Chapter 3 Savior

SERAPHINA

What was that noise? Why were people running, shouting?

I furrowed my brow as I pried my eyes open-but only darkness greeted me. I waved my hand in front of my face, straining to see anything at all. Nothing. Just endless black.

"W-What happened?" I whispered to the empty air.

My head throbbed, every muscle in my body aching. I tried to sit up, but my limbs felt heavy as lead.

Oh god-am I dead? Did I get hit by a car or something? I racked my brain, trying to piece together the last thing I remembered. Car? What was I even doing before this?

I touched my forehead, then my eyes-they were open, I could feel it. So why was everything so dark?

Slowly, fragments of memory clicked into place. The old woman. The knife. The van.

Right. I fought with Mama this morning-she told me to drop out of school, but I left anyway. I was walking to campus when I saw them drag her into the van, saw the blade slice through her shirt. I didn't think twice-I just ran to help her.

What came after? I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to reach for more.

Then it hit me.

"He sprayed something in my eyes!" I cried out, jolting upright in the bed.

My heart hammered against my ribs as panic set in. I spun my head from side to side, hands scrambling at the sheets. Still nothing but black.

The realization crashed down on me like a tidal wave.

"Am I... am I blind? Did I lose my sight?" My voice cracked, barely audible even to myself. A weight settled deep in my chest, stealing the strength from my limbs.

I sobbed, hot tears tracking down my cheeks. Blind? I'm blind?

What would I do now? How would I finish school? How would I ever work to make something of myself?

Fear coiled tight in my gut. They'll hate me even more now.

If they resented me when I could see, what would they do now that I was blind?

I drew a shaky breath, forcing myself to calm down. That's when I heard a door open and close somewhere nearby-but no one spoke.

"H-Hello? Is anyone there?" I called out.

After a moment, a soft clearing of the throat. "I take it you've realized your condition, Miss Mortez?" The voice was calm, professional-likely a doctor or nurse.

"Am I really blind?" I asked, my hands trembling in my lap.

"For the time being, yes. But there's good news-it isn't permanent. We expect your sight to return fully within a year, possibly sooner."

Within a year. I let out a small breath of relief, but the worry lingered. A whole year without seeing... who would care for me?

"W-What about the woman I saved? Is she okay?"

There was a pause before she answered. "You're worried about her even now?" A hint of warmth in her laugh. "She's stable. Recovering well."

I felt a little lighter knowing she was safe. The doctor explained more about my condition-why my vision was gone, what treatment would look like-but none of it stuck. My mind was fixed on one thing: how my family would react.

"Would you like us to contact your family, Ms. Mortez? We can have someone call them for you."

I froze. "I... I don't know their numbers by heart." I hated how small my voice sounded.

"I see. We'll find a way to-" The door slammed open so hard the frame rattled.

"Seraphina!"

My breath caught. Mama.

"Ma'am, please-you can't just burst in like-"

"M-Mama?" I cut the doctor off, relief and dread warring in my chest. "How did you find me? I was so scared-"

A sharp slap across my cheek cut me off. I cried out, clutching my face as numbness spread through my skin. I didn't know where to look-there was nothing to see.

"Damn you! You were useless enough before-now you're blind and completely worthless!" She shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.

"Mama, I didn't mean for this to happen-"

Another slap, harder this time. My head spun.

"You've never brought anything but bad luck to this family! Why did I even bother having you?!"

Her words sliced deeper than any physical pain. I could hear her arguing with the doctor, her voice sharp and angry. Nothing new there-Mama was never easy to reason with when she was upset. I asked the doctor to let her stay, my voice quiet and defeated.

The air in the room felt thick enough to swallow. Without sight, my hearing and sense of touch were sharper than ever-I could feel every shift in the mattress, every breath Mama took. I sat hunched against the headboard, waiting for her to speak.

"Your Aunt Aning had to come to the house before I even knew you were here, you fool!" She snapped. "What are we supposed to do with you now?"

"I don't know, Mama. I don't know." My shoulders slumped.

I was so close to graduating. Now everything's gone. Even if my sight came back, would it really? Nothing was ever certain.

Silence stretched between us. Then she spoke, and her words shattered what little hope I had left.

"I've made my decision. I'm selling you to Don Tiago. You're no use to us like this."

"Mama! I'm not something you can just sell!" I cried out, my hands fisting in the sheets.

She smacked my leg hard. "And what else are we supposed to do? You can't go to school, you can't work-you'll just drain us dry. We should be focusing on Hera, not cleaning up your messes!"

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. How could she give me away so easily? What had I ever done to make her hate me this much?

"At least when we sell you to the governor, we'll get paid. You'll finally be good for something-and you'll live comfortably in his home!"

Fear pricked at my skin. Governor Tiago... the stories I'd heard made my stomach turn. Before I could think, the world faded to black once more.

"Sera! Are you ready yet? Hurry up-Hera's going to fix your face so you don't look so miserable."

I dropped my head, my fingers wrapped around the wooden cane I'd been given. Two days had passed since I'd lost my sight. Papa had been furious when he found out-exactly what I'd expected.

"I'm done," I said, my voice flat as I sat on the edge of my bed. I heard footsteps approaching, then Hera's voice, high and sharp.

"Ugh! Why did you have to go and get yourself blinded? Now you're going to be some pervert governor's plaything." She grabbed my face, her fingers cold as she dabbed at my cheeks with something.

I said nothing. My heart was already in pieces-what more could she do to hurt me?

"Ah well. Thanks in advance for the money, though! Looks like we'll finally get out of this dump. Guess you are the breadwinner after all."

Still, I stayed quiet. I dressed slowly, letting them guide me out of the house when they said the governor was here.

"What's wrong with you?! Why are you crying?!" Mama hissed, pinching my side hard.

Who wouldn't cry when their own family is selling them? But I bit back the words, letting her pull me forward.

"Stop it! You're making yourself look worse!" Hera complained from beside me.

I was almost grateful I couldn't see-grateful I wouldn't have to look at the governor's face, or see the greed in my family's eyes.

"Gov!" Mama called out brightly.

"Oh, Mrs. Mortez! Is this your daughter?" The voice was slick, oily-even through the darkness, I could picture his leering smile.

How do I get away from this man?

"Yes, sir! Isn't she beautiful?" Mama trilled.

"Beautiful indeed! Perfect, just perfect!"

"Are you happy now, Mama?" I heard myself say, my voice barely a whisper.

She pinched me again, and I let out a hollow laugh.

What else could I expect from people who've treated me like a stranger my whole life?

I listened as they haggled, then felt a hand wrap around my arm-warm, but firm enough to make my skin crawl.

"You're a lovely girl, sweetheart," he murmured in my ear.

I didn't respond, letting him lead me toward what I assumed was his car. But before I could take another step, a voice cut through the air-deep, cold, and commanding.

"Negotiating human trafficking... is that allowed in your circles, Gov Tiago?"

Even I froze at the sound. The hand on my arm tightened with panic.

"V-Vitale! What are you doing here?!" The governor's voice shook.

Vitale? Who is that?

"I'm here for Seraphina Mortez. And it seems you're holding her."

The governor shoved me away so fast I stumbled, nearly falling. Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground, pulling me close against a solid chest. His scent-something clean and woodsy-filled my lungs.

"W-What do you want with me?" I asked, my hands gripping his shoulders.

"Not now. We'll talk later. Just stay still and come with me." His voice was low, hypnotic-impossible to resist.

"W-Wait! She's my daughter-" Papa stammered.

"How much did the governor offer you?" The man cut him off, his tone sharp.

"H-Huh?"

"I won't ask again."

"Five thousand dollar."

Five thousand dollar. I wasn't surprised they'd been swayed so easily.

"I'll pay triple that amount. In exchange, you will forget Seraphina Mortez was ever your daughter. You'll have no right to claim her as family. And if you ever try to contact her again..." He paused, and the silence that followed was more terrifying than any threat.

"You'll all be dead."

I heard my family scrambling, their voices rising in panic. Then strong arms lifted me off my feet, and I wrapped my legs around his waist instinctively, clinging to his neck. As promised, I said nothing as he carried me to a car, setting me gently on soft leather seats.

"Stay here. I'll handle the rest." He closed the door, leaving me alone in the quiet darkness-wondering who this mysterious man was, and why he'd saved me from a fate I couldn't bear to imagine.