Deep Dark Blues

Chapter 6- Uncharted Seas

"Hey Kiddo..." the man leaned over her, looking at the bunch of drawings spread across the living room floor.

"That's a cool fish..." he slurred, pointing to the blue scribbles to the right. The small girl rolled her eyes, grabbing the paper as if trying to hide it from him.

"That's a dolphin, Dad..." Her face scrunched up when she turned to him, the stench of his breath making her eyes water. The little girl squeezed her nose, pointing her tiny hands at the man behind her.

"You are so stinky..."

He laughed, cheeks going a bit pink at the remark. He scratched the back of his head, leaning away from his daughter as if to spare her from his condition.

"Sorry baby, daddy didn't brush his teeth today." He chuckled awkwardly, eyes darting away from his daughter's face. The smile on his daughter's face dimmed, her lips turning upside-down. She looked away from him, looking down at the floor.

"Mommy says you don't live here anymore..."

The man grimaced, putting his hands on her shoulders. He had some trouble with staying upright but his eyes were sincere as he spoke.

"I will always love you, baby... You and Ruth... Always..." His eyes were glassy, knuckles going pale as he squeezed her shoulders reassuringly.

"I... I have an idea... How about we g-go get something nice to eat? Hm? Just you and me?" he offered good-naturedly. The girl couldn't help but smile widely, the promise of some junk food  too good to decline.

"Alright, alright... Let's get you dressed up and we can go." Her father smiled, wobbling a bit as he stood up. He readjusted his jacket, flashing a smile at the girl before turning around, and walking shakily down the hallway and towards the door. The daughter followed him, passing the familiar long hallway and the staircase upstairs.

"We have to be quiet baby..." he chuckled, opening the front door. He turned around.

"Are you coming, sweetie?"

No... Wait... No...

"Rowan?"

She has to stop him. He can't get into that car.

"Dad, you have to stop..."

"What do you mean?"

"We can't go... Please stay..." she pleaded, trying to reach for his hand with her childlike hands. She was stuck in that body. She tried to come closer and yet the hallway seemed to stretch with every step she took towards David.

"Dad, please..."

"You don't want to come with me?"

"I do, but it's dangerous... Please stay..."

Sudden brightness blinded her, car reflectors shining into the hallway directly from outside. She had to squint, covering her eyes with one hand as she attempted to grab him once more.

"Dad, just give me your hand."

"You don't want to go with me, do you?" His right hand snapped. Reed let out a muffled scream, falling helplessly to the floor as she watched her father morph into a creature of nightmares. The wet squelching of bones rearranging filled the air, flesh tearing and blood dripping all over the threshold. She couldn't look away, her eyes stuck on the twisted figure before her. His head was hanging loose, neck broken and yet, David's eyes made contact with her own, a rasp echoing from his bloodied lips.