pte

ded to know about it, which is surprising because Cara is not the b

hing else are already too much for a bartende

g back to her legs as she walks up to her superh

m's hair-brown, shiny, and how it beautifully falls down her shoulders-compared to the wild, curly

e not

so peaceful in her sleep. She lets out a low laugh, already imagining

rianna. Tears well up in her eyes, giving her a blurry vision. She cannot handle seeing her

avoring the fleeting contact before reluctantly pulling away and returning to her seat. As she reaches for her leather

s, a crop top, and sneakers. It's a far

by brainstorming. Her mind flits from one idea to the next, considering everything from organ

pital entrance, lost in thought. She doesn't even realize she's s

r. Cara quickly turns, startled, to see an elderly woman patiently waiting with her hand outstretched toward the

r aching hands, the lingering effects of a long shift at Geisel's. The strain in her

vements are labored, and Cara feels a wave of guilt for how impatient she's become. The woman finally reaches her destination-a

ul smile, her wrinkled eyes crinkling at th

blem," she mutters, her voice flat, her atten

or having helped the elderly woman, but it's hard to focus on anything outside her growing desperation. Her mind doesn't rest for long, tho

moto

light filtering through the hospital windows. The glimmer of hope flickers in Cara's eyes. It's not a pe

hoices, her responsibilities. If she takes it and runs, her mum's condition will still be there when she gets back. But... maybe if she has a few more dollars

run away from her problems. They will always be waiting when she gets back. Sh

nt of her. It's not like it's the first time she's thought about running. But this time, there's a new det

zes in her pocket. She pulls it out, her heart ski

M

to answer it, to hear her mum's voice, but then reality hit

es slightly, a trace of fe

h, weak but warm. "I just wanted to let you know...

eatening to spill over. "Mum, don't say that. You'v

. But remember, we always f

ey don't fix anything, but they help. They remind her th

a small smile tugging at the corn

rling. You're stron

rds settling in her chest. She may not have a solution yet, but she knows she can'

the hospital entrance. Maybe she doesn't have all the an