She floundered. Every step felt an eternity. Every step was heavy. The heels of her boots scraped against the stone cold asphalt. The light drizzle had malignly turned into a beating downpour, each drop of water resonating loudly against stuff of metal and plastic. She was freezing, but her mind was numb. The surroundings were dark, but she could no longer recall the time of day; was it early morning or late night? Commotion and ruckus spurred all around and occasionally penetrated her senses to disturb their trance. She had lost count of how many hours or days that had trapped her in this state. It was a blur of passing lights and awful sounds—a nightmare to some, a dream to others.

Olivia Wilhelmsson was her name. To the fleeting eye she was a seemingly unknown but attractive composition, displaying uncanny symmetrical features. In a now past life, however, customers relished her excellent service and blazing speed. The routines of those fading memories were unremoved from bodily actions and reflex. As such, the fortunate few who had crossed paths with Olivia thought her a nurse. For she brought water when they thirsted, searched for food when they hungered, and offered them the warmth of her presence when they chilled. She never answered when they inquired, nor did she accept when they invited. Olivia’s destiny was only her own to give.

People were afraid, and rightfully so. Rumors of Hellish creatures, lurking in the dark, spread throughout the masses akin to wildfire. The whispers of fear were close to her ear. Children anxiously looked to their elders and teddy bears for sanctuary. The words of attempted comfort echoed loudly in the crowds, some being stronger than others. Olivia frowned at how certain parents seemingly ignored their weeping young. Pitiful, she thought. But blast and judge the actions of others and the universe will put you to the test yourself. A boy of perhaps six or seven years of age suddenly bumped into Olivia’s side. Their eyes met in silence, as the mass of people droned towards treatment.

“Hello there,” said Olivia.

The boy stared at the girl twice his height in silence. The brunette woman glanced at those close to her, but no signs of next of kin were apparent.

“What’s your name?” she inquired.
“Adam,” said the boy and tightly embraced his stuffed toy, which appeared to be a koala bear.

“It’s nice to meet you, Adam. I’m Olivia,” she said and squatted before him. “That’s a nice teddy bear you’ve got there.”

The boy remained silent, glancing at his stuffed toy, and then back at the woman. Olivia felt sorrow within her heart as she noticed the boy’s shivering and seemingly malnourished features.

“Are you here all by yourself? Where are your parents, Adam?” Olivia inquired.
“No, I don’t know,” Adam responded, confusing as it were.
“You’re not here by yourself, but you’ve lost your parents; is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then we have to find them, don’t we?” said Olivia and offered her hand along with a blinding smile.

The boy firmly embraced the brunette’s hand and gazed towards the back of the masses. Olivia’s worst fears were thus realized; if she wanted to help this hapless young man, she would have to leave her time invested position in the queue. The thought of taking the boy with her began to infest. However, at the other end of that thought, a pair of parents in despair lingered. Olivia shouldered her backpack and squeezed the boy’s hand.

“Okay then, let’s find them,” she said.

Olivia was showered with gratitude twenty minutes later. The family was reunited and all was well. The mother and father insisted on providing Olivia with whatever supplies that they could spare, but she declined. There was no need to praise or reward that which came naturally. The parents expressed their guilty feelings for forcing Olivia to leave her position in the queue, but the brunette reassured them that they needed not to think of it any further. The world had become such a dark place, and so rapidly, that a little bit of light was always appreciated no matter what the cost. Adam’s parents insisted that Olivia stayed with them for the duration of the screening. She could do nothing but accept their kind offer.

A surge of doubt crawled into Olivia’s heart and mind when a seemingly familiar woman approached and called her by name. The stranger appeared official, considering the outfit and respirator. The latter clouded the woman’s face enough for Olivia to feel at a disadvantage, but deep down inside the familiarity was prevalent. Everything about the resolute woman synched with Olivia’s memories of her sister. However, it was dark and she was tired, edgy on her feet and defensive around her newly found friends. The brunette subtly guided the family behind her own presence, a protective sign.

Olivia considered the woman’s proposal, unable to determine whether or not it was a humble request or an oppressive order. However, there was little to lose at this point and her gut screamed and pleaded her to venture further. Olivia turned to the family and thanked them for their hospitality. She then squatted before Adam and gave him a kiss on his cheek. 

“Don’t you run off anymore now, okay?—stay with your Mom and Dad,” she spoke. 

Olivia straightened her posture and faced the looming authority. “Is my sister here?”