The Errand Girl

The fathers

I sat and stared at the doorway, anger and fear eating away at me. I can't believe he got to her... Liam had his head in his hands and groaned, swearing quietly. I could hear them talking outside, voices muffled. Daisy and Heath look at each other awkwardly.

"We'll be out to see what's happening" Daisy explained, nudging me and squeezing my hand, she quickly stood and they moved outside. I took a deep breath yet it didn't feel like enough air was getting into my lungs. I curled into myself, my breathing difficult.

What if she's being beaten?! Pain filling my body, every beaten spot stinging, it's like I'm watching her now... Each spot stinging on me appearing on her... Julie... Please be alive... I stared at her dead body.

Cold water jolted me out of the image, Daryl stood over me, an empty, dripping cup in his hand, his lips moving as he spoke to someone... Huh? Gradually I could hear the soft instrumental music, I touched the headphones on my ears and looked at Daryl. Distracting myself. One sleeve was rolled up more than the other, clean-shaven, his hair had been freshly cut. A necklace chain leading under his shirt?

He removed the headphones, resting them against the back of my neck, the soft ear part pushing against my chin. He was looking around, I followed his lead, realising we were alone, how long was I freaking out? He knelt on one knee beside the couch and examined my face, the smallest smile on his face.

"Your panic attacks are getting worse. We will find Juliette. Hunter will regret it." He began, he picked up a face washer and offered it to me, shakily I took it, cleaning the dripping water from my face. "We will be in the neutral zone planning. Hunter will not get back inside here. Members are on watch for him, big boss has put out a hunt on him" explained Daryl.

"Why... Why did all this happen... Why did you two do this to me?" I weakly mumbled, he sighed, standing at full height. He looked around as if checking no one was around to listen. His eyes finally met mine.

"You will find out, it's not as simple as you believe" he muttered, he put the cup down on a bookshelf. I watched him step to the door, gripping the handle. "Tomorrow I want you to walk to the neutral zone. Light exercise should be beneficial for your injuries" he stated. I didn't argue, I can't anyway... The door clicked shut softly, light slightly beaming in through the windows. Dust dancing in the bright beams.

"Was that him leaving?" Called Liam, I watched him round the corner, worry etched into every part of his face. I nodded quietly and squeezed the face washer. "They said you needed that music, and to focus on things, but you were so unresponsive to anything. That asshole Daryl told me to leave you to his care and go get my stuff set up, drug dealers can be scary, but weapons dealers are worse" he explained, keeping his distance.

"I won't shatter" I grumbled. He grinned and moved quickly forward, plopping down beside me. Hugging me tight against him.

"I've cooked us some dinner, Daryl explained you went hungry a lot" Liam mumbled. "Like, I knew you were homeless for a while, but suppose hearing it, really nailed it in" he said, he moved a hand to my wrist and jumped onto his feet. Yanking me up with him, I followed slowly, he pushed me to sit on a table chair, hard brown wood under me. Two plates on the table.

"Thanks" I mumbled tiredly, he quickly dug into his food, not acknowledging I'd spoken. I took a deep breath, the feeling weirdly nostalgic and homely. A pleasant home-cooked meal, someone I trust and love. An awfully comfortable home around me. My gaze on the food, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots nicely placed on one side, a thick glob of mashed potato, two pork medallions and gravy. I slowly ate, watching him quickly finish, he stood, acting like he'd lived here his whole life. He dumped his dishes into the sink, exploring the large fridge. He pulled out a tub of ice cream, I wonder who got that? Liam overfilled a bowl with spoonfuls of ice cream, I had only finished half of the delicious meal.