Flame

Chapter 8

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

We spent three days at the hospital before finally returning home. Claire was home often but that was probably because she was still trying to find a job.

I came home to pink decorations and balloons saying Congratulations on them. I wrapped an arm around Claire as she hugged me back gently, being weary of Phoenix being in my arms. Claire immediately took me upstairs though for the biggest surprise.

We walked into what was once a storage room to find a bed and a crib in the room. It was a bed with plain white sheets and the crib was oak brown with pink blankets. It was amazing. I gave Claire a big hug.

Whilst I was placing a sleeping Phoenix in her new crib, Claire had brought all my stuff into my room. Unfortunately she couldn't afford a wardrobe or drawers yet so she helped me fold the clothes and place them in piles on the floor for the meantime.

She also told me she found a job two days ago which I was happy for her for. She now works as a teacher teaching adults how to be teachers and she sounded happy about that.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

It's been about five years now. Phoenix's birthday was roughly a month ago. We celebrated by going to her favourite theme park and going on all the rides she possibly could before crashing at the arcade games until we had to go. We bought her food there which was expensive enough so I'm glad we brought our own food too. It was a great time, time away from home too to just stretch our legs.

I went to college during that time and I passed my Health and Social Care, and Child Care exams. The third subject was more one I wanted to do. I still passed it with the highest grade possible.

But I ended up taking Health and Social Care, and Child Care because of Phoenix and it actually taught me a lot. The other subject was actually Computer Science. It was a class I actually enjoyed during high and enjoyed it just as much in college. I ended up getting a A* or a Distinction* and I got A's in the other two subjects. Still passed and I was happy.

I was trying to find simple jobs. Like being a personal carer, a child minder or working more specifically with businesses by White Hat Hacking as I understood that side of things more but no one was taking me.

Claire still had the same job from five years ago and she loved every bit of it.

Being twenty-one already was hard to comprehend. I had my whole life ahead of me, mostly planned with revenge, until I had Phoenix. I wasn't happy with how I got her but in the end, she was still the reason I wake up in the morning.

It was November, the 6th to be more precise and I turned twenty-two in four days. So a month and a day after giving birth to Phoenix, I turned seventeen. So yes, Phoenix was born on the 9th October and I am 10th November. Claire turned thirty in February.

We were all living our best lives; Phoenix was in reception and started Year 1 in the next September, I was still to find a job but I was okay with doing house chores, and Claire was living her best life teaching adults that wanted to be teachers.

That was until one Saturday afternoon, Phoenix was watching one of her favourite shows; Looney Tunes. The program then switched to breaking news. It made Phoenix jump as she was sat on the floor in front of the television so she ran over to me. I was just sat on the sofa. I picked her up in my arms as I listened to the news.

"Breaking news; Fredrick Jones has escaped prison after being locked in there for five years. He was in prison for rape of a teenage girl during high school and other acts of rape. Jones has been missing from prison for the past two days. If you find this man, call the police immediately with your whereabouts known. You'll be awarded £5000 in return. The police preferably want him alive but if he was a threat and had to be killed, that will be fine too and you will still earn the same reward. This was Davis Dane on breaking news."

Then the channel switched back over. Phoenix became restless and battled out of my hands to sit back on the floor to watch the cartoon.

"Claire? Did you hear that?" I called out to her as her head peeps out from the kitchen door.

"I did, hun," she paused with a sigh "But it gives you a chance to find him and take revenge." she smiled when walking over to me.

"I know I want redemption but I have Phoenix and I need to set a good example." I whined.

"Well let's hope in this case he's a threat towards you then."

I nodded in response as I focus my attention on Phoenix, making sure she doesn't break anything. She broke a side table the other day so I'm needing to pay more attention to her.

Claire went back into the kitchen before walking back over to me with a thick bacon sandwich "Hungry?"

"Always," I laughed as she passed the plate to me; the bacon was well done, just how I like my bacon "Thank you."
I smiled.

"No problem, hun," she then turned to look over at Phoenix, who was fixated on the TV "Hungry my lovely?" she asked her.

Phoenix turned her whole body to face Claire "Yes pwease, gwandma Cwaile."

Yes, I made Claire her grandmother seeing as she was like a mother to me. I'd have to explain to her properly down the line but for now, there was no need.

Phoenix's pronunciations weren't perfect for her age but the reception were working closely with her to help which I appreciated. They also kept contact with me on her progress which I also appreciated.

I dug into my bacon sandwich as Claire walked over with mini bacon sandwiches for Phoenix. There was around five small sandwiches which had a little less bacon in them so it wasn't too thick for her tiny mouth.

"Fank oo, gwandma." she called out to Claire.

Claire turned around to look at Phoenix from a distance. She had a big smile on her face as she walked back to her, knelt down and kissed her forehead "You're most welcome." she replied.

Phoenix smiled at her grandma as she took a bite from her first sandwich. The smile on her face is always cherished like it could be the last smile I see on that precious, tiny face.

"I wonder if she'll be supernatural too." I said.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ