The Wounded Huntress

Stacie Conrad, a young beautiful lady, smart straight A student. Father were never in a picture and mother well that's another story. So long story short Stacie was an unplanned mistaken child of her parents, young love, drunken mistake you know the story, right? So, when her parents knew about her, her father ran away leaving her mother Annie Conrad alone to deal with the situation. Her mother being good mother decided to give birth to her child despite having lot of difficulties.

Annie tried to do everything in her capabilities to do her best but she was only a teenager herself. Stacie's grandparents died in car accident before her birth and this situation added more difficulties to Annie to face. She struggled between day-night job, meeting baby's needs and giving Stacie time which, she needed gets impossible to her. Annie never believed in a love after that, yes, she has met several boys, gentleman's and what so ever but she never stayed to find out.

Stacie and her mom had always shared a special bond that was forged through years of struggles and triumphs. After her father left, it was just the two of them against the world. Stacie remembered the long nights spent huddled together on the couch, wrapped in blankets, watching old movies and laughing at the cheesy lines. Her mom would always say, "Life may throw us curveballs, but we'll always have each other.

Her mother worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, often leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. Stacie admired her resilience and determination, but she also felt the weight of her mom's sacrifices. There were times when they had to skip meals or make do with second-hand clothes, but her mom always found a way to make things fun. They would turn the simplest dinners into a feast, playing games and telling stories, creating memories that Stacie would cherish forever.

As Stacie grew older, she began to understand the struggles her mother faced. She saw the toll that work took on her, the stress etched on her face after a long day. In those moments, Stacie tried to be the best daughter she could be, helping with chores and studying hard in school, hoping to make her mom proud. They had dreams of a better life, planning for the future together, with Stacie promising to go to college and make something of herself.

But when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, everything changed. Stacie felt like her world was crumbling. She watched in helplessness as her vibrant, strong mom became frail and tired. During those difficult months, Stacie took on more responsibilities, juggling school and caring for her mom. They had many heart-to-heart talks during that time, where her mother would share her hopes and fears, reminding Stacie to be brave and to never give up on her dreams.

The day her mother passed away was the hardest moment of Stacie's life. She felt a part of her heart shatter, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. In the aftermath, Stacie struggled with grief, feeling lost in a world that felt so much darker without her mother's light. She made a terrible mistake the exact same one which her mom made; sure, the circumstances are different but she fell pregnant. That's not how her life is supposed to be going. She would go to any affordable university, have a degree, scholarships, PhD's, make her own inventions, get married, have a child etc. etc. everything was planned and discussed with mom. Her mom talked about everything before she passed away because she knew she wouldn't be around for long but she certainly hasn't imagined this.

Stacie sat on the cold ground of the cemetery; her heart heavy as she gazed at the simple gravestone that marked her mother's resting place. The chill of the December air seeped through her jacket, but it was nothing compared to the icy grip of despair that clutched at her chest. "Mom," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I don't know what to do without you. I feel so lost."

Her mother had been her rock, working tirelessly to provide for them after her father's betrayal shattered their family. Stacie remembered the late nights when her mom would come home exhausted, yet still manage to smile, assuring her that everything would be okay. But when cancer took her away, it felt like the last thread of stability had snapped.

"Why did you have to leave me?" Stacie continued, tears streaming down her face. "I've made so many mistakes. I thought I could be strong, like you, but I just... I just don't know how to cope." The memories flooded her mind—her mother's struggle, the parade of men who came and went, and how Stacie, in her own way, had begun to mirror that life.

"I thought I could find comfort in them, but all I feel is emptiness," she confessed to the gravestone, her voice breaking. "Now I'm pregnant, and I don't even know who the father is. I can't raise a child. I can't even take care of myself." And then she cried and cried.

Just then she heard footsteps and a soft voice, "Hie, I don't want to scare you. I… I hear you cry… so I came to check on you. You know? Because what kind of jerk would I be to leave you on your own with so much grief?"

"Probably like my father" Stacie replied not missing a beat.

A person whom she is talking chuckled then, "Right I assumed you had a rough family."

"No. I had a nice family just me and my mom. I never for one second thought about my father better word my sperm donor. My mom gave me everything and anything she could to me." Stacie answered with honesty.

"Sounds like your mom was a cool mom. Because I got a strict mom." The person joked back.

"Oh, she was the best." Stacie sighs heavily and looks to her mom's gravestone.

After a minute of silence just when Stacie thought that person is gone, she heard, "Tell me about your best mom." Stacie looked towards the person uncertainly not sure of how to respond because no one would want to know her sad life story this person must be just entertaining her or pitied her.

"It would take some time." Stacie finally answered. That person just slumped besides her and said, "I have a Plenty of a time."

And somehow Stacie felt light, she wiped her tears, feeling a mix of shame and relief at this person's presence. As she shared her story with the person or shall I say Stranger, the weight of her grief began to lift just a little. She felt like she could breathe again. Maybe Just maybe she could live without her mother in this cruel world because there is one nice person sat beside her that means there could be a better people out there... right?

Auther notes: So who was that person? What do you think? Any guesses?