laughing. It was quite clear what kind of a day her little sister was having, judging by her random excitement.
“Yes! Yes yes yes Lexie!!” Hannah exclaimed, nodding her head back and forth with each “yes” that escaped her lips. Lex squeezed her hand lovingly. “That’s good! What did you do in preschool today?” Lex wanted to keep her spirit high right now, knowing it was going to tank as soon as they got home.
“Arts and crafts, arts and crafts!” Hannah let go of Lex’s hand to flap her arms excitedly before grabbing hold of her older sister again, squeezing hard. “Me and Webby finger-painted each other!” Lex smiled at how enthusiastic Hannah was. Her face fell slightly at the mention of Webby, Hannah’s imaginary friend, but Hannah took no notice.
“Ooooh! Do you wanna show me when we get home?” Hannah jumped up and down excitedly in place of an answer. Lex laughed, the love for her 4-year-old sister filling her and making it’s way from inside to outside, shining on her features.
Lex directed her joyous sister into their shitty, gravel driveway, slowing down slightly. Upon seeing their below subpar trailer, Hannah’s mood noticeably changed. She had gone back to how she usually was when at home: quiet, anxious, and shy. Lex’s heart sank.
Home shouldn’t make you feel this way, it should be the one place you feel most comfortable in. But for the Foster sisters, it was their least favorite place.
Lex shut the door as quietly as she could after they both took their shoes off just beyond the entrance of the trailer.
Lex let out a sigh of pure relief upon seeing Pamela Foster asleep on the couch in the living room. That shouldn’t be the reaction a 10-year-old should be having to her mom sleeping off a hangover on the couch, but this was the reality Lex Foster lived in. She knew how bad her mom was when she was hungover, and she didn’t know if she could deal with that today.
Lex blinked and looked around, realizing Hannah was no where to be found. She quietly went upstairs, and peaked into the room the two sisters shared to see Hannah digging around in her worn out backpack for something on the bed. She lifted a piece of paper out of it triumphantly, jumping off the bed and running to Lex with open arms. Lex returned the hug before shushing her sister, terrified of waking their mother up.
“Hey hey hey…I know you’re excited, Banana, but you gotta keep it down, alright?” Lex whispered. Hannah nodded ferociously before thrusting the paper at her sister.
The outside of the paper was covered in smudges and fingerprints of different colors, surrounding the painting of a girl and a spider.
The girl had long white tresses flowing down her sides. Her white dress was flowy and absolutely beautiful. Next to the girl, the spider had a very similar look to her. It was an ethereal, almost glowing white color. Both of them had piercing blue eyes that Lex felt down to her core. A pang of guilt shot through her. She could almost hear Hannah’s painting speaking to her. She panicked and shoved it deep down and out of her mind.
“Look look! Do you like my painting of Webby, Lexie?” Hannah whispered, grinning ear to ear, clearly proud of her work. Lex did have to admit, it was very good for a finger-painting made by a 4-year-old. She smiled softly. “I love it, Nanners.”
Hannah grabbed the paper from Lex and grabbed a roll of tape lying on the floor, running to the tiny closet they share. She taped her newest masterpiece to the door. She clapped her hands, nodding her head back and forth with each clap.
Her happiness abruptly ended when Lex heard Hannah’s stomach growl from across the room. A look of panic shot across the 4-year-old’s face, whipping her head around to meet Lex’s eyes.
“Hannah…When was the last time you ate?” Lex’s voice cracked. Hannah stared at the ground, not answering her for a moment. “Mommy’s been gone the last few nights..remember?” Lex swore under her breath. “Hannah why didn’t you tell me?” Hannah was still staring at the ground. “You know how angry Mommy gets when we take food…”
Lex had an internal back-and-forth with herself before sighing angrily. “Stay right here. I’ll be right back.”
“NO!” Hannah shouted. She immediately slapped her hand over her mouth. The tears were already flowing.
She was scared.
So scared.
Lex lunged for her, desperate to keep her quiet. “Hannah, please!” She whisper shouted, wrapping her in a bear hug to keep her still. Hannah sobbed silently. “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry…” She rocked back and forth.
“HEY! KEEP IT DOWN UP THERE!” The two sisters heard from downstairs a muffled male voice shouting. Pamela’s boyfriend, Richard. Richard Big. Lex and Hannah's mom call him Dick, but he has made it very clear that they are not allowed pleasantries with him. His brief shouts fell upon deaf ears as Lex rocks back and forth with Hannah, attempting to comfort her baby sister.
“Shhhh…” Lex stroked her hair, trying to calm her down. “It’s okay…” She pressed a kiss to her head lightly, stroking Hannah’s shoulder. “Please…don’t risk it for me Lexie…please please please..” She kept repeating “please,” getting quieter with each one.
“Hannah. Listen to me.” Lex grabbed Hannah’s shoulders and lightly turned her so she was facing her. “I’ll be fine. It’s okay. But you need to eat.” Hannah didn’t respond, only burying her head in Lex’s neck.
Lex got up and pressed her ear to the door, listening for footsteps. She waited for over a minute before deciding Hannah didn’t wake their mom up. “Stay here please. I’ll be right back.” Hannah nodded, still not speaking as she climbed up onto the bed, her hands shaking in her lap.
Lex shut the door slowly, turning around and preparing herself for what would be one of the worst decisions she could make.