The Beauty In The Nightmare

15

Two weaks had passed since Tea showed only a mere slither of her powers. Degan had the boys bury Miranda in the woods behind house and fence, told her boss that she never came home and to make it more believeable he filed a missing persons report then paid the man that drove her home to crash his car and move onto the plantation. The man actually was Degan's get away driver when they would rob banks. When they were laying low, he was Miranda's driver. Everyone called him Slick because that's what he was, slick and fast on his feet and the peddles, also no one knew his real name.
Britha had learned that Slick had a wife and two daughters. About 6 years ago the girls died in a car crash and his wife forgot everything and left him. Since then he'd been running Miranda around all while being Degan's eyes on society, letting him know if they were at risk of anything. Slick used to be a police officer and work for the FBI , so he knew their system and what they looked for, making him a valuable asset to Degan.
Britha smiled as Slick held out his hand for her.
"Name's Slick, It's nice to meet you, miss." Slick's words slipped of his tongue like water, his voice kept it's deep tone and gentleness. According to the roomers Britha had heard about the male, he was Sharif for 8 years and the things he saw changed him. Word has it that Slick no longer knows what mercy is nor does he care about anyone except Degan and Leon. Britha didn't know why Leon, but she planned to find out. Despite the roomers, Slick was very kind and considerate. He offered to watch Ezekiel so Britha could get some things done, and Britha agreed.
Ezekiel looked about 2 years, not 2 months. He could talk, not properly but he managed. He could also walk and play around.
Slick put Ezekiel down and Ezekiel took off running and giggling.
"Go right ahead, I got this, miss." Slick then brushed his jet black hair into a pony and took off, stomping playfully after Ezekiel.
Britha shook her head as she laughed softly. She then turned and made her way down to the shed. She skipped into the shed with a smile as she leaned over Leon's shoulder, hands folded behind her back as she squinched at the computer screan which was a black back ground and green typing going down the left side.
"Whut yeh doin'?" She whispered softly in his ear, causing Leon to jump in his seat.
"Don't scare me like that Bri!" Leon turned his head slowly  then redirected his attention to the green text flying across the screen. "What's up?" His fingers cascaded across the keyboard as he spoke.
"Ah have eh question... Aboot Slick..." Britha sat down on a foot rest by the computer desk and brushed a pink wave from her face as her eyes turned pastel blue.
Leon paused for a brief moment then went back to typing. "I'm all ears."
Britha nodded with a smile and looked up at him as she spoke. "Why duhs heh care so much aboot yeh? Ah can get why heh cares aboot Degan...but why yeh?" She pursed her lips and scratched her head as she waited for a response.
"Slick saved my life. When I was young, I was going down some dark roads and Slick found me. He was undercover when we met. He got me out of some really bad shit and made sure that when the gang went down, I didn't go down with it. After that he took me into his home and took care of me till I was able to take care of myself. Slick has PTSD, and after he lost his family it got worse. I was there, sitting at the side of his bed to comfort him every night if he needed me. Slick is like a father to me...and if you look at it in a way, I'm all he really has left..." Leon had completely stopped typing and had removed his glasses, setting them to the side, rubbing his temples as he inhaled deeply.
Britha smiled softly as she took in what she was just told. "Ah get et..." She then patted Leon on the shoulder and stood. "Anytheng Ah can do for yeh before Ah go?"
Leon shook his head, "No, is that all you wanted to know?"
Britha shook her head and Leon went back to his computer. She left the shed with a frail smile. She felt bad that Slick had been through so much yet everyone treated him like he was a monster without knowing why he was the way he was. She somewhat grasped the idea of not wanting to get too close to anyone, she too had been down such a dark road. Alas, Degan couldn't bring Slick's family back like he did her mother.
A deep voice snapped Britha back to reality. She was now sitting on the floor, as if she had been pushed down.
"You alright, miss?" Slick leaned down, offering Britha his free hand, his other was wrapped around little Ezekiel's waist, holding him to his side.
Britha took his hand and smiled softly as she nodded. "Yes, Ah'm sorry, Ah didn't mean ta-"
"You're fine, doll. Is everything alright? You look like you've seen Alciel himself." Slick's burnt orange orbs traced her face as he spoke. She knew it already, it was impossible to lie to him.
"Ah...Ah was jest thinkin...dats all.." She scratched the base of her messy bun as she squinched up her face, trying to cease the itch at her left nostril as she spoke.
"Oh, okay. Just checking..." Slick smirked as he looked down at the sleeping Ezekiel. "He's a good kid, miss."
She smiled happily and walked past him, gesturing for him to follow.