Aftermath

Reunion

A rush of emotions came over me. I stare at the man in front of me, weeping. For the first time in my life, I feel a sense of relief wash over me as the realization that I am now safe burrows its way into my mind. I pull away from Tomer, drawing the blanket tighter to my chest, as I sit back down on the couch. The woman, Aelia, let's out a quiet gasp and I gaze at her curiously.

"My beautiful, beautiful daughter . . . You're still alive. My baby girl," Tomer says as he continues to sob. I look back at him, smiling softly. For the first time, I feel welcomed. I have succeeded in escaping the tortures of the government and I am now home. I am free.

Glancing down at my arm, I think about the distorted tattoo hidden underneath the cloth bandages. The welts that exist now-the future scars-will be a reminder of my freedom from the institution.

"Be careful!"

"Aylin, what happened to you?" Aelia asks me. I look at her and shake my head. I don't want to explain what happened. I don't want to relive all of those torturous moments. My heart starts to race as my anxiety begins to rise once again. My breathing grows shallow and I pull the blanket tighter around me as I pull myself into a ball.

"Where did you come from, can you tell us that?" Tomer reaches out his hand and rests it on my leg, rubbing my leg in a small circular motion. The sensation is calming and I relax slightly, giving my muscles a rest from being so tense. I shake my head at him. I remember the facility that I had been in, but I do not know where it was located, only its direction from this place that I am at now.

"How about the direction?" Tomer asks.

"Northeast . . ." I croak. My words come out broken and raspy. Tomer looks at Aelia with a grim expression. Cyrus looks slightly confused as he tries to process the implied meaning behind Tomer's expression.

"How long have you been traveling?" Aelia asks me. I look at her and then down at my body which is still covered in dirt and grime from my time on the run.

"A few weeks . . . I'm not quite sure." My voice comes out slightly stronger this time, but it is still raspy and my throat burns each time I swallow, pain igniting in my mouth and neck. I wince at the pain. Aelia notices my pain and sends Cyrus to fetch me some water.

"What about that tattoo on your arm? How did you get that?" I glance down at my arm. Memories flash through my mind of my time inside the facility. I shake my head to clear it, deciding not to tell them. Aelia looks at Tomer sadly.

"Don't worry. You don't have to tell us if it makes you uncomfortable." I nod my head, thankful that they aren't prying for answers. Aelia stands up and turns to me.

"Come with me, you must be so tired and exhausted, and hungry no doubt. I'll start you a bath," Aelia offers me her hand to help me stand up from the couch, "Tomer, could you make something for us to eat please?" Tomer nods in response, dragging Cyrus out of the room with him. I gently place my hand in Aelia's and allow her to pull me up from the couch.

I follow after Aelia as she leads me through the house. Once we exit the room, I trail after Aelia, down a long hallway and then up a flight of steps. We then take a left after a couple of steps into a small room. There is a toilet in the corner with a full bath tub directly across from the door to the room. Across from the toilet is a small sink with a counter that extends to the doorway. A dirty mirror hangs above the sink, smudged and covered in dirt and grime from the ages.

As I study the small room, Aelia walks over to the tub and turns one of the knobs located on the wall. Aelia places her hand underneath the faucet just below the knobs, allowing a rush of water to cascade over her hand into the tub. After a few minutes, Aelia removes her hand from the water and closes the door to the small room.