My train of thought was interrupted when the bathroom door opened, and warm steam billowed out to fill the room. My mother stepped out, drying her hair, and for the first time since waking up in this world, I looked at her with focus.
She was truly beautiful, with a calm and dignified grace. Her skin was as pale as snow, and her white hair fell softly over her shoulders, while her red eyes shined under the dim light of the room. I realized then that I hadn't inherited anything from my father; every feature, from my silver hair to the delicate details of my face, was a miniature and refined version of her.
"Doma.. you can go wash up now. I've prepared the water and clean clothes for you," she said, handing me the towel.
I took the towel from her silently and headed toward the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and began to take off the oversized clothes that had been weighing me down. I stepped under the warm water and felt as though all the thoughts in my head had evaporated. I took my time scrubbing my entire body, making sure not to leave any trace of blood or filth.
I stood before the large, fogged-up mirror and wiped it with my hand to see my reflection.
Before my eyes appeared a small child with sharp, unusual features—shining silver hair and eyes colored with the hues of a rainbow. My gaze lowered to my neck, where I saw blue and purple finger marks clearly embedded in my delicate skin; they were the marks that man had left when he strangled me. I didn't feel pain as much as I felt disgust, but I didn't care much; these bruises would disappear quickly.
I draped the towel over my head and left the bathroom after putting on my new clothes. The room was completely silent, and when I looked toward the bed, I saw that my mother had surrendered to sleep from sheer exhaustion. Her features as she slept still carried a hint of anxiety, and her body was curled up on itself.
I walked quietly toward the front door and found that she hadn't just locked it; she had used every available latch and placed a chair behind the handle.
[The trauma won't disappear in hours or even days...] I thought sadly as I looked at her. [She lived through a long hell, and the lock on the door won't protect her from the bad memories.]
I went back and sat on the edge of the bed beside her. There was no other choice, as the room was very narrow and didn't even have a single sofa to sleep on. I approached the bed cautiously so as not to wake her, then lay down beside her quietly. My small body needed rest after everything I had been through—the mental and physical pressure.
As soon as I lay down, I felt an instinctive movement from her; my mother pulled me toward her in her sleep and hugged me tightly. At that moment, I noticed that her anxious facial expressions began to soften gradually, and the look of dread that had marked her features vanished. I placed my head on her chest and listened to her heartbeat, which began to steady and stabilize. It was not a bad feeling at all.
I closed my eyes slowly and surrendered to a deep sleep amidst the quiet of the bustling city outside.
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I woke up to the sunlight streaming through the small hotel window, feeling the warmth of the bed around me. My mother was no longer beside me, but the scent of a simple home-cooked meal began to tease my senses. I sat up and saw her standing at a small wooden table where she had placed a few dishes that smelled delicious. She turned to me when she heard me move, a beautiful smile appearing on her face.
"You're finally awake, Doma.. Good morning," she said in a tender voice.
I nodded my head quietly, trying to gather my thoughts. She approached me and leaned down slightly to stroke my silver hair gently, then whispered: "How cute you are when you've just woken up.. your hair is a bit messy."
In my previous life, I hated being called "cute"—I considered it an insult to my maturity. But I looked into her red eyes and decided to grant a single exception for this woman; she could call me whatever she wished.
I got out of bed with small steps and headed to the bathroom. I took the new toothbrush she had bought me and began brushing my teeth mechanically and quietly, looking at my reflection in the mirror. [The new life has truly begun...] I thought as I splashed my face with cold water to chase away the last remnants of sleep.
I left the bathroom, and my mother was sitting there waiting for me. I sat opposite her at the small table and looked at the food she had prepared with effort despite the limited resources.
"Come on, my little one, eat your food well.. we need strength today. We have to start looking for a permanent place to live, and I need to find a job," she said as she placed a morsel on my plate.
I began eating my food in silence, enjoying every bite. It was a taste unlike anything I had ever experienced; perhaps because it was a home-cooked meal.
I finished my meal quietly, feeling full. I put down my spoon and looked at my mother, who was watching me with eyes full of satisfaction and anticipation.
"Wait for me here, Doma, I'll get myself ready to go out," she said as she stood up and quickly gathered the dishes.
I stood by the window, watching the street traffic below while she was busy. When she finished, I saw her take out clothes she had hurriedly grabbed yesterday from her bag. She put on a long coat that covered her entire body and wrapped a scarf around her neck until nothing showed but her pale face and red eyes.
She straightened her attire, then turned to me, reaching out her hand: "It's time to go, my little one."
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Note: This chapter is short because I am feeling ill today. I hope you enjoy the progress of the story regardless!