Rest (time part 6)

Daddy carried me in his arms as he took me inside. I was half asleep clutching onto Rabbit as if my life depended on it. He lay me down on a dust ridden old sofa before he rushed to blockade the door.

I looked around the room taking in my new surroundings, it was a mess, pictures and ornaments had been thrown onto the floor. Furniture was smashed to pieces, but the thing that bothered me the most was the blood stain on the wall.

I sat up, instantly uncomfortable, but with enough restraint to make sure that I did not scream. Daddy returned pretty quickly, he looked hot and sweaty and what was more concerning was that he looked anxious and worried. He knelt beside me and looked into my eyes.

"It's going to be ok sweetie." He began as he always did by making me feel safe. "It's been a long drive and we are going to rest here for a bit of time." He could see my eyes get drawn to the blood stain on the wall. "Don't worry about that sweetie, I've looked around we are quite safe here."

The look on his face did not convey the words he was saying but he tried his best.

***

I must have dozed off. I awoke startled and disorientated, unsure of where I was. Through the dark I could see daddy peering out between a gap in the curtains with the gun in his hands. Illuminated by the full moon high in the sky in front of the house. He did not see me stand up and tiptoe over to him. His face was twitching with nerves as he looked out.

"What's going on?" I whispered as I touched his arm. He sprang back shocked by my presence.

"I'm just keeping look out sweetie, nothing is out there." He lied.

I scrunched in tight to him, trying to see for myself, but i could see nothing.

Suddenly there was a bang on the door. I jumped in fright Daddy did likewise.

"Help me!" It was a man. "For the love of god let me in!"

I looked up at Daddy, he knew what I was thinking and shook his head at me.

"We can't let him in Maisie. He could be dangerous, or danger could be following him."

I kept quiet knowing Daddy's only responsibility was keeping me safe, we had come so far and he was not going to let something happen to me now, but part of me thought it was only right to let this man in. After a while the banging stopped, Daddy had another look around but could not see anything and resumed guard at the front window.

***

Daddy had fallen asleep, he had pulled a chair up to the window to rest his tired legs and slumped into it, a faint snore filled the room. I thought about waking him up but instead I wanted to explore the house a little. Maybe there was some books somewhere? I didn't used to like reading but I could use the extra mental stimulation.

I fished through Daddy's bag that was sitting by the door ready to go at a minutes notice, and found a torch. I tested it by switching it on against my palm to stop the light beaming around the room and alerting Daddy.

I left the living room and shuffled along the worn out carpet towards a downstairs bedroom. I had to pass through the kitchen. I froze, stood at the back door, was a figure. I raised my torch to see better. It was a man, shielding his eyes from the light, probably the same man who wanted our help.

"Please help me, little girl." He whispered. His face was begging and pleading with me, he looked sad and scared.

I opened the door.

"Thank you!" He said with relief as he handed me a chocolate bar. "Would you help me with my stuff?"

Nervously I agreed, and stepped outside.

"It's just down here." He pointed. "You have the torch, you lead the way. I'll tell you when to stop."

He instructed me to walk down a stone pathway. Every step away from the house and away from Daddy felt like another mistake. We kept walking, it was chilly on this clear night so much so I cold see my breath in the beams of the torchlight. We turned a corner and I could no longer see the house.

"How much furth..." I tried to ask but a hand smothered my mouth. I dropped the torch in shock and it rolled out down the path.

I was terrified, I squirmed and shrugged with all my might but he was much stronger than me, what had I done. I could feel the man's breath on my neck.

"Your mine now!" He whispered in an evil and sinister voice.

His arm came around my front, over my waist and into my trousers. I tried to shake him off, but I could not. Tears came down my face, I looked up at the stars trying to ignore what was happening to me.

"Get your hands of my daughter!" I heard Daddy yell, with hatred and anger in his voice. I snapped my vision back down to see my father aiming the gun at us.

The man removed his hand from my front and pulled out a knife, pressing the flat steel against my stomach.

"I'll kill her man!" He shouted. "She should never have opened that door!"

Daddy stepped closer and the man poked the point of the blade into me, only gently breaking the skin a little. I had to do something.

I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner, probably out of fear of the repercussions. I bit down hard on the hand that still covered my mouth. He released me, a reflex action. In that split second I pushed away exposing the man to my father.

He pulled the trigger. I did not get far enough away to avoid a shower of blood splash over me but as I looked back in time to see a hole blown into the mans face. I felt nothing.

I ran to my father and threw my arms around him once more.

"I'm so sorry Daddy." I sobbed.