Smoke, Lies, and Goobyes

15

Norman took Mingus from the hospital, his heart shattering at the sound of her voice in his head. He loves her, and because his stubbornness, she lays in a hospital bed, broken and bruised. His own daugjter, sweetest angel, he couldnt get so close as tochold her without her granfma jumping doen his throat that her dad is Victor, she doesnt approve of Norman. But, Mingus has other plans for his mommy and daddy.
He loves his mommy so much, and for some old witch to say they couldnt come back and see his mommy, well; he doesn't listen to witches.
"Daddy, we need tuh see mommy again. I miss her." He whines as they make it to the car. They get into the car, Mingus getting into his seat and smiling sadly at Norman, who returns the same gesture.
"We'll come back, buddy. Okay?" He asks as they pull out of the parking lot and head home. Norman began to call local firms, asking how to prove assault to a cop and have someone arrested.
"I'll get him, Laura. I promise you that." He murmurs. Days go by as normal, the boys stopping a few times to see Laura. Around ten-fifteen PM his phone rings, and upon answering he hears a horror-stricken little girl and a monster. He waves Ming is over and points to Mingus' recording phone and tells him to click play.
"DADDY! DADDY PLEASE! HES GONNA HURT ME! PLEASE DADD-" And the line goes dead. His heart begins to thunder as he dials 9-1-1, shoving Mingus into the car and taking off the house. He knew the police would arrive before him, and that's what he wanted. If this as whole was gonna be caught, he'd do it the right way and this shit would be caught. As he pulls in he sighs in relief, blue lights and red flash against the exterior walls, and he sees them wheeling out a stretcher with a body bag, and he drops to his knees. He was too late.
"DADDY! THATS MY DADDY! TAKE ME TO HIM! I NEED MY DADDY!" And Norman springs to his feet, sprinting the distance between them and crushing her to his body.
"Baby girl. My sweet baby girl. You're alright. I'll never, never let him do that again. Okay baby?" His gruff voice soothes her loud sobs and she nods, kissing his cheek and letting him hug her tighter.
"Never leave is again, daddy. Mr. Victor was a bad man." She cries, clinging to Norman, holding as tightly to him as she can. He carries ber to the car and puts her in Mingus' other seat, walking over to the police to talk to them.
"Look, she's seen enough. Im gonna take her to the hospital and her mom is getting released tonight. They'll be staying with me permanently." The cop seems a slight bit shellshocked but and nods and replies that a car will escort him there.