The Taking of Eleanor Ainsworth

Chapter 30

Back and forth he rocked. The light from the muted television illuminating one side of his face as he rocked back and forth.

He chewed on his bottom lip only stopping as he began to taste blood. His phone was clutched tightly in his left hand as his right hand dialed Lily's number again. For the 11th time that night it went to voicemail and for the 11th time he left a message.

"Baby, its me again," he whispered into the phone, his wide eyes red with exhaustion, "please pick up." He mumbled, hanging up and dialing again.

Back and forth he continued to rock as he hung up for the 12th time and flicked through the pictures of Lily in his phone. He bit the inside of his cheek as pictures of her smiling face filled the screen, he continued to flick through the pictures, his heart catching in his throat as an image of his children filled the small screen.

"W.William ?" He whispered, bringing the phone closer to his face,

"Wendy ?"

He drew in a shaky breath and exhaled, staring at the smiling faces of his children. He began to cry, salty tears fell down his cheeks and collected at the base of chin, falling onto his t-shirt. He hiccuped, dropping the phone on the bed and burying his head in his knees.

Be strong Mitchell for the kids sake. They will come home.

Home ?

What if the kids come home and i'm not there ?

Immediately his head snapped up at the thought.

"What if they come home." He mumbled, scrambling off the bed and hurriedly putting on his shoes, without tying the laces. He got up, and searched around the room for his jacket, he spotted it hung over the back of his chair and ran to put it on. He struggled to push his hands through the inside out sleeves and cursed as the zip caught on the fabric and jammed.

"Stupid thing." He mumbled, frustratedly pulling the zip apart and breaking it. He sighed and grabbed his phone off the bed, sending a quick message to Simon before grabbing his keys and hurrying out the door.

He tripped over his untied shoelaces as he ran to catch the lift. He fell inside, holding onto the walls of the lift to support himself upright. He sighed heavily, catching his breath and peering over at the little old lady pressing the 'G' button on the panel. She looked over at him and smiled.

He smiled back and cleared his throat. "Off to see my kids." He said, smiling and fiddling with the phone in his hands.

"Thats nice dear." She replied, turning back round to face the lift doors as it pinged open.

"Yup." He breathed, following the old lady out of the lift and searching for the exit.

He left the building, the wind whipping at his hot skin and a slight drizzle wetting his face.

Maybe they're there already

He thought, walking down the steps two at a time.

"I'm coming babies." He grinned, running across the road to his car.

Daddy's coming

***

"I'm sorry sir, but you're not allowed in here."