Needs me here, present, focused on her.
The killing can come later.
"No one's going to hurt you again," I tell her. "I swear it. I swear on my life, Ingrid. No one touches you ever again."
She closes her eyes.
More tears falling.
"I want to go home."
"We're going to the clubhouse. Reynolds needs to?—"
"No." Her eyes open. "If I have to stay at the clubhouse I’m staying in your room. I don't want to be in the medical room. I don't want to—" Her voice breaks. "I just want to be somewhere that feels safe. Please."
How can I say no to that?
How can I deny her anything?
"Okay," I say softly. "Okay, baby. My room. Whatever you need."
Not too long passes before we’re back to the clubhouse, and getting her into the clubhouse is a production.
People everywhere.
Word spread fast.
Charm is waiting at the entrance, her face streaked with tears.
"My baby. My baby girl."
"Mom." Ingrid's voice is weak but she reaches for her mother. "I'm okay. I'm okay."
She's not okay.
Anyone can see she's not okay.
But Charm just nods, wipes her eyes, helps us get Ingrid inside.
Astrid appears out of nowhere.
Pale.
Terrified.
"Ingrid. Oh god, Ingrid."
"I'm fine. I'm?—"
"You're not fine. You're—" Astrid stops. Takes a breath. "What do you need? What can I do?"
"Just—be here. Please."
"I'm not going anywhere."
We make it to my room.
Our room.
