E lysia woke up to an unfammiliar white room, she was dazed and stared around for some minutes. she was trying to remember why she was here. and then it all came crashing down. waves of memories of whta had happened to her aunt that year, evrything. but somehow, she didint remembeer the war between the guide and her teacher.
After these memories came she burst into tears. an 8 years old witnessing the death of her aunt. that was enough trauma even for an adult. she cried all her heart out. all the bottled emotions, she couldnt help but let them out, Afterall, she ws jus a kid, a kid who had been forced to face such tragedy. any kid would have reacted in a much gereater way than her so her tears were understandable
while elysia was crying, a nurse walked in
"oh you're awake already" the nurse said
But when she saw elysia cryin, her heart softened and she pulled her into a hug
Elysia did not resist.
She leaned into her and Cried even harder.
The nurse held her carefully, one hand on her back, the other on her head, letting her cry without interruption.
"…Life can be so unfair," she whispered quietly. "You're too young for this…"
She did not try to stop her tears.
After some time, Elysia's crying slowed.
Her grip loosened slightly.
The nurse gently pulled back and looked at her with a soft smile.
"Hi," she said. "My name is Annie. I'm the nurse in charge of you.
Elysia wiped her face with the back of her hand.
"…What happened?"
Annie hesitated for a second.
"You were found unconscious at home," she said carefully.
Elysia nodded slowly.
"…And aunty?"
her voice was smaller and quieter this time
Annie's expression softened again.
"…Oh, child…"
She did not say the words directly
elysia finally realized that eveyrthing was true and ashe couldnt help but break down in tears again
annie let her cry to her heart content.
later, a doctor came in.
He checked her vitals, asked a few simple questions, and made sure she was stable.
"She'll be fine physically," he said to Annie. "Prepare her for discharge."
she helped Elysia out of bed and guided her gently to the bathroom.
"Let's clean you up, okay?"
Elysia nodded quietly.
After washing up, Annie brought out a set of clothes.
"Here," she said, handing them to her.
"They should fit."
Elysia changed into them slowly and they did fit perfectly
She looked down at herself.
"…Whose clothes are these?"
Annie paused.
"…My daughter's," she said softly.
Elysia looked up.
"…Where is she?"
Annie smiled.
But there was sadness in it.
"She's… not here anymore."
When they stepped out, two policemen stood by the counter.
Annie walked over to them, speaking in a low voice about arrangements.
Elysia stayed close, listening without fully understanding.
"…Foster care?" Annie repeated.
"Yes," one of the officers said. "She doesn't have immediate family."
Annie frowned slightly.
"She's just a child."
"We know."
Annie hesitated.
Then she spoke.
"…Can I take her home for a few days?"
The officers exchanged looks.
"That's not allowed," one said.
"As a healthcare provider, you're not permitted to take custody of a patient," the other added.
Annie looked at them seriously.
"She just lost the only person she had. She needs care. Not a system."
"And you think you can give her that?" one officer asked.
Annie paused.
"…Maybe not fully. But I can try. Just for a few days. Before she gets sent somewhere she doesn't know."
The officer sighed.
He placed his hands on his waist, thinking.
Then he looked at Elysia who was quiet and still holding on to annie's cloth
"…Three days," he said finally.
Annie's face lit up.
"Thank you!"
She hugged him quickly before pulling back in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I just…"
"It's fine," the officer said.
"…What's your name?" Annie asked.
"David," he replied. "And that's Joe."
Annie smiled.
"Thank you, David. Thank you, Joe."
From a distance, Joe leaned toward David.
"You like her, don't you?"
David scoffed lightly.
"No."
Joe smirked.
"That's the nicest thing I've ever heard you say about a woman."
David walked off before he could say more.
Joe followed, laughing quietly.
Annie finished her shift and took Elysia home.
The house was warm, peaceful and simple
She bathed Elysia, helped her settle in, and made dinner.
"Eat a little," she said gently.
Elysia nodded and ate quietly.
"…Thank you," she said after a while.
Annie smiled.
"It's nothing. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be easier."
Elysia was not sure about that.
But she nodded anyway.
That night, Annie sat alone for a while.
Her thoughts drifted to the past, To the daughter she had lost.To the fire that had taken everything from her. And now…
To this child.
She saw something familiar in Elysia and it made her chest ache
"…Why do I feel like I can't let her go…"
Annie was raped when she was in her mid 20s' and somehow she got pregnant and she gave birth to her daughter who died from a fire outbreak at around same age as elysia
she couldnt help but see her daughter in elysia. the first time she saw elysia at the hospital she couldnt help but think about her daughter
The next day was quiet.
Annie stayed home.
She spent time with Elysia.
Talking.
Cooking.
Sitting together.
Nothing special.
But it meant something.
it was a work free day for annie so she had time to take care of elysia well. subconciously, Elysia slowly began to relax.
She still missed her guardian, but Annie's presence made the silence less heavy.
just like that three days passed and it was time for annie to take elysia to foster care. in this three days, david came along. yes the policeman david
he had gone back to the hospital to check on annie but after seeing that she wasnt there, he asked for her contact detail and called annie. they hit it off immediately and he'd asked for annie's address with the excuse of checking on elysia. well as the saying goes. a man's gotta do what he gotta do for a beauty.
On the third day, Annie stood outside the foster home with Elysia.
Neither of them spoke at first.
"…I'll visit you," Annie said finally. "Every two weeks."
Elysia looked up.
"…Promise?"
Annie held out her pinky.
"Promise."
elysia wrapped her pinky around it
A staff member came out and guided Elysia inside.
She turned once and Looked back.
Annie was still standing there.
Watching her.
then the door for the foster home closed
Annie stood there for a long time after that.
Something in her chest felt empty again.
Like she had just lost something important.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Far away, beyond their world
The quiet guardian stood still.
Watching and Observing.
"…The wheel of destiny has begun to turn," he said softly.
His gaze remained fixed.
Because what had started…
Could no longer be stopped.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And somewhere in the city
A boy stood still.
Same age.
For a moment. His eyes turned dark.
Then normal again.