Butterfly Kisses
He slowly walked away from the flames, trying not to look back as he held the child to him. She was shaking and he could feel wet spots begin to form on his shirt. He set her down on her feet once they'd reached the street. The girl looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes.
"You're safe now," Mick promised, bending down to her eye level.
"I want to go home," Beth mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.
"I'm going to take you to your Mom," he breathed. Mick stood up and extended his hand to the child. She looked at it and then up at him. He looked to see a cut that hadn't yet healed. He gave her a smile as he extended his other hand. She took it and they began to walk down the street.
"Is she dead?" Beth asked after a while.
"I don't want you to worry about that," Mick replied.
"But is she?" she pressed. Mick swallowed. He couldn't answer her question. He didn't want to scare or scar her any more than she had been already.
"She won't hurt you anymore," he finally answered as they reached his car. She climbed in and with his help, buckled the seatbelt. He jumped into the driver side and stuck the key in the ignition. The streets were quiet as they sped along beneath the dim street lights. Occasionally Mick would glance over to see Beth staring out the window. She didn't notice that the car had pulled to a halt. Only when he opened her door did she snap back from her thoughts.
"Come on. We're home," he told her. To Mick's surprise, Beth climbed back into his arms. He stepped back a little bit but steadied himself. He kicked the door shut and proceeded up to the front door of the house. Shifting Beth, he got a free hand to ring the doorbell. There was no answer at first. Mick looked around and tried the bell a second time. Again he received no answer. Growing impatient, he knocked loudly on the doorframe.
"Mrs. Turner. It's Mick St John," he called, loud enough to be heard but quiet enough so as not to alert the neighbors. That seemed to work. The door was pulled open and Beth's mother appeared. Her cheeks were tear-stained and her hair looked slightly unkempt.
"Mommy!" Beth squealed, trying to dive out of Mick's arm. He set her down and watched her run to her mother, clinging to her waist.
"Thank God," Beth's mother gasped. She ushered her daughter inside and waved Mick through as well. He cautiously entered the house. Mrs. Turner headed for the kitchen and retrieved her purse.
"Ma'am, I don't need money," he said, declining the wad of cash she was thrusting at him.
"Please take it. You found my daughter," she begged but he shook his head.
"Knowing she is safe again is all I need," Mick explained.
"Is she…really safe?" Mrs. Turner whispered, eying Beth. She had started to slump over on the couch.
"Yes. The woman who took her won't be going after anyone again," he answered. She heaved a sigh of relief and set her purse down.
"Thank you again Mr. St John. I thought I'd never see her again," Mrs. Turner breathed, scooping up her child. Mick gave her a smile and bent down. He brushed a lock of soft blond hair from Beth's face and gave her a gentle kiss.