She swayed her long toned legs confidently towards a big house in the suburbs. Her bright yellow hair fell like a waterfall over her shoulders until it reached her hips. The door had a small peeking hole and it was white. Many flowers and foliage decorated the entrance and the thin stone path. There was definitely the touch of a house wife in here. She admired the house before raising a fist to knock on the old fashioned door. It took some time before she heard movement inside. Some yells, an object falling noisily to the floor, probably some toy, squeaks and finally loud hurried steps towards her.
The door opened to reveal a beautiful red headed, middle aged woman who looked like a tornado had passed through her. She surely needed to relax, no wonder the job was easy to get. "Thank God you're here!" The woman sighed tiredly. "For a second I thought you wouldn't come you know but- oh my where are my manners I'm Mary." She slurred her words and at the same time she reached to greet the teenager. The blonde just stood perplexed at her behavior and the woman just shook her hand without asking permission.
Then she saw the cause of her desperation. Behind Mary stood a small toddler, probably five and a half year old, brilliant red hair, Dazing green eyes like his mother and looked anxious to meet the stranger. She didn't like the job; she took it out of necessity because her mom and she needed it. She wasn't like Jade; she would never steal anything or kill anyone for money. If this was the only other way of getting money then bring it on.
Mary began giving her instructions she merely understood as she was speaking too fast for her to catch. Before she expected it Mary had almost ran out the door leaving her with a small boy who was grinning madly at her. "I'm Wally" he said now with in a cute squeaky voice "But you can call me Kid flash or at least wait 'till I become him"
She stared at him seemingly bored but studying him curiously, was he high? She was never good with kids but he looked so friendly and outgoing that she didn't think it would be hard for him to make friends. She also noticed a problem, he was hyperactive, never shut up, and seemed too happy with her presence. That did bother her, she didn't like too much human touch. She was quieter and learned to be responsible since young. He kept ranting about superheroes, asking questions she couldn't catch nor answer, keep talking about becoming said "Flash's" apprentice, while he dramatized his words.
He seemed like an immature, mommy's boy though she found his antics lovable. She smiled politely but passed him by and sat on the couch ready to watch TV. He had other plans though. "You want to play with me?" He said happily. "Sure" She replied thinking he would get tired soon, and tell his mom she did a great job as a baby sitter. Her plan was simple enough but it was all a big mistake. Soon after she agreed she saw he was unstoppable and untiring.
He immediately yanked her hand and guided her to the backyard. Scattered among the green and fresh mowed grass were a soccer ball, a small bike, marbles, hot wheel collection cars, some skates and a rope. He dragged her into the grass getting her high-heeled boots muddy and wet. He didn't seem to notice but continued pulling her. She pulled out of his hold while muttering irritated. "Look kid, I don't like sports or anything so why don't we make our time together easy and you just go read a book or something a five year old does."
He didn't seem to care about her and simply showed her a small marble "Look, this is a marble…" She narrowed her gaze sarcastically until she remembered he was just a five year old. He ignored her though "I hide it and you look for it kay!" she was going to say no but he looked at her with his big green orbs in the best puppy stare a five year old could give she even had to look away and scowl. "You promised" he said in a quiet pitiful voice making his lower lip bigger. She sighed "fine"
"YES!" he yelled startling the older girl. He disappeared immediately. He was soon besides her ushering her to the side of an old tree in the garden. He smirked mischievously waiting for her to start looking for the small marble. She quickly spotted the little ball in the middle of the hole of the tree. She grabbed it and handed it to him triumphantly.
He looked like a kicked puppy, broken and disappointed. She was never good with kids, she thought again. Regretting her usual behavior with her friends of a badass, competitive and smug athlete she handed the marble to the kid again.
Opening his palm tenderly she placed the marble in it and closed it gently pressing a little tighter while holding his small dusty hands. "Go hide it again" she smiled at him. His usual bright smile returned and he ran again to hide the little toy.
She then understood the whole game was meant to let him win. When lunch time came Artemis made them some grilled cheese sandwiches which he devoured like a normal adult would. She was surprised though but concluded he was just hungry. They sat in the grass until he started pulling her up again. He was fully recharged now she thought with fear.
He made her play soccer, which ended with some of her private parts hit by the Mickey Mouse rubber ball. She knew he didn't mean it, he didn't even notice her clutching her body parts in pain. And God knows that kid had a good left kick. He made her play tag, hide and seek, dodge ball with some of the other toddler neighbors. She still couldn't figure out why this kid didn't sleep! It was past nap time. At almost 3 o'clock and his mom still didn't arrive.
She still thought it was nice he preferred being outside playing rather than watching TV. That was a true kid. At brief lapses she even wanted a child like him… second thought she was fine just the way she was. He finally threw himself backwards clashing forcefully with his back on the ground. She felt protectiveness and care burn in her chest as she ran cradling his head in her lap asking if he was ok.
He just smiled and her worried expression morphed in one of confusion. They were tired from all the exercise he'd made her do. The big tree gave a comforting shade as he fluttered his eyes exhausted. She started picking him up to tuck him in the bed safely when he hugged her from his position on her lap. His tiny and warm arms tried to circle her although he managed only half her legs from the way he was displayed and because how small he was. "I like you blondie" he murmured. "I'm Artemis by the way? She whispered back "Oh." He said before talking again "Then I like you Arty you the best nanny ever none of the others play with me you know, I usually play alone." She felt that same pang in her chest again, she cared for him. She felt some pity too if he spent so much time alone, surrounded by only adults but he managed his brilliant personality. "Must be hard being only one right?" He wrinkled his nose dusted with light brown freckles that looked like mashed cinnamon sprinkled in his cute cheeks. "Nah I was just kidding love being only one you get all the attention." He giggled and then his eyes fluttered again.
She laughed softly now reaching his bed. "Go to sleep boy" At that moment she heard keys and the door suddenly burst open. She looked one more time how peacefully he laid on the sheets, he was a likable little rascal. No one would believe the red headed angel sleeping calmly was in reality a demon!
Except Mary of course who at that same moment entered in the same rushed way she had answered the door. "Oh my God you're still here! But… How? What did you do? And-" She was cut short when she saw him sleeping warmly on his decorated bed. "Did you use sleeping pills like the last one?" Mary threatened her seriously. Artemis was caught aback "What?"
"There's no way he slept without war, with a babysitter, on Monday!" Mary yelled almost waking the redheaded toddler. "I wouldn't say he didn't give war, but yeah he pretty much slept after a long play day" She tried talking sincerely. A few minutes of silenced passed as Mary tried to decide if her son had indeed been drugged. She was relieved after a while until she started thinking again.
Mary was shocked then her stunned expression was replaced by a knowing smirk. "Now I get it, please forgive me sweetie, I'm usually paranoid with nannies for past experience." She laughed good- naturedly recalling her son's pranks. Artemis gave a shy and unsure smile back trying to understand. They chatted more time in Wally's room until it was late and Artemis had to leave.
Wally woke up to the soft brush of her mom's fingers in his hair. "Mom?" He asked groggily. Mary "Where's Arty?" He said sitting up slowly. Mary seemed confused until she recalled the events the young girl had narrated to her. "I hope she comes back" The little freckled child said drifting back to sleep. Mary sighed remembering how she had to chase him, knock him down and chain him to get him to brush his teeth in the morning before leaving poor Artemis to her luck. "Yeah me too."