Chapter 3
POV Olivia
I got in the back of the car, buckling in with shaky hands. As Claire started the car and pulled out onto the street, I turned back and saw the station building through the back window. On the outside, it had a large sign with the number '19' on it. I hadn't given it any thought, but it must have been a fire station. Maya must have been a firefighter.
I hugged the bear close, it giving me comfort, and although it didn't smell like her, the blanket did. It was cold out, only march, and I had no clothes with me except the ones I was wearing. I would practically be a popsicle without her thoughtfulness. I smelled the soft fabric, closed my eyes, and imagined Maya was still holding me. The way she rubbed my back and stroked my hair made me feel safer than I had ever felt before.
I was never unsafe, my house was never unsafe, my father had never acted the way he did today. My mom left after I was born, and then I think she died. My father had never been a person who yelled or hit or threw things. He was just... not there. I mean, he was there physically, he got me food and bought me clothes and drove me to school, but he was always distant. He always worked, shushed me when I tried to talk to him because he was on the phone. I don't think he has ever hugged me, or even really looked at me. I never knew how it felt to have someone who saw me, who listened, who cared... not until Maya.
I repeated her words in my head, 'shine your light'. It seemed like they meant a lot to her, her eyes sparkled when she said them. I hadn't quite figured out what she meant by it yet, but I would, eventually.
The car came to a stop outside an average looking house. Claire got out and rounded the car to help me. I held the blanket and bear tightly as we walked up. When the door opened, it revealed a disheveled looking woman with a towel on her shoulder. A kid ran past her in the background, and Claire ushered me inside, giving me a sad smile before leaving. The woman told me there was a room upstairs to the left, so I went there, desperate to escape the noisy living room. There were toys and things everywhere, and I assumed there were several other kids living there.
The room had a bunk bed, which I didn't mind since I got the bottom bunk. There was really nothing wrong with the house, except for the noise. I had to try hard not to get transported right back to my kitchen that morning.
I managed to get by, got some clothes, a toothbrush, just enough food. The thing missing was what only one person had ever given me, love. There was no affection, no one caring about how I was doing. I should be used to it, I had lived that way my entire life, but after getting a taste, it was harder to be without it.
After a couple of days, I had almost gotten used to the noise. I managed to tune it out. Every night, I slept with my bear and blanket in a death grip, letting them distract me from the nightmares of my dad punching me. Tonight was no exception. I had a hard time falling asleep, the constant noise from downstairs feeding my flashbacks.
I was already feeling on edge when something broke. The sound of glass cut through me, awakening every single memory. I was suddenly sitting on my kitchen floor with my knees to my chest and broken glass all around me. In a pure state of fight or flight, my body moved for me. Still in pajamas, holding my bear and blanket, I ran down the stairs. Thankfully, I was aware enough to get my shoes on. The noise must have covered for me, as no one had even realized I was at the door until I opened it.
"Hey! Where the fuck are you going!?" The woman yelled angrily, not helping my flashbacks at all.
Before I knew it, my legs took off running. Where was I going? I had no Idea. I didn't even know where I was, but it couldn't be too far away from central Seattle, as the car ride there hadn't been long. It was dark and ice cold outside, my sweatpants and T-shirt doing little to keep me warm. Once again, my blanket was my savior... Maya was my savior.
YOU ARE READING
Shine your light
RomanceMaya and Carina have just started talking about wanting children. What happens when someone special shows up and change their lives forever? Alt Station 19 get called out to help a young girl who gets attached to a certain blonde firefighter. Seeing...