I didn't give you my consent | Station 19

27 - Who should come with you?

TW: minor mentions of rape, mental stress/trauma, self harm/self harm wounds...
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Mila was in Carina's arms, as if she was afraid of being let go. Her body was tired but finally calmer. Carina's hand rested protectively on her back while Vic and Miranda sat down on the bed as well.

All three watched her, as if they wanted to make sure Mila didn't break down again.  After a while, Miranda cleared her throat gently:

"Mila..."

she began cautiously,   

"we need to ask you a question... two questions, actually."

Mila barely turned her head, just giving her a slight glance:

"'Hmm?'"

she replied, looking at Miranda.

Mila had no strength left after everything that had happened. She wanted nothing more than to continue sleeping and escape the reality that was currently overwhelming her.

"It's about who will help you pick up your things from your apartment. And... where you want to stay for the next few days."

Miranda found the question difficult, knowing that Mila would prefer to stay alone in her apartment.

The words hit Mila like a stab. She pressed her lips together, immediately feeling the burn of shame.

If they find out...
if they see those attic stairs and find out that she's a lodger in that attic...

"I don't need anything from my home,"

she said surprisingly quickly and confidently.

Mila knew that she would have no choice but to stay with others without being admitted by them.

"I'll be all right."

Vic leaned forward, her hands clasped together:

"Mila, be honest. You don't have any fresh things, no clothes except your work wear..."

-

"Then I'll buy something somewhere."

Mila muttered. Her tone was not defiant, but rather exhausted and hoping to end the conversation quickly.

Carina gently pulled her a little closer:

"Bambina, you need your own stuff. Your everyday items, your clothes. Things that make you feel a little bit at home."

-

"I don't want you to..."

Mila broke off:

"I don't want you to see where I live."

Her throat tightened. She was ashamed.

Her throat tightened. She was so incredibly ashamed of all the things she couldn't control in her life and doubted that they would understand.

Miranda tilted her head slightly, her voice calm, almost motherly.

"It's important that we get your things. But of course you can decide who accompanies you. No one is forcing anyone on you, the decision is yours, and don't forget that we only want to help you."

A long silence followed. Mila stared at her hands as if the answers were written there.

She compared all the possible people and weighed up who was most likely to tell the others what he or she saw.

She ruled out Miranda, Carina, and Ben first, followed closely by Vic. The four of them would immediately share what they saw with each other.

The same went for Andy and Maya... they would tell each other everything very quickly and tell Carina or Miranda that she had to move out of this apartment and into a real one.