Work Text:
Inés ran through the streets of Elmville, plaits flying behind her. She had her earbuds in as she jogged, music blasting. It was a nice distraction. A break from her family is just what she needed. Inés loved them, but gods she just needed a space to exist without having to help someone with something. She didn't need to be a shoulder for her mum and younger siblings to cry on. She didn't need to be a live-in caretaker for the younger kids. She didn't need to be someone for her family to confess their sins too. She didn't need to be anything more than Inés when she ran.
It was addicting in a way. No one could protest it. She was just exercising after all. Inés ran like she would never go back. She was just a kid, she shouldn't be the emotional backbone of an entire household. So she ran, but she always went back. She didn't want to leave Xiomara to be pushed into her role. She knew that is what would happen. Mama would just shift the pressure, never shouldering it herself. Papa would never step up either, he was too busy chasing the skirts of other women. Her siblings needed to have someone stable in their lives who was a good example.
If Inés had to be that example then so be it.