Page 12 of The Silencer

"When?"I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"Once the doctors say you're well enough to leave the hospital," Ms.Parker explains."We'll try to find you a nice family, Clodagh.People who will take good care of you."

I nod again, not trusting myself to speak.The thought of living with strangers terrifies me, but what choice do I have?

As Ms.Parker leaves, promising to return soon, I turn my face to the window.Outside, I can see children playing in the hospital garden.They're laughing, running around without a care in the world.I wonder if I'll ever feel that carefree again.

That night, as I lie awake listening to the quiet beeping of machines, I make a decision.I may have lost my family, my home, and everything I knew, but I won't let that monster take my future too.Somehow, I'll find a way to survive this.To live, not just exist.

I close my eyes, picturing Mammy's smile, Daddy's laugh, Dylan's mischievous grin."I'll make you proud," I whisper into the darkness."I promise."

As I drift off to sleep, I feel a glimmer of something I haven't felt in months: hope.It's small, fragile, but it's there.And for now, it's enough.

* * *

A week after Ms.Parker's visit, I'm sitting up in bed, idly flipping through a magazine someone left behind.The doctors say I'm recovering well physically, but I know the real healing will take much longer.

There's a soft knock at the door, and Ms.Parker enters, followed by a woman I've never seen before.She's tall and slender, with long black hair that has a striking white streak running through it.Her smile is warm and genuine as she looks at me.

"Hello, Clodagh," Ms.Parker says."How are you feeling today?"

I shrug, eyeing the new woman cautiously."Okay, I guess."

Ms.Parker nods."Clodagh, I'd like you to meet Tammy.She's going to be your foster mother."

My heart starts racing.This is happening so fast.I'm not ready.But Tammy steps forward, her smile never wavering.

"Hello, Clodagh," she says softly."It's lovely to meet you."

There's something about her voice, gentle and sweet, that makes me relax a little.She doesn't try to come too close or touch me, which I appreciate.

"Hi," I manage to whisper.

Tammy takes a seat in the chair next to my bed, smoothing her skirt as she sits."I know this must be very overwhelming for you," she says."And I want you to know that there's no pressure.We can take this as slowly as you need."

I nod, not sure what to say.Ms.Parker excuses herself, leaving Tammy and me alone.

"Would you like to know a little about me?"Tammy asks.When I nod again, she continues."Well, I live in a little house just outside the city.I have a cat named Mister Whiskers who thinks he runs the place.I love to bake, especially cookies, and I'm terrible at singing but I do it anyway."

Despite myself, I feel the corners of my mouth twitch upward at her words.She notices and her smile widens.

"There's a lovely park near my house," she goes on, "with a lake where ducks live.Sometimes I go there to feed them, even though I know I'm not supposed to."

"I like ducks," I say quietly, surprising myself.

Tammy's eyes light up."Do you?Well, maybe when you're feeling up to it, we could go feed them together.Only if you want to, of course."

For the first time in months, I feel a tiny spark of excitement."I'd like that," I admit.

We talk for a while longer.Tammy tells me about her house, her job as a librarian, and her hobby of painting.She doesn't ask me any difficult questions or try to make me talk about what happened.Instead, she just shares little bits of her life, making me feel included without any pressure.

As she's getting ready to leave, Tammy pauses by the door."Clodagh, I want you to know something," she says gently."I can't imagine what you've been through, and I won't pretend to understand.But I promise you this: in my home, you will be safe, you will be cared for, and you will have all the time and space you need to heal."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes, and I quickly look down at my hands.Tammy doesn't try to hug me or touch me, which I'm grateful for.Instead, she just says softly, "I'll come visit again tomorrow, if that's okay with you."

I nod, not trusting my voice.As she leaves, I realize that for the first time since I was rescued, I'm actually looking forward to something.

That night, as I lie in my hospital bed, I think about Tammy.Her kind smile, her gentle voice, the way she didn't push me to talk.And for the first time, the idea of leaving the hospital doesn't seem quite so terrifying.

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