Lucy Chen is in the army, mirroring Tim Bradford's experience

reaching for the light

The dawn of a new year broke over the city, casting the streets in a soft, golden hue. Lucy sat by the window, her legs pulled to her chest, watching as the first light of the morning touched the horizon. The silence of her apartment was comforting, a stark contrast to the noise that so often filled her mind. It was the start of a new day, a new chapter, yet the weight of her past still lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake.

Her wrist still throbbed from the deep cut she had inflicted a week ago. The wound was healing, but the emotional scars felt far from mended. She hadn't shown up for her shift that day. When Sergeant Grey, Nolan, and Celina found her, passed out in a pool of her own blood, it was the wake-up call none of them had wanted. And yet, even in the depths of that darkness, a part of her had still longed to survive.

Lucy glanced at the bandage wrapped around her wrist, tracing the edges of the white gauze with her fingers. Her self-harm had become her method of coping, a release for the unbearable weight she carried inside. But now, after being discovered by her friends, the shame of it all had only added to the burden she felt.

The knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. It was early—too early for anyone but someone who knew her well.

Tim's voice called softly from the hallway, "Lucy? Can I come in?"

With a sigh, she stood and opened the door. Tim stepped in, his eyes immediately scanning her, as if he were assessing her state of mind.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked, the concern in his voice evident.

Lucy shrugged. "I'm here. That's something, right?"

Tim nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on her bandaged wrist. She knew he wanted to say something, to offer some kind of reassurance or solution, but no words could fix the mess she felt inside.

He sat down on the couch, gesturing for her to join him. "We haven't really talked since... everything," he began slowly. "I know it's been hard, Lucy. And I know you've been trying to act like everything's okay. But we can see it. We can all see it. You're not alone, no matter how much you think you are."

"I don't want to drag you all down with me," Lucy whispered. "You don't deserve that."

"Lucy, we're your friends. We'd rather be here with you in the darkest moments than be kept in the dark while you struggle alone." Tim's voice was steady, full of the quiet strength she had always admired in him. "We care about you too much to let you do this by yourself."

Lucy's throat tightened. She wanted to believe him, but the darkness inside her whispered otherwise. It told her she was a burden, that her pain was hers to carry alone. She had been pushing people away for so long, trying to shield them from the worst parts of herself, that she wasn't sure she knew how to let them in.

"I don't know how to... stop," she admitted finally, her voice breaking. "Every time I try, it feels like I'm drowning. The memories, the pain—it just never stops."

Tim shifted closer, his hand gently resting on her arm. "You don't have to stop it all at once. It's going to take time, and there's no shame in that. But you don't have to do it alone. We're all here for you, Lucy. You've been through hell, and no one expects you to come out unscathed."

She wanted to argue, to tell him that no one could understand the weight of her trauma, but when she looked into his eyes, she saw the truth in his words. Tim had his own battles, his own demons, and maybe that's why he understood her so well. They had both been to dark places, and they had both fought to survive.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll try. But I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Tim squeezed her arm gently. "You are, Lucy. And when you don't feel strong enough, we'll be strong for you."

For the first time in weeks, Lucy allowed herself to believe him. Maybe she didn't have to carry the burden alone. Maybe she could start letting people in, little by little. The road ahead was still long, and the shadows of her past would continue to haunt her, but with her friends by her side, she wasn't as alone as she had once thought.

The next few days passed slowly, but there was a small shift in Lucy's approach. She began reaching out to her friends, even in small ways—texting Tim, grabbing coffee with Nyla, spending time at Angela's house. It wasn't easy. Every interaction felt like a battle between the part of her that wanted to push them away and the part that knew she needed them to stay.

But it was progress, and that was enough for now.

One evening, after a long shift, Lucy returned to her apartment and found a letter on her kitchen counter. It was from her therapist. She had been avoiding their sessions for weeks, but the letter was a gentle reminder that the door to healing was still open, waiting for her to step through.

She sat down at the table, the letter in her hands, and stared at it for a long moment. Then, with a deep breath, she made the decision to call and reschedule her appointment. It wasn't much, but it was the first step in a long journey toward healing.

The next day, Lucy found herself standing on a familiar bridge. The place where she had once stood, contemplating the unthinkable. But this time, the wind on her face felt different. Instead of a chill, there was a warmth—a sense of possibility. She wasn't standing at the edge, not anymore.

As she looked out at the city below, she realized that while the past would always be a part of her, it didn't have to define her future. She had survived, and that was something. And with each day, she was learning that survival wasn't just about getting through—it was about finding a way to live again.

Behind her, the sound of footsteps approached. She turned to see Tim walking toward her, his face calm but filled with quiet understanding. He didn't say anything as he reached her side. Instead, he just stood there, watching the sunset with her.

For the first time in a long time, Lucy felt a flicker of hope. It was small, barely a spark, but it was there. And in that moment, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she was strong enough to keep going.

Together, they stood in silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon. And for the first time, Lucy allowed herself to believe that there was light beyond the darkness.