Under his protection

birthday

*Daniel*

Grandma and Grandpa wake me with party poppers going off.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY" both of them say excitedly. Sitting up I smile widely, I was so happy my Grandparents remembered my day. Grandma hugs me tightly and kisses my cheek which is a wet kiss but I don't mind.

When we get downstairs there are three gifts on the table, wasn't much but I didn't mind. Before I can even touch a gift Grandma insists on breakfast.

"Can we have waffles and bacon" I ask and gran gets to cooking. Grandpa is relaxing with gran in the kitchen but I'm sat in the living room. I have on my blue pj shirt and trousers which is really comfortable.

A knock came at the door and i call out for someone to get it but nobody answers. Another knock comes so I get up to answer it. The man in my doorway is tall in a full back suit with sunglasses and an ear piece. There are at least 10 or so more men like him...

"Who are you" The man asks me, isn't that what I should be asking him...

"Daniel Roberts" I murmer, he says something into the ear piece quickly so I can't make it out. Gran touched my shoulder snapping me out of my own thoughts and scaring me slightly.

"Get inside and hide. Don't come out until we say" Grandpa pushes me further into the house, I am so confused but my legs start to move. I'm moving upstairs and hiding in the very very back of the guest wardrobe behind a box.

There is screaming and barking. I'm petrified... I want to get up but I was told not too. I hoped I would just go deaf so I didn't have to hear anything.

*Quin*

I had come to collect my debt. About a month ago this old couple ran behind on payments so I had come to make an agreement to settle the thousands of pounds they owed me... Ezekiel says there is a boy through the earpiece. What an interesting turn.

I get out the car, my dogs walking close by my side. When we get inside the house the oldies are sat on the couch.

"Where is the money" My dogs sit by my feet and the old woman looks at me first.

"We don't have it" She admits.

"Where is the boy" I need to take something.

Last time I came I said I would be taking the boy if they came short again... I had seem some pictures, he is 5" 7, fluffy brown hair with green eyes and freckles all over his cheeks and nose.

"He is gone. We sent him off and he isn't coming back" That woman is too mouthy, the old man has some sense as he sits quietly too scared to speak.

I give a nod to my men. They advance towards the old couple landing blows on them, the old man is wailing and the woman is screaming. Dogs are barking so I take them off the lead, they run upstairs.

My dogs had been specifically trained to smell the boy, incase the couple ran off I could always find him to use as bait or to keep around who knows or cares... They lead me to a bedroom and I open the wardrobe. The dogs are barking at a cardboard box so I pull it out and move it. As soon as I turn back a blur of blue goes past me followed by the blur of my dogs.

I wasn't in any rush to get downstairs as the boy couldn't get far, I was right as Ezekiel had the boy pinned on the floor under his knee.

"I think it's time for a family chat" I say as I walk over the old couple. Ezekiel brings Daniel to me and sits him on the couch beside me. "Now we have everyone, as your behind on your payments I think the boy will be a sufficient payment"

"My names Daniel and I'm not a payment dickwad" Daniel hisses at me which makes me shoot him a look, he looks scared and shuts up.

"Please don't, we can get you the money. Its his birthday today come back in a week" The old woman again...

"I gave you your time and now I'm taking what I want." I make myself clear, Daniel stands up quickly and tries to run... This boy, he isn't going to make this easy is he.

Ezekiel looks at me and I nod, we knew there would be some rebellion so we had prepared. Ezekiel pulled out a shot from a black case, I already knew what the shot contained so I wasn't alarmed as Ezekiel ran out the door after Daniel.

An ear slitting scream called out for help but it was soon silenced. I was bored now, I get up and leave this shit hole. Ezekiel is holding Daniel's limp body, I get in the back of my car before I'm handed Daniel. He seemed so small in my arms, his fluffy hair is so soft under my chin. The dogs get in the car next to me. One resting it's head on Daniels lap, the other laying by my feet on the car floor.

I hold Daniels body securely in my arms as the car drove back... He might not accept me at first but he is mine, soon he will see it too. I kiss his forehead gently as we pull into my driveway.