About: Piper was adopted by an upper-class, white family after her mother passed when she was five years old, and never really felt like to belonged there. But when she turned 17, she discovered that her adoption wasnât random and her adopted father was actually her biological father, who had an affair with her mother years earlier. Feeling hurt and betrayed that he never told her the secret that could have made her feel included, she cut herself off from her family and has only recently returned at the news her father is now dying.Â
Suggested connections: adopted/half-siblings, childhood friend, childhood bully
Piper never thought sheâd be back here. This small town with these small-minded people... Sheâd never meant to come back. If memory served, sheâd even sworn to it. But then her father had called, offering up apologies and an explanation before time ran out, and whatever stubborn strength had kept her away all those years just... vanished. She certainly wasnât proud of it, but running away now would be even worse.Â
But she couldnât stand staying in the house, insisting instead on staying in the only motel she could afford on the edge of town. She didnât have a car, which meant she had to make the trek by foot, too proud to ask for help like someone coming to pick her up or fronting her the money for a lyft. She had no reason to fear for her safety - even in the âsketchyâ part of town nothing really happened - but walking down the street left her feeling exposed, like everyone could see and approach without warning.Â
Speak of the devil... She winced, seeing someone familiar approaching. She gave a grunt of acknowledgement as greeting.Â
