The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Twenty-Five

The next morning, I woke early. My dreams were still haunted by the memory of Declan and all the horrors that came with him. The worst of my injuries were still slowly healing, but when I slept the memory of the things I went through felt very real. When I woke, it felt like every scar tingled with phantom pains.

    The worst part was that even in death, Declan found a way to completely destroy me. The very last thing I remember before I wake up from my nightmares was me standing over him as the life drained from his eyes. The knowledge of what I was capable of, no matter what he had done to me, was too much to bear. It was crippling.

    My shower didn't last nearly as long as I had wanted, but I didn't want to be greedy with the hot water. Once I was dressed, I creeped down the hall trying not to wake Mack. When I rounded the corner, I was startled by the man sitting at the table, sipping on a cup of coffee.

    "Morning," Mack called, smiling at me.

    "You're up early," I noted, as I made my way to the coffee pot.

    "This is the new norm for me, baby girl." The smile fell from my lips as they formed into a deep frown. My disappearance really affected him. "Don't look at me like that. This wasn't your fault. You warned us all that Declan was up to something. We didn't believe you. I'm so sorry for that, Saw." The pain of what had happened seemed to bear down on him and I couldn't take it.

    "Big daddy, this is no more your fault than my own." I sat my cup down and walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. "There is only one person to blame and he is no longer around to be held accountable for his actions. So please, please, don't try to put this on yourself."

    "I'm so glad you came back to me. I don't know what I would have done if something worse had happened to you. You're my baby girl."

    "And you're my big daddy. I'm not going anywhere ever again," I promised.

    We held each other for a long while, needing to feel that connection between father and daughter. We were finally whole again.

    "All right," he said, clearing his throat and letting me go. I smiled and returned to cup before taking my seat.

    "So," I said, fidgeting with my cup. "What are my chance of getting my job back?"

    "Like I would ever fill your position," he grumbled, offended. "No one would ever measure up."

    A grin spread across my face. "Thanks."

    "You coming back today?"

    "Um, no, if that's okay. I have a few things to take care of first."

    "Take as long as you need. The job will be there whenever you are ready."

    "You really are the best boss and dad a girl could ever dream of."

    He didn't answer and he didn't need too. He stood, taking his empty cup to the sink. As he walked past me, he winked and left the room. It was good to be home.

    Before I had returned to Colorado, I called ahead to make an appointment with my old therapist. She was an amazing lady and had helped me through so much. When I called her and explained that I needed to be seen as soon as I returned, she moved her schedule around to fit me in. She never hesitated to make time for me when I called. I appreciated it.

    My appointment was an early one, just like old times. When I used to come see her, my appointments were always before I had to go to the shop. When I started making progress, our time together lessoned and lessoned until I no longer felt I needed to see her. Standing in front of her building now made me feel like I had went completely backward. I was having to start all over again.