Abandoned

40

The morning sun drifted gently through the hospital blinds, painting soft lines of gold across the floor of Sienna's room. She sat curled against Zareya on the cushioned window bench, her elephant plush tucked safely between them as she suckled on her pacifier with slow, sleepy breaths. It was a calm morning, peaceful, steady, the kind that always seemed to make Sienna feel safest.

Zareya brushed light fingers over the girl's hair as she whispered, "We're going to see the ducks again today, baby. With Laila. Just like last time."

Sienna didn't look up. Her grip tightened around Zareya's shirt, a small, tense fist, and her legs curled in closer. She remembered the ducks. She remembered the wind. She remembered the way the world outside was so big compared to her little room.

Zareya felt the stiffness and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay... Mama's got you."

A soft knock pulled their attention away. Laila stepped in with her usual gentle smile and a small bag slung over her shoulder. "Morning, you two. Ready for a tiny adventure?"

Sienna's head burrowed deeper into Zareya's chest, muffling a worried little hum.

Zareya chuckled softly. "That's a maybe."

Laila approached slowly, crouching to Sienna's level. "You did so well last time. And today, we're going slow, slower than slow. Just a little walk. Just a few minutes. And then we come back here, okay?"

Sienna's eyes peeked up, round and uncertain.

Zareya stroked her cheek. "You'll stay with Mama," she whispered, "the whole time."

—————

The hallway felt louder than usual, squeaking wheels, distant chatter, the rhythmic beeping of monitors drifting from rooms they passed. Sienna clung to Zareya with all four limbs like a little koala, her head tucked into her neck, breath warm and shaky against her skin.

Laila walked beside them with slow, deliberate steps. "You're doing amazing, Sienna."

Sienna's only answer was a quiet, anxious whimper.

Zareya rubbed her back in soothing circles. "Look at you, sweetheart... outside is just down the hall. We're right here."

But Sienna didn't dare look. She buried her face deeper, breathing fast, fingers tangled in Zareya's hair.

Only when they reached the doors leading into the courtyard did Zareya pause.

"Ready, baby?" she murmured.

Sienna's tiny head shook frantically.

Zareya kissed her temple. "I hear you. And we'll go slow."

Together, they stepped outside.

The sunlight was brighter than inside, warm, wide, unfamiliar. Sienna squinted instantly, her face pinching. A breeze lifted strands of her hair. Leaves rustled. A bird chirped somewhere nearby.

Too many sounds at once.

Her palms flattened desperately against Zareya's shoulders as her legs tightened around her waist. A distressed whine escaped her pacifier, muffled and sharp. The information hit her all at once, light, motion, noise, and it was too much.

"She's okay," Laila whispered softly. "She's processing."

But Sienna wasn't convinced.

Her breathing stuttered. Her tiny fists trembled. She pressed her face into Zareya's collarbone and whimpered in short, frightened bursts.

Zareya held her firmer. "I've got you, I've got you... You're safe, baby. Mama's here."

They stayed still, standing just inside the courtyard doors, not moving another step until Sienna's breaths gradually softened. Her body remained tense, but she wasn't panicking anymore. Just hanging on.