Spectrum of Red. [LISRENE]

12

The day wore on, and as the shift was coming to an end, Lisa, Jisoo, and Jeongyeon were ready to head home. But as they were gathering their things, a commotion erupted from another room. Lisa’s heart sank.

She rushed in to see Lily crying, shaking her head furiously as a childcare officer tried to coax her into leaving.

The little girl’s tear-filled eyes darted to her. With a burst of energy, she broke free from the officer’s grasp and ran, throwing herself at Lisa and wrapping her tiny arms around Lisa’s legs.

Lisa melted instantly, her arms lowering to gently hold the girl. She crouched down, matching Lily’s height as she tried to calm her. In sign language, Lisa asked,

"Why are you upset, Lily? You need to go with the nice officer. They’ll take care of you."

Lily shook her head furiously, signing back,

"I’m scared. I want to stay with you."

Lisa’s heart broke. She glanced over her shoulder, catching Jisoo and Jeongyeon’s stunned expressions. They got to know that the kid couldn't speak.

She turned back to Lily and signed,

"You’re safe with them. I’ll come to visit, I promise."

But Lily clung to her harder, refusing to let go.

The childcare officer sighed.

“She’s been like this to everyone. She refuses to go with anyone.”

Lisa closed her eyes for a moment before standing up, holding Lily close to her chest.

"I’ll take her,"

She said firmly, turning to the officer.

"She can stay with me for now. I’ll bring her to the care center tomorrow."

The officer hesitated, then nodded, handing Lisa some paperwork to sign. As Lisa signed the documents, Jisoo leaned over, whispering,

"Are you sure about this?"

Lisa glanced at Lily, her arms still wrapped around Lisa’s neck, her small body trembling slightly.

“Jennie and I risked our lives today, and this kid… she’s already special to me. I can’t just leave her.”

Jisoo and Jeongyeon exchanged a glance before nodding.

“We’ll help you,”

Jeongyeon said, her voice firm.

“Yeah,”

Jisoo added with a smile,

“you’re not doing this alone.”

Lisa finished signing the papers and nodded at the officer before they made their way out of the department. Lily had fallen asleep in Lisa’s arms, her tiny fists clutching Lisa’s jacket as they walked to the car. Jisoo opened the door for them, and Lisa gently placed Lily in the backseat, her heart swelling as she tucked the girl in with a blanket from the back of the car.

As they drove home, Jeongyeon looked over at Lisa in the driver’s seat, her voice soft.

“She really is special to you, huh?”

Lisa glanced in the rearview mirror at the sleeping girl and nodded.

“Yeah… she really is.”

As they arrived home, Lisa stepped out of the car with Lily still resting in her arms. Jisoo and Jeongyeon followed closely behind, while Tzuyu waited at the door, her eyes widening when she saw the little girl in Lisa’s arms.