From Grass to Grace - Chapter 6
16-09-25 (15:00)
**Episode 6: A Beacon in the Night**
The jolting of the car woke
Amanda with a start. Disoriented
and shivering, she blinked against
the unfamiliar light. The darkness of
the uncompleted building had been
replaced by the soft glow of a car's
interior. She was lying on the back
seat, her head resting on something
soft and unfamiliar.
A woman's face, etched with
concern, peered down at her. "Are
you alright, dear?" she asked, her
voice gentle and soothing. "You
gave me quite a scare."
Amanda stared back, her mind
struggling to make sense of what
was happening. Who was this
woman? Where was she?
"Where am I?" she whispered, her
voice hoarse.
"You're in my car," the woman
replied. "I found you lying on the
ground near an uncompleted
building. You were fast asleep. It's
not safe for a young girl to be out
alone at this hour."
Amanda's memories of the
previous night flooded back: the
humiliation at the party, the escape,
Albert's kindness, the desperate
flight into the darkness. Tears
welled up in her eyes, and she
began to sob.
The woman's expression softened.
"Hush, dear," she said, stroking
Amanda's hair. "You're safe now.
I'm going to take you home with
me."
The woman, whose name was
Anne, lived in a modest but cozy
house on the outskirts of the city.
The house was filled with warmth
and laughter, a stark contrast to the
cold austerity of the Hawthorne
mansion.
Anne's husband, David, greeted
them at the door with a warm
smile. He was a kind and gentle
man, with a twinkle in his eye and
a calming presence.
"Who's this, Anne?" he asked, his
gaze fixed on Amanda.
"This is Amanda," Anne replied. "I
found her alone and scared. She
needs our help."
David nodded understandingly.
"Come in, Amanda," he said, his
voice filled with compassion.
"You're welcome here."
The next few days were a blur of
kindness and care. Anne and David
showered Amanda with attention,
providing her with warm meals,
clean clothes, and a comfortable
bed. They listened patiently to her
story, their hearts breaking as she
recounted the abuse and neglect
she had suffered at the hands of
the Hawthornes.
They learned of the chores, the
stolen jewel, and of Richard's
abuse. Anne had to hold herself
back from taking the law into her
own hands.
"You never have to go back there,
Amanda," Anne assured her. "You're
safe with us now. We'll take care
of you."
Amanda clung to Anne and David,
her heart overflowing with
gratitude. For the first time in her
life, she felt truly loved, truly
wanted. She had found a beacon in
the night, a safe harbor in a storm. Don't forget to leave a Comment 
