For days, Lina stayed in the storehouse. She didn't go outside and didn't make any deliveries. For her, it all stopped the moment she dropped her sister at the hospital. Since then, she shut herself from the world, until Marco shows up one day in front of her storehouse.
Marco: Lina? You there?
Lina is sitting on the floor in a dark corner of the storehouse.
Marco: I know that you're here (he pauses) Listen, I know what you feel right now, and I know that you need help...
Lina listens to Marco, but she doesn't move.
Marco: (with a reassuring voice) Please Lina, let me in...
Still no answer.
Marco: (he sighs) Alright, you know what? I'm gonna stay here until you open these damn shutters. I'm not moving!
He sits on the floor. An hour goes by and still nothing. At some point, Marco is about to fall asleep when suddenly he hears a loud noise. He stands up and sees Lina raising the shutters; her face is completely changed, there is no emotion, her look is empty, she is like a soulless body.
Marco: Damn, Lina... (he carefully steps towards her) Are you ok?
Lina: (she laughs, unnaturally) No... no... really? (she stutters) d-d-do I look like ok to you? Here you go! Look at me! You definitely have your answer!
Marco moves again closer to her.
Marco: I'm here for you, Lina (he says with a gentle voice).
He reaches out his hand to her, but she immediately steps away.
Lina: (she starts shouting) No! No! Go away! Stay where you are! (she gestures at him with her hands shaking)
Marco: (softly speaking to her) Lina... I wanna help you... that's all...
Lina: (still shouting) I don't need your help! Get out!
Marco: (he starts raising his voice at her) Damn Lina, look at you! You clearly lost it!
Lina: (still shouting) I said, I don't need your damn help! So, I'm not gonna REPEAT myself! (articulating each word) GET-OUT!
Marco: (getting angry) WHY? Why do you have to be so stubborn! You need to learn to let people help you! And it's ok to ask for help! Why are you punishing yourself like that?
Lina: (shouting) I told you! I'm fine on my own! I don't-
Marco: (interrupting her and starts yelling) NEED HELP? DAMN IT LINA! LOOK AT YOU? YOU'RE MISERABLE! YOU LOST IT!
Marco yells so loud at Lina that his voice echoes in the storehouse. Lina remains speechless. She stares at him motionless.
Marco: (deeply exhales) I'm sorry...
Marco once again decides to walk closer to her. He reaches for her hand and grabs it. Then, he starts to pull Lina towards him, but she struggles.
Lina: (crying) No-no let go of me...
And with a sudden move, Marco pulls Lina towards him; she ends up on his chest. Yet, she keeps struggling until Marco wraps his arms around her. He covers her with his entire body, and she eventually calms down, feeling protected in his strong arms.
Lina: (sobbing in his arms) I'm sorry... I don't- I don't know wh-
Marco: Shhh, I'm here now... (stroking her head) It's ok... It's ok, I got you... (he says with a reassuring voice)
YOU ARE READING
As Long as I Breathe...
RomanceLina arrives in the United States alongside her four-year-old little sister Sarah. Both have fled their country because of the war that took Lina's parents' lives. For Lina, the United States represented an opportunity to start from scratch and put...
