What did they mean? I knew who I was, didn't I? I was Rosalia Mallory, a girl left on the doorstep of our town's foster agency to find a new home. From there I went through three homes before at the age of 16 instead of having to live in the group h...
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Rosalia's POV:
"Rosa? ROSA! Hello?" Someone's shouting at me and it startles me. I'd been so deep in thought that I must've missed something important for someone to have shouted at me like that. Either that or they're just annoyed.
"What? Huh, Oh sorry," I look sheepishly back towards the others who are still looking at me with puzzled looks. "I didn't mean to wander off like that." I blink twice and it seems to have the desired effect. All of them lose the angry look and I give a small smile. "What were you saying."
"I was pointing out that you weren't safe here," Eris repeats, giving me a hard look sideways. "Between the Queen and the Laurier's looking for you you're not safe here Rosa. You could get hurt. Or worse." I know she's just looking out for me but the idea of running off to hide is not even something I'd consider if I was lying bleeding to death. It's just not me.
"I'm not leaving," I say, thrusting my chin out in an obstinate manner. Eris's eyes widen at that and I sigh slowly, trying to let go of some of my rigid pose along with my anger. Eventually, I can take a deep breath and look back at her with a more relaxed stance. "I - I can't Eris." She looks forlorn and I sigh. "I know what you're saying is true but if there's real danger ahead then I can't run. I - I can't exactly explain why but I just can't." She gives me a sad look and nods slowly. "I'm sorry but I - I can't," I whisper. "I can't."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Mara says, looking between me and Eris with a hopeful look in her eyes a fragile as a candle flame. I give a tired sigh and try to think it through but the answer eludes me. "Surely we can do something?" She looks around. "Hunter? Ash? Eris?"
Eris gives a tired nod and looks around the room with a distracted, vacant stare. Like she's seeing everything but she's not really here. Not in her mind. From my seat across the room, I can see in her eyes that her mind is a million miles away and she's just waiting for her body to catch up. "We'll think of something." She replies and Mara gives a small nod. "Come on, let's leave now we can talk tomorrow." She takes Mara's hand and the two leave without another word leaving me, Ash and Hunter stood in the room.
"I should leave to, I still need to get Mara back safely and keep watch. You think you'll be ok?" He gives me a kind look and I smile. I never had any real siblings - at least not to my knowledge - but if I'd had an older brother I hope he would have treated me the way Ash now seems to. Caring and supportive. I offer him a small smile and nod before he turns on his heel and leaves, calling one last goodbye down the corridor.
"Rosa? What's up you look upset?" Hunter comes over and takes my hands in his which feel warm in comparison to mine. "Christ your freezing Rosa. Why didn't you say?" He doesn't sound angry but his mind feels tense to me. Keeping well away from it I shrug once, battling a shiver.
"I hadn't noticed," My voice comes out sounding oddly flat and I feel another shiver rip through me. Hunter sighs and leads me into the bathroom. I'm puzzled, didn't the marks heal already? "I'm ok you know," I say, grinding my teeth ever so slightly to try and keep them from chattering. I feel really cold all of a sudden but I don't say anything. Taking a step into the room the heated tiles on the floor make my feet prickle with warmth and I only then realise how cold I must be.
