Innocent

Chapter 4 - Nanny McIHateMyJob

"So this is where I store the milk. I pump at work for milk for the next day, so she should drink all that's in the fridge." The mom closed the door and turned around. "Is there anything I'm missing?"

"I-I don't think so." I wasn't completely sure what I got myself into.

"Good. Now, I need to go so I'm not late for work, but my number is on the fridge." The mom rushed to the living room and kissed her little one in the baby swing. "Be good for nanny while mommy is gone."

I didn't understand why she told the baby that. The baby can't understand her. Humans make no sense. The mom left and it was just me and the baby.

I eyed the small person. She looked small and innocent enough. This shouldn't be too hard. I sat down on the couch next to her and summoned my favorite torture manual. The medieval people were very creative. I was about three pages into the chapter on thumb screws when my job became significantly less easy.  The baby awoke. And with it, a loud, banshee like wail. I should know, there was a clan of banshees that lived in the dead forest on the outskirts of my kingdom.

I walked over to the swing and peeked inside.

"What do you want?" I asked it.

The baby just screamed at me in response.

"Look, if you just tell me what you want, I'll get it for you." I crossed my arms over my chest, growing quite frustrated.

Still more screaming.

"I don't understand what you're trying to say? I know twelve different languages including banshee, and I still don't know." This creature was evil enough to be one of my own subjects. It just kept screaming on and on, refusing to let up or tell me what it wanted.

"Do you want me to guess? Is this some sort of human charade game?"

Of course the little imp didn't respond beyond crying.

"Do you want stab someone?" I guessed. I often got cranky when I was in the mood to stab someone. Nothing.

"Do you want to get revenge on someone?" I tried again. Still no change. I tried to think of what else it could be.

"I give up! Just tell me what you want!" I put my face about two inches from her, hoping intimidation might get her to speak.

"She's probably hungry." A male voice behind me spoke. He startled me so badly that I hit my head on the top of the swing.

"Hungry? But it's still a couple of hours til lunch time." I protested.

"That's not how it works for babies. Is this your first time watching a baby?" He laughed at me. Embarrassment and anger coursing through me, I turned to hex him. I stopped before I even started.

It was him. The changeling man from before.

"Wait, do I know you?" He changed the subject.

"No no, I just have one of those, uh ya know, faces." I fumbled over my words, desperate to change the subject once more before he really recognized me. "And, yes, I am better with older humans. I mean children."

"I can tell. How about I help get you started then?  I have a couple of hours before work." He offered, and I readily accepted. This would be the perfect opportunity to see what this man knew.

"So the best way to heat the bottle is in hot water." He cradled the hiccuping baby in one arm and set to work on the bottle with his other hand. It was rather impressive multitasking.

"How do you know all of this?" I asked, trying not to be amazed. It was quite unevil to be impressed with baby raising. That's why we traded ours off to be raised for us.

"I've been here since day one. My sister has a hard time as a single mom. I needed a place to live in the city, so it worked out for both of us. Besides, I've grown quite attached to the little lady." He kissed the lumpy little baby head.

Why would he be so attached to this human offspring? It wasn't even his. He had no claim to it, yet here he was. Human emotion was so sticky and messy. It just oozed everywhere, attaching them to everything.

"Oh." I didn't know what else to say.

"You can test the milk with your wrist to make sure the temperature is right. You don't want it to be too hot or it will burn her." He demonstrates for me before putting the bottle into her mouth.

"And burning her is a bad thing?" I had gotten a lot of respect in the past for burning people. My branding kick a hundred years ago was all the rage.

"Of course it is!" The man looked horrified.

"I uh, was just kidding. I knew that." I tried to cover my blunder and it seemed to work well enough

"Yeah, alright. Here, how about we sit and get to know each other while she eats. You'll be playing an important role in our family now. Best to make you comfortable here as soon as we can." He smiled and escorted me back to the living room.

"My name is Dris." I said. I didn't know why I told him my real name, but it just came out before I had time to think.

"Its nice to meet you, Dris I'm Alexi."