The Ties that Binds Us

Chapter 8 "Rekindling dying embers"

EDITED!!!

I stared at the dark haired woman in front of me as she stood there, half her body in the dark. She looked at me with her bright blue eyes intently, looking for some kind of emotion. I knew she was biological mother but I don’t see her that way anymore, not since she abandoned me on the streets of New York. As I stood there motionless, all the horrible emotions I felt when she left me came back to me; all the memories ran through my head in a blurry haze. Chills ran through me as she impassively gazed at me.

***

Her face was ashen, drained of even the slightest color. Her blue eyes were wide; her chest went up and down rapidly as her chest compensated for her heavy breathing. She led me to an alley besides a huge, towering building and she faced me and said, "I'm sorry Sydney. I didn't want you at all. I know you don't understand what I'm saying. Someone will find you. Don't follow me. Do you understand?" No I don't mommy. Where are you going? Don't leave me all alone. Don't you love me? "Answer me!" She shouted at me her bright blue eyes blazing but I didn't answer. For just a moment, I saw her eyes soften a little bit as she grabbed my shoulders to steady my trembling body before she left me, running. It began to rain really hard and it was getting really cold. I ran really fast to catch up to her but when I got to the edge of the alley, she was nowhere to be seen.

Walking along the cold and damp streets of New York, I wondered aimlessly, looking for my mother. I was cold, hungry and scared. Mommy! Calling out her name really loud just to let her know that I’m looking for her and that I needed hair so bad. Mommy where are you? Tired and hopeless, I sat down on the porch of an unknown house where I drifted along New York. I was so tired, my feet couldn’t carry my body weight anymore. Lying down on my side and pulling my knees up to my chest, I tried to get whatever heat I can get. And then I fell asleep.

As morning came, I felt the warmth of the sun touch my face, it's light shined down at me and I noticed that the rain has stopped. Lifting myself of the floor, I stared at the wet pavement in front of me and suddenly the door to the house opened and a young blonde woman with a slightly older woman, looked at me wide eyed. Her piercing green eyes stared into mine. I was still shivering, cold from the rain that night. She approached me with worried eyes. She bent down, facing me and she asked me if I was okay. My mouth remained silent and I only stared at her eyes. So beautiful. She ran inside the house and when she came out, she was holding a blanket. Lightly, she brushed the back of her hand on my forehead. Come inside, querida. You have a fever! Have you been here all night? I still can't speak. She asked me for my name. Sydney. I answered her. She smiled at me warmly and she took me upstairs and gave me a bath. 

***

"Sydney?" The woman in front of me began to speak. Her eyes were wary and searching.

"What are you doing here?" 

"I wanted to see you." She gave me a weak smile. She began to walk towards me again; her arms open as if she wanted me to come to her. I lifted my hand up to her, telling her that she should not take another step towards me. She abruptly stopped on her tracks as she stared at me wide eyed.

"I don't want to talk to you. Please leave. I have no time for this." Pointing to the elevator doors, I took a step sideways to let her out.

"Please Sydney. Hear me out." Tears started to pool inside her eyes, glossing her dull, blue eyes.

"No. Please get out." 

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me." I just stared at her, my eyes wide.