Connect Us ✔

Chapter 30

When the doorbell rang I was in the shower. I heard footsteps and turned off the shower. „Maddie?" I called, but got no answer. I got out of the shower and almost tripped. I kind of panicked a little. „Maddie?" When I stepped out of the bathroom, just a towel around my waist and dripping wet hair, Maddie was standing at the door already. „Maddie." I gently pulled her away from the door and pulled the door back a little, glancing back. My apartment was, as always, a mess and he got up from the crouch, which looked pretty silly in his elegant coat. „At least we're even now."

„What?"

He looked me up and down and gave me a little bag. „Because you met Felix. Is she this someone?" I looked at him even more confused. „Itching and scratching all the time?"

„Oh." I thought for a second, starring at the floor. „I still think there's nothing to see, but could you take a look if you're here already? My mother doesn't want to take her to a doctor. She will wait until her dermatologist appointment." He nodded one time. „Great. I'll get dressed quickly."

I rubbed my hair dry and after quickly getting dressed, I checked my phone. My mother texted me. I decided to answer later. I left the bag in the bathroom.

„Maddie, can you come with me?" She stood up and followed me.

I wouldn't let him in, of course not. I went outside with Maddie and he put his phone away. Somehow it made me mad how he smiled at her and I understood why he wanted to keep me away from Felix. That just didn't fit.

„Hello again little one," he said looking down at her. I closed the door behind us. „Wanna tell me where it itches?"

Maddie looked up at me. „It's okay, Maddie. He's a doctor. Can you tell him?"

Maddie hesitated for a moment and started playing with the fabric of her top again. „Everywhere," she said softly in my direction.

„Where is it the worst?" he asked her.

„My legs," she finally said in his direction, at least almost.

„Okay," he said slowly and crouched down in front of her again. „Can I take a look at your legs, Maddie? Can I call you that?" Maddie nodded but took a step backwards. „You might wanna go back into the apartment, hm?" He looked at me. „Is that okay?"

I looked back into my messy apartment as if that would change something. I scratched the back of my head. „God," I whispered. „Okay. Okay, yes."

Maddie took my hand as we walked into the apartment. She even hid a little behind me. I squeezed her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. Right in that moment my phone started ringing and I cursed. „Hang on," I said and picked up, walking a few steps away. „Mom?"

„Why the hell are you not answering?" she yelled at me.

„Mom, I can't talk right now. I'll answer you in a few minutes."

„Is Maddie with you?"

„Of course she is," I said. „I asked you before."

„You didn't say you'd pick her up," she said and took a deep breath. „Your father went there and was told that a young man took her with him. Do you know how scared I was??"

„Okay. I'm sorry, I thought it was obvious I'd pick her up."

„God, Oscar..."

„I'm sorry, okay? I'm hanging up now."

When I walked back to the two of them he glanced at his watch. Maddie was sitting on the edge of the bed and he was standing there waiting. „I don't have much time," he said.

„Maddie, would you mind to take off your pants for a second?" Maddie's face suddenly went pale. „Could you do that please? He just wants to take a look at your legs to see if you're alright." Maddie shook her head and pulled her legs up to her. I sat down next to her. „He wants to help you. You may feel better then."

„I don't want to," she said in a high pitched voice.

„Could you do it if I wasn't here?" She shook her head again. „Maddie..."

„No..."

I lowered my voice next to her. „He won't hurt you. I promise."

„I don't want to," she started crying and I flinched a little. „Please, Oscar, I don't want to do it," she whined. I couldn't even look at her. It broke my heart.

I got up. I pushed him out of the apartment without thinking and closed the door without saying anything.

„I'm sorry," I whispered walking slowly back to her. „Shit ... I'm so sorry, Maddie. Please don't cry. I won't push you again." But Maddie suddenly couldn't stop crying. It was as if everything came up at once and I had a strong need to take her into my arms. Her shoulders twitched and her crying must have been loud enough for the neighbors. „I'm... sorry," I whispered standing next to her helplessly. I was so confused, I didn't know what to do.

My phone vibrated and since I didn't know how I could help her anyway, I took a short look.

You might wanna hide the bag this time