Page 15 of Found
AND THEY ARE, ALL OFthem. They stay with me through the pain, even when I can’t stop the tears flowing from my useless eyes and the sobs from escaping. The burns hurt a lot more than the phantom pain in my right arm. Sometimes I’m almost glad I can’t see myself in the mirror. When I touch my face, I can feel the thick scars covering my skin, especially on the right side. Most of my hair is gone, too, but I don’t care much about that.
The men tell me that I’m beautiful, but I don’t care about that.
The important thing is that they still love me. They prove it every hour of the day, with their small gestures, jokes and encouragement.
They’re with me when I slowly start to walk again.
They take me to the Spire to feel the smooth rock, exploring it with touch rather than sight.
And they surround me in bed every night, holding me through the nightmares and the pain, making me feel safe. Without them, I’d be nothing.
Somehow, this disaster has made us become even closer. And once I’ve learned to live with my injuries, I’ll become a proper part of the team again, not just someone who needs to be looked after. That’s what I’m working towards.
I’m not a victim. I’m a survivor.
Epilogue
If this was a fairytale, we’d all live happily ever after. Intact. Whole.
We’re not, though.
We’re full of scars and bruises, both physical and mental ones.
Life on Mars isn’t full of rose petals and singing princesses.
It’s hard, dirty and full of danger.
But in the end, thisisa fairy tale.
Because we’re happy.
––––––––
LOUISE AND HER SIXmen. Sounds like a pretty good story, right?
***
