Chapter Text
Lyra had been running for nearly an hour now, but when she looked behind her he was still there. This man had just shot her mother and come after her next.
Her favorite dress was torn and had dried blood on it. The man that was chasing her was non-other than her father, he had come home drunk and got into an argument with her mother. When he could win the argument he went into a blind rage and shot Lyra's mom.
"Come here Lyra I can't have witnesses" Her father said still drunk and slurring his words.
Lyra just kept running she was only six after all, and this was the worst night of her life.
" No! please stop daddy" Lyra said, voice full of pure terror.
Lyra was running out of adrenaline she was about to just give up, but then she made it out of the woods. Lyra knew she wasn't going to make it to the police, but she could reach someone that would help.
For Harlequin it was a normal afternoon pass out flyers, perform, and repeat. He wasn't expecting for a small child to run at him covered in blood.
Lyra hugged his leg tightly and refused to let go. Harlequin was going to push her off, but then he was the man who was chasing her and as soon as he saw the pistol it was like his body moved on its own. He pulled Lyra behind him and signaled Pierrot to get over here. " sorry if I'm getting in the way of something but I suggest you put that gun down." Harlequin said his voice aggressive maybe even protective. As the man tried to talk back Pierrot walked him away to an alley knife and hand. "Are you okay?" Harlequin said, he didn't know why he was doing this he had nothing to gain but he felt strangely he had to protect this girl. "Yeah I'm okay now but what if he comes back"Lyra said, voice still full of fear tears already dried on her face. "He won't come back I promise you"Harlequin said, there it was again that strange feeling of protectiveness this girl was so scared and helpless. This is not how he usually acted he would have just left her there but he didn't. "Do you have anywhere to go"Harlequin said, he felt like he had to ask this question he couldn't just leave her here. "N-no I can't go back" Lyra said less fearful than she was earlier she trusted this man strangely she felt comfortable around him. Harlequin had no choice he had to take her back to the circus but what would Jester do? He couldn't worry about that now Harlequin scooped Lyra into his arms and headed to the circus. " Mister what's you're name?" Lyra said, she wanted to know the name of this man before he took her somewhere. " Harlequin. Yours?" " I'm Lyra its nice to meet you Harlequin"Lyra said, she felt a lot better then she did she still didn't completely trust him but she felt comfortable around him.