R H A P S O D Y

{51}✔️

Wednesday, January 16th

{Dahlia's POV}
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"Those fucking policemen are absolutely worthless," Dad muttered to himself as he opened my door, rested his crutches against the side of the car, and then held his hands out for me. "Time to go uppies, darling."

"Dad, you don't have to carry me everywhere, I can walk. Besides, last time you walked without your crutches you almost slipped and we both would've been on the ground if you had." I snickered to myself as he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You have a sprained ankle, two cracked ribs, and a concussion. I'm not gonna let you walk all by yourself. Uppies." He ordered. I rolled my eyes and let out a small sigh but slowly slid out of the car and allowed him to pick me up anyway. He wobbled up to the front door of Denny and I's house slowly, trying to keep his balance as his cast almost threw him to the side on several occasions.

"They said they'd keep Dash and his friends for questioning," I responded after a few moments. "At least they're doing that."

"Those stupid little assholes will be out of there and back to terrorizing you in no time," He huffed. "Those officers have probably already let their asses go. Fucking worthless pieces of--" He got cut off by the loud screech I let out once he'd accidentally banged my sprained ankle up against the doorway. He sent me an apologetic look and turned sideways to get me into the house.

"You need to stop worrying, dad," I gritted out. The way he was carrying me wasn't doing me and my cracked ribs any favors. He was squeezing me too tightly--mostly because he was trying to keep from losing his grip on me completely. I don't know why he insists on carrying me around when he knows it's a struggle to do so with his broken leg, but I appreciate the effort, so I won't say anything. "Maybe they won't have to stay in jail too long, who cares? I'll b-be fine either w-way." I tried to hold in a groan as I sucked in a small breath. The ribs are definitely my most painful injury. I can't take a single damn breath without feeling like I'm gonna pass out from the pain.

It should be fine soon, though. Once I take my medicine again.

"What happens the next time they decide to follow you and jump you?" He spat. "You're already half dead! I hate to see what you'll look like next time they--"

"Thanks." I grumbled.

"I'm sorry, honey, it's just that I'm feeling pretty damn hopeless right now. My kid got jumped by a whole big group of assholes, and the police probably aren't gonna do shit to make sure that they won't get to do that to you again." He sighed. "I don't know what to do...How do I know you're okay when I'm not around you? How am I supposed to--"

"No need to worry about that, Joe Doe."

Dad and I both turned our heads quickly to look toward the voice. It was Billie, standing there along with all our other jailbird friends, and even some of the ones who weren't stupid enough to fight with Dash and end up in a cell. Oddly enough, everyone was wearing dark sunglasses and all black, from head to toe. An odd sight to see, needless to say. I couldn't help but wonder why they all just so happened to be standing around in my living room.

"What--"

Billie flipped open what looked almost like a police badge and stepped forward with a large smirk on her face. "Given recent events regarding Dahlia Jane Delilah Doe getting jumped when no one was around to help her, we've decided to form the DDPS." She looked toward Kit who stepped forward, blank-faced as all the rest of them were and body language stiff. "That would stand for the Dahlia Doe Protection Squad." She held up her own badge before stepping back. Billie thanked her before continuing. "Right. The DDPS will be ensuring Dahlia's safety from now on. At least three members of the DDPS will be present at all time. If anyone should try any fuckshit with Dahlia, they will be beaten to hell and back. On sight. Any questions?"