WHIRLWIND ✶ Tyler Owens

[ 001. ] FORGOTTEN OR IGNORED?

˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
chapter ONE     ╱     FORGOTTEN OR IGNORED?

   Valentina Perez was a woman of audacious spirit, a tempest of boundless energy and fearless dreams.

In her past life, she danced with the elements, running headlong into storms with reckless abandon, savoring the thrill of rain drenching her soul. She reveled in the wind's caress, letting it weave its way through her hair as she sped through fields in her car, a chariot of exhilaration. Her laughter and the melodies of country music blared from her open windows, blending with the symphony of the wild world around her.

But then, a miracle shifted her whole universe: Isabella was born.

The arrival of her daughter transformed Valentina's world from a canvas of carefree adventure into one of deep, palpable responsibility. Her once unbridled spirit was now tempered by a fierce, maternal protectiveness.

   She meticulously packed her bag with every conceivable precaution, each item a safeguard against the unseen perils that might threaten her precious girl. No longer did she only worry for herself; her heart, once untamed, now beat with a ceaseless, anxious rhythm, every moment consumed by the fear of harm befalling her little one. When the call from Storm PAR arrived, Valentina's careful world tilted once again. With no family to rely on, and a determination to never leave Bella alone, she made a choice that blended her past with her present. She decided to bring her daughter along on her journey, venturing into the heart of storm-chasing science.

   Through the lens of her camera, she captured the turbulent majesty of nature, all while navigating the delicate balance between her role as a mother and her unyielding pursuit of passion.

"Perez, is that you?" Javi's voice floated across the morning air as Valentina stepped out of her sleek black jeep, the sun glinting off its polished surface. She lifted her sunglasses to rest atop her head, revealing eyes that sparkled with a mixture of warmth and curiosity. Her gaze swept over the assembled Storm PAR team, taking in the familiar faces from her screen.

"Indeed it is," she replied, her voice rich with a playful warmth. She adjusted the sleeping weight on her hip, where Isabella, her two-year-old daughter, lay nestled against her. The child, roused from dreams, was curled into the curve of Valentina's neck, her tiny form still wrapped in the gentle haze of slumber.

Javi's eyes softened as he took in the sight. "Is this little one Isabella?" he asked, his tone reverent as he gestured towards the girl. Valentina's gaze followed his gesture, a tender smile curving her lips. She nodded, her heart swelling with a mother's pride. The mention of Isabella had been a fleeting part of their previous conversation, a casual reference when Javi had called about the job. Valentina is pleasantly surprised that Javi had remembered such a small thing.

"Can you say hi?" Valentina asked, her voice a soft whisper as she turned her head to observe. Isabella, thumb nestled in her mouth, slightly lifted herself from her mother's neck. Her gaze, wide and curious, lingered on Javi for a heartbeat before she retreated back into Valentina's embrace, drawing a shared laugh from those around them. "Sorry," Valentina added with a rueful smile, "she's a bit shy with strangers."

Javi waved off the apology with a casual shrug. "No worries at all," he said, his voice warm and understanding. He gestured toward a woman standing beside him, a figure Valentina hadn't yet met. "And this is Kate Carter," he introduced, his tone brimming with admiration, "the best of the best. Kate, meet Valentina. She'll be photographing this whole thing."