What did they mean? I knew who I was, didn't I? I was Rosalia Mallory, a girl left on the doorstep of our town's foster agency to find a new home. From there I went through three homes before at the age of 16 instead of having to live in the group h...
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Rosalia's POV:
The next morning I awake bright and early before the dawn. Like clockwork, I had developed a set time to wake each morning and after doing so for over a year it was now an automatic habit. Glancing at the other beds I could see that all three were still occupied so opted to quietly slip out before anyone noticed. Or at least that was my plan before I saw Mara move.
"Rosa?" Her voice is still thick with sleep but I smile at her in the dark and nod. She rubs her eyes and watches as I dig around in my backpack. On finding my sketchbook and graphite pencils I move over to the door, Mara following silently. Slipping out soundlessly we walk the long corridors alone until I find the large bay window I normally sit at to draw when I have any spare time. Sitting on the cold stone I motion for Mara to follow and she sits opposite, her worry showing in her eyes.
"What's up?" I eventually ask to break the uncharacteristic silence from my friend. She scrutinizes me from head to toe and I feel a faint blush creep over my cheeks at the attention. "Mar what is it? You've barely said a word and now you're staring at me like I'm a different person. What's up?" She remains silent and for a moment I don't think she'll answer. Glancing out of the corner of my eye I watch her face as I return to my sketch until she speaks.
"What happened to you? I woke up yesterday morning and you were gone. Even your backpack was gone?! I thought....I thought you were dead." Her eyes move to the floor and her hair falls over her face but I can still see the stray tears sliding down her cheeks. Sighing, I put my graphite down and placed my hand on her knee. I'm at a loss for words, her worried outburst swirling around my mind for a moment before I answer.
"I - I'm so sorry Mar, I-I didn't know." I sigh and answer her quietly. Originally I don't think she hears me but then she gives me a lopsided smile and glances up. Her eyes look glassy and that's all it takes before I put my sketchbook down to and pull her into a hug. "I'm so sorry," I mutter into her hair and she gives me a hiccupy laugh, sniffing back her tears. When she pulls away she keeps her gaze on me and blinks to clear the tears.
"What happened? One minute you're there in the room and the next time I wake up you're gone. For hours. I thought I'd never see you again." I look away and finger the minimal skirt on the dress I was still wearing from yesterday. At least you were only gone hours this time. Instead of days. My subconscious chirps helpfully and I find myself fighting an irrational smile. Knowing Mara was still expecting an answer I told her of my nightmare and how someone abducted me through the window before taking me back to be sold. Again. Hearing this she shoots me a sympathetic look and sighs. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." She falls silent for a moment before she broaches a question to me. "Whose got you now?" Her quiet question is met with silence from me.
"I wish I knew...." I mutter staring off into space with a strange feeling nagging at me.
Hunter's POV:
I've done it. I've saved her. She's finally safe.
For months I had Eris keeping an ear to the ground and listening to hear if anyone even remotely matching Rosalia's description had been picked up by the Scavengers and taken to be auctioned. Each time she came back with bad news I felt my heart sink. Eris tries her best to keep my spirits up but eventually, I start to believe that I'll never achieve my goal.
