TW: Severe emotional distress, minor mentions of rape, mental stress/trauma...
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Mila clung to Carina, her tears running down her face. The sobs grew deeper, heavier, as if everything she had held back for so long was finally bursting out.
Her head layed against Carina's shoulder and her fingers clawed at the fabric of her shirt, as if she needed to hold on to something tangible to keep her from breaking completely.
Miranda, who had kept her distance until now, slowly came closer. She knelt down next to Mila and Carina, keeping her movements gentle. She placed a hand on Mila's back and began to gently stroke her back:
"Mila,"
she whispered soothingly:
"it's all right. Let it all out. You're not alone. We're here, and we're not letting you go."
Mila lifted her head a little, her eyes red and puffy, her voice a whisper:
"I'm sorry... I'm so weak. All of this... all of this is my fault. I could have done something about all of this. Now... Now I'm just a burden for you all..."
Carina and Miranda exchanged a worried look:
"No, Mila..."
Carina said softly as she held her hand:
"It's not your fault. None of what happened is your fault."
But Mila shook her head violently, her tears flowing again and her thoughts screaming insideher head:
"Of course it is, it's all my fault! My father... the way he treated me, beat me to the point where I was in hospital, my mother, who never did anything about it and insulted me... And last night..."
Her voice broke and she struggled for breath:
"Maybe I deserved it somehow. Maybe I should have-"
"Stop it, Mila,"
Miranda interrupted, her voice soft but firm:
"That's not true. You didn't deserve any of this. Not what your father did, not what your mother did, and certainly not what that man did last night. You're a good person who's had bad things happen to. It's not your fault."
Carina nodded, her voice full of compassion:
"You're so strong, Mila. You're here, you're talking to us, you're opening up. It shows how incredibly strong you are, even if you don't feel it right now."
Mila was still crying, but her sobs began to even out. She let Carina and Miranda calm her down, their words and touch seemed to act like an anchor. Finally, Miranda lifted her head and spoke softly:
"Mila, I have an idea. Vic and everyone else are outside waiting. She likes you a lot and cares about you and sees how great you are, despite everything that's happened. Maybe it would help if she came in for a minute. But only if you're comfortable with it."
Mila hesitated, her tears still fresh on her cheeks. After a moment, she nodded weakly:
"Okay...she can come in."
Mila trusted Vic more than many others. But beyond that, she probably had no choice but to cooperate with Miranda and Carina and let more people in that care about her.
Miranda smiled reassuringly:
"Alright, I'll go get Vic. I'll be right back with you."
She gently squeezed Mila's shoulder, stood up and walked to the door.
YOU ARE READING
I didn't give you my consent | Station 19
FanfictionMila Graham is a 21 year old female firefighter. She has been a new hire at station 19 for nine months, right after dean miller passed away... For a few weeks she was no longer known as the newbie and became closer and closer with her colleagues. He...
