The wind cut into Alana's face as she stood on the sidewalk, waiting for Kat to pick her up. She instinctively pulled her windbreaker tighter around her, grateful that overpacking had finally paid off. The weather forecast had called for a mild chill, but the wind howling around her made it feel a lot colder. This was why she didn't trust weather apps.
Just as she was about to check the time on her phone again, she heard Kat's voice calling from across the street. Alana grabbed her duffle bag and carefully crossed the road, watching for oncoming traffic.
"You're late, you know," Alana huffed as she climbed into the backseat. Kat shot her a sheepish grin, throwing her bag into the back.
"Sorry, that one's on me," Olivia said, and Alana glanced up sharply, surprised by the voice.
"Ms. Benson… I mean, Olivia, forgive me. I thought it was just Kat being her usual self. Girl can't keep time even if her life depended on it," Alana teased, already feeling her cheeks warm from the air conditioning. She took off her scarf and leaned back in her seat as Olivia put the car into drive.
Olivia chuckled softly, glancing back at Alana through the rearview mirror. She noticed Alana rubbing her hands together to warm them before blowing on them. Kat leaned over and pulled Alana into a quick strong hug, a familiar gesture.
Olivia couldn't help but smile. Kat didn't often bring friends over—she suspected the whole "SVU captain for a mom" thing might have something to do with it. Kat was at that age where everything had to involve some level of rebellion, especially when it came to authority. So when Kat asked Olivia to pick up Alana on their way home from Fin's place, she'd felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of meeting one of Kat's friends.
Alana was tall and athletic-looking, with strikingly beautiful dark eyes. Their gaze locked for a brief moment when Olivia glanced up again, and she smiled before focusing back on the road.
"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Alana asked, turning to face Kat in the backseat.
"I was thinking we stay in, since the weather's not great," Kat replied, brushing a braid from Alana's face. "We can watch movies and chill, maybe go out tomorrow. Besides, my mom's off today, so it's a good time to score some brownie points as model citizen teenagers, you know?" Kat dropped her voice as she whispered the last part like it was a secret.
"Sounds like a plan," Alana said with a grin. "But I'm picking the first movie—Alien Romulus. Hope you like horror, Ms. Benson!" She raised her voice so Olivia could hear.
"Please sweetheart, call me Olivia. And sure, horror's fine, but the second movie has to be a romcom," Olivia chuckled, hearing the collective groan from the backseat.
The evening passed quickly, filled with laughter, movie banter, and the comfortable hum of the girls hanging out. Olivia couldn't remember the last time she'd heard Kat laugh this much. It wasn't that Kat didn't laugh when it was just the two of them—she did—but this felt different. There was an energy in the house now, and Olivia found herself hoping Alana's visits would become a regular thing. She liked her—she was confident, strong, and full of life.
Alana had a tomboy energy to her that was impossible to ignore. Where Kat was shy and less assertive, Alana was bold, stepping in with her opinions and taking charge in a way that Kat seemed to appreciate. The girls had cooked dinner together, with Alana stepping into the authority of a chef in the kitchen. Kat seemed to soften around her, a side of her Olivia rarely saw. There was a closeness between them that made Olivia wonder—just for a second—if there was something more to their relationship. She quickly dismissed the thought, not giving it a second's worth of attention.
"Oh, hey, Ms. Bens—I mean Olivia," Alana said, breaking Olivia out of her thoughts. "I'm just grabbing my stuff for a quick shower." Alana said as she joined Olivia in Kat's bedroom. Olivia had been lost in her thoughts while fixing up the room for the girls to settle in for the night.
Olivia noticed the slight wince in Alana's movement as she bent to dig through her bag. "Everything okay?" Olivia asked, her voice full of concern.
"Basketball practice was rough today," Alana said with a forced smile. "I'll be fine by tomorrow. Just need that hot shower." She walked down the hall toward the bathroom, leaving Olivia alone in the living room.
But as Olivia rounded the corner from the bedroom, she froze. She saw Alana through the slightly ajar bathroom door, facing the shower, her bare back visible. A large bruise at the base of Alana's back stood out in stark contrast against her skin. Olivia's breath caught in her throat, and as she took a sharp inhale, her eyes caught more bruises—some fresh, others yellowing, fading green. And then, as Alana turned, startled at the sound of Olivia, the horror of what she saw became even clearer—bites across her chest and welts on her stomach, as though someone had used a belt.
"Alana," Olivia said, her voice low and strained as she stepped forward, closing the bathroom door behind her. Alana immediately brought her arms up to cover herself, but it was too late. Olivia had already seen everything—the evidence of someone's cruelty.
"Please," Alana's voice cracked, her words coming out in a panicked whisper. "Don't tell Kat. She doesn't know anything. Please."
Olivia raised her hands slowly, seeing the panic in Alana's eyes. The girl's chest was rising and falling too quickly, her breathing erratic. Alana took a stumbling step back, tripping over the bath mat. Olivia lunged forward, trying to catch her before she could fall. But in the rush, Alana shoved her away, hard, pushing Olivia back against the door.
The noise was enough to make Kat knock on the door. "Alana, mum, is everything okay in there?"
Olivia called back, her voice steady but firm. "Everything's fine, Kat. Just making sure Alana's good to go for her shower. Why don't you go make us a cup of tea?"
Alana's breathing was still frantic, her chest heaving as she fought to keep herself under control. With Kat's footsteps fading down the hall, Olivia crouched down in front of Alana, grabbing a bathrobe from the hook on the door and wrapping it around her in one fluid motion.
"You're okay, Alana," Olivia said softly, her voice full of reassurance. "Look at me, sweetheart. You're safe. Nobody's going to hurt you."
"I know that!" Alana snapped, gritting her teeth. "You startled me. I… I closed the door. I thought I closed it," she said, her eyes squeezing shut as she forced herself to calm down.
"Please," Alana added, her voice shaking now. "Don't make a big deal out of this. I can take care of myself" Alana said, her voice punctuating every word.
Olivia's heart broke as she looked at the girl sitting in front of her—this strong, defiant teenager who was clearly trying to hold it all together. But Olivia couldn't ignore what she'd seen.
"I can't do that, Alana. I can't just walk away from this," Olivia said softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil she felt inside. "I know you're strong. I know you can take care of yourself. But you don't have to do that here. Let me fight for you. Let me protect you."
Alana's resolve faltered for a second before shattering. A sob escaped her, followed by another, and Olivia didn't hesitate. She pulled Alana into her arms, holding her close as the girl broke down completely.
In that moment, Alana wasn't alone anymore. And Olivia wasn't going to let her fight her battles on her own ever again.