My Love, My Hero

2: Who are They?

How the hell did he know my first name?

I put the card in my back pocket, I'll just look at it after I finish cleaning up.  At least that's what I kept telling myself. Four hours later the card sits on the table and all I can do is stare.

"Elaine?" Father walked in, "Why are you still down here? It's getting late." 

I quickly grabbed the card and shoved it my pocket again. "Oh sorry, I was just scrolling on my phone and I lost track of time." With that I headed up stairs from the shop to our apartment.

"Are you alright? You seem as if something is bothering you." I stoped and turned towards him.

"I'm fine Father, just a little tired from the shift." I smiled and continued up stairs. 

I looked at the clock. '11:31'  The only thing I can think to do is call Peter, this is too concerning not to. 

The phone started ringing, "Please pick up." 

*ring*

*ring*

*ring*

"Hello??"

"Peter those men.. they never left the shop, and when I went to ask them if they wanted food one handed me a card and told me to call him an-." I was talking so fast I ran out of breath

I could hear him sit up, "Woah Aph, slow down."   

"He told me not to tell my father, and it sounded almost like a threat. I don't know what to do, should I call and see what all this shit is or just burn the card?"

"Tomorrow after school, meet me on the roof, we will call the number then and figure all this out." He paused, "What does the card say on it?"

I pulled the card out of my pocket and started to read it, "It says, 'To Elaine, From you're father" 

"Your father? That doesn't make any sense." 

"Your right it doesn't." We both sat in silence, "I'll see you tomorrow and we will figure this out,"

"Ok, sounds like a plan." As I was about to hang up when he spoke again, "Be carful Aph."

"I will." We hung up and I put the card in the back of my phone case. I'm going to leave this problem for tomorrow. 

The morning felt blurry, I got virtually no sleep last night and Mother could tell. "Sweetheart what happened? You seem exhausted." She asked as she was folding laundry in the corner.

"Yeah I didn't get much sleep last night."

 She came over and put her hand on my forehead, "Your not sick are you?"

"No Mother, I just stayed up all night reading."

She gave me a look, "Elaine, I am your mother, I can tell when your lying." She sat down at the table with me. "What's going on?"

I took a breath, "I'm just stressed, I'll be fine."

"I see," She took my hand into hers, "You can tell me anything you know that right?"

"I know, I love you Mom."

"I love you too Elaine." She gave me a hug and went back to her task