𝚆𝙸𝙻𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 ⌖ 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴

Who's Your Daddy?

"The heart loves. The mind thinks. The heart wants to believe in what it loves. But the mind denies to feel before it thinks."
– Javid Ahmad Tak
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Gradually waking up, the hazy remnants of sleep cling to my brain. I splay out on the bed, groaning as every muscle protests the early hour, reluctant to leave the plush warmth. Sunrises have never been my favourite, and today is no exception. The sunlight peeking through the curtains feels intrusive and I bury my face in the pillow, hoping for a few more minutes of rest. But, an enthusiastic knocking arouses my consciousness.

"Hey, Dakota!" Carl's excited voice filters through the door, his enthusiasm impossible to overlook. "I mastered what you taught me! I'm ready for more!" I let out a lethargic sigh, smiling despite my grogginess.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," I yawn, swinging my legs over the side of the bed while rubbing my eyes, stifling another groan. Feeling the stiffness in my muscles, I stretch. Each satisfying crack and pop delivers a small wave of relief, till that persistent banging cripples my drowsy mind. Carl's eagerness is contagious and as much as I grumble about mornings, I can't deny the satisfaction of hearing his resurrected energy.

"I think Sophia wants to learn too!" Carl exclaims and I stagger while getting dressed, mid-pant lift, nearly tripping over my trousers. The mere mention of Sophia snaps me back to yesterday's events. The vivid image of us finding the missing girl floods my thoughts. I had shot the 'Walker' unremittingly pursuing her; The adrenaline pumping through my veins, aiming to fire, the sheer desperation in her eyes—it's all been etched to memory.

If we had shown up even a moment later she likely wouldn't be alive. The gravity of that close call is nauseating, a display of how thin the line between life and death has become.

Clamping down on my clumsy yelp, a grin spreads across my face. Now I'm wide awake, heart racing with pride at last night's achievement.

Possessing the knob, I yank the door open. There's Carl, beaming up at me, his face alight with anticipation, eyes sparkling like they've caught the lustre of a thousand stars. His toothy smile fattens, already expanding to talk and I quickly interject, "Where is she?"

"Sophia? Outside with her mom, but I swear she's interested in playing," he blabs, the words tumbling out in a rush. Chuckling a bit, I picture Carl ranting exuberantly to the recently traumatized girl, yapping about a damn guitar. I boot the amusing concept with a shake of my head.

"Well, first I wanna hear this mastered song," I say, arching a brow in frisky suspicion. Carl gulps nervously, his initial excitement dimming slightly. I guffaw briefly, which restores his elation. "Lead the way kid," I bid, gesturing that he takes charge, heading to my old room.

Surprisingly, Carl manages to play pretty well and I can't help but commend him, despite the few muddled frets that I quietly blame on the pressures of having an audience. Clapping lightly, I tease, "Okay cowboy, what'll it be?" Carl's eyebrows furrow and I tilt my head, asking, "Any song requests?" His mouth gaps and uncertainty clouds his expression.

Hesitant, "I... don't know," Carl admits. I laugh softly and then nod, scanning the bedroom for inspiration. Then, my gaze hones in on the dusty Walkman sitting in the corner. Warmth spans my chest as I turn back to the perplexed boy.

"How about I lend you my Walkman, and you pick your favourite song?" I suggest, hoping to spark his appeal but he still seems confused. "It's like an iPod," I explain flatly and my mouth twitches, almost betraying my attempt to remain serious, but nonetheless, Carl appears embarrassed having no idea what a Walkman is. His lips thin to a straight line and he gives a meek nod in response.