Daddy's Precious Little Girl

Back to The Sanctuary

Ethan's POV

As the lunchtime bell rang, I knelt beside Ashlynn, watching her giggle with Markie. Their laughter filled the room, and my heart swelled at the sight. She had slipped so easily into her little headspace, her worries fading like morning mist.

"Okay, my precious girl," I said gently, offering my hand. "Time for lunch!"

Her eyes lit up, and she took my hand, bouncing on her toes as we made our way to the cafeteria. The moment we entered, the delicious smells of pasta and roasted chicken wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble.

"There they are!" I pointed to Lana and Markie, who were already at a table in the corner. Ashlynn's face brightened, and she let go of my hand, rushing over.

"Markie!" she squealed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she threw her arms around him. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Ashlynn!" Markie replied, beaming. "Did you have fun in class? We played so many games!"

I couldn't help but smile at their joy. They literally just left each other in class. "Hey, Lana," I said as I approached. "Can you keep an eye on Ashlynn while I grab us some food?"

"Of course!" she replied, her smile warm and reassuring. "I'll make sure she's safe and happy."

"Thanks!" I squeezed Ashlynn's shoulder before heading to the lunch line. As I filled my tray with zoodles and chicken, I glanced back at the table. Ashlynn and Markie were deep in conversation, their giggles floating through the air like music.

When I returned with the food, Ashlynn's eyes widened. "You got zoodles!" she exclaimed, her excitement radiating off her.

"Yep! Your favorite!" I set the tray down between us. "What were you two talking about?"

"We was talkin' 'bout how much fun we had!" Ashlynn said, bouncing in her seat. "I raced Markie, and I won! I went super fast!"

"Yeah! But it was really close!" Markie chimed in, his cheeks flushed with excitement. "You're the best racer, Ashlynn!"

I chuckled, enjoying their enthusiasm. "You both are amazing! Maybe you can teach me how to race like that next time."

"I will!" Ashlynn declared, her little face lighting up.

As we ate, I listened to them chatter about the morning's activities, their words bubbling with innocence and joy. In this moment, all the worries about The Sanctuary felt far away. I wanted Ashlynn to soak up every bit of this happiness before facing whatever challenges lay ahead.

But soon enough, we would have to leave this bubble of safety. I caught Ashlynn's eye, giving her a reassuring smile as she animatedly shared another story about their games.

No matter what awaited us, I was determined to protect her. Together, we would face The Sanctuary, and I would be there every step of the way.

Ashlynn's POV

As we walked toward The Sanctuary, a mix of excitement and dread churned in my stomach. The tall walls loomed ahead, casting long shadows that felt both familiar and threatening. I took a deep breath, trying to hold onto the little headspace I had embraced during lunch. I had felt so safe and happy, surrounded by Ethan, Markie, and Lana. But with each step closer, that comfort began to slip away.

"Hey, Ashlynn," Ethan said, kneeling beside me. "Remember, you're not alone. I'll always be right here, okay? You're so strong, and you've got Markie with you."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of warmth from his words. As we approached the classroom, I caught sight of the bright colors and cheerful decorations. It felt like a world I once loved, but I still felt that familiar knot in my stomach.

"Lana and I have to go to class now," Ethan said softly, crouching down to my level. "But I'll be right outside. You can do this, Ashlynn. Just focus on having fun with Markie."

They walked toward the door, leaving Markie and me standing together. "Let's go to the art station!" he suggested, his voice bright with excitement.

"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath and trying to shake off the unease that settled in my chest.

We entered the classroom, and my eyes landed on the art station at the back. Two easels stood waiting for us, and the sight made my heart flutter with anticipation.

"Look at all the colors!" Markie exclaimed as we rushed over. I felt the joy bubbling inside me, mixing with the anxiety.

Once we reached the easels, I picked up a brush, my hands trembling slightly. I dipped it into vibrant blue paint and stared at the blank canvas in front of me. With each stroke, I felt the cool wax against my fingers, transforming the canvas into a colorful world.

As we finished painting Markie leaned closer. "Let's make a big picture!" he suggested, grabbing a handful of crayons.

"Okay!" I agreed, feeling excitement return.

With each stroke, I began to forget my worries. The classroom buzzed around us, but in our little bubble of creativity, everything felt right again. I was here with Markie, and together we were making something beautiful. For now, I could just be Ashlynn—the Little girl who loved to paint.

As Markie and I immersed ourselves in our artwork, the classroom buzzed with energy. I felt safe and happy until I caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye—Marcy. She stood at the entrance, arms crossed, a wicked smirk spreading across her face.

"Well, well, if it isn't the little princess and her little friend," Marcy sneered, strutting toward us. The cheerful atmosphere around me faded as my heart began to race. "I see you made it back to The Sanctuary. Did you miss me?"

"Leave us alone, Marcy," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. Memories of her lies and the pain she had caused me flickered in my mind.

"Oh, but I can't! I've been waiting for you," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Did you hear? I got in trouble because of you. Ms. Crawley made me spend the whole afternoon in the naughty room writing lines! Now it's your turn to pay."

Markie stepped closer to me, his small body brimming with defiance. "Leave her alone! She didn't do anything wrong to you!"

Marcy's eyes narrowed as she took a menacing step forward. "Oh, I think she did. And now, it's time for some fun."

I felt my pulse quicken as Marcy stepped closer, and I instinctively stepped back. Markie stood his ground, facing her with determination.

"Don't you dare touch her!" he shouted, the fire in his eyes a stark contrast to my rising fear.

Just then, Marcy lunged toward us, and the world around me seemed to freeze, my breath hitching in my throat. Would she really hurt me? Would Markie be able to stop her?