The Night I Was Saved

Chapter Sixteen

Distant cries wake me from my sleep, and the first thing I feel is something that tickles me on my nose. My eyes are heavy, and as I try to move my hands to my face to rub the sleep away, I feel that my right arm is blocked by something warm and soft.

It takes me two seconds to recall the events from before I fell asleep, and when I've played everything over in my mind, I try not to move and I'm suddenly nervous to open my eyes.

She's still here.

I don't know why I'm so fucking surprised by the fact that she still here. I know that I'm fucking excited that she's here still, and judging by how moving is difficult and how something is tickling my face, she's not only still here, but she's also laying on me with part of her body.

I reluctantly open my eyes, blinking a few times to determine my spot on the bed. The room is still dark due to the blinds, but the small stream of light that peaks through tells me it's not dark outside anymore.

In the distance, I still hear the cries, and only then my mind goes to Daisy. Her cries are soft, and I can tell she is not crying for long since those desperate cries sound different.

I move my hand to Jo's hair. Her head is laying on my chest, her arm thrown over my abdomen just underneath my ribs. Her legs aren't touching me, and her breathing is steady and soft.

She's still out completely, and I hate the idea of waking her up while she's so warm and relaxed.

So, I carefully shift, hoping that she'll move her head once she feels movement. Luckily she does, and she turns away from me to snuggle into the comforter while she lets out a soft sigh.

With a huge grin plastered on my face, I step out of bed, making sure to make as little noise as possible. As I open the door, Daisy's cries become a little harder, and it makes my legs move faster at their own accord.

The door of the room is ajar, and I find myself getting more eager with each step I take closer. It's insane how a little girl can have that much effect on me.

When I open the door, I don't have to get used to the darkness; in the corner of the room on the floor, stands the lamp that was on the dresser first. It's giving a very small amount of light, but just enough to not bump into things when you're walking around.

When I'm standing next to the cot, I find Daisy twisting and turning while soft yet persistent cries leave her lips. Her eyes are still closed, and in her fists, she's holding the rabbit I gave her the day they came home with me.

It's the first time I see her holding it, and I'm sure she has no idea that she's clenching onto it, but pride rises in me still. I hope that -when she is older- the rabbit will offer her a feeling of safety.

"Good morning, sweetheart," I mumble while taking the rabbit out of her fists before taking her out of the cot. I told her against my chest, and she stops crying while I feel her stretch. I kiss her head in greeting and then walk back to my room where I find her mother in the same position still.

"Let's see if we can wake your mummy for breakfast, yeah," I whisper against Daisy's head when I've positioned myself on my side of the bed once more. Daisy's still sobbing slightly, but her fingers in her mouth are occupying her from crying because she is hungry.

"Josephine," I whisper, my hand on her shoulder. "Jo, wake up."

Jo stirs and turns so she is facing us, her eyes tightly shut while a whimper leaves her lips, no doubt because she doesn't like it that I wake her. I can't help but smile. It's something new I learn about her, and it's cute.

She slowly opens her eyes, and I can see her eyes widen slightly as she realizes that she is still in my bed. Her expression oozes what I felt moments ago when I found out that she was still here.