The Child

3

Ace sits up, watching the room and the door as Alice and Cain sleep.

"You should get some sleep, Ace."Alice says quietly.

"Not till I know you guys are safe."he says quietly as Alice strokes Cain's hair.

"He's going to be so handsome when he grows up."Alice says quietly.

Ace chuckles.

"Yeah he is."Ace says.

Alice checks her watch and huffs.

"Maybe we should keep him home from school tomorrow."she says.

"No no, he's 6 you can't homeschool him forever."Ace explains.

"But he's just so precious to me."Alice whines, making Ace chuckle.

"Well you're a mother, I would expect nothing less."

"He was so cute earlier. He was up reading a book about insects."she chuckles.

"I feel like he's gonna kick ass at school tomorrow."

...

"DON'T MAKE ME GO!"Cain shouts, holding on to Ace for dear life.

"Come on kid please!"I gripe, trying to pry his arms out from around Ace's throat.

Ace, who was being strangled, was clearly no help.

Finally I was able to release Ace and he takes a big deep breath.

"No! Mama no please!"Cain shouts as I carry him towards the school entrance.

I sit him down and wipe his tears as he sniffles.

"Look at me baby."I say softly, kneeling before him.

"You're brave. You're strong. You think your uncle cried like this when he went to school?"I ask.

He shakes his head with a big frown.

"See? And he's big and strong. It's only for a little while, and then I'll be right back here to get you."I say softly.

"Promise?"he says.

I hold out my pinky finger.

"Pinky promise."I smile.

He links his pinky with mine and I smile as I wipe his tears away again.

"Come on, let's get you inside."

I offer him my hand and he takes it. We walk towards the school building and I huff in relief as I see him wiping his wet cheeks.

....

I groan loudly as I get back into the car, which makes Ace chuckle.

"Was that the hardest thing in the world?"he asks.

"It was hell in earth. And we both know what hell is like."I say, laying against the dashboard.

This makes him chuckle as he begins driving.

....

I watch as Ace nails up boards over the basement door.

"I hope you think this is going to keep him out of it."Ace says, looking back at me.

"I hope it does. He's like Houdini."I huff.

"Well, hopefully he has no interest in handyman work."Ace says, pulling in the nailed up boards to make sure they're sturdy.

"I don't know, I kinda like handyman Ace."I flirt, making him chuckle.

"He's like Santa, he only comes around once a year."Ace says, tossing the hammer into the air.