Mara listened intently as Ashton shared the story of their connection to Nox. The revelations about their past and the fact that Nox had saved them from such a dire situation made her feel a strange kinship with these people, even though she had just met them. As they ascended the stairs and Ashton introduced her to everyone, Mara couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—curiosity, empathy, and a touch of apprehension.
When they reached the fourth floor and she saw the room full of people, Mara felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had feared that her life outside the ward might be lonely and isolated, but here she was, surrounded by others who had their own dark histories and struggles.
“Wow,” Mara said softly, taking in the scene. “I wasn’t expecting so many people. I guess I won’t be lonely here.” There was a hint of a smile on her lips, the first genuine one in a long time.
She turned to Ashton, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and determination. “Thank you for showing me around and introducing me to everyone. It’s... a lot to take in, but it’s comforting to know I’m not alone.”
Mara stepped into the room where Victoria and the girls were staying, offering a small, tentative wave. “Hi, I’m Mara. It’s nice to meet you all.” She could sense Victoria’s tension and made a mental note to give her some space, understanding that trust would take time to build.
As they moved to the next room, where the rest of the foster kids were gathered, Mara felt a pang of empathy for them. Their pasts were as dark and complicated as hers, if not more so. The two pregnant girls, Ava and Isabella, caught her attention, and she offered them a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Mara. It’s good to meet you.”
Liam, Sophia, Jackson, Emma, and Noah all had a wary look about them, but there was also a glimmer of hope in their eyes. “I’m grateful to be here, and I’ll do my best to fit in and help out where I can.”
When they reached the fourth floor and she saw the room full of people, Mara felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had feared that her life outside the ward might be lonely and isolated, but here she was, surrounded by others who had their own dark histories and struggles.
“Wow,” Mara said softly, taking in the scene. “I wasn’t expecting so many people. I guess I won’t be lonely here.” There was a hint of a smile on her lips, the first genuine one in a long time.
She turned to Ashton, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and determination. “Thank you for showing me around and introducing me to everyone. It’s... a lot to take in, but it’s comforting to know I’m not alone.”
Mara stepped into the room where Victoria and the girls were staying, offering a small, tentative wave. “Hi, I’m Mara. It’s nice to meet you all.” She could sense Victoria’s tension and made a mental note to give her some space, understanding that trust would take time to build.
As they moved to the next room, where the rest of the foster kids were gathered, Mara felt a pang of empathy for them. Their pasts were as dark and complicated as hers, if not more so. The two pregnant girls, Ava and Isabella, caught her attention, and she offered them a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Mara. It’s good to meet you.”
Liam, Sophia, Jackson, Emma, and Noah all had a wary look about them, but there was also a glimmer of hope in their eyes. “I’m grateful to be here, and I’ll do my best to fit in and help out where I can.”
"Come, mistress"