Maya's Next Step

Part 9

Maya POV

"Over there," Andy pointed.

I followed her direction and spotted a child, curled up tightly on the floor. I was still a little too far away to see them properly.

As we got closer, the child looked over her shoulder towards us. In that same second, she quickly grabbed her things and made a run for it.

"Grab my bag!" I shouted to Andy as I threw my kit on the floor.

I sprinted off after the girl. She was a tiny thing and with my running ability it took me all of 10 seconds to catch up with her. To prevent her getting away I wrapped my arms tight around her.

"No!" She screamed.

I stopped.

Elva.

It was her.

"No please!" She cried out again.

I didn't release my grip. I had to keep hold of her. I wasn't letting her get away from me again.
By now Andy had caught up. She had a kit bag over each shoulder. With all Elva's shouting we were also starting to attract a crowd.

"We need to get her out of here," Andy said, clearly realising who the girl was.

I nodded and despite all of Elva's struggling, I scooped her up in my arms and carried her over to the Aid car. Both Andy and I climbed in the back and closed the doors to give us some privacy from the onlookers.

"Elva, sweetie it's me Maya," I said softy.

"It's Maya," I repeated.

This didn't do any good. The tiny little thing in my arms continued to thrash about. Throwing her arms and legs and trying to get away from me. My heart was also thrashing, so many questions were racing round my head.

Why was she here?

What had happened at the new foster home?

Did anyone know she was here?

Was she ok?

She didn't look ok, there was nothing of her. She looked like she hadn't had a meal since I'd seen her last and even then she was underweight.

I needed to get her to calm down. She was going to work herself into a panic attack.

"Evla. Look at me," I shouted.

"Look at Maya," I repeated.

I sat down on the gurney and pulled her across my knee, cradling her in my arms. With one arm holding her, I used the other to turn her face towards me.

There were tears streaming down her face, her cheeks were bright red. Andy looked on helpless.

"Look at me Elva. It's Maya. You're safe. I've got you," I said for the third time.

She slowly stopped moving, she was starting to register who I was.

"Maya," she said through tears.

"Yes baby it's Maya," I said, letting out a sigh of relief that she'd finally realised it was me. Her legs stilled, her arms remained by her side but the tears kept on falling.

"Let me check you're ok," I said to her. I was desperate to make sure she was alright. I was so torn. Half of me had my professional head on, I needed to check vitals and for injuries. The other was my personal head, the side that just needed to hold her close and not let go.
I went to lift her off me and on the gurney but she stopped me.