It was for the push and pull of breath in her chest and the way her skin tingled when she stepped out from the shadows of nameless alleyways and into a warm patch of sunlight.
It was for the light laughter of children, so sweet and yet so bittersweet, that brought a smile to her lips and an ache to her heart.
It was for lost memories and an overwhelming desire to put the pieces together, to be free of the foggy uncertainty that came from not being sure who she was, not entirely.
It was for her simple desire to help; not one person, or two, but so many of these poor souls, lost inside this rotten city.
She looked over the selection of goods in front of her, and double checked her list. From somewhere behind her, she noticed the whispers; voices lowered but not so much that the owners cared whether or not their subject could hear them.
That girl, she's a whore right? I've seen her before, seeking customers. What is she doing here?
You know, these days they just go wherever they want to. The hookers, the dealers, those damned Twilights. It's about time someone put a stop to this.
She didn't care. Words couldn't hurt her. Words weren't fists, or angry thrusts, and she had already made up her mind to forgive those who thought ill of her. It was only when those words were turned on the ones who had shown her kindness that her hackles raised and her determination came to the forefront.
It was for a smile that encouraged her to laugh and gentle hands while she broke.
It was for an undecipherable gaze and always carrying her bags for her when she shopped.
It was for an unfettered happiness and mastering the skills of an adult despite being still a child.
It was for unwavering devotion to subordinates and the fighting spirit of an old soul.
For all these reasons and more, she got up, she worked hard and she allowed herself to accept the small pleasures that came her way. And if one day she could be whole, and her heart could be light, then she would know that she had earned her freedom.