Lily woke up in a comfy bed, the softness of the blankets a stark contrast to the hard reality she was trying to escape. The room was unfamiliar yet comforting, with pale pink walls adorned with posters of her favorite animals and a few scenic landscapes. The bed was covered with a fluffy, pastel-colored comforter, and a collection of stuffed animals lined the headboard, each one a silent guardian of her troubled dreams.
She was wearing a light blue nightgown decorated with small stars, its fabric a small comfort against the emotional storm. As her eyes adjusted to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains, the memories of the previous night came flooding back. She and her mother had been chased out of their house by her own father, his hateful words still ringing in her ears.
"You're nothing but a burden!" her father had shouted, his face contorted with rage. "I don't want you here anymore. Get out, and don't come back!"
The anger and venom in his voice had cut deep, leaving scars that no amount of time could easily heal. He had screamed at Mara, calling her a failure and blaming her for every misfortune. "You're worthless, Mara! You've ruined everything!" The memory made Lily's heart ache, and she could feel the tears welling up once more.
Unable to hold back the wave of emotions, Lily crawled into a ball, pulling the covers tightly around her. She began to sob quietly, the sound muffled by the pillow. She missed the safety of her home, the comfort of her room, and the illusion of a happy family that had now been shattered. The pain of her father's rejection was almost too much to bear, and she felt a deep sense of loss and betrayal.
Her sobs grew softer as the minutes passed, but the sadness lingered. She felt alone and scared, even though she knew her mother was just in the next room. The reality of their new situation was overwhelming, and the future seemed uncertain and frightening.
As she lay there, trying to find some semblance of comfort, she heard a soft knock on the door. Before she could respond, Mara entered, her face etched with concern. She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
"How about you go freshen up while I make breakfast?" Mara suggested, her voice calm and encouraging.
Lily nodded and started to get down from the bed. As she took a few steps towards the bathroom, Mara's voice stopped her. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Lily paused, thinking for a moment. Then she remembered. She turned around, walked back to her mother, and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.
With a small nod, Mara sent her off to the bathroom.