She with The Flowers in Her Hair| Number Five

🌻CHAPTER 9: Just a Kid After All🌻

Reginald looked at the girl that called out to him, her usual happy eyes and light aura no longer present as she sat there, skin soaked in blood that made her stink of iron. Despite noticing the grief that haunted the young girl, he did not show her any kind of sympathy "What happened in there Eleanor?" His tone was the one he used when he wanted a direct answer. The girl knew then and there why the man was in front of her in this particular instance, the true reason he was standing there in the middle of the night instead of lying in his bed, and it was not because his friends or his family could be in some sort of peril, but because he was foaming at the mouth to know the progress of her powers.

The young girl straightened, trying to compose herself from the immense pain she was still engulfed in. She didn't even bother to tell the man, only reached over placing her palm on top of his hand that held the walking stick he was always seen with, Reginald took a deep breath as he relaxed letting her access his mind. Flashes of the events that had transpired earlier that night flowed like a movie, he saw the entire altercation through her eyes, from making Monique fall asleep on her bedroom floor, to the part where she was held hostage in front of her parents that laid in a pool of their own blood, one of the men mocking her.

Reggie let the girl show him more, and what she showed him next certainly was the most intriguing. He watched the scene that showed the man cowering in pain, his shrill screams more than capable of sending chills down anyone's spine, he paid attention to how his eyes began bulging out of their sockets until they had just exploded. He looked closer, as she showed him what she did to the other two that met the same fate. He smirked, proud of the horrendous display the girl had done not even laying a single finger on them, a perfect crime. Such pain they gave her, pain she returned a hundred times over, torturing them until their mind couldn't take it anymore. Ellie retracted her hand, removing the hold she had on the man's mind, his eyes finally focusing as he took out a notebook that he kept in his coat writing furiously in it, while little Ellie folded her knees to her chest to cradle her head. 

~~~

The green-eyed girl fell asleep in the police precinct that night, the officers taking good care of her, afraid that the trauma may cause more damage than it already had. Ellie was kept there as lawyers reviewed her parents' will in one of the offices. She was situated in a room sitting on the dingy couch, she played with her hands and the hem of the sweater that was five times too big for her. She didn't notice how long she was in there, the nice lady willed her to sleep but there she was, wide awake staring at the things in the room, her mind blank. It wasn't that she wasn't tired but every time she closed her eyes she saw her parents, she felt how cold their skin were when she hugged them. She remembered those men, her heart void of any kind of regret for killing them. In fact, she was just completely and utterly numb.

From the other side of the door a woman breathed to prepare herself before she could push the door open. She really wanted to see some improvement in the girl, but she knew that it was not gonna be easy for such a young one to have witnessed what she had, her own parents being the victims no less. She sighed, seeing the girl in the same position she had left her in a few hours before. Her hair was a mess, pretty little flowers still in the same places, eyes trained at nothing in particular, a dazed look on her adorable face. Her heels let out a click with every step, finally taking a seat next to the girl. "Hello little miss..." She noticed the girl's breath hitch as she spoke, reeling in a little. "You still look a mess, the lawyer's will be here later okay? They are probably going to want to talk to you, will that be okay?" The girl could only nod absentmindedly, her eyes glazed over. 

The woman sighed again as she received the same reaction. Her grip tightened on the thermos she held, smiling slightly as she placed it on the table in front of them along with the bag it came with. She stood up, taking a mug from the cabinet, sitting back down to open the two items. Ellie couldn't help but melt as she took a whiff of the air. The rich chocolate smell invaded her senses, her numb heart softening as it mixed with the sweet smell of confection that she was completely sure was a donut. "You must be really hungry, this always makes me feel a little better after a hard day, my daughter must be around the same age as you and she loves this. A hard day wouldn't even come close to what you've experienced little miss but, I at least have to try."

The officer spoke softly, her comforting tone drifting as she poured the chocolate into the mug, and took out the powdered donut. She was too focused in her words and actions that she failed to notice the girl's tears, only coming to be aware when she turned to her, her small shoulders bobbing with her sobs. "Hey... shhh... let it all out hun." Her concern laced with every word, placing her hands on her shoulders. She was surprised to feel that the girl had wrapped her arms around her waist, her head buried in her chest.

Ellie couldn't hold it in anymore, the smell reminded her too much about them that she broke down, seeking comfort in the officer. She hugged her as if her life depended on it, her tears sure to soak her shirt. But the older woman didn't push her off but placed her hand on her head stroking her hair, her fingers even lingering on her flowers. Realization washed over her, like a  switch clicking in her head as she came to terms that she was in fact hugging a stranger. "I'm really sorry about that ma'am..." she whispered, barely even audible to the woman she spoke to. "Oh darling, you have every right to be scared and to feel sad. No one deserves to have experienced what you have. You can talk to me." she picked up the mug and held it out to the girl that received it with a shy smile as thanks. The green-eyed girl sipped the chocolate letting the warmth engulf her insides allowing the calm to creep up on her.

The two sat there for a few more minutes when another officer opened the door. "Captain, the lawyers are here." the man spoke, Ellie, froze slightly as she heard how the woman was addressed. "Very well Detective Jacobs, we'll be right out" The woman faced Ellie once again, standing up before offering her hand. Her big hand was warm as she held it, following her out the door. Once they were in front of the door where the lawyers talked noisily in, the little girl squeezed the Captain's hand making her look down. "I'm really sorry about your shirt Ma'am, I didn't know you were the captain." The woman chuckled lightly, her eyes creasing as she did so before she knelt down to her level. "Ah, darling girl, I couldn't imagine the pain you are in, you are just a kid. If it were my little Eudora in your shoes, I would want someone to take care of her... You are brave, very brave little miss."

The woman ruffled her already messy hair, earning a huff from the girl. She didn't even bother to ask about how the flowers remained in place the door behind them swinging open. "Ahhhh, Captain Patch! And you must be little Ellie." Ellie, startled by the big lawyer held on to the captain, hiding behind her legs. They walked into the room filled with more men wearing suits, Ellie immediately recognizing Reginald in his usual attire and his usual scowl. The woman sat down on the couch facing the men, pulling the little girl with her.

"The last will and testament of Wulfric and Elizabeth Hayes..." 

EDITED