“Daniil, what can you do about this?” I forgot Ded was in here for a moment and startled at his emphatic question.
“There were no signs of anything happening in the house when I walked through it. It was mostly just the state of the house. But these scars, are they fresh?”
I shook my head, “No. They look to be pretty old actually.”
My dad dragged his hand down his face, scratching the stubble on his cheek. He sucked his teeth, looking torn.
“Unfortunately, unless there is something obvious that is currently happening, there’s nothing I can do. If I report suspected abuse right now, there’s not much for me to put on the report. Living in poverty isn’t means for a neglect case, nor is having some old scars. Those could have happened to her anywhere, by anyone. Unless she explicitly told you how she got them?”
My shoulders sank and I shook my head. “But what about the domestic call?”
“There was nothing there. The neighbor could have been lying, it could have been the TV, or it could have come from another house. I’m sorry, Enoch.”
“Hell, that poor girl.” Ded commented, breaking the momentary silence.
“I just don’t think she’ll tell me on her own, especially if she needs help. I really only found this out because she got caught in a lie about her brother being alive. I just…” I took a deep breath looking up at the ceiling. “I just want her to be happy, and I don’t think she is happy. Not at home at least.”
“I can try and talk to her if you like,” my dad offered. “But in my experience, kids don’t usually want to open up to a police officer.”
I chuckled half-heartedly. “Yeah. She’d definitely tell you to piss off with some very colorful language. And I think that’ll just make her pull away from me. At least she’s okay right now. Thanks for letting her stay this weekend.”
“You come to me if you think for any reason she might actually be in trouble, yeah?”
“Of course.”
My dad pulled me into a hug, and I welcomed the comfort of his familiar smell and arms around me.
“You did good, kid,” my dad sighed, patting my back as he held me. “I love you.”
I jumped suddenly at the sound of the door opening behind me and turned my head to see Baba looking at us apologetically.
“Don’t mean to interrupt. Enushka, just letting you know your tea is on the counter. I’m heading to bed. You coming old man?”
Ded rolled his eyes and held out his hand for her to help him up. I let out a sigh before releasing my dad.
“Well, I guess I should go before my drink gets cold,” I shrugged.
“Alright, bud. I’m just going to tidy up the mess in here. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You want me to—” My dad cut me off with the shake of his head and shooed me out of the garage.
I chuckled at the disaster Ded had helped make and left behind, before following his orders and heading inside. I let my mind wander over the possibilities of what else Shiloh hadn’t disclosed as I sipped my tea.
The warmth eventually began to make me sleepy, and I dragged myself upstairs, turning off the remaining lights as I went. I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost ran right into Shiloh as I reached the bathroom.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, grabbing her arm to steady us both. “Were you looking for me?”
I could barely make out her features in the dark hallway, but there was a tension in the air like she was nervous.
“Uh, yeah. Are you going to bed now?” she asked. Her eyes danced around the hall, never meeting mine.
“Yeah, but I can stay up if you need me.”
She cleared her throat before meeting my gaze.
“Goodnight,” she muttered before spinning on her heel. I grabbed her arm to stop her, and she turned around to face me.
“Shy,” I whispered, our bodies only inches apart now. I could smell my shampoo in her hair. “Don’t lie to me. I want to be here for you. Let me…please.”
