Maybe I will just check on her and leave. One minute won’t hurt.
Creak
Creak
The wood underneath me weeps as the house tries to wake up their owners and warn them of the undeserving figure walking in their space.
The handle spikes coldness into the palm of my hand as I tighten my grip and press down. The door opens further as I stand frozen. Her small figure wrapped in a blanket appears, my heart beats in my ear. Moonlight casts a soft glow on her silky hair reminding me of the cold snow in December as it glistens when you touch it. I step into the room, the walls are covered in drawings, princesses, butterflies and glitter. A small desk sits beside the bed and facing them is a white closet. Surprisingly,the colors don’t overwhelm me, each item is an indication of her presence.
Inching closer towards the bedside as I stand over her, holding my breath. Her eyebrows are eased in a deep slumber, light eyelashes curtaining her icy eyes, lips parted slightly as she snores. I chuckle inaudibly as I sit down beside her. there is a hint of lavender scent mixed with something that’s only hers around the room. My hand itches to stroke a strand that fell over her forehead.
Her eyes flutter open as light blue eyes stare at me confused for a second then she scrambles back into the wall beside the bed, clutching her blanket as her lips tremble.
“D-dad!—“
I jump forward and cover her mouth, cutting off her scream for help.
“No, no, please, it’s me Elsie.” I whisper as my hands shake.
If her father finds me he will beat me up like my dad and throw me out of the house and maybe I won't be able to see Elsie again. I just want to stay for a bit.
Elise’s breathing slows down as she squints her eyes, tilting her head as she realizes who I am and I lower my hand down gently,kneeling on the bed in front of her.
“Clayton?” She’s uncertain as I nod and smile.
She smiles back and looks around “Why are you here and how did you get in?” I scratch the back of my head as I search for an answer.
“I’m sorry if I scared you, I wanted to see you again so I followed the way you walked home and I picked on the lock” I look down as my face reddens in shame. “I can leave if you want me to, sorry that I scared you.”
Standing up from the bed, I walk back towards the door, feeling guilty. What was I thinking? This is weird.My eyes tear up as nerves eat away my shame. A small soft hand reaches out,wrapping around my wrist. I turn my head and look at her. She got out of her bed and stopped me before i reached the door.
She shakes her head as her lips tilt up into a smile as her eyes widen in excitement. “No, Clay, stay. Would you like to see my dolls?” I look at her in confusion. Her hair is messy from sleep as she waits for my answer with the same hope in her eyes that I felt when I met her. I wipe a tear away and nod slowly as she leads me back towards a small dollhouse and kneels by it. I follow her and lower myself to the floor.
“This one is called Brittany. She's super cool and has a pink car.” She holds up a blonde doll to me. I hesitate but she inches closer and presses the doll into my hand in reassurance as she grabs another one, her hair is red.
“That one my mom got me and I haven’t named her yet.”
“What about Daisy? I saw the daisies you painted on the door and maybe it will be a good name.” She keeps looking at the doll for a minute till she nods. “Daisy it is, I like it.”
I grin, feeling proud of myself that she chose the name I suggested and we spend a while playing together. If I’m being honest I never had a toy and if I did, dolls wouldn’t be my choice. But I don’t seem to care.
She moves the doll and screeches her voice acting silly and I zone onto her playfulness, joining her in the story we are imagining.
She yawns after a while as I put the dolls back down and take her hand “Do you want to sleep?” She shakes her head, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
“No, I'm happy you’re here. It’s so much fun, we should do something else." She stands up looking around her room in excitement and I look towards her parents room, making sure they’re still fast asleep and our noises haven’t alarmed them as an idea pops into my head.
“Do you still want to go camping?”
I grab a hooded pastel yellow sweater from her closet and she wears it. I cover my eyes when she changes her pants. When she’s done I grab my backpack and hold my hand out to her.
She hesitates. “I never snuck out before.”
“I promise, it will be fun and I will keep you safe.” I hold out my pinky finger, her eyes dropping to it as she interlocks hers with mine and we both lock eyes smiling.
“Try to stay quiet and follow me.” I whisper as I hold her hand and pull her behind me into the hallway. I check on her parents quickly as we pass by their door and down the staircase. She takes the steps one at a time as I hold her, making sure she doesn’t fall.
Once we open the front door she pulls back my sweater and I look at her over my shoulder as I raise my eyebrow in confusion.
