On the run

5 years later

All the colour was drained from her face. Her lips not as red as they usually are. Her eyes grey, not a dreamy grey, a deep grey, no vibrant blue left in them no matter what she thought about. No amount of light could make the darkness of her life disappear.

I couldn't believe he got away with this. I can't believe he found me again and had the nerve to hurt her. Neil is so dead when I see him again.

5 years ago to this night I nearly died.

Just before the shoe met my spine, another shadow jumped down. It was a graceful jump, more feminine than the others. She wore all black, no hat. Her hair was a stunning shade of light red and her eyes the same shade of green as mine. The sound that came out of her mouth as my face turned still when I was basically dead was one I wasn't expecting to hear.

"No! That's my father!"

I remembered this when my therapist asked me exactly what happened. It was painful to think about it and even more painful to know that 5 years later they came back. Not for me, for Rachel.

I still lived in the same apartment, Jj passed away so I have 2 kittens.

I was in contact with Rachel a lot more. She told me that she was ready to see me again. A new number rang me, a young female voice on the other side,

"Hey, you probably don't know who I am but anyway, I want to meet you. I want to know who my eyes come from. If this is the right number then hi dad, I'm Millie."

It was a voice message so I couldn't reply. I text back the number.

Hi Millie. I got your voice message, I would love to see you. Is Rachel ok with this? I don't want to piss her off. Can I ask you a question over text or in person? Xx

Sure, mums ok with this and she wants to be there too. What's your question?

I want to know if you were the girl who shouted no that's my father exactly 5 years ago today at midnight in an alley with 11 shadows as I was nearly killed.

Yes

That was it. That was all she sent back. Holy shit my daughter who I never knew nearly saved my life. She could have died sticking up for me around those murderers. I'm so grateful I'm still alive.

"Rachel!" I shake her still shoulders. "Please," I move her head, any sign of life will do. "Please stay alive just for Millie. Millie needs you, she loves you. You can't leave, she can't live with me. I know nothing about looking after children even though she is like 25 now." I start crying. A man shouldn't cry but when the person you love is near death; it's difficult.

Her pink lips separated for a split second. A small ball of white light floated out of her mouth. Her voice said

I love you and I always have. Tell Millie she was the greatest daughter I could have ever asked for. You should try it with Millie, you could be surprised. Goodbye Max

That ball of light was her soul. That ball of light was the life inside her now gone into the air. Neil had killed her!