Page 2 of Dagger

I hear them walk away as tears fall from my eyes, and I sniffle, wondering if I'm better off never leaving this room again.

I can't wait until I'm older and no longer have to see them because I'll leave and I'll never come back.

Melanie – age 4

I yawn and look around.

Where's Mommy and Daddy?

I furrow my brows.

I fell asleep on the comfy sofa after dinner. I didn't mean to, though.

Are they mad at me for sleeping?

I get up and go to the kitchen, but it's empty, so I go to the stairs. I hear a bang, so I climb the stairs and follow the banging noise. I'm scared, and I want my Daddy.

He hasn't been home a lot lately.

When I get to Mommy and Daddy's room, I see Daddy putting his clothes in his bag.

"Daddy?" I whisper, still sleepy, and his head shoots up.

His eyes are angry and red, but they soften when he sees me.

"Baby, did you have a good nap?" He questions me while he walks over and picks me up, making me grin as I put my head on his neck and nod.

"I scared Daddy; I didn't know where you were; where's Mommy?"

He rubs my back.

"I'm sorry, princess; I lost track of time; Mommy's just nipped out." I nod again and squeeze his neck but pull back when my neck feels wet.

Daddy's eyes and cheeks are wet, and I grab his cheeks with my hands.

"Don't cry, daddy."

He sniffles, "Sorry, princess. Daddy's got to go. Mommy and I—well, Mommy and I have decided to live apart, and I need to leave before she comes home. I need you to be a brave girl and stay in your room for me until she gets back, OK?"

My eyes widen, then tears fall fast, and I sob.

"Daddy can't go. Please, Daddy. I'll be good, p-please."

He hugs and carries me to my room before placing me on my bed. He kneels and says, "I'm sorry, princess; I can't stay. I love you. Please stay in your room."

He gets up and walks out of my room, shutting the door without looking back, and I scream out, crying for my Daddy.

What did I do? Why is he leaving me?

I quickly jump off my bed and run to my door, trying to open it, but it won't. Why won't it open? I bang on it, screaming.

"DADDY, DADDY, DON'T LEAVE, DADDY."

I hear another bang, then Mommy's voice; she sounds worried.

"Why is our daughter screaming from her room, Callum? What happened?"

"You're not supposed to be home for another hour, Beth."

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