uoıʇıɹɐdsıᗡ

ᴄɪɴQᴜᴀɴᴛᴏᴛᴛᴏ - ᴘᴀꜱᴛ

I am strong because I've been weak. I am fearless because I have been afraid. I am wise because I have been foolish. ~ Unknown

Valentinia:

Past (1 year and 10 months ago)

"Valentinia." The voice repeated, more surely this time.

"Katy." I breathed.

My eyes watered at the sight that graced before me, my body is frozen in paralysis. One year and ten months. One year and ten months, it has been since I saw this woman, since she comforted me and held me. Since she erased the tears that often dropped down my face with the tip of her finger. Since I saw her smile since we laughed together.

My best friend. My non-biological mother. That's why at this second, I could no longer hold back the salty liquid that dripped down my cheeks; something I had promised not to shed no more.

But, it was different this time. I wasn't crying out of sorrow or anguish. For the first time in a long time I felt the most unusual feeling; relief. This newfound feeling brought hope. Hope that I could finally escape this dark chapter of my life once and for all.

This time, putting myself first and controlling my life for once.

"Katy!" I cried, rushing towards her and hurling myself into her comforting arms.

They tightened around me as soon as I made contact with her as if she was scared to let go. That I would disappear as soon as she loosened her grasp.

"Oh, my angel. Where did you go?!" She sobbed, they racked her body in rhythm with her exhales.

A syllable couldn't exit my lips, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't believe that she was here. I thought I would never see her again, and to see her after all this time.

The shock was an understatement.

"Valentinia! Valentinia, look at me!" She demanded, breathing heavily.

Her hands tightly grasped my face, detaching it from the hollow of her neck. Her bloodshot eyes met my own, dark bags surrounded beneath them. Her face no longer held that vibrant glow; pale, almost grey.

She appeared as if she had aged ten years; fine lines gracing her forehead. Her smile dimples had long faded, almost untraceable. Lips chapped. She looked as if she hadn't smiled, nor slept in months. The familiar emotion of guilt pooled within my stomach, looking at this woman.

This woman that meant the world to me so... lifeless. It left a feeling within me that I had never experienced. Ever.

Still, with a tight hold on my face, she asked again.

"Where did you go?"

A deep exhale left my lips before I answered.

"Not here. Somewhere private." My eyes met Elia's, filled with my most dreaded look; pity.

I adverted my gaze to Delilah, who also wore the same expression, but nodded and said.

"Follow me, I have somewhere you two can go."

Katy and I followed in her footsteps, not once letting the other go. Too afraid of departure. Our hands stayed closely tangled to one another as we took each step until we came to a small, secluded area.

Delilah turned towards us and uttered.

"Vei, take as long as you need. Katy, it was lovely to meet you, I admire your determination to find your daughter." Before rotating and leaving us. Alone. For the first time in fourteen months,