“Hey there,” I said to her, letting my southern drawl break through. “You ready to go to bed so we can let Zack and Emily go home?” I wanted her to hear myaccent.
Over the past five years, I had train myself to speak in a region neutral accent. However, Dawn would only remember me with that southern twang from when I was younger. Whether she did or not, I hoped the accent would comforther.
Instead of answering me, she only blinked. I yearned to see the young, bright-eyed girlreappear.
“I’m sorry for putting you in a position where you were left alone and afraid. I didn’t think clearly,” I said, keeping my hands to myself, even though I wanted to pull her into a tight hug and never let hergo.
“She’ll be okay,” Emily whispered. “Give her some time and show her you’re notmad.”
“Oh, I can’t be mad; it was my fault,” I said, running the back of my hand down the side of her face. She closed her eyes at the contact and cradled her face in my hand, seeming to want to soak up any affection she could from me. “Now let’s get you to bed,Dawn.”
I knew without a doubt that Zak’s Emily was the Emily in the cages with my girl for a short time. Surely she wouldn’t have taken so easily to anyone she didn’tknow?
Once I had her in my arms, she buried her head into my shoulder and neck as her small hands clenched my shirt like her life depended onit.
I vaguely heard my brother and soon to be sister-in-law make their way out of the house. I carried Dawn up to my bedroom, knowing she wasn't going to want to be in her own bed by herself. Plus, I wanted to hold her until she felt safe. I attempted to lay her on my bed, but she clung to me tighter, if that werepossible.
“I won’t leave you. I’m just laying you down on the bed,” I saidgently.
“Stay?” she cried, glancing up through her long eyelashes, spiked with tears. More tears were gathering in her eyes as she looked atme.
“Of course,” I answered, smiling tenderly ather.
She slowly released her hold on me so I could lay her down. I watched her as she began to stiffen with wide eyes as she watched me. I took my shoes off and sat my phone and keys on the side table. My bedroom was set up similarly to hers. The only difference was instead of the light brown colors, my room was bathed in grays, blacks and whites, and I had a king sizebed.
Once I was in bed, laying on my back with only the glow of a small lamp to fend off the darkness, I pulled the frightened girl closer to me, where she instantly curled into my side. I had shed my shirt, so her soft warmth soaked into me evenmore.
