to protect. - s.harrington x oc

- two -

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sinner.

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I parked in the driveway and shut off the car, opening the door and stepping out. Neither of my parents' cars were here. I sigh. I didn't expect them to be here, anyway. They were always out. It's been that way since I came here.

At the sound of bike pedalling, I turned around, seeing the four children riding their bikes towards the Wheeler residence. I smiled at them.

"Hey, boys!" I exclaimed, waving to them. They all looked up at me and grinned happily. When they got to the house, they quickly jumped off their bikes and ran over to me.

Will was the first to get there, and he envelops me in a hug. I hugged him back, rubbing his head. The other boys finally caught up and hugged me too. I laughed.

Mike is the first to pull back. "Amy, it's been so long! Where have you been?!" At this, all the other boys pulled away and started going on about how long it's been since they've seen me.

"I know, I know, sorry," I interrupted, "I've been really, really, busy with work and school."

"Well, we have been pretty busy, too," Will whispered, smiling at me.

"To make it up to us, why don't you come play DND with us?" Dustin suggested, ignoring Will.

I sighed, looking at their hopeful faces and immediately feeling bad.

"I would, I really would, but I have a lot of homework to do."

All their faces dropped, and they looked down at the ground. Guilt immersed me.

"Shit," I sighed under my breath. I bent down slightly to look in their faces. "How about this? After I finish my homework I'll come hang out." They looked up, looking at each other to see how the others felt. "And I'll bring snacks."

They all grinned instantly, cheering and high fiving, and this brought a smile to my face. I loved these kids.

"Okay deal!" Lucas exclaimed, holding his hand out for me to shake, which I took. "Pleasure doing business with you." I laughed.

"We'll see you later, then." Mike said, starting to back away.

"See you," the rest said. I smiled and saluted them as I turned to walk into my house. I quickly unlocked the door, my face dropping as I stepped inside my dark, empty house.

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Flinging the door open, I walked into my bedroom. The familiar scent and warmth of my room enveloped me. My room still smelt like the vanilla and cinnamon scented candle I had lit the night before. I hung my bag on my bag rack and slipped my shoes off, immediately falling onto my bed, snuggling into the blankets and exhaling softly.

It was silent. Too silent, and all I could remember was my most recent dream. I needed a distraction. So I reached over to my radio and pressed play. A smirk took over my whole face when Sinner by Judas Priest came on, and I shot up, turning my radio up higher. As soon as the lyrics started playing I was up off the bed, and singing the lyrics while using an empty can of coke as my microphone.

"Sinner rider, rides in with a storm," I sang loudly. I closed my eyes and put my spare hand on my head, facing upwards. "The devil rides beside him. The devil is his god, god help him MOURN!" I started singing even louder and twirled around my room.