They all spent the night eating dinner happily in the dining room. Shane felt herself being watched by Cezar. She ate quietly. Carmen didn’t notice Shane’s behaviour. She was

happy her dad was back and busy torturing Carlos.

That night after saying goodnight, they each retired to their own rooms. Carmen slipped her hand into Shane’s. Carmen would never have been so attached to anyone else, but Shane was different and tonight was too painful for her to be alone. She led her down a hallway until stopping at the door at the very end.

Carmen: This is my room. And it’s yours now too.

Shane: Really?

Carmen: Well, it’s actually the one on the left, but I think mine is better.

Carmen managed a smile. Shane looked at her. She could sense a bit of sadness in her eyes. 

Shane: Your dad’s home. You’re not suggesting that you’re going to be a bad girl tonight are you?

Carmen smiled slyly at Shane opening the door and pulling Shane in. The small joke made her truly smile. She closed the door behind Shane, in a swift motion and slammed Shane into the door. Shane’s arms were pinned to the door by Carmen. She leaned in close to Shane’s ears.

Carmen: I just want you here with me. Tonight’s the night my mom got into an accident. I don’t want to be alone.

Shane felt a drop of Carmen’s tear bleed into her shirt. Carmen’s hands released Shane and she wrapped her arm around Shane’s waist. She felt like a vulnerable little girl once more holding onto shane. She needed to feel the same feeling of warmth from another person other than her dad. He didn’t know what she wanted and needed. He probably didn’t know what she thought either. She loved him, but Carmen needed someone else.

Shane’s thought: Her mom? Oh yeah. The lady that died last year.

Shane looked down at Carmen.

Shane’s thought: She’s not one of them.

Shane wrapped her hand around Carmen. She knew what it meant to lose someone. Especially on the day you lost them. Remembrance . It wasn’t relief, just suffering and saddness thinking about what could’ve been. Pain grips the heart and strokes the heart strings. She wanted to comfort Carmen and tell her everything would be alright. She wanted to protect her from all the sadness. Maybe Shane was ready to let herself feel once more. For someone other than Shay, someone other than herself. But she was scared why Carmen would want her.

Shane: Why am I here? Why me?

Carmen: Because I need you. Because you’re different.

Shane: How do you know you need me?

Carmen: I do.

They stood there for a while. Shane picked Carmen up in her arms and walked over to the bed. Placing the sleepy girl on the bed she turned to leave. Carmen caught her hand.

Carmen: Don’t go.

Carmen scooted over on the bed and Shane laid down next to her. Carmen rested her head on Shane’s shoulder and cuddled close to Shane. Being there with her, she felt safe. She felt at peace. This mysterious girl she met today, calmed the gray stormy seas tossing inside of her.