The sun blazed over the sprawling campus of Sonoran State University, its rays glinting off the glass windows of the lecture halls. Linda stood at the edge of the quad, her heart pounding like a drum. At 18, she was a freshman, wide-eyed and clutching a crumpled campus map. Her long, dark curls bounced as she shifted her weight, her crop top and denim shorts revealing her athletic form. She felt exposed, not just physically but emotionally, as if the entire student body could see her nerves fraying.

Sophia hovered beside her, invisible to everyone else. Today, she appeared as a comforting older sister, her form shimmering faintly in a flowing white dress. “You’ve got this, Linda,” Sophia whispered, her voice a soothing balm. “Just follow the map to your first class. Biology 101, right?” Linda nodded, biting her lip. She wasn’t sure if Sophia was an angel or something else, but her presence was the only thing keeping her from bolting back to her dorm. Growing up in Tucson, Linda had faced tougher challenges—abusive siblings, parents who barely noticed her, the lure of drugs she’d fought to escape. But this? This was a new kind of overwhelming. College was supposed to be her fresh start, her chance to work with animals, to become someone new. Yet, standing here, she felt like a lost child.

“Linda!” A familiar voice cut through the chatter of passing students. Martha jogged toward her, her blond ponytail swinging. At 20, Martha was a sophomore, her slim, muscular frame clad in a tight tank top and short shorts that screamed confidence. She was a psychology and nursing major, always ready to dispense advice, whether asked for or not. “Girl, you look like you’re about to cry. First day jitters?”

Linda forced a smile. “Is it that obvious?”

Martha laughed, tossing her hair. “Only to me. Come on, Tony and I walk you to bio.”

As they started across the quad, Linda felt a flicker of relief. Martha and Tony were her anchors, her surrogate siblings. They’d met over the summer at a campus orientation, and their bond had grown fast, built on late-night talks and shared vulnerabilities. Martha, with her California beach vibe, could be a bit self-absorbed, but her heart was kind. Tony, the senior physics major, was their rock—patient, protective, always ready to drive them wherever they needed to go.

Sophia floated alongside, her expression wary as she scanned the crowd. “Watch that guy on the left,” she murmured, pointing to a tall student with a charming grin who was eyeing Linda. Linda’s cheeks flushed; she was already imagining a rom-com moment with him. Sophia sighed. “Not every smile is genuine, Lin.” Linda ignored her, too caught up in the whirlwind of the campus. Students rushed past, some laughing, others buried in their phones. The air smelled of fresh-cut grass and coffee from a nearby cart. Martha was rambling about her psych professor, but Linda’s attention snagged on a group of girls glaring at her from a bench. Their whispers felt like needles. Linda’s beauty, though she didn’t see it herself, often drew envy, and she shrank under their stares.

“Martha, do I look okay?” Linda asked, tugging at her crop top.

Martha stopped, hands on hips. “You look hot, babe. Own it. Those girls are just jealous.” She smirked, clearly enjoying the attention by proxy. “Now, focus. You’re gonna love bio. It’s all about animals, right? Perfect for you.”

They reached the science building, a sleek structure with floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside, the halls buzzed with students. Tony was leaning against a wall, one earbud in, his dark brown hair neatly cropped. At 22, he had an easy athleticism from years of baseball and track, his plain T-shirt and jeans unassuming. He spotted them and pulled out the earbud, grinning.

“There’s our freshman,” he teased, ruffling Linda’s hair. She swatted his hand, but her smile was genuine. Tony’s caretaker vibe always made her feel safe, like she had a big brother watching out for her.

“Ready for your first class?”

“Not even a little,” Linda admitted, clutching her backpack. “What if I fail? What if I say something dumb?”

“You won’t,” Tony said firmly.

“And if you do, who cares? Everyone’s too busy worrying about themselves.” He glanced at Martha. “You keeping her out of trouble?”

Martha rolled her eyes. “Me? I’m the responsible one here.”

Tony snorted. “Sure, Miss ‘I Need Drama to Survive.’”

As they bantered, Linda’s gaze wandered to a guy across the hall. He was cute, with tousled blond hair and a dimpled smile, and he was looking right at her. Her heart skipped. She imagined him asking her out, maybe to coffee, maybe to—

“Earth to Linda,” Sophia’s voice snapped her back. “He’s got player written all over him. Focus on class.”

Linda blushed, realizing she’d been staring. Tony followed her gaze and frowned slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. “Come on, let’s get you to your room,” he said, steering her toward the lecture hall.

The biology classroom was a cavernous space, rows of desks filled with students. Linda’s stomach churned as she took a seat near the front, Martha and Tony lingering at the door to wave her off. “You’ll be fine,” Martha called, blowing a dramatic kiss. Tony gave her a thumbs-up, then they were gone.

As the professor began, Linda tried to focus, scribbling notes about cell structures. But her mind wandered. What if she didn’t fit in here? What if she fell for the wrong guy again, like she always did? Her empathic heart, so quick to love, had led her to heartbreak before. She glanced at Sophia, who sat cross-legged on the desk, invisible to all but her.

“You’re stronger than you think,” Sophia said softly. “But you need to listen to Martha and Tony. And me. Especially me.” Linda nodded, her pen pausing.

She wanted to believe Sophia, but the weight of the day—new faces, new expectations, the pull of her own desires—felt crushing. As the lecture ended, a girl next to her leaned over.

“Hey, I’m Jess. You’re Linda, right? I saw you with Martha. Wanna grab lunch later?”

Linda’s face lit up. A new friend already? “Sure!” she said, her voice bright.

But Sophia’s eyes narrowed, catching something in Jess’s tone—a hint of calculation.

“Be careful,” Sophia warned as Linda gathered her things. “Not everyone here is what they seem.”

Outside, Martha and Tony were waiting, bickering about where to eat.

Linda joined them, her heart a mix of hope and fear.

This was college, her new beginning. But as Sophia’s words echoed, she wondered: could she navigate this world without losing herself?

The cozy university bistro buzzed with the low hum of student chatter. At a small wooden table, Linda sat nestled close to Tony, a visible tremor in her hand as it rested on his arm. Her head leaned against his shoulder, a picture of fragile dependence. Across from them, Martha observed the tableau, her expression a shifting landscape of concern and a touch of uneasy curiosity. Unseen by them both, Sophia hovered near Linda, an ethereal presence that added an unspoken layer of anxiety to the scene.

"Tony," Linda's voice was soft, barely a whisper, betraying her inner turmoil. "I don't know if I can do this. It's all so loud, and those girls in class… they kept staring. I just want to disappear."

Tony responded with a gentle squeeze of her hand, his voice a calming anchor. "Hey, you're doing great, Lin. First days are always chaotic. Just stick with us, okay? We've got your back."

A sigh escaped Linda's lips, and she snuggled closer to him. "You're my rock, you know that? I don't know what I'd do without you."

Martha offered a strained laugh, her eyes flicking between the two. "Okay, lovebirds, let's not get too cozy. Linda, you've got to stand on your own two feet sometime. Maybe try talking to someone new at lunch?" Linda lifted her head slightly, a flicker of something other than anxiety in her eyes. "I did! There's this girl, Jess. She asked me to eat with her later. But… I don't know, something felt off."

A silent warning echoed in Linda's mind, Sophia's voice a firm whisper only she could hear: *Trust your gut, Lin. She's hiding something. Stay close to Tony and Martha for now.* Linda nodded almost imperceptibly, then turned to Martha. "Maybe you're right. I'll stick with you guys today. But Tony, you won't leave me, right?" Tony's smile was reassuring. "Never. I'll be right here. Want me to grab you some water? You look like you need it."

A weak smile touched Linda's lips. "Yeah, thanks. You're the best."

Martha leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Linda, honey, I'm glad Tony's your support, but… maybe a little space? You're clinging like he's your boyfriend or something."

A blush crept up Linda's neck. "What? No, he's just… like a brother. Right, Tony?" Tony chuckled, completely missing the underlying tension. "Yeah, totally. Just family vibes here. I'll go get that water—be right back."

He stood and headed towards the counter, leaving Linda alone with Martha.

Martha sipped her drink, her gaze following Tony. "Look, I get it, he's great. But that huggy stuff? It's a bit much. People might get the wrong idea."

*She's right to worry, Lin,* Sophia's worried tone resonated within Linda. *Your heart's too open. Don't let it blur lines with Tony. He's your shield, not your love.* Linda fidgeted, a defensive edge to her voice. "I'm not! I just… I feel safe with him. After everything back home, he's the only one who gets me."

Martha's expression softened. "I know, sweetie. Just be careful, okay? You've got a big heart, and it can lead you into trouble. Let's focus on lunch—pick something yummy."

"Maybe you're both overthinking it…" Linda murmured quietly to herself, a seed of doubt planted in her mind.

Tony returned, setting a glass of water in front of Linda with a cheerful grin. "Here you go. Feeling better?" Linda took a sip, a small smile gracing her lips. "A little. Thanks, Tony."

"Great! Let's order," Martha said, forcing a brighter tone. "I'm starving after all that walking. Linda, no more moping—tell us about Jess instead."

Hesitation flickered across Linda's face. "Well… she seemed nice. But Sophia thinks she's hiding something. I don't know what to think."

Martha raised an eyebrow. "Sophia again? Linda, you and your imaginary friend need to chill. Maybe Jess is just shy."

*Tell her to watch Jess,* Sophia's voice was stern, a clear warning. *I see trouble brewing.* "Maybe… maybe I'll see how it goes," Linda said nervously. "I don't want to judge too fast."

Tony nodded in agreement. "Good call. Give her a chance, but stay sharp. We're here if anything feels off."

A brief silence descended upon the group, the underlying tension lingering in the air as they turned their attention to the menus, each lost in their own thoughts and unspoken anxieties.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the campus as Tony and Martha flanked Linda, guiding her toward her next class, Animal Science 101.

Linda’s steps faltered, her crop top and shorts feeling like a spotlight on her curvaceous frame.

Her heart raced, social anxiety clawing at her chest.

Every glance from passing students felt like a judgment, every boy’s stare a leer.

She tugged at her hair, curling it nervously around her finger.

“Everyone’s looking at me,” Linda whispered, her voice tight.

“They think I don’t belong here.” Tony, walking on her left, adjusted his earbud and gave her a reassuring nod.

“Nah, they’re just rushing to class.

You’re fine, Lin.” Martha, on her right, rolled her eyes playfully.

“Seriously, babe, look around.

That guy’s got his nose in a book, and those girls are arguing about a quiz.

No one’s got time to judge you.” She pointed to a group of students hurrying past, oblivious to Linda’s presence.

Linda peeked up, her dark eyes darting.

The boys’ stares lingered a moment longer, but Martha’s words sank in.

The campus buzzed with its own chaos—backpacks swinging, laughter echoing—not a single eye seemed fixed on her.

She exhaled shakily, gripping Tony’s arm for support.

“See? You’re invisible to them,” Martha said, smirking.

“Now, chin up.

You’ve got this animal husbandry thing in the bag.” They reached the lecture hall, and Tony gave her a thumbs-up before stepping back.

“We’ll wait outside after.

You’re gonna rock it.” Inside, Linda took a seat, her anxiety easing as the professor began.

The focus on animals steadied her, but the day’s weight lingered.

After class, she retreated to her dorm room, a small sanctuary with a single bed and posters of horses.

Sophia appeared, today a motherly figure in a soft white robe, sitting beside her.

Linda flopped onto the bed, burying her face in her pillow.

“Sophia, it was awful.

I thought everyone hated me.

The boys kept staring, and I panicked.

What if I can’t handle college?” Sophia’s voice was gentle, her hand brushing Linda’s hair.

“You’re stronger than you know.

Those stares were just curiosity, not hate.

And Martha’s right—most were too busy to notice.

You made it through your first day.” Linda sat up, tears brimming.

“But what if I mess up again? What if I fall for someone who hurts me, like before?” “Take it slow,” Sophia advised.

“Lean on Tony and Martha, but guard your heart.

You’re here to grow, not to rush into love.” Linda nodded, the room quiet except for her steadying breaths.

The first day’s storm had passed, leaving her determined to face the next.

The morning sun filtered through the dorm windows, painting Linda’s room in a golden glow.

She woke with a spark of excitement, her anxiety from the previous day replaced by a fresh eagerness for her second day on campus.

At 18, she felt ready to embrace college—learning about animals, meeting new people, building a life far from her troubled past in Tucson.

She slipped into a fitted crop top and shorts, her long black curls bouncing as she hummed softly to herself.

Downstairs in the dorm’s common area, the smell of breakfast burritos wafted through the air as a delivery boy arrived, balancing a stack of foil-wrapped meals for other students.

Linda stepped into the room, her smile bright—until the boy froze, his eyes locking onto her.

Her breath caught, her heart skipping a beat as recognition hit her like a punch.

“OMG, Lin Lin!” the boy, Billy, exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and sleaze.

“What the eff, girl? Are you actually here, pretending to be a college girl? Why’d you run away, sweetie? We were about to get good.” Linda’s stomach churned, her past crashing into her present.

Billy’s greasy hair and hollow eyes were a haunting reminder of the life she’d escaped—drugs, manipulation, a drainage tunnel filled with lost souls.

Her voice shook with fury as she snapped, “Shut up, Billy.

‘Get good’? Really? On meth? On pills? You were going to pimp me out for more drugs.

That ain’t good, you stupid ass.

Stay away from me.

Forget you even know me.” She bolted down the stairs, her heart pounding, tears stinging her eyes as she burst onto the campus quad.

Students milled about, but her focus narrowed—she needed Tony and Martha.

Spotting them near a fountain, she ran over, her breath ragged.

“What’s the matter, sweetie?” Martha asked, her blond ponytail swinging as she turned, concern etched on her face.

“Are you crying?” Linda wiped her eyes, her voice trembling but resolute.

“Oh, it’s nothing.

Just a piece of crap from my past showed up.

But I’m okay.

I’m done with that nonsense.

Take me to class, please, to my new life, away from all that.

Can you believe I actually wanted to live with that fool, in a drainage tunnel, with a bunch of losers passed out on pills?” Tony’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts kicking in, while Martha’s expression softened with empathy.

Without a word, they pulled Linda into a tight hug, sandwiching her between them.

Tony’s plain T-shirt and jeans felt like a shield, and Martha’s athletic frame was a comforting barrier.

“We’ve got you,” Tony murmured, his voice steady.

“Let’s get you to class.” They walked her across the bustling campus, Linda nestled between them, her past fading with each step toward her future.

Linda sat in her Animal Science 101 class, her head buried in her textbook as the professor guided the students through a lesson on animal behavior.

The diagrams of migration patterns and the professor’s soothing voice pulled her focus inward, her earlier anxiety melting away.

Her love for animals grounded her, each new fact about their instincts and habitats a small comfort.

Her long black curls fell over her shoulder as she scribbled notes, her crop top and shorts a contrast to the studious intensity on her face.

As the class ended, students shuffled out, but Linda stayed behind, meticulously copying her notes into her notebook.

The professor, a kind-faced older man with silver hair and wire-rimmed glasses, approached her desk.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” he asked gently.

“You seem a little distracted.” Linda’s pen paused, her brow furrowing as she looked up.

“Why are you calling me sweetheart? You don’t even know me.”

The professor’s cheeks flushed, and he raised his hands in apology.

“Oh, my bad.

You remind me so much of my granddaughter—you two could be twins.

I’ll respect your boundaries, but are you okay?” “I’m fine,” Linda replied curtly, gathering her things.

She stood to leave, glancing back at the grandfatherly professor, her mind swirling with questions about his sudden attention.

As she stepped into the hallway, Sophia appeared beside her, today a wise maternal figure in a flowing white robe, her presence invisible to all but Linda.

“Don’t worry about him, Linda,” Sophia said softly.

“He’s just an old man missing his kids who all grew up and moved away.

He’s suffering from what they call empty nest syndrome.

But be careful—don’t get emotionally involved with him.

You seek fatherly affection as much as he seeks his grown children, and you two could get in trouble if you get too close.” Linda nodded, her lips pursed as she made her way to the campus bistro for lunch.

Tony and Martha were already there, seated at their usual table with sandwiches and iced teas.

Linda slid into the chair beside Tony, her expression troubled.

“So, my professor just called me ‘sweetheart,’” she began, recounting the interaction.

“He said I reminded him of his granddaughter, but it felt… weird.

Sophia thinks he’s lonely, but she warned me not to get too close.” Martha, her blond ponytail bobbing as she leaned forward, frowned.

“That’s a red flag, Linda.

Even if it’s innocent, you don’t need that kind of attention from a professor.

It’s a distraction from your studies, and you’ve already got enough on your plate.” Tony nodded, pulling out his earbud to focus on her.

“She’s right.

It might seem harmless, but it can turn into drama fast.

You’re here to learn, not to play surrogate granddaughter.

Keep your distance, okay?” Linda sighed, picking at her sandwich.

“Yeah, I get it.

I just… I don’t know, I felt bad for him.

But I’ll stay focused.

No more drama—I promise.”

After class, Linda slipped away from the campus bustle, her steps leading her to a hidden duck pond tucked behind a line of trees.

The quiet chirping and gentle quacking offered a reprieve from her swirling thoughts.

She bought a small bag of duck food from a nearby vendor and scattered it around her feet, smiling as friendly ducks waddled close.

A sparrow swooped down, snatching a morsel from atop her shoe, and she chuckled softly, needing this solitude with her thoughts—and Sophia.

Sophia materialized as an ethereal presence, her form shifting to match Linda’s memory of those dark days, dressed in a provocative outfit from their past.

“Sophie, explain this to me,” Linda said, her voice a mix of confusion and pain.

“When Billy showed up, I was overwhelmed with contempt, but at the same time, I missed him.

Dirty and stinky as we were, I miss being held in his arms, awash in the glow of the intoxication of the pills.

And you, you were there too, all dressed up like a little slut, going along with all of that.

Why didn’t you stop me from being so stupid?” Though Sophia had no physical form, Linda felt a warm, comforting embrace, as if invisible arms wrapped around her.

Sophia’s voice was tender yet firm.

“I’m part of you, sweetheart, a manifestation of your consciousness, a connection to your higher and wiser self.

But I can’t stop you from seeking what you think you need, even if it’s with the wrong person.

So to not abandon you, I have to go with the flow and mirror the you that I am.

At that time, there was no point in trying to influence you.

You were committed to having that experience, so all I could do is work with your angels and hope you didn’t get hurt too bad.

I can feel the pull you’re feeling, that urge to say ‘screw it all’ and go back to the tunnels and get high.

But you are stronger now, you can resist, and I will help you resist.

In all probability, you will, like most young girls these days, spend most of your 20s looking for love in all the wrong places, and I will be there to assist, or resist, according to your will.” Linda gazed at the clouds drifting above, her heart heavy with the emotional weight of the day.

The ducks quacked softly around her, grounding her in the present.

Just then, Tony and Martha emerged from the trees, Martha’s blond ponytail bobbing as she waved.

“There you are, Lilly!” Martha called, using her nickname affectionately.

“Come join us for a meal at the bistro.” Tony grinned, pulling out his wallet.

“My treat, ladies.

Let’s eat.” The girls exchanged delighted grins, their spirits lifting as they accepted the offer, walking back toward the bistro with Linda feeling a bit more anchored.

Weeks turned into months as Linda immersed herself in her studies at the university.

Animal Science became her sanctuary, each lecture and lab a step further from her past.

She socialized sparingly, attending a few dorm gatherings, but the novelty quickly wore off.

Boys on campus noticed her—her curvaceous frame in crop tops and shorts drew their attention—but she shied away, torn between craving their affection and fearing it would derail her carefully laid path.

The other girls in the dorm grated on her nerves, their late-night antics with boyfriends echoing through the walls.

“Why can’t they go to their boyfriends’ houses?” Linda muttered to herself one night, the thumping and bumping keeping her awake.

“And if he doesn’t have a place, maybe you’re making a mistake.” One boy in her veterinary science class caught her eye—a sweet, farm-raised boy named Ethan, studying to become a veterinarian.

His innocence and genuine kindness stood out, a stark contrast to the city boys she’d known.

She liked him, his shy smiles and earnest passion for animals stirring something in her, but fear held her back.

She worried she’d hurt him with her complicated past, or worse, that he’d reject her once he learned about the tunnels, the drugs, and Billy.

So she kept her distance, her heart a tangled knot of longing and caution.

Thanksgiving break arrived, and Martha invited Linda to spend the holiday with her family in Southern California.

Linda hesitated, uncomfortable with the idea of intruding on someone else’s family, but she didn’t want to be alone.

With none of them old enough to rent a car, Tony joined the trip, their reliable driver and big brother figure.

The trio boarded a bus, the hum of the engine and the chatter of other passengers filling the air as they headed south.

Martha’s family lived in a sunny, suburban home with a manicured lawn and a basketball hoop in the driveway.

Her parents greeted them warmly at the door—her mom, a petite woman with a blond bob, wrapped Martha in a tight hug, while her dad, a tall man with a booming laugh, shook Tony’s hand and clapped Linda on the shoulder.

“Welcome, welcome!” he said, ushering them inside.

The house smelled of roasting turkey and cinnamon, the dining table already set with festive plates.

Linda felt out of place, her nerves tingling as she sat on the couch, clutching a glass of sparkling cider.

Martha’s younger brother, a lanky teenager, challenged Tony to a quick game of hoops outside, and the two disappeared, leaving the girls with Martha’s parents.

Martha’s mom sat beside Linda, her smile kind but probing.

“So, Linda, Martha tells us you’re from Tucson.

How are you liking college?”

“It’s… good,” Linda said, her voice small.

“I’m studying animal science.

I love animals—they’re easier than people.” She forced a smile, hoping it didn’t look as strained as it felt.

Martha’s dad chuckled from across the room, carving the turkey at the counter.

“Oh, I hear that! We’ve got a dog—Buster—who’s better company than most folks.

You’ll meet him later.”

The conversation flowed, but Linda’s discomfort lingered.

Martha, ever the center of attention, regaled her parents with stories of track meets and dorm drama, her blond ponytail bouncing as she gestured animatedly.

Linda envied her ease, the way she fit so seamlessly into her family’s dynamic.

Sophia appeared briefly, a comforting maternal figure in a white robe, whispering, “You’re doing fine, Lin.

Just be yourself—they’ll love you.”

Dinner was a blur of passing dishes and laughter, Tony and Martha’s brother returning sweaty but grinning from their game.

Linda picked at her food, the warmth of the gathering both comforting and overwhelming.

After the meal, Martha’s mom pulled her aside, her voice soft.

“Linda, I can tell you’re a bit uneasy.

I just want you to know you’re welcome here.

Martha’s friends are like family to us.”

Linda nodded, her throat tight.

“Thank you.

I just… I’m not used to this.

My family wasn’t… like yours.”

Martha’s mom squeezed her hand gently.

“That’s okay, honey.

You’re here now.” As the evening wound down, the group gathered in the living room for pie and board games.

Linda sat between Tony and Martha, their presence grounding her.

She caught Tony’s eye, and he gave her a reassuring wink, pulling out his earbud to whisper, “You’re doing great, Lin.” For the first time that day, she felt a flicker of belonging.

The semester drew to a close, and with it came the bittersweet end of another chapter.

Graduation day arrived, the campus alive with the rustle of caps and gowns and the buzz of proud families.

Tony stood tall in his black cap and gown, his dark brown hair neatly cropped beneath the mortarboard.

Linda watched from the crowd, her heart swelling with pride.

At 22, he was starting his graduate work at the university, a testament to his dedication.

She smiled, happy to see him succeed, though she’d noticed him growing preoccupied lately—understandable, given his studies.

Martha, too, seemed distant, her usual chatter replaced by a quiet that unsettled Linda.

She’d caught them kibitzing, only to fall silent when she approached, leaving her feeling like an outsider—a troubling sensation she couldn’t shake.

After the ceremony, Tony and Martha approached her, their expressions a mix of excitement and something harder to read.

“Hey, Linda,” Martha said, her blond ponytail swaying as she adjusted her own gown.

“We’re heading to dinner after this.

Want to join us?”

“What?” Linda thought, the invitation stinging like an afterthought.

“Invite me, like I’m not part of the group and need to be invited?” A wave of dread crept over her as the dinner time neared, but she pushed it down, clinging to hope.

She agreed, dressing in a simple crop top and shorts, her long black curls framing her nervous face as she met them at the bistro.

The meal started awkwardly, the clink of cutlery against plates filling the silence.

Tony and Martha exchanged glances, their usual ease replaced by tension.

Linda’s stomach twisted as she picked at her food, sensing a storm brewing.

Then, midway through the main course, Martha set down her fork, her voice low but firm.

“Linda, we need to talk,” she began.

Tony shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Linda’s gaze.

“We’ve been meaning to tell you… Tony and I have been seeing each other.

For a while now.”

Linda’s world tilted.

The words hit like a physical blow, her breath catching as she stared at them.

“What?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“You two… together?” The brotherly protector she’d leaned on, the friend who’d guided her through her darkest days, and Martha, her confidante—together? The betrayal sliced deep, unraveling the fragile trust she’d built.

Tony reached out, his hand hovering but not touching.

“Lin, we didn’t mean to hurt you.

It just… happened.

We were going to tell you sooner, but with graduation and everything—”

“Stop,” Linda cut him off, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

“You should’ve told me.

I thought we were family.” Her voice cracked, the pain of exclusion and abandonment flooding back—memories of her turbulent past in Tucson crashing into the present.

She stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor.

“I need to go.”

She fled the bistro, the cool evening air hitting her face as she stumbled toward the dorms.

Sophia appeared, a maternal figure in white, her presence a faint comfort.

“They didn’t mean to break you, Lin,” Sophia said softly.

“But you must guard your heart now.

This pain will pass, and you’ll find your strength again.”

Linda sank onto a bench, her head in her hands, her whole world shattered, yet a flicker of resilience beginning to stir within her.

Linda slumped on the bench, her mind a whirlwind of pain and confusion, Sophia’s invisible presence a silent anchor beside her.

Her long black curls fell over her face as she stared at the ground, her voice a raw whisper in her head.

“I don’t understand … anything.

They were my brother and sister, and now? Now what? She’s his girlfriend? She’s his wife? What the eff, man.

So now I hear that he isn’t going to graduate school at the university, but a different school states away.

And Martha’s going with him, maybe not even finishing her degree, maybe just making babies for Tony.

I loved Tony like a brother, or did I? I’m angry at Martha.

She stole the man that I secretly wanted, the one I was secretly saving myself for.

What a stupid fool I am.

I hate her now.

I hate both of them.

Sophia! What the eff is wrong with me? Never mind.

Eff it.

I’m going back to Tucson.

I need to get high.”

Sophia’s voice, gentle yet firm, flowed into Linda’s thoughts, wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

“Oh, sweet girl, I feel the storm in you, and it’s tearing you apart.

You’re not a fool—your heart’s just been blindsided.

Tony and Martha didn’t set out to hurt you, but they did, and that pain’s real.

The love you felt for Tony—it’s okay to question it, to wonder if it was more than sibling affection.

It doesn’t make you wrong; it makes you human.

But going back to Tucson, chasing that high? That’s the old you talking, the one who ran from pain into darkness.

You’re stronger now, Lin.

You’ve built something here, something worth fighting for.

I know the pull’s strong, that ache for escape, but let me help you sit with this.

You don’t have to run.

We’ll face it together—anger, hurt, all of it.

What do you feel right now, deep down?” Linda’s breath hitched, her hands clenching into fists.

“I feel … betrayed.

Like they threw me away.

And part of me wants to hurt them back, to disappear so they feel it too.

But then I think of Ethan, that sweet boy in class, and I don’t want to lose this life.

I just … I don’t know how to let go.”

Sophia’s presence seemed to tighten around her, a soothing balm.

“Betrayal stings deepest when it comes from those you trust.

It’s natural to want to strike back or run.

But Ethan—he’s a light you can hold onto, a chance to start fresh.

Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting; it means choosing yourself.

Take it one breath at a time, Lin.

I’m here, and you’re not alone.

What’s one step you can take right now to feel steady?” Linda lifted her head, tears streaking her cheeks, her mind settling slightly.

“Maybe… maybe I’ll call Ethan.

Just to talk.

It won’t fix this, but it might keep me here.”

“That’s a start, sweetheart,” Sophia murmured.

“One step, one moment.

We’ll weave through this together.”

Linda trudged back to her dorm, her eyes heavy from a sleepless night spent by the duck pond.

The chirps of night critters and the rustle of leaves had been her only companions as she wrestled with the chaos in her mind—Tony and Martha’s betrayal, her own tangled feelings, and the temptation to run back to Tucson.

She’d decided to clean out her room, preparing to move to a new one after the break, needing a fresh start to anchor her resolve.

Her crop top and shorts were rumpled, her long black curls a mess as she packed her belongings into a duffel bag, her movements mechanical.

Footsteps pounded down the hall, and Martha’s voice echoed, frantic.

“Lilly! Lilly! Lilly!” Linda froze, turning as Martha burst into the doorway, her blond ponytail swinging, her face flushed with urgency.

Tony lingered at a distance in the hallway, his expression unreadable, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans.

“What?” Linda asked, her voice flat, exhaustion dulling the edge of her anger.

Martha caught her breath, stepping closer.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’ve been looking for you since last night.

We have to talk.

We need to fix this.”

“Fix it? How?” Linda replied, her tone sharp as she crossed her arms.

“Even if you broke up, it wouldn’t be the same.”

Martha shook her head, her eyes pleading.

“No, not break up.

Go with us, sweetie.

You can go to school there, and you won’t have to live in the dorm—you can live with us.

Tony’s parents are getting us a place.”

Linda let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh in the small room.

“Oh, Martha, you don’t really know me.

I’m not the sweet little girl you think I am.

I’m treacherous.

I’m evil.

And if I go with you, you’ll find out in the most horrible way.”

Martha’s face softened, her voice gentle but firm.

“Oh, honey! What are you talking about? That isn’t you.”

Linda’s eyes flashed, her voice trembling with a mix of self-loathing and defiance.

“You don’t get it, do you? I’ve done things—bad things.

I lived in a drainage tunnel, high on pills, with people who used me.

I wanted to love Tony, not like a brother, but more, and now you’ve taken him.

If I go with you, I’ll ruin everything.

I’ll hate you both even more, and I’ll destroy whatever’s left of us.

I’m broken, Martha.

You don’t want me around.

I'll take him from you.

I'll watch like a spider tending her web, until you fight, and when he is weak and crying, I will console him, with my kisses, with my body.

You don't know me Martha.

You dont know who I am, who I can be.

You won't stand a chance.”

Martha stepped forward, reaching out, but Linda flinched back.

“Lilly, you’re not broken,” Martha said, her voice cracking.

“You’re healing.

We messed up, we should’ve told you sooner, but we love you.

You’re family.

Whatever you’ve done, it doesn’t change that.”

From the hallway, Tony finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady.

“Lin, we’re not giving up on you.

Come with us, or stay here—your choice.

But don’t push us away because you’re scared of yourself.”

Linda’s gaze darted between them, her heart pounding.

Sophia’s presence shimmered faintly in her mind, whispering, “You’re not treacherous, Lin.

You’re human.

Decide what you need, not what you fear.” Linda took a shaky breath, her resolve wavering, the weight of her past and her longing for connection pulling her in opposite directions.

Linda stepped off the number 23 bus at Ajo and Mission, the familiar Tucson air heavy with memories.

She wandered to the library, a place where she’d spent countless hours escaping her troubled high school years and later, the darkest days in the tunnel.

But the building was shuttered, wrapped in scaffolding for renovations, leaving her alone in the empty parking lot.

Disappointed, she crossed the street to McDonald’s, ordering a small fries to sit and think, her long black curls falling over her face as she stared out the window.

A familiar voice broke her reverie.

“Lin Lin! OMG girl, what are you doing here? I heard you moved north!” Betty, her old friend from the tunnel days, rushed over, her arms outstretched.

Linda returned the hug, the warmth of familiarity clashing with the weight of the past.

“I’m on Christmas break,” Linda said, managing a small smile.

“I thought I’d come check out the old hangouts, just for old times’ sake.” Betty’s face darkened as she slid into the booth across from her.

“Oh man, things have changed.

The tunnel has a steel grate on it, the trap house down the street is boarded up, the price of beans has gone from a buck fifty to fifteen bucks, twenty in some places.

If you ain’t got money, you ain’t getting beans.” “Really?” Linda asked, her brow furrowing.

“What happened?” Betty looked down, her voice low.

“Everything went crazy.

There was a war, between the US Army and the Mexicans.

You could hear machine guns going off in the desert.

You couldn’t get anything—people were going crazy.

So the county built the camps.

The library got shot up; that’s why it’s closed.” Linda’s confusion deepened.

“Camps? You mean the desert camps and the camps in the wash?” “No,” Betty explained, shaking her head.

“They were all shut down.

The county built tent cities—about a dozen of them.

If you’re homeless now, they put you in one.

They have detox and rehab there, food, and stuff, but you have to work.

Each camp has a huge greenhouse and cows and goats.

You have to work in the greenhouse or with the animals.

That’s where they get most of the food.

I finished rehab; that’s why I’m out, but I miss the old days.

All the people we knew are in the camps, in jail, or dead.

Where are you staying? I’m looking for a place to crash so I don’t get put back in the camp.”

Linda laughed, a hollow sound.

“I have no idea.

I didn’t even think about that before I came down.”

Betty tilted her head.

“Why don’t you stay with Billy?”

Linda nearly choked on her spit, her eyes narrowing.

“That asshole? No way.

He’s a piece of you-know-what.

The bastard tried to pimp me, you know.” Betty smiled, a trace of cynicism in her expression.

“Well, sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do, you know? Your mom was running some girls when you were 13, don’t you remember, including you.”

Linda gasped, shaking her head vehemently.

“No.

That never happened.

That’s just a story some people told.”

“OMG, Lin Lin, you don’t remember?” Betty said, her shocked look cutting through the air.

“It happened.

I was there.

I was one of the girls, and you were too.

Damn girl, if you can’t remember, you need some serious therapy, because some really bad crap happened to both of us.

We were trafficked, for pills.”

Linda’s fries slipped from her fingers, her mind reeling.

The room spun as fragments of memory flickered—dark nights, her mother’s harsh voice, hands pulling her along.

She clutched the table, her breath shallow.

“No… I blocked it out.

I didn’t want to know.”

Betty reached for her hand, her voice softening.

“It’s okay to not remember, Lin.

But it’s real.

We were kids, caught in a mess.

You got out, though.

That’s something.”

Tears welled in Linda’s eyes as Sophia’s presence brushed against her mind, a comforting maternal figure.

“Lin, this is heavy, but it’s part of you,” Sophia whispered.

“You survived.

Don’t let it pull you back.

What do you need right now?”

Linda swallowed hard, her voice a whisper.

“I need to understand.

I need to know why I forgot.

And I need to not run back to that life.”

Betty nodded, squeezing her hand.

“Let’s get you somewhere safe tonight.

We’ll figure it out together.”

Linda’s Dad stood in the doorway of his small Tucson apartment, a gruff man with graying hair and a worn flannel shirt, holding a couple of pillows and a threadbare blanket.

“Here are some pillows and a blanket.

You and your friend can use the couch, for a few days, but don’t think you’re moving in.

I don’t have time for your kind of nonsense,” he said, his tone sharp.

Linda, clutching her bag, felt the sting of his words.

“I’m just here for the holidays, and then I have to get back to the university,” she replied, her voice small.

“I was hoping you might be glad to see me, but I guess not, huh, Dad?”

“I am glad, sweetheart,” he said, softening slightly but still guarded.

“It’s just that there was so much drama—you running wild in the streets, in and out of jail.

You ratted out your mom, and now she’s doing 20 years.

I just want peace and quiet, silence and solitude.

I don’t need you messing that up for me.”

Linda’s eyes widened, shock rippling through her.

“I ratted out Mom? When? I don’t remember that.

I don’t think that happened.”

Her dad’s face twisted with frustration, his voice rising.

“Yeah, your doctor said you blocked it all out.

I’m not sure I believe any of that doctor crap.

The old Linda just sort of faded away, and the new Linda appeared who can’t remember crap about anything.

I bet a good old-fashioned ass-whipping might jog your memory, but you’d probably get me locked up too.”

“You got that right,” Linda snapped, her voice hardening as she stepped back.

“You even think about hitting me, and you’re going down hard.”

Betty, sprawled on the couch, let out a sharp laugh.

“Now there’s the old Lin Lin coming out.

By the way, ‘Dad,’ you got anything?” Betty asks. Dad chuckled darkly, shaking his head.

“Anything? Are you serious? I’m just using the old standby—vodka—and you girls better not touch it, or you’re paying for it.

I’ll make breakfast in the morning, but from then on, you gotta get your own food.

You girls got EBT?”

Linda shook her head, still reeling from the revelations, as Betty shrugged.

“Not anymore.

They cut me off after rehab.”

The night settled uneasily, Linda and Betty sharing the lumpy couch, the faint sound of Dad’s snoring drifting from his room.

Linda lay awake, her mind a storm of fragmented memories.

Sophia’s presence hovered, a maternal figure in white, whispering, “These truths are hard, Lin, but they’re part of you.

Let them come, and I’ll help you hold them.”

Morning arrived with the smell of bacon and eggs.

Dad stood at the stove, grumbling as he plated the food.

The three sat at the small kitchen table, the air thick with tension but also a strange familiarity.

As they ate, the conversation turned to the past, each word peeling back layers Linda had buried deep.

“So, you really don’t remember turning your mom in?” Dad asked, his tone more curious than accusatory now.

“It was right after you got picked up by the cops—your third arrest.

You were 16, strung out, and they offered you a deal.

You gave them names, including hers.

She was running girls, Lin, you and Betty included.” Betty nodded, her eyes distant.

“I remember that night.

You were crying in the holding cell, saying you couldn’t take it anymore.

You told them everything—about the pills, the trafficking, all of it.

I was mad at you for a long time, but… it got me out too, eventually.” Linda’s fork trembled in her hand, her breath shallow.

“I… I see flashes.

Mom yelling at me, dragging me somewhere.

Men’s voices.

But I thought it was a nightmare, not real.” Dad sighed, setting down his coffee mug.

“It was real, alright.

You were a mess after that.

Kept saying you saw an angel—Sophia, right? I thought you were losing it.

But then you got clean, went to school.

I figured you’d never want to look back.” Betty chimed in, her voice softer now.

“You used to talk about Sophia all the time, even when we were high.

Said she kept you alive.

Maybe she’s why you blocked it out—too much to carry.” Linda’s eyes brimmed with tears, the weight of her past crashing down.

“I didn’t want to believe I could do that to Mom, even if she deserved it.

And the trafficking… I couldn’t face it.” She paused, her voice breaking.

“But I remember Sophia.

She was there, even in the worst moments.”

The room fell silent, the clink of dishes the only sound.

Dad reached across the table, his rough hand resting on hers for a moment.

“You survived, kid.

That’s what matters.

Don’t let it drag you back down.”

Linda nodded, the memories raw but clarifying.

She felt Sophia’s presence stronger now, a quiet strength guiding her forward, as she began to piece together the girl she’d been and the woman she was becoming.

Linda sat on the edge of the couch in her dad’s apartment, her gaze fixed on the faded pictures on the wall.

The realization hit her like a slow, heavy wave.

“It’s starting to make sense now,” she thought.

“The pictures on the wall—I’ve seen them forever, but now I understand.

My mom is a redhead, and my dad is an average white guy, but I’m Latina.

How did that happen? I guess my dad never considered I was his.

That’s no excuse.

Even if I was created from some other man’s DNA, he could still have been a parent, been my dad.” Her jaw tightened as she stood, impulsively pulling the pictures down.

“I stole the pictures on the wall.

He doesn’t deserve them.”

She stuffed the photos into her bag and left the apartment without a word, her steps resolute as she headed to the Ronstadt Terminal to catch a bus.

Her destination was the tunnel, now sealed behind a steel grate—a final visit to the place that had defined her darkest days.

Tucson, the tunnel, the history, the abuse—it was all behind her now.

One last look, and she’d be done with this life, starting fresh, free.

Tony and Martha had moved on to their new life, and even Sophia, her invisible friend, had faded away, her presence no longer needed.

Linda was totally alone, but totally new.

Her life started today.

At the tunnel, she stood before the steel grate, the cold metal a stark barrier to the past.

The air smelled of dust and distant rain, the silence heavy with memories she could now face without breaking.

She pressed her hand against the grate, whispering, “Goodbye,” to the girl she’d been—the one who’d lived in darkness, who’d been used and broken.

That girl was gone.

Linda turned and rushed back to the terminal, her heart pounding with a mix of closure and anticipation.

She boarded the Greyhound bus heading north to the university, her long black curls bouncing as she settled into her seat.

The engine rumbled to life, and so did she.

She wouldn’t be afraid this time.

She wouldn’t shy away from the boys who showed her attention.

She wasn’t a little girl anymore, afraid of the world.

Linda was a grown-ass woman, ready to meet the challenges of life head-on and thrive.

As the bus rolled through the desert, the landscape blurring past, Linda felt a quiet strength settle within her.

She thought of Ethan, the kind farm boy from her veterinary class, and smiled.

Maybe she’d call him when she got back.

Maybe she’d let herself feel again, without fear.

The road ahead was hers to shape, and for the first time, she felt ready to drive it.

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