Once again, Darren found himself walking alongside the cold sidewalk of downtown Fairy World, kicking one of the stray rocks that was in his way as he made his way back to his father's apartment, in no rush to get there anytime soon. He groaned, not sure what he expected differently. Goddamnit, that's the 3rd rejection this week. What the hell do you have to have 3 years' experience for as a office assistant? How hard was it to follow directions?
Ever since he had been released from prison, Darren had been vigorously swimming the web, in hopes for a new job to support himself while staying under Linnie's roof. For the past couple of months, it had been automated rejection after rejection, with a little over half his applications not even bothering to get a response. Every now and then however, Darren would get invited to interview at a fast food joint, or a small business, only for them to turn him away upon seeing his criminal history. He just didn't get it. He wasn't a violent man by any means, and it wasn't like he committed a robbery. He had a Bachelor's in Economics, and knew he was a somewhat fast learner. There was no reason he should be leaguing out even the simplest of jobs.
Clutching his briefcase in his right hand and his wand in his left, Darren continued down the street until he heard a loud crying sound coming from the side. Jumping slightly, he looked around to find the source for a few minutes, before shrugging it off and continuing on his trip. Before he reached the end of the block however, the crying got louder and seemed almost as if it were begging for attention.
"Who's there? Who's following me? I ain't got any money!", Darren yelled defensively, as the crying continuing, Darren finally recognizing it as a small child's cry. Retracing his steps, he located the source of the crying before reaching an alleyway. Just between the shade and sun, Darren looked to see a small girl that looked to be about 5 or 6,000, with aqua colored, straight but oily hair, a somewhat large nose, and green, blood-stained eyes, looking up at him, crying.
"Uh…Hey kid.", Darren started, unsure of what to do. He wasn't comfortable just running up to random children and cuddling them like his father Linnie was, but Darren couldn't say he didn't feel bad. Alongside her mangled hair, Darren also noticed that the child's ribs were showing and her body was shivering constantly, with nothing but a raggy, pink dress to cover her body.
"Kid, where are your folks? Why are you out here by yourself? This ain't a good part of town.", Darren said, kneeling down and trying hard not to startle her, "Do you have a name?"
"Julie mister.", the little girl said softly, "But my mommy and daddy call me kid."
"Yeah, speaking of. Where are your mom and dad?"
"I don't know. They just told me to stay here and wait for them to get back, but they never came back! What if something happened?"
"Uhh…", Darren stammered, his usually confident attitude fading away by the second, unsure of what to do with his child, "Why did your parents leave you here? Why weren't you waiting at home?"
"I don't know! They just said to stay here!", Julie cried, fresh tears falling from her cheeks. Watching the child cry, Daren frowned, reminded of all the times his little sister, Chelsea, cried at the hands of Nora, with her taking almost as many hits from her as Darren had growing up. If Linnie wasn't around, Chelsea would often run towards him after a long, violent talk and hide behind him, shaking as if she were in the middle of an earthquake.
Looking around to make sure no one was around, Darren shot a quick text on his phone before putting it up, facing the child once again.
"Well look kid, you can't stay here. It's not a safe neighbohood, and it's way too cold outside. How about it.", Darren started, "Come with me and I'll take you somewhere safe. There's actually someone I want you to meet, and I think he'll be more than happy to help you out, but you gotta trust me, ok?"
"But what about my mommy and daddy?"
"We'll look for them and we'll let them know you're over here so they can come get you. The guy I'm living with just wants you to be somewhere warm.", Darren said, reaching his hand out. Julie jumped back suddenly, making Darren flinch for a moment, unsure of her strange behavior, before hugging herself, not sure of whether or not to follow Darren.
"I don't know. I'm not supposed to be talking to strangers."
"Well what other choice do you have?", Darren snapped, getting annoyed at Julie's skepticism, before she started crying once more, making Darren feel guilty once more. Rolling his eyes, Darren got his phone back out and called Linnie, telling him to meet him in the alleyway. A few moments after he put his phone away, there was a poof next to Darren, revealing Linnie is his green trenchcoat, wearing a worried expression on his face.
"Darren, where is this poor dear? Is she ok?", Linnie asked, as Darren pointed towards Julie, who shrunk back even further, the tears still falling freely from her face. Smiling gently, Linnie knelt down slightly and opened his arms warmly, with as much compassion in his eyes as he could give.
"Hi there, sweetheart. My name's Linnie. What's your name?", Linnie squeaked, trying to not spook the child.
"Julie. I-I want my mommy and daddy!", Julie cried, Linnie's heart breaking for her.
"Aww honey, I'm sorry you've lost your mommy and daddy, but you know what? I'm sure they miss you too very much! I'm sure they'll find you very soon.", Linnie said, "How long have you been out here by yourself, sweetheart? Do you like macaroni and cheese?"
Julie sniffed, before nodding softly, barely able to keep her eyes on Linnie. Linnie frowned as he got a close look at Julie, noticing some light bruises on her arms and legs, and noticing the dirty rag dress she was wearing.
"You don't remember when you mommy and daddy left?", Linnie asked. Julie shook her head. "Well dear, why don't we head to my place and I can make you some macaroni and cheese for you to try? I've also got some blankets to help you keep warm, and we can see if we can get a hold of you mommy and daddy while you stay with us! How about it?"
"I-I don't know. You might hurt me."
"Sweetheart, I promise I won't hurt you. Please, I just want to help you. Here, how about this. Let's stop by my place for a little while so I can take care of you, and then we can go to the police and see about your parents.", Linnie said gently, reaching his arms out, "Please, I don't think it's safe to stay out here all by yourself."
Julie continued to shake and shiver in the cold as her eyes scanned and questioned Linnie, before eventually coming out and holding Linnie's hand. Linnie smiled and took off his coat, wrapping Julie into it before picking her up, wrapping his arms around her. He and Darren then took her towards the tall, pink building a few blocks down, headed up towards apartment No.701, and placing Julie gently down on the coach as she studied her surroundings, taking in the warmth and comfort that surrounded her.
"Julie honey, it's getting dark right now, so I think we should go to the police in the morning just so there's less big, bad, mean people outside, and we can take care of you. In the meantime, I'll make you something to eat and get you some PJs to wear, ok dear?"
"Ok.", Julie said quietly, earning a sad smile from Linnie. Noticing her fear, Darren got up from the coach and headed towards the kitchen to talk to Linnie, who was pouring milk inside a pot of noodles and melted cheese.
"Heh, kinda hope this kid doesn't think we're kidnapping her or anything.", Darren joked slightly, before noticing his somewhat worried look.
"Darren, this isn't funny. I'm so worried about the poor darling. She looks like she hasn't had a good meal in goodness knows how long, and…", Linnie stuttered, "Don't say anything to her, but I'm wondering if she was abandoned."
"You think so? Why are we bothering with the police then?"
"Mostly for her piece of mind, but also just to be on the safe side.", Linnie said, putting the food in the bowl, "By any chance Darren, did you happen to see her arms and legs? I saw a bunch of marks on it, so I'm wondering….oh dear me."
"You don't think she ran away, do you?", Darren asked, "Maybe she's getting hit at home and left?"
"I don't know dear. I don't think we have enough evidence yet. You know, I think a doctor's visit might be due as well, just to make sure the poor dear is alright. I'm not sure, but I think we just need to be sure not to scare the poor dear.", Linnie sighed, "Julie honey? I've got some food ready for you! Julie?"
Linnie didn't get a response right away. Frowning, he put the bowl down before walking towards the couch, screaming as he saw Julie passed out, white as a ghost, and barely breathing.