Page 9 of Divine Obsession

“She’s coming back for me, Em. I know she is.”

Maria pulled away, covering her face with her hands. “She’s not coming back, Natalia. No one is. God! Why can’t you see it? We have no one except each other. No one else cares!”

I felt my eyes burn.

Maria never raised her voice.

When she looked at me again, the moonlight hit her eyes and I caught how glossy they were. Maria never cried either; she never argued or threw a tantrum. She never gave others the satisfaction of knowing she was hurt. She never showed she cared; unless she was with me…

She lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

I sniffed. “No, it’s okay. You said what you thought.”

“I need to go.” She began walking away, towards the fire exit of the building.

“Em–”

“See you around, Nat.”

I ran after her and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her close. “Please… Don’t leave.”

She made no move to walk away, but none to stay either.

“You’re my best friend.” I pushed my face into her hoodie, searching for the comfort it usually brought me. “And this may be the last time I’m ever going to see you again.”

Maria turned to face me. “That’s not true–”

By now, tears were running down my cheeks. “You’re leaving. And I’m never going to see you again.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, but that didn’t stop our tears.

My voice was a cold, harsh truth in the dark. “Why does everyone always leave me behind?”

No answer came.

Maria never had anyone. Not even in the beginning. She knew this was just the card she’d been dealt in life. No background. No family. No ties.

But me? I had a parent. A home. Toys. Clothes. My own room. I had a family before this place. I had a life I could barely remember before this orphanage. I had a mother.

“Why didn’t they want me? Why didn’t they take me with them?” My voice broke.

Maria hugged me tight, reminding me she was my only real family. The only sister I’d ever need. The only true love I had ever felt.

“Come with me.” She begged me, her tears soaking my pink pajama shirt.

“I can’t. Just…” My whisper was like nails on chalkboard. “Stay.”

“I can’t.”

Only two words were enough to rip my heart in two.

“Please stay. I need you. You’re my sister.” I dug my fingers into her hoodie. Silently begging her to not leave me behind. I wasn’t ready to give it up yet.

Silence. It cut into me, snuffing out any hope, and leaving me waiting for her final answer.

“Okay.”

“Thank you.” I cried harder.

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