ghost hunter

valentinas past

lockwoods pov

As I quietly pushed open the door to Valentina's room, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was still fuming from my argument with George, but at the same time, I was worried about Valentina. She was curled up on her bed, looking small and vulnerable. I approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her.

'Hey, Valentina,' I said softly, as I sat down next to her on the bed. 'Can I ask you something?'

She looked up at me with tired eyes, and I could see the tracks of tears streaked down her face. I felt a pang of sadness in my chest.

'How did you end up on the streets?' I asked, keeping my voice gentle.

Valentina took a deep breath and hesitated for a moment before speaking. 'I ran away from home,' she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, encouraging her to continue. She told me about the arguing and the fighting, about how she felt like she didn't belong anywhere. I listened carefully, my anger towards George momentarily forgotten.

'I know what you mean,' I said, after she finished speaking. 'Sometimes it feels like no one understands us, like we're all alone in the world.'

Valentina snorted, her usual sarcastic self coming back. 'You have no idea what it's like to be truly alone,' she said. 'You have a family who loves you and a roof over your head. I have nothing.'

'Oh, have you seen any of them since you arrived?" I asked her. In truth, i hadn't seen my family since i was a kid, she didn't know that. It wasn't something i talked about. shaking her head she replyed, "isn't their room the one you didn't say anthing about?" 

"no it's not my parents room. But its private, not much in there. very boring." I couldn't deny that she had a point, i once had a loving family, but I also knew that she was more than just the tough exterior she presented to the world. I reached out and gently brushed her hair away from her face, and to my surprise, she didn't pull away.

'You have me,' I said softly, hoping to change the subject. 'And you'll always have me.'

Valentina looked at me for a long moment, and I could see the vulnerability in her eyes. It was a rare sight, as she was usually so guarded. I moved closer to her and put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug.

After a few moments, she pulled away, wiping at her eyes. 'I'm sorry,' she said, her voice barely above a whisper. 'I didn't mean to fall apart like that.'

I smiled gently at her. 'You don't have to apologize for anything,' I said. 'You're allowed to be vulnerable and to feel. That's what makes you human.'

Valentina snorted again, but I could see the hint of a smile on her lips. 'Thanks, I think,' she said.

I stood up, feeling a strange sense of protectiveness towards her. 'I'm here for you, no matter what,' I said. 'And I'm not going to let anything happen to you.'

authors note

so most of the chapters are probably going to be short like this one. hope you enjoyed this