Healing and resting part 2

Days passed without a word from Sebastian. Every morning, I woke up hoping to see him, but he was always busy, always elsewhere. My wounds from our last encounter had healed, thanks to my skin’s remarkable ability to recover quickly, but the emotional scars remained. I longed to see him, to understand why he had been so cold. Even though I hated myself for it, I cared for him too much.

Day 1
It had been four days since I last saw Sebastian. The compound felt emptier without his presence, and I spent most of my time trying to distract myself. That morning, a fight broke out in our room between two girls. The tension had been simmering for days, and it finally boiled over.

"You think you’re better than us because El rado looks at you?" one of the girls sneered, her voice filled with bitterness.

"Don’t talk to me like that," the other girl shot back, her hands clenched into fists.

I intervened, stepping between them. "Enough," I said firmly. "This is not how we should behave."

One of the girls turned her anger towards me. "Who do you think you are, telling us what to do?"

I didn’t pull my punches. "I’m someone who doesn’t have time for your rude, dumb, and negative attitude," I snapped. "You’re not helping anyone by acting like this. Like really what are you, it’s like fighting for a client who doesn’t give a fuck about who services him, you both are already looking dumb but you, nah you really are just down right foolish, Grow up, do you think anyone wants to be here.?”

My words hit their mark. The girl’s eyes filled with tears, and she turned away, sobbing. It wasn’t the most pleasant way to start the day, but at least it ended the fight.

Day 2
It had been five days since I saw Sebastian. Desperate to distract myself, I decided to train with Raven. She was intense, her ex-military background evident in every move she made. We started with sit-ups, her barked commands pushing me to my limits.

"Come on, Ariella, you can do better than that," she urged.

I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain, my stomach burning with each repetition. Next were push-ups, and my arms trembled under the strain. Raven’s presence was both motivating and intimidating.

"Keep going!" she shouted as I struggled to complete the set.

Halfway through, I had to stop. My muscles were screaming in protest, and I couldn’t continue. Raven gave me a look of understanding mixed with disappointment.

"Rest for now," she said. "We’ll continue tomorrow."

Day 3
It had been six days since I saw Sebastian. I stayed in bed all day, the pain from yesterday’s training session making every movement agony. My muscles ached like crazy, and I found myself blaming Sebastian for not being around. If he was around all this won’t happen, surely he can restrain me, choke me and do all, I would prefer that pain over this void less loneliness.

Day 4
It had been seven days since I saw Sebastian. That morning, Nancy allowed me walk with raven because raven actually came to ask of me, raven and I entered the kitchen to help prepare the day’s meals. I was grateful for the distraction. Raven was there, her usual calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around her.

"Do you like baking?" Raven asked as we started our tasks.

"I love it," I replied, smiling. "It reminds me of my mother."

Raven handed me a recipe for a sponge cake. "Then bake something special. Behemoth will appreciate it."

Excited, I began gathering the ingredients. As I worked, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in days. The simple act of baking was therapeutic.

"Where can I find Behemoth?" I asked Raven once the cake was in the oven.

She gave me his coordinates, and I ran to find him. Behemoth was training outside, lifting heavy tires as usual.

"Behemoth!" I called, waving him over. "Come to the kitchen. I’ve baked something special for you."

He looked surprised but followed me back. Together, we waited for the cake to finish baking. The smell of vanilla filled the kitchen, making my mouth water.

When the cake was done, I carefully decorated it and cut a slice for Behemoth. "Here you go," I said, handing it to him.

He took a bite, his eyes lighting up. "This is amazing, Ariella."

Raven nodded in agreement, taking a slice for herself. "You have a talent for this."

For a moment, the kitchen was filled with laughter and casual conversation. It was a rare, happy scene in an otherwise tense environment. I felt a sense of accomplishment and joy that had been missing for so long.

Day 5
It had been eight days since I saw Sebastian. The routine of the compound had become familiar, yet each day without him felt like an eternity. I focused on my tasks, trying to keep my mind off his absence.

Day 6
It had been nine days since I saw Sebastian. I spent the day reflecting on the connections I had made. Behemoth’s kindness, Raven’s tough love, and even the strained relationship with Nancy. Each interaction added a layer to my understanding of this complex world.

Day 7
It had been ten days since I saw Sebastian. The longing to see him was almost unbearable. I needed answers, closure, something to explain his behavior. My back had healed completely, the welts and bruises gone as if they had never existed. But the emotional wounds remained.

As the days passed, I realized that my strength came from within. I couldn’t rely on Sebastian or anyone else to validate me. I had to find my own way, to heal my own heart.

One morning, as I lay in bed, reflecting on everything, Sofia came to sit beside me. "You’re stronger than you think, Ariella," she said softly. "Don’t let anyone take that away from you."

Her words were a balm to my wounded soul. I nodded, feeling a sense of resolve. I would continue to grow, to find my own path, even in the face of uncertainty.

With each passing day, I learned more about myself and the people around me. The pain of Sebastian’s absence was still there, but it no longer defined me. I was finding my own strength, my own identity, and that was something no one could take away.

Day 8
Another morning dawned, making it eleven days since I had seen Sebastian. The longing to see him had not diminished, but I was growing more accustomed to the routine and the new relationships I was building. I spent the day with Raven again, though this time not training, but simply talking. She shared stories of her past, and I found solace in knowing that everyone here had their own burdens to bear.

Day 9
It had been twelve days since I last saw Sebastian. I was beginning to accept that he might never come back, or if he did, things might not be the same. I busied myself with chores around the compound, helping Sofia with laundry and assisting in the kitchen. These small tasks kept my mind occupied and gave me a sense of purpose.

Day 10
Thirteen days had passed since I last saw Sebastian. The ache in my heart was still there, but it was becoming a dull throb instead of a sharp pain. I had begun to rebuild my confidence and sense of self, relying on the strength I found within and the support of my newfound friends.

That evening, as I sat alone in my room, I reflected on the journey I had been through. The physical pain had faded, but the emotional journey was ongoing. I realized that my strength came not from seeking approval from others, but from within myself. And that was something no one could take away from me.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of peace. No matter what happened, I knew I could face it. I was no longer the broken girl who had arrived at this compound. I was stronger, wiser, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.