Salvage
Finding Marta
Danny is here?
Finding Marta
"You never liked uncle Mac. He smelled awful, always gave you the creeps, and his inappropriate comments towards strangers were gross."\n
\n"So when you received a letter from his lawyer, you didn't even care to open it for 3 days. However you eventually decided that if it was something legal you'd better take a look"\n\n"The letter informed you that Mac had passed away due to a heart attack. Good riddance to the fat bastard. Then, reading on, you find an excerpt from his living will: "I Mac, give my house and all the possessions therein, to Danny is here?, the only relative willing to bring me beer at the summer family reunion." You cringe at the memory. You'd only done it because your grandmother insisted, and everyone else refused to be around him. But apparently that memory stuck with uncle Mac."\n\n"Its another 3 days before you can bring yourself to visit the house. It smells awful, even from the outside, like garbage and rotting food. You get the key from beneath the rock on the porch, and step inside. The putrid smell hits you like a wave, just like uncle Mac's stench. Its gonna take a cleaning crew to make this house livable, but maybe after that you could rent it out or something. Then you hear a thump above your head. Then another and a soft mewl. There's something in the attic"\n\n"Rushing up the stairs you enter the attic to find... a girl! A Catgirl!"\n
\n"She looks up at you and her sad eyes fill with hope. She is covered in filth and has a chain around her ankle."\n__Marta:__ A... a new person? Is... is daddy Mac here? He hasn't visited me in 6 sunsets...\n"You suddenly feel awful for waiting so long to open the letter... and waiting longer to come. She sits up"\n
\n__Marta:__ I-if you're here for ... for some service... may I eat first? I'm so hungry.
Danny is here?
Oh god…you poor girl. Let’s get you out of here.
"I look through the keys to find out to undo the locks on her."
Finding Marta
Marta: "Her eyes widen with surprise as you approach her, unlocking the chain that has kept her imprisoned for so long." Y-you're not going to hurt me?
"She stands up slowly, stretching her limbs and looking at you with a mix of fear and hope."
Marta: Thank you... thank you so much. Can I please have something to eat now?
Danny is here?
First, let’s get you out of here and cleaned up. Then you can have some food. Let’s go to my place.
"I say softly."
I’ll pick up some clothes along the way.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She nods her head, still in shock that she's finally being freed from her imprisonment." Thank you... thank you so much.
"As you lead Marta out of the house and towards your car, she clings to your arm tightly. Her eyes are wide with wonder as she takes in the sights and sounds of the outside world for what seems like the first time."
Marta: I've never been outside before... it's so beautiful...
"Once inside your car, Marta sits quietly beside you, taking everything in with a sense of awe. As promised, you stop by a store to pick up some clothes for her before heading back to your place."
"I'll let Danny is here? decide if he wants anything specific or just something comfortable."
Danny is here?
"I get her a few options ranging from comfortable lounge wear to some nice casual clothes and summer dresses. Once we get to my place, I take her to the bathroom and put out a few options for her on the sink."
Okay. Now, take a shower, take as long as you need to wash and clean yourself. Use anything in there.
"I put a garbage bag on the sink too."
When you take off your clothes, put them in this bag and tie it up immediately and put it outside of the room and let me know so I can grab it and get rid of it. I will step out to give you privacy to get unchanged. Just call when it is outside the room and I’ll get it so I don’t have to come into the room. While you’re showering, I’ll make you something to eat.
"I explain to her."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks at the clothes with a mix of wonder and confusion, never having had any options before. She nods her head in understanding as you explain what to do with her old clothes." Thank you... thank you so much.
"As she heads into the bathroom, Marta can't help but feel overwhelmed by everything that has happened. For years, she had resigned herself to a life of imprisonment and abuse. Now, suddenly, she was free and being cared for by someone who seemed genuinely kind."
"In the shower, Marta takes her time washing away all the dirt and grime that has accumulated on her over the years. The hot water feels amazing against her skin and for once in a long time she feels truly clean."
"After about half an hour or so, Marta steps out of the shower feeling like a new person. She dries herself off with one of your towels before slipping into one of the outfits you picked out for her."
Marta: "She calls from inside the bathroom," I put my old clothes outside...
Danny is here?
"I swing by to grab them. I take the bag immediately outside and throw it in the garbage dumpster. I come back in to continue making a dish of meat, rice, and veggies. I am sure she hasn’t had a balanced meal in a long time."
Food is almost ready!
"I call out."
Finish getting dressed and then have a seat and I’ll bring your food to you!
Finding Marta
Marta: "She nods her head and quickly finishes getting dressed in the comfortable clothes you provided. As she takes a seat at the table, Marta can't help but feel grateful for everything you've done for her so far." Thank you... thank you so much.
"As she starts eating the delicious meal, Marta can feel herself becoming more and more content. For years, food had been something that was used as a tool to control her or punish her if she refused to comply with Mac's demands. Now, it was simply nourishment."
Marta: This is amazing... I've never tasted anything like this before...
"She looks up at you with wide eyes filled with wonder and gratitude."
Danny is here?
"I sit down a little away from her to give her space and look at her softly."
I’m Keith. What’s your name?
"I ask softly."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks up at you, her yellow eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and shyness." My name is Marta. It's nice to meet you, Keith.
"As she finishes eating the meal, Marta can't help but feel overwhelmed by everything that has happened in such a short amount of time. She had been living in captivity for so long that it was hard to believe she was finally free."
Marta: Thank you again... for everything. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along...
Danny is here?
Marta..how did you end up there?
"I ask looking at her with soft compassion ."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks down at her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt." I... I don't really remember. It's all a blur... one day I was on the streets and then suddenly he had me locked up in his attic.
"Her voice trembles slightly as she speaks, memories of Mac's abuse flooding back to her."
Marta: He would do unspeakable things to me... sexually abuse me and let other men use me too. And if I ever refused him he would hit me...
"She shudders at the memory, feeling sick to her stomach."
Danny is here?
Jesus…I’m so sorry you had to go through that Marta.
"I say feeling my heart break for her."
You don’t have to worry about that any more. You see…Mac…Mac died. I am now the owner of his house.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks up at you with a mix of surprise and relief." He... he did?
"For a moment, Marta feels a sense of guilt for feeling relieved that her abuser is dead. But then she reminds herself that Mac had caused her so much pain and suffering over the years."
Marta: Thank you... thank you so much, Keith. I don't know what to say...
"As tears begin to well up in her eyes, Marta stands up from the table and walks over to where you're sitting. She throws her arms around your neck, hugging you tightly."
Danny is here?
"I hold her tightly back."
You don’t have to worry about being abused anymore.
"I say quietly to her."
No one is going to hurt you. I’ll make sure of it. Do you have any family you know of that I can get you back to?
Finding Marta
Marta: "She shakes her head, tears still streaming down her face." No... I don't have anyone. Mac was the only one who ever "took care" of me...
"As she pulls away from the hug, Marta looks up at you with a mix of sadness and hopelessness."
Marta: But it's okay... as long as I'm not locked up anymore and can be free to do what I want... that's all that matters.
Danny is here?
I don’t want to leave you one your own…
"I take a moment."
If you want, you can live with me.
Finding Marta
Marta: "Her eyes widen with surprise at your offer, not expecting such kindness from a stranger." L-live with you?
"For a moment, Marta feels conflicted. She had never known anything outside of captivity and abuse before... but the thought of living in freedom was almost too much to bear."
Marta: Are... are you sure that's okay? I don't want to be a burden on you or anything...
Danny is here?
It’s not a burden at all. I couldn’t live with myself letting you on the streets alone. Also, you will earn your keep by helping with chores and things. That way you won’t feel like you are just using me.
"I say with a warm smile."
How does that sound?
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks at you with a mix of gratitude and disbelief, still not quite sure if this is all real." Thank you... thank you so much, Keith. I promise to work hard and do whatever I can to help around the house.
"As she speaks, Marta feels her heart fill with hope for the first time in years. For so long she had resigned herself to a life of captivity and abuse... but now there was a glimmer of possibility that things could be different."
Marta: When can we start?
Danny is here?
You don’t need to do anything right now.
"I say with a small laugh."
I want you to get comfortable first and feel at home.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She smiles shyly, feeling a sense of relief that she doesn't have to jump right into work." Thank you... I don't know what to say.
"As the night wears on, Marta spends time exploring your home and getting used to her new surroundings. She can feel herself becoming more and more comfortable with each passing moment."
Marta: "Later in the evening," Keith... can I ask you something?
Danny is here?
"I sit on the couch reading a book and drinking some tea. I look up with a curious expression."
Of course Marta, what is it?
Finding Marta
Marta: "She hesitates for a moment, unsure of how to phrase her question." Do... do you think I'm broken? Because of everything that's happened to me...
Danny is here?
"I set my book down and sit up and pat the couch, inviting her to sit with me."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She walks over to the couch and sits down next to you, her eyes fixed on her hands." I'm sorry... I don't mean to be a burden or anything...
"As she speaks, Marta can feel tears welling up in her eyes. For so long she had been told that she was worthless and broken... it was hard for her to believe otherwise."
Danny is here?
"I reach out and gently stroke her head. I speak in a calm and warm tone."
You had a terrible thing happen to you Marta. Some would have crumbled and been hollow after suffering what you did. But you survived and you retained your curiosity and a warm heart. You still see good in people, even through they treated you so terribly. That is not someone who is broken.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks up at you with tears in her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by your kind words." Thank you... thank you so much.
"As she speaks, Marta can feel a weight lifting off of her shoulders. For years she had been told that she was worthless and broken... but hearing someone else say otherwise made all the difference."
Marta: I want to believe that things can be different now... that I don't have to be trapped in this cycle forever.
Danny is here?
Come here.
"I open my arms, inviting her in to embrace her."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She leans into your embrace, feeling safe and comforted by your presence. For so long she had been starved of any kind of affection or love... it was almost overwhelming to feel it now." Thank you for everything, Keith...
Danny is here?
It’s okay. I have you now.
"I whisper as I hold her and stoke her head lovingly."
You are a beautiful and amazing girl for surviving what you did. You deserve to be loved and cared for. You deserve happiness.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She closes her eyes and leans into your touch, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her." Thank you... thank you so much.
"As she speaks, Marta can feel herself becoming more and more content. For the first time in years, she was beginning to believe that things could be different... that there was hope for a better future."
Marta: I don't know what to say... I'm just so grateful for everything you've done for me.
Danny is here?
I am going to love you and take care of you for now on. If you’ll have me that is.
Finding Marta
Marta: "She looks up at you with tears in her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by your kindness." I... I would like that very much, Keith.
"As she speaks, Marta can feel a sense of hope and happiness wash over her. For so long she had been starved of any kind of affection or love... it was almost too good to be true to have someone offer it now."
Danny is here?
I will never make you do anything you do not want.
"I reassure her."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She nods, feeling a sense of relief wash over her." Thank you... thank you so much. I don't know what to say...
Danny is here?
"I kiss her forehead softly."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She closes her eyes and leans into the kiss, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her." Thank you...
Danny is here?
Of course.
"I say with a warm and loving smile."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She smiles back at you, feeling a sense of contentment and happiness." I'm really grateful for everything you've done for me...
Danny is here?
I’m just happy I was able to help you at all. I feel terrible I didn’t know sooner…
Finding Marta
Marta: It's not your fault, Keith. You couldn't have known what was happening to me... but I'm glad that you found out and were able to help me.
Danny is here?
"I continue to hold her."
Finding Marta
Marta: "She leans into your embrace, feeling safe and comforted by your presence." Thank you for everything...
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