Unexpected

Part 5: Misunderstanding

A/N:

I did want to give yinz a warning ahead of time. In this chapter we discuss very sensitive topics and though this is just a fanfiction- the topic of sexual abuse is real and alarming. So please be aware that we do briefly discuss the sexual abuse of a minor in this chapter.

Thank you.

Almy
*******

"Well, whatcha think?" Max asks as they munch on their dinner.

"I never had these things before. Nuggies?"

"Haha chicken nuggets. Not the most nutritional food in the world, but definitely one of the better tasting ones."

"I like the Stegosauruses." She says as she bites one."

"Personally I enjoy the T-Rex. They have a bit of bite to them." Max jokes and the little girl laughs

"Hahaha!!! I can see why Auntie loves you." His slowly dies a bit and he has to shake it from his mind before he gets trapped in the perpetual sadness that comes from loving Helen.

"So...what's home like?" He asks and dips a dinosaur in ketchup.

"I seen toys- do you have a kid?" She obviously avoids the question, but Max doesn't know why.

"Uh...yeah. A one and a half year old named Luna. She's in my room sleeping. So- you live with your Grandfather or..." He fishes and she once more avoids his question.

"Have you ever been to the Statue of Liberty?"

"Yes...Daphne- did something happen at home before you came here?" She looks down at her plate and then at Max before gazing at her lap for a long time.

"I don't want to talk about it. Grandfather says I shouldn't talk about it."

"Talk about what?" He asks and she gets slightly teary eyed.

"About our game." Max has a pit in his stomach, but keeps his mind clear.

"Oh...what kind of game? Like a board game?"

"No..."

"Oh."

"He calls it playing doctor." Max feels his body go cold and his head spins slightly.

"Does um...does he always play that with you?"

"We never used too cause Daddy's work schedule changed...but after Daddy died..." She sobs and Max gets up and goes around the table, pulling her into a hug.

"Shhh...I'm sorry. No more questions okay. It's alright."

"He touches my...me...and makes me...touch...touch his..." She bursts into tears again and Max knows he has to talk to Helen about this. Though that won't be easy.

***

Helen has made so many phone calls to so many department nurses. None of whom have seen Daphne.

With each passing minute- her heart hurts even more.

How could a nine year old girl just disappear like that?

"Any luck?" She asks Reynolds and he unfortunately shakes his head as he is put on hold with Trauma. "I don't understand. Where could she possibly be? I've been to every floor. Almost in every open room. I can't find a single person who has seen her nor can I find a trace of her. How is this possible? Am I going insane?"

"You're not going insane. She's here. I mean- at least...at least I— oh hi! Cheryl! This is Dr. Reynolds...yes I'm fine how are you...no...no the reason I'm calling is...oh, so you heard....yeah...yeah...okay...thank you bye." He hangs up the phone and looks at her. "All floors have been checked thoroughly. Still no sightings."