The Dark Quest

C4P1: Remember the Monster?

Since Dexter left-again, I've been spending a whole lot more bonding time with Isabella. We've gone on small hikes, helped Mom with the garden, or even layed in the grass and just watched the clouds all day. (we have extremely awkward tan-lines) I feel like I have to just be there for her, but she doesn't really know why.

Times like these remind me of going to the park with Dexter, or going out on his boat. Now I think about it and I just get a bad feeling in my stomach.

She's also confused as to why Mom doesn't get on to us for anything anymore. She either doesn't notice, or doesn't care. I understand how she feels to have everything change, and not know why.

Suprisingly, she hadnt fallen asleep by the time I finished reading her story, so she was very talkative.

"Harrison, please tell me the truth, remember not to lie." She said sternly

She really caught me off guard, so I said "about what princess?"

She replied, "about Dexter."

Holy shit, she knew more than I gave her credit for.. then I thought to myself once again, should I tell her?

"Who do you think he is?" I asked

She studied me closely, trying to figure me out.

"whatever," she said. "can we get some Apple juice?"

Good, I thought, she finally gave up.

I grinned at her and nodded to her and we walked to the kitchen hand in hand. I could feel her holding back as we walked through the dim-lit house. I turned back and looked at her and she had the tips of her fingers in her mouth, and a nervous look in her eyes.

I held her hand tighter and continued walking through into the kitchen and flipped on the switch.

"Ah," she said. "That's much better."

I chuckled and served her juice in her favorite cup and handed it to her. She chugged it all and held it towards me and shook it to show me it wasn't enough.

"How about water?" I suggested

She shrugged and continued holding out her cup to me. Why was she being so sassy tonight?

"how are you feeling little Daisy?" I asked as I poured her water into the cup.

"Im feeling tired. And I can do whatever I want now cause mommy doesn't get mad anymore."

I looked at her in disappointment. "Daisy, rules are rules. You always be respectful."

She looked at me with her big sad eyes, they began turning glossy.

"im not mad at you, im just telling you and making sure you remember, okay?"

She hates getting in trouble, she can't handle it. Even being called out for doing something slightly wrong brings her to the verge of tears.

She nodded trying to keep from crying, and drank her water slowly avoiding eye contact with me for as long as possible.

I picked her up and put her on the counter and wiped her tears. And then she changed the subject, "Before I go to sleep, can you check under my bed for monsters like you used to?"

"Of course my little flower. Are they still bothering you?"

"Yes, the old man keeps talking to me when im trying to sleep."

An old man? "What old man?" I asked.

...