Page 65 of These Rough Waters

Thirty-one

Her body is limp and relaxed in my arms, her breathing now even as she sleeps.

Whatever had come over her had sucked every ounce of energy from her body, but there was no way I was going to forget the way her skin had paled to a deathly shade, how her chest rose and fell as if she was fighting for every breath she got into her lungs. There were demons clawing at her and I’d be damned if I don’t find out exactly what they are so I can destroy them.

I carefully get us both up from the floor, adjusting my grip so I can cradle her to my chest. She moans softly in her sleep, turning her face into my chest before she settles again, and I carry her through to the bedroom. I’d flicked the oven off after I started to smell the burning, but the kitchen needed straightening up, so I’d do that for her while she slept.

Except once I have her in the bed and go to leave, her fingers claw at my shirt, “No, stay,” she mumbles, dragging me down onto the bed. Her eyes were still closed as if she couldn’t bear to open them, but she shifts on the bed, giving me space to lay down with her.

Kicking off my shoes, I give her what she wants, laying my body down on the mattress and stifling my smile as she curls up against me, her head resting on my shoulder, one leg thrown over both of mine like ivy clinging to a pole.

I had every intention of only laying here for an hour or so, just until she settled but I end up drifting to sleep with her, holding her close and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. By the time I wake the sun is cresting, sending a soft light into the room through the open curtains.

Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I look down to where Maya is still attached to me, face peaceful in sleep and detangle myself from her. I was still dressed and aching from laying in the same position for too long, but manage to get out from under her without waking her. It was still early enough that the house was quiet, Harper was still sleeping.

I creep down the hall to where the kitchen was left a mess last night, picturing her stricken face once more, the flinch of her body when I touched her. My teeth grit at the possibilities of what happened to her, who hurt her and the damage they could have caused my little doe.

I get to work cleaning up, trying not to think of all the ways I could maim someone for hurting her. It’s as I’m putting the glasses away, I hear a door click open.

Shit.

I’d left Maya’s door ajar when I left it just a short time ago which meant that was Harper’s door, and while I didn’t care if the girl knew I was here, I’d respect Maya’s wishes. I duck down behind the counter, hearing her little feet pad across the floor towards the kitchen and creep around to the other side, keeping myself hidden from her view. She opens cupboard doors and rummages for a minute and then a second pair of footsteps sound and I glance up, seeing Maya pause in the hallway, eyes going from sleepy and hooded to wide when she spots me and then Harper in the kitchen.

“Harper,” She gasps before she clears her throat, “You’re up early baby.”

She walks towards me, stopping a few feet away and goddamnit, she was like a magnet. My hand cups her ankle and she wobbles at the sudden contact, glancing down subtly while her daughter continues her foraging for food in the kitchen.

“I heard noises,” Harper says through a yawn.

“Oh?”

I’m suddenly kicked, hard against the shin and have to grit my teeth to stifle the grunt but take it as a sign I need to move. I shuffle back around the counter just as Harper comes to take a seat and I sigh, knowing I haven’t been caught yet.

She pulls out a chair and gets comfortable, the spoon clinking against the bowl and then through a mouthful of food, her sleepy voice says, “Hi Torin.”

Shit.

Maya sags in defeat as I stand, “Hey kid.”

“Did you lose something?” She asks, continuing her munching of the cereal in the bowl.

“Huh?”

“You were on the floor.”

“Oh, uh, creaky floorboard, I was checking to see if I could fix it.” I lie, glancing to Maya who is furiously chewing her lip.

“Thank you for staying with Momma,” the kid continues, “She has nightmares sometimes.”

“Okay,” Maya suddenly blurts, “I’m going for a shower!”

She scurries from the room so quick you’d think it was on fire, leaving me alone with Harper.

“Do you want some of my cereal?” She asks, “Momma lets me have the chocolate one!”

“Sure, kid,” I get a bowl and fill it, taking the seat opposite her as silence descends and the only sound to accompany us is the clinking of spoons on the bowls and running water. “Your mom always has nightmares?”

“Only since being here I think, but I’m not sure, her bedroom was really far away from mine at our old house.”

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