Somewhere I Belong

Friends are the siblings God never gave us.

- Mencius

Chapter Two

Strangers and Friends

I woke up.

I didn't know where I was but I was lying in a soft, cool king sized bed. The sheets were loosely tucked around my fragile form and the ceiling fan spun slowly above me. I rubbed my post-sleep eyes and kicked off the covers. The room was dark, thick burgundy curtains covering the small single window and the furniture was decorated in modern styles with deep, rich color. It was even supplied with its own bathroom.

Something tickled around my thigh and I reached down to scratch at the spot, but froze when I saw my freshly cleaned, treated limbs. They were scrubbed free from all the dirt and dust that had accumulated on my skin since my duration in that old house. Now they were medicated with a sticky substance to protect the cuts from infection. I still wore my dingy, tattered cream colored dress, damp spots that I guessed was from rain, flecking the neckline and hem.

Where am I? I thought.

I swung my legs over the mattress and jumped down, my bare tiny feet making a soft thud on the floor. I shuffled toward the door that was halfway open. Light filtered in from the hallway but I heard no source of noise. Not even the floors creaked. Wherever I was, it was completely quiet.

I went into the bathroom and stood as high on my tip toes as I could to see my reflection in the mirror. I looked like I had just crawled out of a cave. Dirt streaked my face in various shades and matted some of my hair down in knots. Dried tears mixed in with some of the mud painting my cheeks, creating a very bittersweet scent. I rubbed at my face but the grime was caked on so thickly and some of it ended up underneath my fingernails.

In the corner, there was a working shower with a bath tub built in so I decided to run myself one. If I still remembered how to do it. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I was able to clean myself up.

I whirled around, still facing the mirror to see the back zipper of my dress and tried to pull it down, but my arms couldn't reach that far. I twisted and turned like a dog chasing its tail.

"Do you need help, dear?"

I jumped, spinning to the door to face my tall, statuesque visitor. It was a woman, with long wavy dark hair. She smiled at me gingerly and stood just outside of the bathroom door frame. She was beautiful, with high cheek bones and exotic eyes.

"I'm Isabel," she told me. "Would you like some help?"

I nodded once timidly, giving her permission to come near me. "My zipper's stuck," I explained helplessly. Her high heels clicked on the tile as she carefully maneuvered behind me to undo my dress.

I jumped a little when her hands made contact with my skin. Her fingers were icy cold but yet still had a delicate touch, like soft linen being draped over a clothes line in December.

I held my hands at my chest to keep the top from falling down once my zipper was open, then turned toward the woman. I craned my head up high to look at her. "Are you the one who cleaned me?" I asked in a small voice.

Isabel smiled. "That's right," she said. "I would have changed your dress too, but I didn't know what you liked."

"But I don't have anything clean to wear."

"You do now. I personally went out shopping yesterday and bought you clothes," she laughed softly, grinning sheepishly. "I may have went a bit overboard."

I giggled, and smiled at the thought of wearing some new, pretty dresses. Mama would have loved to see me in them. She often spoke of the nice things she would get for me when we'd get our life back together.

I wished she were here now. She would have loved it here. It was warm and everything had a sweet, fruity smell.

"Is...is this my room?" I asked the tall woman. She nodded.

"Yes, everything in here is yours."

I glanced around, seeing corners of the bathtub and some shelves stocked with everything an average person needed.

I suddenly remembered the young, dark haired boy I had left with and it made me wonder if Isabel was his lover. Where was he? "What about Godric?" I asked. I was mildly surprised at myself for remembering his name, though he was the type of person that was hard to forgot. Even the first, brief meeting.

Isabel smiled at the mentioning of his name. "Oh, his room is right across from yours," she told me.

"Are you his wife?" I asked, peering around at her right hand to see if she supported a ring on her fourth finger, like Mama did. She never took it off, even after Daddy died. She said that the ring was special and bonded them together for the rest of their lives. Even in death.

Isabel laughed, like she had found the thought ridiculous. "Oh no, no, no," she said quickly. "I'm nothing more than a friend."

"Like Lily," I said with a beaming smile.

"Who?" Isabel sounded confused.

"Lily, my doll," I clarified.

"I see," she said and patted my cheek. I grinned up at her then glanced at the tub, realizing that my hair still resembled a hay stack. Isabel noticed my gaze and followed my eyes to the shower.

"I can run you a bath, if you'd like," she offered.

I nodded quickly. "Please?"

"Of course," she said and went over the tub. She sat gingerly on the edge, and switched the handle on, letting the water flow down into the porcelain. She held her hand under the faucet until the water turned hot, then covered the drain and stood up.

"There you go, you're all set."

"Thank you," I said shyly.

"You're welcome, Madison."

"How do you know my name?"

"Godric told me, of course," she said.

I didn't say anything and just looked down at my very, very filthy feet, hearing her high heels click all the way to the next room. The bedroom door opened but Isabel didn't leave right away.

"Do you need anything else?" She asked.

I shook my head slowly. "No, thank you."

"I'll be downstairs if you need me," she informed then was gone in the blink of an eye. I stood still in my place, chewing on my bottom lip then turned toward the bath. The water was still hot and steaming.

I closed the door before taking off my dress and getting in. My hair fanned out around me, and I stretched my legs out. They didn't even reach the other end, so I could lay down completely without much trouble. I sloshed around, whipping my wet hair around me, taking a gulp full of water then spitting in out like a fountain. The soap smelled like Peppermint, like the icing on Christmas cookies.

I washed up before the water could turn cold then used the suds as a makeshift toy. I tried not to make too much of a mess or spill water over the brim, but I couldn't help but get a little carried away.

I thought of Lily, remembering that she must have been somewhere out in the bedroom and I wished that I had brought her in there with me so she could get cleaned up too. I played for a few more minutes, stopping only when I thought I heard someone shuffling around near the bed. But I brushed it off as my imagination.

I got out when all the bubbles evaporated, and grabbed one of those big white towels from the rack and wrapped it around me. It was far too large for me and dragged all over the floor. I opened the door and padded to the bedroom, seeing a fresh, clean blush colored dress laying on the comforter. It looked just my size.

I ran my fingers over the smooth material. The pocket's were a few shades darker than the rest of the dress but made of pure, shiny silk. I slipped it on, then went over the full sized mirror near the walk in closet to see what I looked like.

I couldn't recognize the little girl looking back at me. The child in the mirror looked like the ones you see everyday at a elementary school, not the ones who have slept under a bridge most of their lives. I tucked my hair back behind my ears, the blondish highlights more noticeable when they were wet.

I tip toed back into the bedroom and flopped carelessly on the springy mattress. I fanned my hair out around me and just watched as the blades on the fan spun around continuously, noiselessly.

The effects of the bath, and the lavender scent of my shampoo had me feeling tired, but like most children my age, it wouldn't do well unless I had something to eat before sleep.

So I rolled off the bed and crept into the hallway. There were many doors and they were all painted a smooth, spotless black. The house was silent. You could probably hear a pin drop.

I skipped down the stairs and paused when I came into, what I had guessed, was the living room. There was a beautiful, clean fireplace and expensive looking furniture. Everything homes were supposed to have, though it looked like it was hardly ever used. It looked brand new and very comfortable.

"Isabel?" I called very softly, shifting my weight to my right foot. I stood by the coffee table and gazed at the surroundings. It was my first time seeing any other room. But where was...?

"What is it, dear?"

I whirled around at the voice. It was none other than Isabel, standing in front of an open doorway. I didn't even hear her footsteps. How did she move like that?

"Is there...anything to eat?" I asked hesitantly.

Isabel smiled, like she happy that I asked her. "Of course. Right this way." She led me by the hand to the kitchen, and made me sit at one of the tall chairs. She had to pick me up and set me down herself since I was too short to climb up on my own.

"So what will it be?" Isabel asked, opening the tall, stainless steel refrigerator.

"What do you have?" I asked.

"Well, we have meat. I bought lots of it home for you today. Children like meat, don't they? There's lamb, smoked ham, lean pork. What would you like?"

I thought she was joking for a moment, but then realized she was completely serious. "Don't you have anything for kids?"

"For kids?" Isabel sounded perplexed, her thin eyebrows knitting together.

I nodded. "Yeah, like chips or crackers, or something."

Isabel paused for a moment, looking down at my patient face then turned and started pawing through the drawers. I watched her quietly, and after a moment, she pulled out a little box of, what looked like to me, chips. It was tiny, perfect for my size.

"Is this what you like?" She said and held out the box to me.

I took it happily. "Yay, you found some!" I cheered and opened the top flap. I munched on them as she took a seat beside me, watching with an amused expression.

I lifted a chip up to her. "Do you want one? I'll share with you. You must be hungry too."

"No thank you, dear," she said. She looked at the chip like it was poison.

I shrugged. "Okay, maybe later." I popped the chip in my mouth and swung my legs back and forth on the high chair. I glanced around the kitchen, noticing that there was nobody else in the house aside from Isabel and I. Where was the dark haired boy?

"Where's Godric?" I asked.

Isabel was slow to answer. "He's elsewhere," she said cautiously. "He...hasn't really eaten himself." Something about her tone indicated that she was hiding a secret, but I was little girl and did not realize it until many years later.

"He's quite fond of you," she said out of the blue.

"Really?" I said, my voice rising a little. She nodded and smiled warmly, like the thought of it made her happy.

"He talked about you so much the night he brought you home." The way she was looking at me made me feel a little strange. It was like she knew something that I didn't, something that was eventually going to happen. Like she could feel it.

It was...weird.

"Is Godric sad?" I asked softly. "When I met him, he looked real sad. Kinda like Mama used to."

Isabel's lips parted to answer me but someone walked in then, and her head snapped in it's direction. Heavy set footsteps stopped right at the threshold. I looked over my shoulder and saw a very tall, well built figure leaning against the frame. He had short dark hair, scruffy facial hair, and supported a black cow boy hat.

His voice was deep and gruff. "Is this the brat?" He snapped, eying me with disdain.

"Shut up, Stan," Isabel said carelessly and turned her attention back to me. The mystery guy, Stan, scoffed and shrugged away from the door jam. He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of what I guessed, soda or beer. But the liquid inside looked funny. It was a deep, crimson red. I wondered what it could've been. Maybe juice?

He took a large gulp from it and gave me a gritty stare.

"This is Stan," Isabel said half heartily. "You'll learn to ignore him."

I looked up at the much bigger man, feeling like a tiny ant under his gaze. "Do you have a horse outside?" I asked innocently. I genuinely wanted to know. If he did, maybe he'd let me pet it.

Stan growled. "Are you being smart with me?" He demanded.

I shrugged. "I just thought that cowboys owned horses."

He snarled at me and took half a step forward, but Isabel was up in one swift motion, standing in front of me, blocking his path. She glowered at him.

"Knock it off, Stan," she told him tersely. "Remember what Godric told you." Somehow I still could feel Stan's glare, even though Isabel was shielding his view of me.

"Fine," he snapped. "Little brat isn't worth my time anyway." He stormed out of the room, the floor vibrating by the pounding of his footfalls. I sat there, unmoving and a little startled by how swift he turned hostile. He really must've hated kids. Or maybe it was just me...

Isabel turned to me and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry about that. Stan just isn't used to...new guests."

"Will Godric take me home soon?" I asked.

"You are home, dear," she said matter-of-factly. "Don't worry. You'll be quite safe with us. Godric would never let anything happen to you." She sounded so sincere and the words Godric spoke to me before he took me from that decrepit house repeated in my mind. I could still remember the clarity of his voice, the wise and damaged tones and so much knowledge that you find in large history books about war and bloodshed.

Who did I really come home with?

"Promise?" I asked Isabel.

She smiled. "Yes, I promise," She said and patted my cheek affectionately. Her touch felt motherly, which made my heart squeeze a little.

I giggled at the cold sensation of her hand then hopped off the chair. "Can I go play in my room now?"

"Of course you can." She made a move to follow me out but I stopped her.

"You don't have to come with me. I can find my way," I said. The house was indeed large, but I already memorized the route to my bedroom. It was fairly easy, you just had to be careful not to go into the wrong room since all of the doors looked the same.

Isabel seemed impressed at my independence. "Alright then. You let me know if you need anything. Godric will be with you later."

"Okay!" I said, giving her my biggest, happiest smile I could muster then retreated to my room, feeling happy that my young rescuer would be back soon. Maybe then I would finally get to know him.

{O}

Waiting took longer than I thought. I found that there was actually little I could do in my room, as it was designed for an adult in mind. Mostly I just played with Lily, rolled around in bed, laid on the end of the mattress with my head hanging off so I could see everything upside down. It hurt my eyes after a while so I sat up straight again.

I brushed my hair for a little while until the tangles hung smooth down my back, opened the curtains to see the night sky, and played dress up with the new clothes Isabel got for me. I was right in the middle of spinning around in a soft yellow summer dress with little white flours on them, when I heard the door open softly. I thought it was Isabel, but it was an entirely different surprise.

"Small one," a voice called from the door, the familiar velvety tone. I knew who it was right away.

I spun around, seeing Godric standing there looking at me intently, one hand still on the knob. He looked just the same as I recalled from that night, except his shirt was a simple white one instead of dark blue. The neck line was cut into a deep V shape, exposing markings on his chest I had never seen before. They looked like symbols.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked me.

"Yeah," I mumbled. "I guess." I shuffled over to the bed and trampled on top, crossing my ankles. Godric closed the door then but stood in his spot, not moving an inch. He watched me closely, seemingly out his element. I wondered if he was being careful to not to frighten by any sudden movements.

"I met your friend Isabel," I told him happily. "She's nice."

Godric smiled and he looked strangely sad. It mirrored the look he had when I first saw him. "I'm glad you think so," he said earnestly.

"Are you married?" I asked him.

He appeared taken aback by my question. "Why would you think that?"

I shrugged. "Mama was married. She talked about her bond to Daddy sometimes. He gave her a ring and she always wore it, even when he died."

"I am sorry, little one," Godric said gently at the mention of my father's death.

"It's okay. I didn't know him that well," I twirled a lock of hair around my forefinger and looked down at my lap. I felt a breeze of air rush past me and the bed dipped. Then Godric was suddenly seated next to me. The gesture seemed almost tentative.

I had to tilt my face up a good ways to look at him. The top of my head barely reached his shoulder, even when seated.

"Do you know where your Daddy is?" I asked when he looked into my eyes.

"He died long ago," Godric said stoically.

"Do you miss him?"

"I did not know him."

"Wow, you're just like me," I whispered, staring up at his incredibly youthful face wondrously. He looked back just the same.

"Do you ever miss your childhood?" I asked softly.

The emotionless smile appeared back on Godric's lips. "I was never allowed to be a child," he said. His voice sounded so far away, like an echo at the end of a tunnel.

"That's sad," I murmured. "Everyone should. That's when people's spirit's are the strongest."

Godric searched my face apprehensively. "Is that what you believe?"

I shrugged. "It's what Mama used to tell me." I looked away when his eyes became too intense for me to look into and swung my feet back and forth. I felt a cool hand tuck back my hair and I shivered a little at the contact. I wasn't used yet to the icy sensation of his fingers. They were even colder than Isabel's.

Godric seemed to notice my sudden uneasiness. "Are you alright, little on? Your face is red."

I nodded quickly and kept my head angled down, refusing to look him in the eye. But I think he knew what I was feeling.

"I understand that you might be frightened, but this has never been my intention," he explained to me.

"I know," I murmured. I played with a strand of my hair as silence came between us. His presence didn't feel so foreign to me anymore. I knew I was in no danger around him. Home was wherever mother was, but now she was gone. I thought I wouldn't be able to feel truly at home as long as I would stay with these new people.

Little did I know, that would eventually change.

"Wanna play a game?" I asked quietly after a moment. My childish boredom was creeping up on me again.

Godric smiled wistfully. "I fear I'm no fun to play with."

"I don't believe you," I teased, then slid off the bed with a renewed purpose. If he didn't know what fun was, then I'd teach him. "Come on! We can do something cool." I said, and tugged at his white shirt sleeve insistently, urging for him to get up and he did slowly.

"Let's go take a walk. I'm sick of being in this room all day. C'mon! C'mon!" I held his hand as we went into the hall and downstairs. It was pitch black outside. From the looks of it, I guessed it was around eleven o'clock at night.

Was I asleep all day? I thought to myself.

Before we could reach the front door, Godric raised me up and carried me effortlessly with one arm. I held onto his shoulders as we walked out into the night. It was chilly out, the wind occasionally licking at my face so I tucked my head down underneath his neck to protect myself from the breeze.

The street he lived on was pretty, with lots big houses just like his. And the sidewalks were clean, which I wasn't used to seeing since the places I used to take shelter were far from groomed. But taking a walk here seemed perfectly safe, even though it was one of the blackest nights I had ever seen. But I was feeling okay, the swaying of Godric's movement having a calming effect on me.

His grasp became tighter on me, more protective as we got farther away from his home and closer to uncharted territory. The entire neighborhood was empty. Not a single soul was in sight nor were there any cars driving by. Nothing but the sound of rustling leaves.

We walked quite a ways, keeping a light and easy pace. After a while, a small jungle gym came into view. Shadowed and obscured by the night sky. I saw a working swing set and immediately felt a rush of excitement.

I made a tiny gasping sound. "Look, it's a swing!" I said and pointed my short arm at the playground, bouncing a bit in his grasp. His only response was to tighten his grip on me a little so I wouldn't fall.

"You can put me down now. I can walk from here," I told him.

Godric did as I requested and carefully set me down onto my feet. I bolted toward one of the swings and nestled myself on quickly. My feet hovered several inches above the ground. I looked at Godric and he hadn't moved an inch, just watched me like I was a newly discovered creature.

"Gimme a push!" I called and waved him over. A strong breeze rushed past me and then suddenly Godric appeared behind me. He hesitated at first but then slowly put his hand on my upper back and pushed gently. I giggled as I swung up high to see over the rose bushes planted around the campsite. I went faster and faster, gaining more momentum with each hurl.

I knew going at that pace would surely make me fall and potentially hurt myself, but at that moment, I didn't really care. When you're a child, as young as I was, you don't have much on your mind except being a kid.

I swung back and forth for minutes. Godric occasionally lent me a push to keep me going. He seemed content just standing there in the back observing me silently. But soon after, he decided that it my time was up.

"Come, little one. It's time for us to return home."

"Aww," I whined. "Do we have to?"

"Yes," he said and helped me off the swing. My bare feet hit the slippery, wet grass. "I'm afraid so."

I sighed, turning to take a hold of his hand again but he picked me up into his arms. I cuddled tightly to his chest for refuge, the cooling sensation strangely giving me more comfort than any fire would have. I laid my cheek to his shoulder and tried to his heartbeat but oddly, I couldn't hear it at all. I didn't know if it was because I was getting tired or my ears just wasn't working that strong.

Still, I closed my eyes as he carried me home, falling asleep within minutes. I awoke only when I felt myself being lowered onto my bed, being tucked under the sheets. I gazed up at Godric with half lidded eyes.

I yawned and pulled the burgundy comforter up to my chin. "Goodnight, Godric," I whispered, eyes falling shut again. His hand stroked the top of my head, tangling itself in my hair.

"Sleep tight, min söta."

{O}

2 YEARS LATER

-Age 10-

"Maddie, you have all this beautiful hair and yet you do absolutely nothing with it!" Isabel exclaimed. She sighed and rested one hand on her hip, looking me over from the feet up. "Come with me. We're doing something about those locks."

She curled her pointer finger forward a few times, signaling for me to follow her.

I stuck out my bottom lip a little. "But Isabel-"

"Don't but me, young lady. Now come here," she snapped, giving me that sharp maternal look. I dragged behind her as she led the way to the bathroom. She made me face the mirror and stood behind me, working her hands all over my hair. She moved swiftly, using one hand to massage mousse onto a section of my hair while using the other to brush another portion, all seemingly at the same time. It was unbelievable how fast she was able to move.

I winced, grimaced, and cringed. Pretty much made every face in the book by her strong hand yanking bits of my hair in different directions.

"Stop fidgeting," she scolded when I started to shift uncomfortably.

"It feels funny," I complained.

"Beauty is pain, dear," was all she said.

My eyes widened when she brought out this torturous looking device from one of the drawers, but she said it was only a curling iron. I had no idea what it was but it radiated warmth.

I watched the mirror with interest as Isabel twirled a chunk of my hair around the metal end. It took a long time, as she worked on small strands but it paid off in the end. Well, it did for her at least.

After about forty five minutes, my hair fell in soft waves down my back. They bounced with every move I made. Isabel clapped twice, beaming with satisfaction.

She put her hands on my shoulders to turn me around to her. "Ooh, look at you," she sang in a whispery voice. "You look simply divine," she gushed then grabbed me by the hand and towed me to the closet.

I sat on the bed as she pawed through my wardrobe. She held out a few outfits, some two pieces, then decided on a light blue dress with embroidery and a few sprinkles of sequins along the collar.

She handed me the garment. "Here, try this on."

I frowned. "Do I have to?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "I don't think I gave you a choice."

I made a distasteful face at her then took the dress and went into the bathroom to change. When I came out, she was waiting patiently by the door, both hands on her curvy hips. My brown curls fell across my shoulders as I skipped up to her.

"There? You happy?" I asked, holding out the sides of my dress. I was surprised she didn't chastise me for my sassy tone.

She smiled widely, showing the small dimples in her cheeks that I had never seen before. "You look wonderful!" She said like a proud mother. "Give me a spin."

I looked at her blankly, coping the attitude of a defiant adolescent.

"Go on," she said sharply. I sighed and spun around lamely, doing my best to look like I was prancing around in a field of daises instead of a bleak room. I felt like a human china doll, but it seemed to make Isabel happy.

Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if she secretly wished for children. At times, she looked at me as if I was something she never had. A part of me felt good that I was cared for in that way again, but the thought just made me miss Mother more and more each day. When I thought about it, it made the center of my chest ache, like my lungs were being filled with sulfur. It was like she was still here, living on within me.

"Where did I put that camera?" Isabel's voice interrupted my thoughts. I watched her search the room, nearly turning it upside down in the process. She beckoned for me to follow her downstairs when she couldn't find it. I almost protested at the moment but I knew it wouldn't be wise, if I still wanted to keep my tongue.

She went down into the living room and I skulked behind her. The tiny silver camera sat on the fireplace mantle. She scooped it up and ordered me in front of her.

"Smile, Maddie," she said cheerfully, kneeling down to my level. I guessed it wouldn't hurt to humor her. I cocked my head to the right a little and flashed her the biggest smile I could make. So wide that my cheeks started to hurt.

Her jubilation at my willingness to comply was noticeable. After snapping a couple pictures, she stood up and beamed down at me. "You look lovely, dear," she said to me.

She looked at Stan, who was lolling on the faded white couch, casually drinking from a glass of cherry juice. At least that's what they called it. I wasn't permitted to have any despite it coming from fruits. It didn't really smell sweet like a cherry should have though. It had a certain rusted, metallic scent.

"Doesn't she look cute, Stan?" Isabel asked our grumpy house mate.

"Yeah. Adorable," he grumbled monotonously without even sparing a glance in my direction. He still hadn't warmed up to me, even after two years.

Isabel rolled her eyes at him and turned back to me. "Ignore him," she murmured.

I stifled a giggle. "Can I go play now?"

"Yes, ye-" She was about to say but someone behind me caught her eye and she looked up. "Oh hello, Sheriff," she said respectfully. I whirled around instantly, my heartbeat skidding with childish excitement by his presence.

He was in his study for most of the day but promised to come down later around nightfall to spend time with me. I only got to see his study a few times, but I was never in it for long. All there was mainly was books, and small vials filled with substances I couldn't identify. It sort looked like what Stan always drank. Cherry juice.

"Doesn't Maddie look wonderful?" Isabel asked lightly, placing both hands gently on my shoulders. Godric was already staring at me with unwavering silence.

"She looks beautiful," he answered after a moment. It sounded like he was correcting her.

Isabel patted my cheek then left the room, probably wanting to give Godric and I some bonding time. We had grown so much closer over the years. I felt like he was no longer a stranger who was only kind enough to take in a poor little orphan child or someone who made the lonely days less lonely just for the sake of doing a good deed.

He became so much more.

He was my first friend. The first person I felt truly safe with since Mother left me. He gave me so much just with his company and taught me things I thought I had never had the mind to learn. He was...simply everything.

I skipped over to him, ecstatic that he was finally done with his work. "Will you take me on a walk now?" I asked happily. He said he wasn't able to earlier, thus leaving me under the watch of Isabel. While I admit, I had a lot fun with her, I missed Godric every second he was away.

"Not tonight," was his emotionless answer.

My happy expression crumbled. "Please?" I begged. "You said you would."

"I'm sorry," he said, the corners of his lips twisting down the slightest bit. "But I cannot take you out right now."

"Come on! Please? Pretty please?" I said, clasping my hands together and holding them under my chin.

He sighed, putting one hand gently on my shoulder. "Maddie..."

I didn't let him finish. "You never have time for me anymore. It's not fair."

"That's enough," he gritted through a clenched jaw, eyes flashing darkly.

"I promise to be good if you play with me. Please, please, pleeease?" I continued whining, ignoring his commands to be quiet, which didn't really please him.

"Madison," he said and it almost came out as a growl.

I froze instantly, dropping my hands back down to my sides. He rarely ever called me by my first name anymore. During the first two months of my stay, he only addressed me as Madison or sometimes min söta, though he never told me what the latter meant. But as the days passed and the more time we spent together, even if it was small things like taking walks or sitting together in the living room, was when I became just Maddie to him. Even Isabel adopted the nickname, though it took less time for her.

Usually when he called me by my full name, it meant he was not happy with me and disapproved of whatever I had done. But those times were rare. The few select times when he did was when I had neglected to tidy up my room or disobeyed with whatever he or Isabel told me to do.

"Okay...okay," I muttered with disappointment. I knew better than to further test his limits, so I turned away, my shoulders slumping. I rarely ever saw him anymore. He was usually always busy with "work", whatever it was. The only time I'd see him was before bed, but that was only for a few minutes.

I missed him. So much.

I headed toward my room, but cold fingers gently curled around my arm, pulling me back. Before I could even react, I was in lifted up in Godric's arms and held close to his chest. I let my head drop, denying to meet eyes, but I hesitantly wrapped my arms around his neck to keep myself upright.

"Look at me," he said, but he sounded calmer then. Less rough.

I didn't despite his command and just turned my face the other way, letting my hair fall in front of my cheek like a curtain. I never liked looking him in the eye when he was serious like this. It scared me a little, but my stubbornness always prevailed.

I felt his hand come underneath my chin and turn my face up to his.

"I'm sorry," he said very remorsefully. "Please, do not be angry with me. I only wish what's best for you."

I sniffed. "Yeah, I know." I curled my tiny fingers around the collar of his black shirt. "I just never get to see you anymore."

I knew Godric did the things he did for my own safety. He meant well and wanted what was better for me. I should've been grateful for it, and deep down, I was.

But I was afraid.

I feared loosing him like I had lost Mother. I couldn't bare the thought of that, but I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't think about, because I did. A piece of me was still stuck in the past, that memory of surviving in the old desolate house for so many days I couldn't even tell the time anymore, much less if it was the same year.

But then Godric came along. And everything I remembered as just a memory, a loss, became a reality again. He was all I had left in this world. Everything was so big, and scary to me.

He was my candle in the dark. An island out in open water.

"Forgive me, little one. I never meant to hurt you."

I looked up at his pale face and stared into his burning eyes that despite how intense they could get, they always ended up making me feel safe and secure.

"It's okay," I said quietly and leaned forward to kiss his smooth cheek innocently. When I pulled away, astonishment flickered briefly across his features. I giggled at his unmistakable shock. He had the same reaction when I first hugged him, too.

"You look funny when you're surprised," I said through my chuckles. Godric's expression began to melt by the sound of my laughter. I hugged him tightly and pressed my cheek to his chest, sighing with contentment. His hand came to rest gently on the back of my head, cradling me.

"Love you," I whispered when my eyes began to fall closed.

Godric's finger's weaved loosely through my hair. "And I you," he murmured against my ear. My lips formed into a sleepy smile and within seconds, I was lost in dream land.

A/N: *Min söta is "my sweet" is Swedish*

There's an extra long chapter for you guys! What did you think? Did you like it? Let me know! :D Also, thank you all so much for the kind feedback. I always get nervous when I post a new story because I don't know how people will react, but you guys made me feel very welcomed in the fandom so thank you!

Anyways, I hope you liked this one! Next chapter will probably start off with Maddie being ten again, then flash to when she's twelve and from there on gradually go into her teenage years. You'll see their romance in small hints as as she gets older, but it gets serious once she reaches a certain age and as their friendship grows.

Thank you for reading! Hope you liked it. :)

An extra Thank You goes out to DarknessMakesMeSmile for helping with the Swedish translation!

Sorry if I missed any typos.