intrepidity

Aurora stood frozen; her wide eyes locked onto the massive mall towering before her. She could hardly believe it was real, let alone that she was standing here, about to go inside.

Her three brothers lingered behind her, quietly watching as she took it all in.

She'd never been to a mall before. Her stepfather would never have allowed it, and even if he had, there had never been money for such things. The crumpled bills she'd scavenged from the living room floor had always gone toward food—or his beer. Shopping for herself had never even been a thought.

A gentle but firm hand pressed against her back, pulling her from her daze. Roman stood beside her, his expression soft as he guided her forward. The twins flanked them on either side, offering quiet reassurance in their presence.

As they stepped inside, Aurora felt her breath hitch. The sheer size of the place was overwhelming. Bright displays and colorful signs loomed over her, while cheerful music played faintly in the background. People bustled around, laughing and chatting, their arms laden with bags.

Roman glanced down at her, noticing the way her gaze darted nervously around the space. His features softened further as he reached out to pat her head. "You're okay, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice a low, comforting rumble.

Aurora bit her lip, her fingers trembling slightly as Roman silently led the way into a clothing store. This one felt different from the others they had passed. It was bright and inviting, with a playful, almost childlike charm. The walls were painted in pastel colors, and racks of clothes were adorned with cheerful patterns and designs.

"Go on, sweetheart," Atlas said gently, stepping forward with a warm smile. He gestured toward a nearby rack filled with shirts and pants of all kinds, each one more colorful than the last. "Pick whatever you want."

Aurora blinked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Whatever I want?

The words echoed in her mind, foreign and almost incomprehensible. She hesitated, her gaze flickering to the neatly hung clothes before her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd bought something—anything—that wasn't a necessity. The thought of choosing something just because she wanted it felt...wrong, somehow.

Her fingers brushed against the fabric of a soft pink shirt, trembling slightly. Memories of cheap, tattered hand-me-downs and her stepfather's sneering face flashed through her mind.

"I..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don't know what to pick."

Atlas crouched down slightly, meeting her gaze. His smile never wavered. "That's okay, sweetheart. Take your time. There's no rush."

Roman stepped closer, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to feel pressured, Aurora. Just pick what you like. If you need help, we're here."

She looked back at the rack, her fingers relaxing slightly.

Aurora's fingers hovered over a pastel pink hoodie, her heart skipping at how soft it looked. Tentatively, she reached out and brushed her fingertips against the fabric. It was softer than she imagined—like touching a cloud. For a moment, she was lost in the sensation, marveling at how something so simple could feel so comforting.

Curiosity tugged at her, and she flipped the tag to check the price. Her stomach sank when a hand gently but firmly stopped hers. Startled, she looked up to see Antonio standing beside her, his expression unreadable, his dark eyes cool and detached.

"Don't look at the prices. Just pick," he said, his tone blank but with an underlying authority that made her swallow nervously.

Aurora nodded weakly, her hands trembling slightly as she held the hoodie closer. "T-This one, please," she whispered, her voice barely audible.