Madison and The Monsters

20. Sluggishly Maneuvering

 Madison's eyes focussed on the wall behind where Noir once stood. He hadn't killed her. She was quick to realize that but slower to get over the shock. She had been certain that she wouldn't see the light of tomorrow. Once her breath came in and out with little strife she pulled herself up with the wall. It was immediately clear that she was too exhausted to get anywhere near home. To make it worse her run through the alleys had gotten her hopelessly lost. The best course of action seemed to be finding a phone to use.

Slowly but surely the dark alley turned into a slightly lit main road. Not one that she recognized, but it was certainly better than the alley. She found herself to stumble about every other step, her legs didn't want to listen to her brain, and they were too tired to listen. The road gained more and more light the farther she got from the alley. Fortunately everyone around seemed to be too unaware of their surroundings or distracted to notice the tween stumbling through the dark.

Something suddenly caught her eye in front of her. At first she thought it was a mirage, as she neared it she was pretty sure it was real though. A phone booth, most of the town's phone booths had been removed in the past couple years. She could only hope it was still usable. She yanked the door open with her chilled fingers. With a street lamp nearby Madison could just barely see the numbers.

She put in a coin and put it to her ear. The sound it made assured her that her money hadn't gone to waste. As her finger lingered over the first number of her home phone number she hesitated. Sure her mum would pick her up if the ringing woke her, but she certainly wouldn't be happy about Madison's actions. Madison carelessly dug through her pocket, her fingers brushed up against a business card of sorts. The card Dr. Fox had given her. She pulled it out of her pocket and squinted to read it in the poor lighting.

She dialed Dr. Fox's cellphone number that was on the card. He had told her to call a friend, relative or even him. Obviously she couldn't call Alice and she didn't have any other friends. To eliminate another option she didn't have any relatives living in their town as of the time. That left her with one option excluding her mum, Dr. Fox. The phone rang for long enough that Madison heart had gotten louder than the actual ringing. A familiar voice sounded after the ringing went silent.

"Hello, who is this?" A slightly tired sounding Dr. Fox answered.

"Madison," was all she could say.

"Madison Fisher?" he asked.

"Yeah," she hoped her shaky voice was audible.

"What's wrong?" he questioned again. He wasn't a fool. One of his patients calling at roughly three in the morning with a shaky voice was a reason to worry. The fact this particular patient was supposed to be at a sleepover didn't make it better, she was in clear distress. He waited for her to find her words.

"I left the sleepover," Madison stated.

"Where are you now?"

"The sign says I'm on Thyme Street."

"If I recall correctly that is really far from your home."

"That's what I assumed. I don't think I've ever been in this part of town before."

"You sound distressed."

"While trying to get home Noir came after me."

"Where is he now?" He knew playing along was the best option, he didn't want her to hang up.

"I don't know."

"Madison, what is your goal in calling me?"

"I can't walk home; I hardly had enough energy to get to this phone booth. I don't know how to get there either. I don't want to call my mum, she'll be super upset even more so at this time."

"I'll drive to Thyme Street, okay?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Madison."

Madison sat in the phone booth for what felt like ages considering every sound and movement made her jump. When a car finally pulled up she didn't move. For all she knew it wouldn't be Dr. Fox. Once Dr. Fox got out of the car she found the courage to stand. She had been insanely terrified and now someone was here to help and protect her. With Dr. Fox's help she got into the passenger seat. There was silent moment before he turned the key.

"I assume you don't want to go home right now."

"I'd probably wake up my mum on accident. I'd rather not see her until morning."

"My daughter is staying with her mum right now so her room is open."

"Really?"

"I'll call your mum at seven."

"Thank you so much!"

"Who knows maybe she'll be glad you didn't just sleep outside again."

"Yeah, maybe."

The rest of the ride was completely silent. Dr. Fox had a tendency to be very focussed on conversations when they occurred so that could be troublesome as he was driving. After seven minutes of silence the car pulled into the driveway of a nice little town home. Madison sluggishly maneuvered out of the car. Dr. Fox unlocked the door and turned on the lights. The home was quaint and very neat. Madison stood surveying her surroundings.

"Here's her room," Dr. Fox opened the door to the bungalow's pinkest of the two rooms.

"How old is your daughter?" Madison's confidence was building.

"She's eight. If you hadn't noticed she's very fond of Disney princesses."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Do you need a drink? Your voice sounds like you did quite the run."

"Yeah."

"Is water alright?"

"Water would be great."

"Let me guess, you were running from Noir?"

"Yeah, I thought he was going to kill me."

"Well clearly he didn't."

"Yeah."

"Madison I need you to tell me everything. If you want you can simplify it if you're too tired."

"Okay," she whispered before sipping her water.

 Here is chapter twenty, eight more to go. I hope you liked the chapter, I'd love some feedback.   -Ann