Chapter Text
Mommy, please, please don’t go” I begged her, holding onto the hem of her dress. While the tv continued to play reruns of the same message. Stay inside while the monsters are out. Stay safe, and then he repeated with images of what the monster would do to you if you were caught.
Eating the person alive no matter if you screamed or begged.
Despite all the warnings, she was still going. I sobbed into her dress, my eyes burning of her going and being hurt, or never coming back. Why was it so important she leave now? I didn’t mean for my sobs to turn into loud cries. As my mom turned and pinched my lips.
For a moment, I thought I saw annoyance. A twist of anger before she hugged me tight I had trouble breathing as she squeezed but she just didn’t know how to control her strength. She loved me, and was so scared she didn’t know it hurt.
“Mommy?”
Pulling back, she offered me a small smile. I could barely see. I tried to hold her again. But she had my hands in hers. Pushing them into my chest.
“I’ll be back soon, y/n. I just have something to do. Can you be a big girl and watch the house for me?” I didn’t want to be alone, but I'm sure my mommy didn’t want to leave either. With a shaky voice. I tried for a smile.
“I can. I’ll be good”
If my mommy had to be brave, I could be brave too. I got the biggest smile ever for it, mommy leaned down to hug me. Kissing the top of my head. I did my best not to cry, holding back pools of tears. My breath came out sharply. But I held back, knowing she would be back fast. She would be okay.
Because I was big now, so that meant no tears.
Mommy waved at me with a very big bag on her back. Shutting the door, and locking it behind her. Now that she was gone.
I cried.
My tears all dried up, I went back into the living room. Unsure of what to do. I decided right then to draw. Since nothing new was on tv But I kept it on in the background. While I drawed.
When I got hungry I ate some fruit, and still mommy hadn’t returned. Even when it got dark. I picked up my stuffed bunny, and brought us both to the bed, my mommy used. It was big without her, not to mention lonely.
But surely she would be back soon, so I tried to stay up. But soon I found myself asleep.
Mommy didn’t come back that day or the next. I’m sure it hadn’t been long but I wasn’t able to keep track of how many days it had been. I had even run out of paper to draw on. And my markers became all dry. So instead I used crayons to draw on the wall. It would be so pretty mommy was sure to love it!
I hummed music I heard before, drawing a beautiful picture of a flower. On the white walls. The tv had stopped playing stuff and now only plays a weird black and white channel. So I turned it off. All the fruit was eaten up, so I had to resort to eating the vegetables. There was other stuff in the fridge like meats and eggs. But I’d never learned how to cook it so I left it all alone.
Holding my bunnies hand, as we drew together. Sticking my tongue out, as I ran out of room. To really place enough flowers in.
“More flowers?” I asked him. But got no answer back. I missed the sounds, just hearing my own voice sometimes made me feel worse. But at the same time, having no noise at all. I hugged my bunny, wondering again when my mommy would return. I was a big girl, I repeated, I would be okay.
Noise.
Not the sound of someone with a key, but a pounding at the door. It was a stranger!
I ran around the room, unsure of where to hide. I went into the closet. I hide under the coats, and with the shoes. Placing a hand over my mouth. To make sure I didn’t breathe too loud. As someone came into the apartment. Broke into it.
A man, in a Yankee’s ball cap.
Hiding his messy head of brown curls. As he held up a big gun, with careful steps as he entered the room.
I watched as he pulled down his camo scarf, he wore thick clothes, with a bunch of pockets lining the outfit. Not even bothering to take off his combat boots as he entered. I watched, as the man closed the door behind him quietly. As he paced into the kitchen.
Confused, I thought robbers took jewels not that we had any. He began, ruffling in the kitchen.
“Score” he muttered viciously as he held up some cans. He was stealing all the food. If he took it, what would I eat? I didn’t think before opening the door. And I threw my bunny at him. “Stop!” I shouted. Catching the thief off his toes.
He turned back, as I ran at him. Hitting his leg, and chest. Kicking and fighting.
“The fuck, what’s a kid-“ he paused, grabbing me. As I went to his knees. One arm wrapped around me, the other over my mouth. Only muffled screams came out. I tried to break free, but he held me too tightly.
Forcing all my energy to get away, I missed the soothing touch. On top of my head, as the man brushed my hair back. I calmed enough to hear him.
“I got you kid, but you have to quiet down. Don't want those hungry fuckers hearing you” it had been a long time since I heard a voice other then my own, and it felt like it had been even long since a person held me like this.
“Can you quiet down now kid?” I stopped, but was unable to move. Almost, like ice. As he grabbed the bunny I threw at him. “I’ll give this to you, so can you calm down” letting go of my hands. I reached out for my bunny. He gave it to me.
I held it, as he got up. And I missed the warmth. The comfort, as he pulled his hand away. Still on his knees, he looked around.
“You on your own kid?” I wasn’t my mommy, she was going to be back soon. I entered his space, placing my forehead against his chest. Wiping my cheeks. “Mommy, mommy said she’d be back” I sobbed weakly. His hand was on the back of my head.
“How long had she been gone for? “I don’t, I don’t know. I used all the paper, and ate all the food, and I can’t cook eggs-“ the more I spoke, the more tears fell. His arm back around me.
“Hush, hush up.” He warned, as if here he might abandon me too. I bit my lip, as the stream of tears fell. I held my bunny tighter.
“What’s your name, kid?” “Y/n” “I’m Schlatt.” Introductions out of the way. He walked over to the fridge. “What kind of food do you like?” “I like, noodles''
“Noodles, simple enough” he muttered. I couldn’t help myself and hovered behind him. Each step he took, I was one step behind. I carefully held his pants leg. “Let go kid, I can’t cook” was said, it wasn’t spoken harshly. But I felt bad all the same.
I was worried he would go, but as much as I didn’t want to get on his bad side. I also didn’t want to give him the chance.
He placed two bowls down, and I still couldn’t, No wouldn’t let go. No matter how good the food smelt. Schlatt, the man. He shook his head, annoyed. I could feel a stabbing in my heart. As he lifted me up to put me in a seat. Instead, I was placed on his knee.
He didn’t mention anything as he scooped some food into his mouth. I picked up my fork, still worried it might be a trick. I just waited. Schlatt noticed me not eating. Sighing. “Don’t waste food” he grabbed my fork and stuffed it down my mouth. I chewed greedily. It wasn’t like my mommy’s cooking.
This was good!
I gobbled up what was in front of me. Schlatt took my hands and kept them out of the food. “Slow down, I’m not helping you if you get sick” I ate what I liked anyways. Almost coughing it back up-
“I told you, you dumb brat” he patted my back. Swallowing down.
Lifting me from under my elbows, as he placed me in the floor. I held my bunny, back up. Before running back into his lap. Schlatt, pushed me off. Before realizing I fell off. He winced as I hit the ground a bit hard. I got back up and immediately went back to trying to climb his figure.
Pushing me away again.
Much more gentle the second and third time. As it came a game to latch myself to him as fast as I could. Schlatt gave up first. Walking about the room. Gathering stuff up, the place starting to look bare.
I began sucking my thumb, as he put a bottle of water to my lips. “Drink, and I mean it. Don’t fucking choke” I took a sip. Much slower having learned maybe it wasn’t a good idea to choke.
Schlatt took a sip after me, before pulling out a drink I was never allowed to have. “Sir, that’s bad for you” “I’m a grown up, it’s fine” popping open the cap. “Besides, you can’t drink this anyways” “hmmm” he ended the conversation by tapping my head with the cold drink.
Since he decided not to move about, I placed my head in his lap. “Come off kid, I’m tired of this clingy crap.” His voice raised high, with his hand in my hair. Wasn’t very convincing.
“How long have you been waiting for?” I crossed my arms over him. “Since the news… came on. Not showing me cartoons” I recalled, being in a bad move. Begging my mommy to put the show back on. I regret it now, when she didn’t return.
“What a bitch” he mumbled under his breath. Sipping the last of his drink.
Getting back up, sure he was going. I cling to him. Like I did before. “Mommy, don’t go. Don’t go…” begging didn’t work, it had to work. It had to. “I want mommy.” “I’m not your mommy, you little koala”
“Mommy…” “don’t you know what kind of person I am?!” He gave a sharp yell. Startling, me. Making me realize he wasn't her. He wasn’t my mom. He was a stranger.
“But your-“ I held the gave of his chestnut eyes. “You’re here.”
“I get that” he brushed back his hair under his cap again. “But fuck… can you at least stop calling me mommy.” “Okay”
“Where the fuck is dad” I remember him waking out the door and mommy crying. “He went far away, mommy said he’s not coming back. I was to little Mommy wouldn't tell me." Schlatt paused for a moment. As he picked up his bag, placing it on his back, then grabbed his gun. Leaving it too on his back taking out a smaller one.
"It's not safe here, kid. I'll take you somewhere that is"
I grabbed my bunny, and sprinted to the closet. Shutting the door afterward. Schlatt gave an audible groan, head tilted back, grumbling under his breath. "Fucking kid, come on. Y/n'' He knocked on the door. "I'm not supposed to go. Mommy said to stay here. I have to stay, I promised to wait."
He threw open the closet, "Kid, your mom isn't coming back-" I hit him once, even though he made me food didn't mean he could be mean! "She is! she is coming back, she said '' Grabbing both my hands, while I pulled them back. Fighting against his grip didn't help. Throwing me over his shoulder, hiccuping. "Mommy, mommy" "Shut up, your gonna attract the undead"
"Mommy, mommy" I repeated, and he dropped me to the ground. A hand on his chin as he thought, the other hand holding me so I would take off. He ignored me as I asked him to let go or to get away. Like I was a fly he didn't need to worry about. As I was pulling back, he decided then to let go. I fell to my back and whined.
"I know your mom told you to stay here..." Skeptical, I pouted. "That's why she sent me to get you" "Mommy wouldn't send a stranger, your lying" He sat crossed legged on the ground. "I'm not a stranger, you just don't recognize me since you were too small" "Huh?" I asked confused.
"I'm your dad Y/n"
"But Daddy left..." Mommy told me, she told me lots like I would forget. Schlatt, my Daddy..? I looked him over, he did make me food. And knew I liked my bunny.
“Well your dads back kid” my face scrunched up. “Daddy?” He pointed to himself. And I knew that had to be the reason he came inside even without a key. He had to be my daddy.
“Daddy?”
“Yep”
Hugging him, “daddy, daddy, why did you go? Why did you make mommy cry?” Lifting me up. As I bawled into his jacket. “I apologize, kid. But I’ll make it up to you”
Smiling past the never ending tears. “I’m glad you’re back. Can we find mommy now?” he stiffened. Placing a hand on my head. “Sure, but we got some rules first. If you can agree to them, then we can find her” I nodded my head, hugging him around the waist. As he told me the rules.
- I had to do what daddy said when he said it
- I had to keep very close
- I have to keep quiet
"Okay Daddy, I promise. I'll be good" He rewarded me with a hint of a smile. "Okay, let's get you some clothes. You can't bring much but is there anything you want to take?" I held up my bunny. "okay, hold onto it tight. I won't come back for it, if you drop it" he told me sternly.
Daddy was sort of gruff, I didn't have a Daddy for a long time. So it was all sorts of new, I watched as Daddy pulled out a bag. I didn't like it, it wasn't colorful. As he filled it with clothes. Packing things like a water bottle, and food inside. I quickly went to grab what crayons I had left.
I ran back to hand it to him.
"no"
I held them a bit tighter, Schlatt sighed. My Daddy sighed a lot. "Look, I'll get you new ones." "Promise?" "Promise, now go get a coat. It fucking cold outside."
I picked out a coat, Mommy bought me. It was a soft pastel pink. It wasn't very warm, so i grabbed a hat and gloves. I told mommy a bunch of times how cold I was, and she said all that mattered was it looked nice. Daddy Schlatt, took one look at the coat. "You can't be warm in that." "Mommy said, it's cute and it's all that matters" He face palmed.
"New coat, clothes, and fucking did she want you to get fucking sick?" Daddy, whispered so softly to himself but I heard him
"Come here."
Walking over, He pulled out a fleece blanket from his bag, wrapping it around me. "Not much better, but you'll be a bit warmer. I'll get you a new one okay." "You'll pick it out" "Yeah, no more of this cute shit. You need something to keep your tiny body warm. I can't spare medicine, if you get sick all the time"
Excited, Daddy was going to buy me something!
I reached up for him to hold me. And he did! He picked me up, under my legs. A gun in the other hand. All ready to go. "Remember the rules" I nodded quick. "I know them!" "Great repeat them to me"
Holding out my fingers, I knew there was three. "Do what daddy says. Don't go far away, and um quiet" i whispered. "That's my girl" Giggling, proud. "Okay, kid. Close your eyes" "Mommy won't be mad I'm leaving" I closed my eyes, but felt his forehead against mine. "No, she won't be mad. Got your eyes shut." "Yeah daddy"
"Good girl, listen to me and don't open them till I say so" "Alright"
I wrapped my arms around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder. I could hear the creak as the door opened up. Then his footsteps as he exited the room. Against's Daddy's warning. And curious of what the world had to offer now. As soon as we left, I broke the first rule. Peeking from my hands…
Face to face with the back of a woman lying on the ground. Mommy?
It wasn’t possible… thought she had the same outfit on. She appeared to have been crawling. I squeezed my arms around my Daddy’s neck. I was safe. The lady, had no bag… So it couldn’t have been her. Blood. Red. colors that decorated the wall. Mommy was alive, Daddy said we were going to find her.
Behind her was written clearly.
'NO HOPE'
I closed my eyes, and pretended not to see.