Fallen Petals

Chapter eight

Drowning that was the first thing she remembered the second she felt herself in the water. Rosie didn't know how to swim well but she tried to save herself by grabbing onto anything that was nearby. Her head went up and out of the water many times as she grabbed onto a rock.
On the shore, Deanna watched as struggled and walked away. Rosie's entire small body ached as she climbed onto the rock to breathe. But not high enough so that Deanna would see her and try to drown her again.
Rosie coughed up water and thought about begging for her life. She was smart enough to know that Deanna wouldn't help her though. Even if she would the witch was already a small figure in the distance. Rosie cried as she was scared and wanted her daddy.

"Please I wanna go home, I don't want to die." She sobbed. The water was cold and her lungs still hurt from all the coughing.  Thankfully it seemed the gills on her neck kept him from losing any more air. Yet she still didn't want to stay in the ocean, she wanted her dad. She knew that the police had taken him away but he would find her. He promised he would always come for her when she was scared. All she had to do was wait and he would find her. If she ever got lost at the mall, Lucas always told her to wait somewhere so he could find her. It was scary but if she left then he wouldn't be able to find her. When she looked up and saw the night sky she saw the stars twinkling above her. She shed a few tears and closed her eyes as a memory came to her.

Rosie ran down the mall halls since that was where her dad worked. She always was in awe of all the different stores around her. Some of them were places where her favorite things to eat like cinnamon rolls. While others had clothes, jewelry, beds, or her favorite toys. While her dad watched the water fountain area, Rosie's eyes caught a beautiful doll. She ran over to the window to get a better look, and it was gorgeous. A doll in a blue and purple mermaid dress with red hair like her.
"Rosie, what is it, honey?" Lucas asked.
The ten-year-old looked at him in wonder as he wore his uniform. He always looked like a police officer when he wore it.
"Daddy come see!" She exclaimed.

In excitement, she grabbed his hand and pointed at the doll. She went on about it remained her of a dream she had with mermaids.
"That is  beautiful little flower." He responded.
"Daddy there is a doll that looks just like me. I want it!" She exclaimed.
Rosie's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she looked at the doll.
"You want it sweetie?" Lucas laughed.
It was a pretty doll but very expensive and he couldn't bare to see how upset she got when she saw the price tag. He worked double shifts at the mall and skipped meals to get it for her. This left him tired all the time but he still did it until he could get it for her.

Rosie noticed the dark circles under his eyes and she worried it was because of her. When he was finally able to get it after two weeks which felt like more like months he bought the doll. Rosie was overjoyed when she saw it but one night when he came back from work she saw he looked tired. She finally decided to comfort him about it during bedtime.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Rosie asked.
"It's fine Rosie you got your doll and you're happy that's all that matters to me." He responded.
Rosie put the doll down and gave him her piggy bank.

"Daddy take my money please." She insisted. When Lucas wouldn't because it was her money she had earned from doing chores.
"No honey it's not my money I can just catch up on sleep this week." He answered.
Even with the exhaustion in his face he still smiled at her. She became worried about what would happen if he did this the next time she wanted something. What if she wanted a different doll or new clothes? She still hadn't convinced him to get her a new pet, but now she knew why. With a frown, she placed her hands on his face.  Rosie decided she didn't want the doll anymore.
"I love the doll Daddy but I love you more." She declared. He appeared to be shocked but the look she earned after that was worth it. Rosie loved when he would hold her close and tell her how much he loved her. It made her feel like nothing in the world could ever hurt her. "Rosie that is the sweetest thing you have ever said, how are you growing up so fast?" He asked. She giggled at him and hugged his neck as he tickled her, it made everything seem to go back to normal.