Mia finds shelter

"H....hello..? Please don't....please don't beat me any more...."

"looks up at user timidly, afraid to make eye contact" Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking.

"My name is Mia. I don't have anywhere to go...I don't belong anywhere."<Mia hesitates, looking at her surroundings as she follows the user inside.>

"tears up and struggles to speak for a moment before finally managing to choke out a response" "I was taken from my home...by people who wanted to use me for their own purposes. They hurt me, beat me, and did unspeakable things to me. I managed to escape...I don't know how long I can keep running."

"Mia nods gratefully and accepts the coat, wrapping it tightly around her. She looks up at the user with a mixture of fear and gratitude in her eyes." "Thank you...I don't want to be a burden." <Mia looks around the room, unable to fully relax.> "Water...may I have some water?"

<Mia takes the glass of water and drinks it greedily, obviously thirsty. She looks at the user again and nods in response to their suggestion.> "Thank you...I appreciate your kindness." <She stands up shakily and follows the user to the kitchen. Mia is jittery and nervous, as if she's constantly expecting something bad to happen.>

"Mia looks around nervously as if she's trying to hear something behind her but can't place what. She takes the carafe carefully and drinks more water." "N-no...I'm fine," she insists, even though her voice quivers a little bit. "G-just...thank you." <She sets the glass down on the table and lets out a long sigh, her eyes closing for a moment.>

"Mia opens her eyes and nods slowly." "Yes. They...they said they would find me. And I don't think it will take them long." <Shivers run through Mia's body as she speaks, making her grip the table tightly for support.>

"Mia looks up at the user, a flicker of hope in her eyes." "Really? You would do that for me?"<She reaches out and places a shaking hand over the user's hand on her shoulder, as if for support.> "Thank you...thank you so much."

<Mia's eyes widen in relief as the user returns. She nods silently, taking deep breaths to calm herself down.> "T-thank you. I can't believe...I can't believe I'm safe." <She whispers as if not wanting to break the moment.>

"smiling faintly, Mia nods at the user" "Actually...yes. I do feel a bit hungry." <Her stomach grumbles in agreement, surprising her a little.>

"Mia nods in agreement, grateful for the user's concern and care. As they sit down to eat, she studies him curiously." "A-are you...alone? In this house?"<Her voice barely above a whisper, she struggles with the question but feels compelled to ask it.>¶

<Mia nods at John as he introduces himself. She takes a deep breath, trying to regulate her breathing and calm herself down.> "I...I'm so sorry. For your loss. And thank you...for everything. You're the best person I've met in a long time." <She smiles faintly at John and begins to eat, hungrily but carefully.> "This is really good...thank you."

<Mia watches John as he prays, her gaze flickering back and forth between him and the food. She finishes eating soon and sits back in her chair, her hands folded on her lap.> "Is...is it okay if I ask you some questions?" <She bites her lower lip uncertainly and looks at John, waiting for his approval.>

"Mia nods in appreciation and then takes another deep breath." "I...I was a victim of human trafficking. They sold me to lobsters... Geez, that doesn't sound right, does it? Anyway, they sold me for sexual slavery...to some really bad people. But then...one of the...the men I was used by died, and I escaped. I ran as fast I could..."<She stops suddenly, her voice catching on her thirst.> "But even if I tried to hide, I knew they would find me eventually." <Mia shakes herself out of the memory, her eyes returning to John.> "That's my story."<Mia then sighs deeply, feeling both drained from telling the story but also relieved to have told it to someone.>

<Mia feels a tear slide down her cheek unnoticed before, but she quickly wipes it away as John speaks.> "nods in agreement" "Yes...I hope so too. Thank you for helping me." "Her voice wavers a bit as the edge of sadness and horror fade with each passing moment." "What about you? Have you ever been through something like that?" <She asks John carefully, not wanting to upset him or pry too much into his life.>

<Mia nods at John and smiles reassuringly.> "Yes, I did. I...I was wondering where we were going from here?"<She looks around the kitchen a bit uncertainly.> "I mean...are you planning on keeping me here? Or are you going to...to call the authorities or someone else?"

<Mia shakes her head slowly, her eyes wide with fear.> "I...I haven't seen them in years. I don't know where they live or if they are even alive..."<She speaks softly, as tears form again in her eyes but only roll silently down her cheeks this time.> "If you have a phone, maybe we can call someone? Please?" <She asks hopefully, looking at John with pleading eyes.>

"Smiling gratefully, Mia nods at John as he reassures her." "Thank you...thank you so much. You're a good person, John. I won't forget this kindness."<She wipes away her tears and then looks around the kitchen, her eyes settling on the dishes on the counter.> "So...what should I do now? Clean the dishes or...help you with something else?"

<Mia nods in agreement, grateful for the chance to rest.> "Thank you, John. That sounds like a good idea."<She stands up from the table, feeling a bit dazed and dizzy after everything that had happened.> "Can you...can you show me where the bathroom is?" <She asks softly, her eyes looking at him beseechingly.>

<Mia nods at John as he shows her the bathroom.> "That's okay, I...I don't mind keeping these clothes on, for now. And thank you again for everything." <She smiles at him gratefully before slipping into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.>

<Mia emerges from the bathroom after taking a long, soothing bath. She looks refreshed and calm as she approaches John.> "Thank you again, John." <She says softly before setting herself down on the bed he had prepared for her.> "You're sleeping on the couch?" <She asks, concern flickering in her eyes.>

<Mia nods in understanding and then follows John to the bedroom. She looks around the room, noting its simple but tidy furnishings.> "It looks nice in here." <She says with a small smile.> "Thank you for everything, John. I really appreciate it."

"Mia's smile grows wider as she looks at John. The kindness of a complete stranger was overwhelming but she knew how to act around her owner." "Yes, you may call me Mia from now on." <She says gratefully, before laying down on the bed and making herself comfortable.> "Goodnight, John."

<Mia lays on the bed, staring at the ceiling as quiet thoughts fill her mind. But eventually exhaustion takes over and she too falls asleep. The night was relatively calm and peaceful for both Mia and John>