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The small girl had been standing in the corner of his study for a little over an hour now, glaring across the room at his potted violet as though it had done her some deeply personal wrong. Among all the dark greens and earthy tones of the study, her bright yellow blazer made her stand out, although she hadn’t moved for most of the time since she’d adopted her current position. Back to the wall, arms crossed tightly behind her; she held herself as if she was a sentry stationed at her post.
He’d already asked her if there was anything she needed when she first entered. His answer was a polite but tense “No, sir” and she had continued pacing the room until she settled in front of the bookcase she was currently standing by. Nicholas sighed and continued sifting through the paperwork on his desk.
He’d have to remember to get her a snack presently. She still didn’t seem accustomed to the fact that she had free access to the pantry, and a gentle reminder wouldn’t hurt. He was musing over whether apples and peanut butter would be an acceptable snack, or if the safer option was some of the more bland crackers he had stored away somewhere, when one of the many letters caught his attention.
It was one of the more prestigious colleges he had reached out to, hoping that they would at least consider looking at his research. But, alas, they had not. Shaking his head sadly, Nicholas placed it in the pile on his left, one that was growing concerningly large. Why did no one want to consider this? To even talk about the problem in the theoretical sense? No one seemed to be listening.
Nicholas rubbed his eyes with a hand, thinking about the young girl who had recently come to reside in this big empty house with him. She was a victim of this problem, of the "Emergency" as it was being called. She and many other children would suffer if he was unable to get someone, anyone, to listen to him. Opening his eyes, he jolted slightly in surprise, noticing that the child in question was now hovering halfway across the room, glancing hesitantly toward his desk, but eyes shying away from making direct contact.
He smiled. “Is there something I can do for you, my dear?”
Though he spoke softly, his question appeared to only increase her anxiety. She darted backward, as if regretting her decision to come so close, but just as quickly retraced her steps and came ever so slightly nearer.
She seemed to be searching for the words, fingers twitching from where her arms had come to rest tightly against her body. She opened her mouth for a moment, and then swiftly shut it. With some hesitation, she nodded at him woodenly.
“Alright,” He settled all of his papers back into some semblance of order and pushed back his chair, moving to sit on the ground next to his desk. No closer, but hopefully a little more approachable now. “Is it something you can tell me, or is it better if I ask questions?”
She pressed her lips into a thin line for a moment, thinking. “I, uh— I’m not sure. I have the words to say it, but I’m afraid to ask you.” She sounded frustrated with her own lack of nerve, and Nicholas felt a sudden rush of sadness.
What had happened in her past that made her feel like she couldn’t come to an adult? No matter what she had to say, what kind of person would ignore her? Make her feel like her thoughts and emotions were unwanted, something to be discarded? He swallowed his anger for the time being, knowing it was more important that he show her those people were wrong.
“It’s alright to be scared, you know.” He shifted, looking away from her as he spoke, and instead letting his gaze wander over the vast array of books and trinkets scattered around the room. “I often find myself scared to ask for things. Primarily, help. Did you notice all of those papers on my desk?” He paused for a few seconds before continuing. “Some of those are responses to some letters I sent to a great many people, and some are letters I have yet to send. It’s frightening to ask people, especially people who seem older and wiser than you, questions.”
He tilted his head to watch her out of the corner of his eye. She was also sitting now, although she knelt with her legs bent primly under her. He turned so as to be facing her, noticing the way her eyes were still darting around the room a bit.
“There is one thing I want you to be sure of, Number Two,” She startled a bit at her name, eyes coming back to him in surprise. “You can always come to me if you have questions. Always. I promise that I will always have time for you, and if I don’t, I’ll make time. You don’t have to tell me whatever it is you're thinking right now if you don’t want to, but please know that I will do everything in my power to make you happy. You are a wonderful child, and you deserve much more than I can give you.”
Her mouth opened once more, hands fidgeting in her lap. “Is— Would it be—” She made a few confused, jerky movements, reaching out before she seemed to shrink into herself. Her voice came out timid and quiet, just above a broken whisper. “Could I, please, have a hug?”
“Oh,” Nicholas felt a surge of affection for the little girl in front of him, “Of course you can, dear. You can always ask for a hug. You don’t even need to ask, if you don’t want to. I would be happy to show you affection in any way you are comfortable with—”
He was cut off from his rambling by the pressure of a small body against his own. He hugged her tightly, having a few seconds to feel grateful that he was already almost leaning against his desk before he was asleep.
He awoke what felt like only a moment later, and although he wasn’t exactly sure how long it had been, he was immediately aware of the child still in his lap. Carefully, he ran a hand through her hair, smiling to himself. “I’m sorry, love, I hope I wasn’t out long.”
She shook her head, burrowing into his shoulder for a moment. “It’s fine,” She mumbled, “It wasn’t too long.” She pulled back, looking up at him and blinking fiercely.
Nicholas couldn’t resist giving her one last little squeeze. Even after his arms went lax, she lingered for a few seconds. Then, abruptly, she stood up, straightening her skirt. She looked a bit embarrassed. Blush rose on her cheeks as she muttered, “That was… nice. Thank you.”
Nicholas stood as well, taking a moment to steady himself on the desk. “You’re welcome, my dear. But you don’t have to thank me. As I said, I am more than happy to give any kind of comfort you need, or want. Really, I am a very tactile person myself, and generally prefer hugs, but if there is something else you would be more comfortable with, please feel free to tell me.”
She cocked her head, expression calculating. She nodded once, and turned to leave.
Nicholas caught her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Do you want to go get a snack, dear?” He felt another wave of affection for his daughter as she relaxed, leaning into his touch. He took a few seconds to shake off the accompanying dizziness, and then they headed downstairs together.