Lucky and the Killer ✔

Unstable

Sarah lay in the bed, clutching the covers between her fingers, and staring out of the tiny corner the curtains made on her window. She could see the stars, if only vaguely, and they danced around with the dots in her head. But, all of the dots and stars weren't enough to block out the image of her father's face. He stood clearly in her mind amidst a field of snow and stars.

"Can you hear me?" her father's voice echoed in her head. She stiffened up and ignored it.

"I'm not trying to hurt you," his voice came again. "Dalmation Spots just let me talk to you. That's all. They can't hurt you. They link our spirits. Sarah, I need you to answer me."

Sarah tightened her grip on the soft, pink covers under which she lay. A tear made its way out of the corner of her eye and fell down to her nose. She scrubbed it off with the blanket and whispered aloud.

"How come...anyone you gave spots to died?"

"There's my little girl," Helix whispered back. "The spots never killed anyone. I did."

On the other side of the Kingdom, Helix whispered to Sarah aloud, too. He made his way to the portal he'd busted. He thought of all of the people he'd killed along the way. For many years, centuries even, he'd maintained his loyalty to his master, Sean. The funny thing about children, though, was that they were masters in and of themselves.

"Kiddo, daddy isn't trying to hurt you," he said with a frown as he slid the gloves back onto his hands and crouched behind a tree. "I need you to listen to daddy this time. I'm trying to save you. You need to stay away from Liz and Lucky, okay?"

"Lucky?" Sarah asked right away.

"Yes," Helix said, "Lucky. It's not a forever thing. Just trust me."

"No," Sarah said as she sniffed. "Why should I trust you of all people? I have a responsibility here. I'm not five years old, daddy. Lucky is a good person, and you are not."

Helix rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself. He shook his head and adjusted the glove's straps. He always made sure they were as tight as they could possibly be.

"You are growing up just like your sister, and God is she just like her mother. I know I'm not a good person, Sarah, but I swear I would never lie to you."

"You are lying," Sarah said, "already. Why should I stay away from Lucky?"

Helix couldn't deny that Sarah was intelligent, and he figured as much. Being honest with her was the only way to get things done. So, he was completely honest with his daughter.

"Because Lucky is unstable," he said. "I'm not trying to insult your friend. I did something different to her, and it will be dangerous to be around her when it takes effect. I just don't want you there when it happens. Liz, on the other hand, is only there for herself. Be wary of them. If things get bad, you and Bella need to go."

Sarah laid in bed and considered the things he said, but she was still so tired. At times, his voice in her ear sounded almost like a dream, and the caring tone he used was one she hadn't heard since she was very, very little. Liz she didn't know too well, but Lucky, she knew, was not an unstable, bad person. That was him.

"I don't believe you," Sarah said at last.

"Then, I'm glad I marked you," Helix sighed. "At least this way, I can hear and see everything you do at all times. Believe it or not, I want to make sure you're safe."

"Lucky's fine," she cried.

"Lucky's not fine," Helix said back.

Sarah grimaced and bit her bottom lip. She flopped on her back and watched the orbs wobble around the ceiling above her like drunken ghosts. She wondered how much he could see through his curse mark. She wondered how much he could hear.