The Song of Darkness

One Hand

KILLIAN JONES

Liam hasn't stopped crying all night. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to feed him or what to give him to make him stop. There's no sign of Lottie anywhere to help with feeding. I get Layla up. "Little love do you know what you feed babies with?"

"No. I thought mommys did that." I groan and keep bouncing around with him. Now everything from when I was cursed to this world is fuzzy and I can only remember the few days I was cursed, but none of my fake memories. I get the keys to the house and walk to the drug store with Layla and Liam. I walk around and Liam's still crying.

"Daddy look at this." She holds up a purple container. "It says it's for babies." I kiss her head and get a bottle as well. I go pay for the stuff and walk back home. Layla holds my hook and helps me make the bottle when we get home. I'm on the verge of tears.

I need Emma. She would know exactly what to do. Well maybe. I finish feeding him and take him to his crib. He frowns. "Lad I don't know what you want." Layla peeks at him. His little eyes light up and he kicks his feet. She picks him up and sits in my bed. He falls asleep on her and she touches his hair.

"Are you okay now?" Layla asks. My six year old is helping me with a baby. If that's not a problem I don't know what is. I kiss her cheek.

"I'm fine little love. Do you want me to take him?" She nods. I pick him up. His eyes are still shut. Peaceful. Hopefully the stuff we gave him helped. Layla should not have to help me with him. The sun's up before I get any sleep. As soon as I close my eyes Liam wakes up.

"Hungry little lad?" I make a bottle for him. He looks happy. Once he's done eating I burp him and Layla comes downstairs.

"Daddy can we go to Grannys for breakfast?"

"Uh. Yeah I suppose that's alright." She smiles and runs to get dressed. I get Liam ready. I don't have many clothes for him. I carry him to Granny's and hold Layla's hand. I'll have to get clothes for him after we eat. I get them setup then order their food. I catch a look at myself in a mirror and I look awful. Granny comes to the table with the kids' food and a plate for me. I didn't get anything.

"Eat Hook."

"I can't pay for this." I hand it to her.

"On the house. Eat."

"No I can't."

"You can. Eat." She walks away. Emma walks in and sits at the counter. Shit I don't want her seeing me like this. The baby starts to cry and I pick him up. Layla spills her drink all over her and the floor. Shit. Emma gets paper towels and helps clean the water.

"Thank you." There's no way Emma would want to be with me. My life's a mess and I have two kids.

"Yeah of course. Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah I'm great."

She nods. "I um, I'm close to finding who cast the curse, I've gotta go handle all the new displaced people though, I'll um. I'll see you around."

"Yeah." She walks away and I put my head in my hand. I take several deep breaths and count to ten. Layla kisses my cheek.

"I'm sorry Daddy."

"For what little love?"

"Spilling my water." I pull her into my lap.

"Don't be sorry baby, accidents happen."

She nods and kisses Liam's head. "Does Emma like you?"

"I don't think so little love."

She frowns. "Okay."

"But that's ok. I have you two." I kiss her head. She goes back to her side of the table and eats her breakfast. I eat as well, Liam's sleeping in the crook of my arm. He's so cute. Layla stares behind me when we're done. "Whats wrong little love?"

"Look." I look behind me. There's a giant swarm of flying monsters. I take her behind the counter and hand Granny the baby. I have to make sure Emma's okay.

Granny pulls my arm back. "What the hell are you doing you can't go out there!"

"I have to make sure she's okay." I walk out before she says anything else. Emma's using her magic on them and her father is shooting at them. One almost scratches her and I stab it. Once most of the monkeys are gone she hugs me.

"Thank you. For saving me." I hold her close while I can.

"Yeah of course. One scratch and you turn into a monkey."

She doesn't let go for a second and then she backs up. "You should get back to your kids. They probably need you more than me." She laughs.

"Yeah... Um well if it helps those things came from oz, the wicked witch."

"Yeah I figured that part out, I just don't know what she looks like in our world."

"I'm not sure, sorry I couldn't be of more help."

She just stares at my face for a moment. "You should go home and get some rest."

"That bad?" I laugh.

"Not bad, just tired. You're raising two kids by yourself it's hard."

"It's not that hard, I'm managing."

She tilts her head. "You're skinny and you have dark circles and your hair is messy and you need a shower."

"I may put Layla back in school so I'll have time for that stuff."

"Well, for now Ill watch them while you take a break. The witch can wait."

"What? No no I can't ask you to do that. You have so many other important things to do."

She goes in the diner and takes Liam from Granny and grabs Layla's hand. "Go home. Go shower and take a nap."

"Emma, seriously you don't have to do this."

She pushes me in the direction of my house. Looks like shes not taking no for an answer. I kneel down and kiss Laylas head.

"Be good for Emma." I kiss Liam's head. "All his stuff is in here. He's been fed and should pass out for his nap soon. Oh let me change his diaper before I go."

"Yeah no. Go shower."

"No its nasty I'll change him then go."

She pulls him away. "I've got it. I've got two hands." Layla pushes my legs.

"Daddy I love you but you smell, and I want to hang out with Emma." She plugs her nose and stops pushing me once I'm at the stairs. I go up, get a few chores done, shower, then pass out.