Stuck Together

Chapter 3

I came to a stop outside the barriers of camp. I'd fashioned a hideaway of sorts for my car in the woods so that people passing by wouldn't see it. It was late now, in the back seat Estelle was asleep. Now in the quiet of the car I let my head fall against the steering wheel. My body hurt in the way that it did whenever I was stressed for long periods of time, I'd never felt it condense so significantly over such a short amount of time.

My body felt destroyed.

All I could think about was mom and Paul. Were they safe? Were they okay? I gently hit my head against the steering wheel. The worst thought of all though was what if this left Estelle without parents? I'd seen kids at camp who had no active parents in their lives. It was devastating. I always tried to be there for them, I've even become that parent-ly role for a few of them. But for Estelle? She has a mother and father, one she loves. She'd be devastated.

I felt sick.

My eyes hurt, my stomach churned. I had to get them back. Tomorrow I'd be there, tomorrow I would get this all done with. This man, Joker, or so he called himself, oh he was going to get it.

I resolved this within myself. The thought a temporary pick me up.

Slowly I lifted my head off of the steering wheel, removing the keys from the ignition as I got out. I walked around the car to pick up Estelle from her seat. She quietly groaned as I picked her up in my arms with ease. She quickly settled onto my shoulder, her soft breathing getting overwhelmed by the noises of the wilderness.

Ms. O'Leary looked up at me before I backed up, giving her space to get out of the car. She hopped down, giving me a soft bark as I closed the door. I would bring Estelle's clothes down tomorrow. For now she could use the emergency clothes I always kept here for just in case.

Slowly, with Ms. O'Leary trotting beside me, I walked through the forest, my hand gently rubbing Estelle's back in a way to comfort her. We walked for a while, the noise of the leaves and sticks crunching beneath my feet the only noise to accompany the trek.

It wasn't until I saw the bright orange glow of the campfire that I relaxed even a little more. Beside me, Ms. O'Leary looked up at me for permission to run ahead. I gave her a small smile and nodded.

"Go ahead girl." She gently tapped my leg with her nose before running off towards the large group of campers. Nearly everyone was here because of the summer, they wouldn't be gone for another week at the very least.

Instead of going back to the fire like I usually would, I headed for my cabin, attempting to shield Estelle's eyes from the bright light that lit up the camp. I knew Hestia was probably watching from above, she always stuck around when all the campers were here.

I approached my cabin slowly, sending short glances to the kids. No one had spotted me yet, or if they did, they probably assumed I was just someone uninterested in joining the festivities.

I eventually made it to my cabin, pulling open the door revealed the mess this place had become while she was here. Just because Estelle had less toys at camp didn't mean that she found any less way of making a mess. I chuckled quietly at the mess of her bed.

I walked forward into the dark cabin and gently laid her down, covering her with her blanket with a small smile. She stirred a little but I combed my fingers through her hair which settled her down back into her peaceful slumber.

With her someplace safe I stood back up to my full height, my smile slowly falling as the gravity of everything set in once more.

Mom and Paul were gone.

I was the only one Estelle had now.

For now.

I had to focus on that. I was going to get them back. She would soon be home with our parents snuggled into their sides and watching her favorite movies with them soon. I was going to make sure of it.