I held them close, my arms wrapped around their fragile bodies, as if I had finally grasped the delicate thread of trust…A silence settled over us, heavy and meaningful, until my eyes were drawn to their tattered clothes and deep wounds—wounds that had never known the comfort of a bandage.
I looked at them calmly and asked,"Shall we go take a bath now?"Kathy lit up with joy, as if she'd been waiting to hear those words for years—understandable, given her young age.The others, however, were clearly uneasy, their faces touched with shyness.
I smiled reassuringly."The bath is big enough for all of us. Don't worry."
I stepped in with them, wearing only a simple towel. I oversaw everything myself.I started with Kathy—removing her ragged clothes and scrubbing away the filth that clung to her thin little body. I washed her silky hair and carefully cleaned her many wounds, trying not to show how deeply it affected me.Kathy laughed—her first real laugh—and my heart smiled without permission.
Aisha saw this and approached hesitantly, despite her strong features. I helped her bathe; she didn't say a word. Her hands trembled, her eyes filled with caution. But I bathed her gently and patiently.
Then came Stazia, the silent one. She didn't speak, nor did she resist. Her eyes, however, said everything. I finished with her quickly, and moved to Donna…Donna, who was afraid of water.
I knelt before her and said gently,"Don't be afraid. This is just water… it's for drinking, for washing. It won't hurt you."She looked at me, gave me a faint smile, and allowed me to begin. I was especially careful around her burned wings.She was in the most pain—yet she never said a word.
After finishing, I dried their small bodies and suddenly realized…I had no clothes for them.
I laughed softly and said,"I only have my shirts… this will have to do for now."
I dressed Kathy in one of my shirts, and she beamed like she was wearing a princess gown.I combed her soft hair, then did the same for the others. Their expressions were uncertain… confused…But something had begun to change.
I asked with a smile,"I'll make you lunch. Is there anything you'd like?"
They looked at each other silently, as if the question itself didn't belong in their world.Then, in a quiet voice, Donna said,"Meat… I want to taste meat… if that's okay…"
I looked at her tenderly and replied,"Of course, Donna. I'll make you the best meat you've ever tasted."
I prepared more meat than I ever had before—grilled in mushroom sauce. I made salads, added spices I'd been saving for myself.Once everything was ready, I called them over.I carried Kathy and seated her at the table. The others followed quietly.The aroma filled the room, and awe painted their faces.
I sat across from them and said,"Go ahead, try it."
Donna picked up her fork, took a bite—then suddenly… a tear rolled down her cheek. Her voice trembled:"This… this is meat? It's so delicious…"
Aisha was eating ravenously, so fast she nearly choked. I laughed and said,"Don't worry. No one's going to take your food."Kathy was eating with pure joy, as if this was her first real meal in her life.Stazia ate quietly, but her eyes… her eyes were glowing.
After lunch, I said,"Let's go to the bathroom, clean your faces. I'll show you how."
I taught each of them how to use water properly.When they finished, I spoke gently,"Now… we'll treat your wounds. I want each of you to show me where it hurts."
But suddenly… they all froze.Fear. Shame. A silent scream in their eyes.It was as if my words had awakened their worst nightmares.Their expressions changed. The air shifted.
And in that moment, I wondered to myself:"What have you seen in your pasts to fear healing?""How much pain did you endure, that even a bandage feels like a threat?"
I stood still…And thought deeply:How do I reach them?How… do I heal hearts that don't even trust kindness?
And so here I am…Trying not only to mend wounds,But to piece together shattered souls.