Sofia

Chapter 8

Rose's POV:

I follow Archie and Theo who were leading me towards a car. I maintain a good distance between us. That's something I learned during these years. You can never be too careful. Archie opens the car door for me. I look at the car contemplating. I know it isn't necessary to be this cautious, but I was kidnapped while walking to the park that was only 100 meters from my house.

No one, absolutely no one can call my trust issues silly.

"Hey, you don't have to be scared. We're just going to drive you to the hospital and get you patched up. You absolutely can get off anytime you want if you're uncomfortable." Archie says looking at me with a sort of emotion in his eyes I can't decode. Was it pity? Sympathy? Empathy? I don't know but I feel like I can trust him. I looked at Theo's face. Now that look I can decode. It was just plain nonchalance.

He didn't care. I'm not really sure why but his nonchalance eased my anxiety more than archie's concern. I got into the car. It was a nice car, looks expensive. 

"Why are you helping me?" I ask, genuinely curious.  Throughout the day I was showered with pity looks but not one person was concerned.

"We've all been helpless or lost at some point of our lives, mentally or physically. You looked like you were both and I personally know that It's nice to have someone who can help you at your lowest. Even if it is as small as driving you to a hospital or reassuring you." Archie smiles blinking his eyes. 

I nod. So, it was empathy.

We fall into silence even though there was a very long exchange of glances between the boys. Archie and Theo both look about my age, about 17 years. 

"What day is it today?" I ask.

"19th of July." Theo replies. He raises an eyebrow, but I ignore it.

19th of July.  Sofia turns 6 on the 25th. Of course, it's not her actual birthday. I don't know when that is. But the 25th of July was the day he kidnapped her. She was about a year old. Please be alright Sofia. I promised that we will celebrate your birthday. I promised.

People believe in God because they believe that he or she has made their life easy, but My life was anything but easy. I never believed in anything but I'm desperate. 

I look up and say a silent prayer in my mind. You have never done anything for me but if you truly exist just keep her safe. She's just a kid.

Tears start stinging my eyes, but I push them away. Not right now. The car came to a stop. 

"We're here!" Archie says.

I turn to my side and fiddle with the handle until the car door opens. I step out taking a deep breath which ends up causing a stabbing pain. Archie and Theo head inside expecting me to follow, and I did.

As we walk through the parking lot my attention is grabbed by a really beautiful car. I used to like cars as a kid, I think. I don't remember.  It is a gorgeous black car. As we make our way through the hospital entrance I glance up towards the sign.  Safe Haven Hospital.

We walk in. Archie tells us to wait and heads up to a guy dressed in the same uniform worn by a lot of people. 

"We should go grab something from the vending machine. U haven't eaten for quite a while." Theo says and gestures me to follow him. So, he cares, I think as we navigate through various corridors until we spot a machine with a lot of things in it. 

As I stare at the machine I heard a whimper from an adjoining corridor. I feel my body freeze and my heart stops beating for quite a few seconds.

I don't have it in myself to peek through the corridor. I know those cries all too well. I yell at myself mentally to unfreeze. Whoever it is, don't be afraid. 

It takes a few seconds, but I manage to move across the corridor to look at who it is. My eyes fall upon a fragile girl almost collapsed against the wall. My breath hitches and my heart starts pounding after I realize.

Sofia.

Tears start pooling around my eyes but i push them down again. I start to make my way towards her but before I could I heard a yell. 

"Sofia!!" I hear a woman yell. She runs towards her and picks her up. I stay put confused as to who she is and why the hell is she running towards my sister. But I feel my body relax as I see Sofie melt into her embrace. She knows who that woman is.

"Mamma." I hear Sofia say. Mamma? Was she her...? huh? 

"I'm Sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." Sofie says. I feel my heart wrench at the panic and fear in her voice. I need to hold her. But i stay put.

"No amore Mio, U didn't hurt me. These are happy tears. I'm happy because I finally found you." The woman says. So she really is Sofia's mom. My shoulders relax and I breathe out a sigh of relief.

"Are you, my Mamma?" I Sofia whisper slowly as if she was scared the woman would cry again.

"Yes Bambina, I am." she says kissing her forehead. 

I should go over there I think but something stops me. 

"Wh-where were y-you? Wh-why did u l-leave me with h-him?" Sofia asks now sobbing uncontrollably. I can't do this. I can't. My breathing starts to race.

"Rose?" Theo asks walking over to my side. I quickly shushed him.

"I'm sorry baby. I'm so sorry. But we're here now and no one will be able to touch you." The woman says. 

I notice a man suddenly emerge from the corner and speed walk towards them in anger. My heart stop and it takes everything in me to stop myself from running over to Sofie. Her mom will protect her i say to myself. But his expression soon turned into relief after spotting them. 

"Sofia! Thank God you're ok." he says.

He then asks, "Sofia baby, can I come near you?" 

"Yes." Sofia whispers. He neared her slowly. "Hi amore. Do you remember me?" he asks.

"Papa?" 

"Yes principessa. I'm your papa. Can I hold you?"  I wanted to yell, No! I wanted to hurt everyone and anyone who came near her. I know that my fear is irrational. But I can't even blame myself.

It's her father. It's ok. He wouldn't hurt her. I keep reassuring myself.  

"Yes" Sofia says softly. He holds her close.

He wouldn't hurt her.

"I missed you so much bambina. We all missed you so much."

"Me too." Sofia whispers. They stay like that for quite a while. Sofie found her family. She did it! I feel a tear sliding down my cheek. I promised her that she would find her family someday, and she did. She's safe! That's all I need.

They're such a happy family. Should I go there? No, I shouldn't. I can't. It's Sofia's family. And all i want is for her to be safe. She doesn't need me. 

Well, I need her but i can't be selfish. She needs her parents. It's better for me to walk away. She'll be happy and I can... I could try to be. Sofia's young. If luck is by her side, she might forget all this. Well, she might not forget everything, but she will forget me. Just like I forgot my mother's face or her voice.

Yes. This is for the best.

"Let's go home amore." Sofia's dad says and they walk away. I stay there. 

Exhaustion hits me like a bullet train. My legs buckle and I collapse like a crumpled-up piece of paper. Theo rushes to my side. This time I don't flinch. I let him hold me as all the tears I pushed back today came rushing out. I sob into his shirt until I had nothing left in me and I feel myself black out.

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A/N: Hello there lovely people!

This chapter was quite big.

And always remember, it's okay to feel sad!