Page 54 of Nyx

I know hair clips aren't a necessity, but people shouldn't have to struggle so much that they can't afford a couple of extra dollars to make a little girl happy. It's not just New Mexico that is struggling. The entire nation is feeling the burn of higher taxes, higher gas prices, and inflated grocery prices.

Victoria was right that abuse is going to increase. The stress of not being able to care for your family is a huge trigger. Add in addictions, something also growing in this nation, and it makes for a very explosive situation in some households.

I close my eyes, pulling a deep breath and letting the scent of vanilla and flowers fill my nose.

The new intake is coming today. Victoria prepared me on what was expected yesterday, and I have full confidence in my ability to perform those duties, but it's the raw stories of new intakes that have the ability to take hold of me. Their fear and trauma are so fresh, it's almost like a living, breathing thing, and it always sends me right back to the day Graham caught me trying to leave.

I grab the case folder, going back over the notes so I'm prepared when "Beth is here," comes through the mic in my ear.

"Thank you," I say as I stand, walking toward the office doorway to greet her.

She has her own code to get into the house, and within seconds, I hear the front door open alert in my ear.

I smile as she steps inside, giving her time to close the front door before speaking.

"Good morning," I tell her.

She greets me with a wide smile. "It's so hot out there."

"I still haven't gotten used to it," I tell her, grateful when she doesn't ask me where I'm from.

I don't know how much information is shared with the people connected to Cerberus, and honestly, it's not something I want to think about. I've lived such a reclusive life that I hate the idea that anyone knows who I really am.

"Are you alone today?" I ask.

"Just me today," she answers. "How was Dean's night?"

Her voice is a whisper, her eyes directed toward the kitchen, knowing everyone is having breakfast at this time of morning.

"Denise's notes said it was another rough night for him," I say with a frown.

She pulls in a deep breath, sadness on her pretty face. "I hate that for him."

"I do, too, but Andrea made him pancakes, so he's in a pretty good mood."

"And Daisy?" she asks, her tone hopeful.

I chuckle.

"Oh no," she says. "Bad?"

"She had hair trouble this morning," I explain. "But we're working on getting her some flyaway gel and some pretty clips. She's in a better mood now."

"That look on your face tells me you're realizing just how sad their story is," she says.

I dip my head. "We're working on making it better. That's all that matters."

"Very true."

"New intake is here," the man out front says through the comms.

"Thank you," I tell the man standing out front.

I got here an hour early this morning, and the man from my first meeting with Cerberus was standing out there already.

"She’s been searched," he continues. "And her things have been deemed safe."

"Thank you," I tell him again.