Take Care of Me

Chapter 1

Toney and his father walked lethargically along the deserted streets of their upper class suburban neighborhood. There was hardly any sign of human activity, since it was about three o' clock in the morning.

They were out because they had to assist their elderly neighbor, Ivan. He called them in panic, because he had fallen on his way to the kitchen. They rushed to his house to help him up, and return him to bed.

"Ol' Ivan needs to invest in some padded floors." Toney joked, nudging his Dad with his elbow.

Mr. Bradford glared at him, and kept walking. Toney couldn't help but wonder what he did wrong.

"Dad, I'm kidding."

His Dad turned around, and casted a weary look upon him. "Some things just aren't funny son."

They continued to walk back towards their house in silence. Things have been tense between them ever since they got in an huge argument over Toney's plans for college. He wanted to take the year off, but his Father wanted him to go immediately. In his eyes, Toney would never be successful unless he followed exactly in his footsteps.

Before they got to the curved road, that signaled the start of their block, they noticed a tiny black figure crouched on the ground.

Mr.Bradford walked closer to it, squinting to get a better look. Realization settled on his face, and he took a startled step back.

"I think that is a person." He said lowly, trying not to call attention to them.

Toney took several steps closer to the black figure, and with each step he realized his dad was right, it really was a person. When it moved, he put his guard up, preparing for an attack at any moment.

"Are you ok?" He asked, masking the uncertainty in his voice, as he approached the suspicious figure.

The black figure slowly raised its head, and looked at Toney and his father. They're both frozen in place as they're eyes lock on what's in front of them.

A scrawny girl, around five feet tall, with long black hair, and dark brown eyes stared back at them. Her eyes were wide with fear and red from her crying.

Toney took an involuntary step towards her, never feeling such a strong urge to protect someone before. It was an instant connection. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and take away all her pain. He wasn't sure if he was attracted to the girl, she wasn't as beautiful as the girls he's used to, but there's something about her that drew him in.

She stood up abruptly, with a fearful look in her eyes, and starts running. Mr. Bradford and Toney took off running behind her. They didn't want her to get far away, because she was clearly in no condition to take care of herself.

"Wait we're not going to hurt you. We want to help you." Mr, Bradford shouted, clutching his chest. All the running was really starting to get to him, he was in terrible shape.

The girl turned around to face the father and son apprehensively, very leery of their motives. No one ever wanted to help her. They always wanted to hurt her, and steal any piece of sanity she had left. Surely these men can't be any different.

"What do you want with me?" She asked in a mousy voice.

"Nothing." Toney said, gazing at her with sincerity. He wanted her to know she was safe with him. He also wanted her to explain to them why she was out by herself at three o' clock in the morning. He reached a hand out to her, and to everyone's surprise, she took it.

"How old are you?" Mr. Bradford asked the girl when they got back to their house.

"Sixteen." She said. It was very clear that she didn't talk very loud. Unless they listened closely they would miss everything she said.