Disclaimer: No, no, no ... I don't own the boys in blue ... not yet *evil laugh*

A/N: I apologise for this unnecessary delay ... this should have been posted weeks ago ... stupid tertiary study of mine!

Thank you all for those lovely comments on my previous chapter, you have been so supportive!

Many thanks to my beta, KatZen, who has yet done another superb job with the editing!

I would like to dedicate this chapter to Angel-Sue76 and Darkflame's Pyre, for encouraging me to complete this chapter when RL was holding me back. Thank you sooooooo much!

I hope you all enjoy!

WolfLeap xx

Chapter IV:

Was I the most unluckiest man on earth? Did I do something wrong to deserve this brutal treatment?!

I had been stripped of my dignity, ridiculed and slobbered on by a llama, and I had never been as mortified as I felt right now.

I announced that Genevieve's birthday celebration at this godforsaken mall had claimed me a record … a record in which I desperately hope that wouldn't be broken anytime in the future. Taking a trip down memory lane, today's unpleasant, humiliating events still lingered painfully in my brain. From wearing a unicorn costume in front of a dozen female strangers, to meeting Barney, the slobbery llama; my short life had never faced awkward, unforgiving events which had occurred distastefully from one after the other.

Lucky me ...

I felt as if I had been knocked off my feet, taken aback from these attacks. Sharp, pulsing shock waves sparked through my body, making it hard for me to breathe. My dignity was taken away from me; my soul was stolen by the thief of the night in broad daylight. What was more was the fact that my daughter couldn't understand the torture that was consuming me from the inside. Either she was too naïve, or she was having too much fun to even notice. The reddening on my face may have confused her with a reaction to the heat and sun.

If I had a culprit to blame for these regretful events, it would be fate; only such a force could predestine me. Whenever Genevieve had discovered something 'interesting', fate favoured to humiliate me, paralysing me like a venomous serpent, sinking its toxins deep into my flesh. If I had any chance of a rescue, a get away from the mall would be my saviour. The trick was to break it through to my daughter without her pouting angrily.

My mind was swirling, like a berserk dog chasing its tail - my thoughts a whirlwind of mortification and regret, reality struck me with a blow as Genevieve jolted me back into present day. The reunion wasn't comforting; everything I despised still surrounded me: the llama; my shredded shirt; the revolting smell of animal droppings in the atmosphere; the screaming children and the bouncy castle ... it was all true grit!

Genevieve beamed at me, her eyes sparkling at the sight of me clinging onto Barney's halter. We had purchased the llama moments ago ... and he was already resisting me, yanking abruptly in an attempt to make his own escape. I didn't mind releasing the lead, but I knew that deep down, I could never do that. Genevieve's happiness was paramount, despite my discomfort.

To add salt to wounds, Genevieve cooed sweetly, asking me for a suggestion on where we could head to next at this 'exquisite' mall. Good grief ... would she ever get bored of this day?!

My muscles contracted tightly to my daughter's inquiry. Without a doubt, if there had been even the slightest breeze, my weakening legs would have given way; collapsing onto the hard, concrete surface of this car park.

I smiled sheepishly, while managing to maintain a firm grip of Barney, who was constantly jerking his head away to get free.

A frown was carved across Genevieve's forehead; already she was growing impatient at my hesitation. She folded her arms across her chest, tapping a rhythmical beat with her foot. A delay was clearly not an exception for her.

Suddenly, my heart rate began to accelerate drastically, my palms were becoming sweaty. Panic took over as this sensation dominated me. The idea that I may never leave this monstrous mall had got me incredibly anxious. How the heck was I going to plot an escape if I felt pinned to the ground? I had to find a way out of here, before my body imploded from the torture it was enduring.

Genevieve stared blankly at me; her expression was impassive ... deadly impassive.

Just as my heart pounded violently against my ribcage, threatening to split my chest open, my cell phone began to ring. I jolted, reaching into my back pocket to answer the receiver. I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Hello?" A gratifying smile curved my lips... may God bless whoever had tried to reach me, sparing me from my previous nerve-wracking experience.

"Oi! Scotty! Where's my rubber duck?!"

My heart sank. Shit, it was Gordon ...

I glanced at Genevieve, who was tilting her head with curiosity. Her piercing eye contact made me shudder, prompting me to turn around and face the bouncy castle instead.

"What do you want, Gordon?" I answered scornfully, emphasising my disinterest to engage any conversation with him.

Gordon gasped. Although taken aback from my antagonising tone, my auburn-haired brother quickly regained his humorous nature. "Well I was hoping you had my duck already, because my bath is getting cold."

I ground my teeth, my face burning bright red with anger. "Well tough! You ain't friggen getting one!" I snapped at him before I could stop myself.

I heard Gordon click his tongue, considering my blunt response. He sighed, "Alrighty, I suppose I'll have to make do without a squeaky companion."

I rolled my eyes, hoping that Gordon had made the conclusion to our conversation, though I found no luck as he continued to interrogate me.

"So, are you enjoying shopping?" I heard a grin through his cheekiness.

I scoffed.

Oh yeah, Gordon, I'm having a fan-bloody-tastic time!

Was I really enjoying myself? Yeah ... as if! Painful images of the unicorn costume and my first encounters with Barney, came flooding back into my head like a runaway train. These brutalities had made my blood pump with rage, my fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles had turned dangerously white. Such a cruel world ... I had no intention of spilling the beans to Gordon - he can sod off.

I pulled against Barney's halter, urging him to follow me around the abused, swerving bouncy castle. The sharp, enthusiastic cries from the hyperactive children grew louder, their nonsense coming into view as we promenaded beside the castle's entrance. Still clinging my cell phone to my ear, I glanced behind to make sure Genevieve was following as well. She looked unimpressed.

"What's that noise?" Gordon enquired, his voice inaudible by the deafening screams.

I hesitated. "Oh ... that's just Genevieve ... uh ... squealing because she met a llama."

"WHAT?"

I heaved, "I SAID, IT'S GENEVIEVE WITH A STUPID LLAMA!"

I had said it before my brain kicked into gear and censored my thoughts. Instantaneously (as if Barney understood my statement very well), I was shoved forward by the llama's powerful force. Losing my balance and dropping my phone, I fell forward onto the soft material of the bouncy castle. Relentless bouncing of the kids meant that I somersaulted into the centre. I attempted to scramble to my feet, regain my balance, but the constant movement made it an impossible task.

Suddenly, everything became still; the kids were no longer screaming. I lifted my head, meeting evil glares in return. A young boy who had been picking his nose pointed his small, snotty-covered index finger at me.

"Grown up, grown up!"

I gulped - these kids saw me as an intruder to their childish domain. As quick as a flash, they launched an attack at me. I yelled as some grabbed and pulled my arms and legs. Others gathered small plastic balls nearby and began their target practices by aiming them at my head. I tried to protect my face by burying my head into the inflatable floor; however a girl pulled my hair back, forcing me to endure every smacking blow.

"Grown-ups aren't allowed here!" The boy with the snotty finger yelled. The other kids howled in agreement.

I tried wrestling the kids off me; they were surprisingly strong for a bunch of little monkeys. As I struggled inch by inch towards the exit - my breathing hitched - the kids fought to restrain me, tearing at my already-damaged shirt. Every push to freedom was followed by the agony of plastic balls hitting my face and buttocks. I squirmed and wriggled my way from the danger zone like a worm - God knows how completely stupid I looked.

After what seemed like an eternity - my shirt shredded beyond repair; my hair ruffled and my temples covered in sweat - I finally found my liberty and pulled myself out of the bouncy castle. Though, not before I was given a final farewell with one last hit on the bum.

While the kids had returned to their wild activities behind me, I continued feel humiliated as a crowd had gathered in front of me; all were staring at me in amusement. Had they been watching this whole time?

Suddenly I felt sick; my stomach was threatening to burst. I grew pale. Why the hell did I get out of bed today? Looking, and most definitely feeling more dishevelled than I had before I came on this shopping trip of doom. I sighed, and conceded defeat. It was time to end it, once and for all.

I scanned the area, searching for the girl who had brought me to this misery. The crowd had died down, returning their attention back on the petting zoo. I continued my search for my daughter; however, I could not find her or her slobbery companion. A sudden surge of panic filled me; Genevieve was nowhere to be found ...