Again, this was written on my phone. This WILL be a fast paced story. Also... If anyone... my wanted to... make me a fanart for the story's main picture... I WOULDN'T be against it... Just a thought... Review please!
DAY TWO
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Sem' woke up with a belly ache, and a dry mouth. Her small body was tangled in the nest of blankets she slept on. Koshka was wedged under her hear, his arms and legs splayed at awkward angles.
She moaned lightly, and kicked the blankets away. She was still in her dress. And her body was covered with sweat. She wanted to go home. At home she knew when to talk to Daddy, and when not to. She knew how to get herself water. Here⦠she had no idea. She was grasping at straws.
She sat up with a grumbled sigh, and peered around the room. It was dim. A light through an ooen door lit up a desk, and the corner of a bed. Jack was nowhere to be seen.
Sem' stumbled to her feet; and clutching Koshka to her chest, she toddled over to the door with the light. Opening it even further, she sighed lightly. It was a bathroom.
The floor was made of a tannish tile, and co was the counter around the one sink. The toilet was wedged in the tiny space between the bathtub, and the sink. Dirty, wet towels sat on the floor, next to a pile of clothes.
Moving forward, Sem' set Koshka down, and with a small amount of struggle, she hauled herself onto the toilet. Turning, she looked at the sink.
Lots of stuff covered the counter. Like a tall blue and gray can with a black top. A razor. An old bar of soap. A toothbrush along with a nearly empty red tube of toothpaste. A dark blue hand towel sat bunched in the corner atop the counter.
Sem', stretched forward on her tippy toes, and turning on the tap, she stuck her lips to the foset, and drew long pulls of cool, slightly bitter water into her mouth.
She splashed some on her face, before shutting the water off, and carefully climbing down from the toilet. She quickly went to the bathroom before gathering Koshka and leaving the room.
She stood on the threshold for a moment, he eyes settling on the person in the bed. It was Jack. He was asleep. One long arm thrown over his eyes, and his body bare from the waist up. He wore a pair of loose soft looking pants. Like the pants Daddy wore.
In the light, Sem' could make out multiple scars that littered his chest and sides. She wanted to move closer to him, and see better, but she didn't dare. Jack had yet to really hurt her. She wanted to keep it that way. Waking him up seemed like a good way to make him mad.
Puffing her cheeks out slightly, she moved back to her pile of blankets, and pulling off her dress, she curled under them. Her belly felt slightly better, she didn't feel like she was gonna be sick.
Pulling Koshka to her side she smiled at him. Koshka was really scared anymore. She ran her hand over his cheek lovingly and kissed him on the nose.
Sem' lay like that for a long time, unable to sleep anymore. Usually Daddy would be up and yelling at her at this time. Reading from his book aloud in his language.
Sem' didn't really like that book. It talked about her a lot. "The sin". It also talked about a man named God a lot. She didn't like him either. Daddy would always say that God was punishing her. She didn't understand. She had never met the man before, and it was only Daddy who would hurt her.
Sighing she turned onto her back and lifted Koshka to hand above her face. She made a face at him, and had to hold back laughter as she imagined Koshka making the same face back.
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,
Jack woke a few hours after he fell asleep. He woke to quiet shuffling. His eyes flashed open and he sat up in bed. A large knife raised for the ready.
He worked his lips as he looked around for a moment, wide blinking eyes. Finally, his eyes drifted towards the pile of blankets near his bed.
Sem' lay in a mess of blankets. Her back to Jack. Her matted black curls splayed around her tiny body. She was bare apart from an absolutely tiny pair of white panties. Her small dress tossed at the side of her "bed". Currently, she was playing with Koshka nearly silently
His eyes caught on the scar on her back, and they held there. The word Sloth was carved across the spance of her back in massive letters. The scars were raised, purple, and Jack frowned at the sight. This kid was fucked.
Almost as if she could feel Jacks eyes, she rolled with a light gasp, and her massive green eyes were wide. They locked onto Jacks and stayed.
Sem' shrunk away from the man. "I... I'm sorry! I didn't... mean to wake you up..." she called shoving her back into the wall behind her. Koshka clutched to her bare chest.
Jack just stared at the girl. She looked like hell. Face pail, hair matted to her head and body with sweat. Eyes wide and brimming with fear filled tears. And her scars. He had seen six of the seven scars. He wasn't to sure if he wanted to see where "greed" was.
Sighing, Jack ran a hand through his hair and stowed his blade back under his pillow. What the hell was he supposed to do with this kid? "How long... have you uh... been awaKe?" He questioned in a gruff voice.
There came a light sniffle and a soft nearly silent mewl. "The sun was still down." Her voice called heavy with tears.
Jack glanced to a small window that was in his room. The sun was high in the sky, but was covered with cobalt gray clouds. It was at least ten. Shit. The kid had been awake for HOURS.
Sighing again, Jack peered at Sem' through his bangs. She was still staring at him, but rubbing fat tears from her cheeks. She was absolutely filthy. Her small body covered with grime and dirt. Her cheeks were stained with it. Tears leaving marks of semi cleaned skin.
She needed a bath. Jack felt his eyes go wide. No. No way in HELL was he going give her a bath! She was pretty self efficient. She could take a bath by herself!
A niggling voice nag at the back of his mind. If she could bathe herself... why was she so dirty? Jack swore under his breath.
Reaching to his left, he plucked his phone off his dresser, and pressed send. It called James. He answered on the first ring.
"What?" He demanded voice thick with sleep.
Jack chewed his lip for a moment. " it uh... It needs a baaattthhh..."he growled into the speaker.
It was silent for a moment. "Then give it a bath!" James snarled.
Jack shook his head. "No. No no no no no. I do not DO baths " Jack snarled back.
"Well ya do now. Boss wants the kid taken care of, and it is either you. Or Tommy. You can choose. Put the damn kid in the bath and watch her!" James commanded just before hanging up.
Jack worked his mouth as his eyes slanted towards Sem'. She sat plastered against the wall. Looking for all that she was worth that she just wanted to meld into the wood work and disappear. Her chest was heaving, and her tiny fingers knotted in Koshka's belly. Her eyes were clamped shut and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
Growling under his breath, Jack stood from bed and scooped Sem' up with one arm and thundered into his bathroom. Bending, he thrust the foset of his bath over to its hottest setting and plugged it.
He completely ignored Sem' struggling, and cries. Koshka lay in a heap on the floor at his feet. Once the tub was full enough, he dumped Sem' in.
Sem fell under the water, and she instantly inhaled the water. It scalded against her throat and the tender flesh of her scars. The burn on her leg seared with agony. She surfaced from the water and a scream ripped from her throat. She thrashed about , throwing water everywhere.
Jack literally jumped at the noise Sem' was emitting. Water splashed onto his chest and seeped into his pant. It scaled against his skin. It was then that an... odd feeling filled Jacks chest.
Leaping forward, he snatched Sem from the water. She struggled in his grip, screaming in pain, ands rubbing at all of her multiple scars. One clamed to the now bleeding wound on her leg.
Not knowing what else to do, Jack collapsed onto his toiled and pulled a thrashing Sem' to his chest. Reaching down, he pulled one of his shirts from the floor and wet it in the sink. With fumbling movements, he managed to press it against Sem' bare chest.
As soon as she felt the contrasting cold press against her chest. Sem' went stalk still and the scream cut off in her throat. He was touching her scar. The one that Daddy said "greed".
Her eyes went wide. Jack worked his mouth as he looked down at Sem'. Her black curls were matted to her flesh which was an angry red. Her scars flamed a mean purple, and there was blood seeping from between her fingers that was clutching the back of her left leg. The one that she had been nursing yesterday.
Her green eyes stared up at him filled with fear and tears. Again the odd feeling surged through his chest. He ignored it and began to rub the sopping shirt over her shoulders. As soon as it cleared her chest. He understood why she had locked up. Arching across her chest, was a scar. The last of the seven sins. The word Greed was carved into her pail flesh. The letters were finely carved and looped her and slanted there. Jack winced. This scar had taken time and had caused massive amounts of pain.
"I-I'm bleeding." Sem' hiccupped as soon as she could talk again.
Jack glanced to her leg, gently maneuvered her so he could see it better. He pried her small hand away from the wound and with grim eyes, he took in the sight of a massive burn wound. It was settled just on the back of her thigh, nearly in the curve of the back of her knee. It was rounded, and blooded seeped from it freely. It looked like a cigarette burn...
A huff of breath leaving him, Jack reached around to the front of his sink and opening up the cupboard, he pulled out a small green basket. Setting it on top of the counter, he shoved many misolanious objects out of the way and fished out a rolled of gauze.
Leaning over Sem' he wrapped up her wound to the best of his ability. He was no doctor, but as he pulled away he was content with his work. Sem' was draped over his knees, her breathing coming in heavy pants. Her curls were matted to her body.
Working his lips, Jack fished around in the basket for a comb. Upon finding it, he pulled it out and being as gentle as he could, he began to work it through her sodden hair. It was a long process, and Sem' wriggled in pain every now and then, but when he was done, Jack set Sem' on her feet between his legs.
Her inky black curls bobbed in loose ringlets about her small body, nearly reaching her bottom. She still wore her panties, which were damp, but not to. Her skin had lost its red pallor, and was now pail as it had once been.
"Where's your uh... dress?" Jack questioned his voice gruff.
Sem' instantly whirled away and limped back into Jacks room. She was confused, and she wanted to go home. She dared not voice her wants. Jack was already mad...
She picked her dress from the floor and slowly returned to Jack, her large eyes downcast. She shuffled back between his legs and held her dress aloft.
Jack took it from her without a word and motioned for her to lift her arms. When she did, he slid the cloth over her head and let it settle over her small frame. Gently, he tugged her hair fron inside her dress and let it fall down her back. Her curls slid through his fingers like silk. He was surprised by who soft it was. Even now, after just getting slightly wet, it shined in the light with a healthy glow.
He would have to keep it that way. Jack froze as that thought flit through his skull. Keep it... what?! Why in the fuck was he thinking about something like that!? But, as he stared down onto the bowed head of Sem' he couldn't find it in himself to say that she wasn't a cute little shit. Even with those scars. In fact, he thought the scars made her all the better. Because they were unique. She wasn't just some sheep that Gotham always created.
Sighing lightly, Jack stood, and scooped Sem' and then Koshka into his arms. Koshka was damp, but had fared well in the onslaught of flying water. Sem clutched her cat to her chest as Jack set her on his bed and set out to find some at least semi clean clothes.
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Tommy sat beside a silent, brooding James. His eyes on the screen of the tiny TV before them. The game was on and his team was wining.
James shifted next to him as his phone went off. The man answered it with a gruff "what?"
James rubbed at his face as he listened to Jack demand to know here he was. "Uh... it the tv room. Tommie's with me." James muttered holding back a yawn. He was dead tired.
Jack nodded and snapped his phone shut. Sem' coddled Koshka from his right arm. Deftly, Jack tugged the hem of her dress lower down her legs. Tommy was with James. Wond. Der. Full.
Jack whirled into the tv room with a happily playing Sem' cradled in right arm. His eyes settled on James. "I gave it a uh... Baaathh." He drawled a smug smirk pulling at his lips.
James watched as Jack motioned to the child in his arms. She did look better. Her curls shined, and her skin was no longer splotched with dirt. She still clutched the filthy cat to her chest, but shit. Jack HAD given her a bath. "Good job." James grunted before standing and running a hand through his hair.
"I gotta go see if Boss wants us to do anything. Sit tight. Ill be back in a bit." He called leaving the room with long strides.
Tommy was froze solid to his seat. His eyes glued to the little girl that Jack was craydling to his chest. She was perfect... her skin was pail. Her hair was in perfect little ringlets. His eyes roved over her bare legs that were curled about Jacks waist. He paused for a moment when he saw the scars that littered her body, but continued anyway. Scar tissue was sensitive.
Sem' hummed lightly to herself. "We took a bath, huh Koshka?" She called to the cat in her arms.
Jack watched all of this with a type of fascination. Sem' was the weirdest thing he had ever seen. If she thought that what happened earlier was a bath... Jack didn't want to know what a bath with her Father would be like.
It was like him nearly boiling her alive had never happened. She sat cradled in his arm as if she belonged there. Playing with, and talking to her "Koshka." She was not mad at him. She wasn't crying. He was beginning to like this kid.
Suddenly, her head snapped up, and her green gaze met Jacks. They stared at each other for a moment before Sem' smiled at him. Jack couldn't help but smirk back. "How is uh... KoshKa?" He questioned lightly.
If he could keep Sem' distracted, and not catch to much of Tom's attention, things would be much easier.
Sem' crinkled her nose and held Koshka a loft. "Koshka I'd dirty." She mumbled glancing at Jack out of the corner of her eye.
Jack glanced at the cat. It was a disgusting little thing. "Well... uh... MAYBEEE we can uh... give him a batthh laterrrr." Jack drawled licking the corner of his lips.
Sem' grinned and clutched Koshka to her body. "Really? Mommy used to give Koshka baths all the time!" She called in a light voice that only Jack could hear.
"Who's the kid?" Tommy suddenly piped up as he stood from the couch. His voice made Sem' jump and shift closer to Jack as the other man moved closer.
He was heavy, like Daddy, and his hair was long and black. His eyes were a dull blue. Sem' didn't know him. Sem' leaned closer to Jack and pulled Koshka in front of her.
Jack noticed her reaction and nearly smiled. This kid was smart. He resettled Sem' on his hip and peered at Tommy through his bangs. "Uh... Sem'. Sayyy hello" Jack commanded in a sickly sweet tone.
Sem' whined under her breath and turned fully into Jacks body, her arm coiling about his neck and her face pressing into his throat. She shook her head no slightly.
Jack chuckled lightly and shrugged. "She don't like ya... uh... toommm" he drawled glairing at the man.
Tom took a deep breath as he watched the little girl peek at him from around Jacks throat. She had green eyes. His hand twitched. "Who is she?" Tommy demanded in a light voice not wanting to scare the kid.
Jack worked his mouth, his hand tightening around Sem's waist just slightly. The look Tommy was giving her made Jack sick. "Molotov's daughter. I'm looking after her." Jack growled in a low voice full of warning.
Tommy arched a brow, his hand twitching once more as the girl moved slightly, drawing her knee up across Jacks ribs. Her little dress slid up her thighs. Tommy had to hold back a groan. Jack was bigger than Tommy, by both height and weight. He couldn't just take the kid from Jack. It was obvious that Jack was taking his job of watching the kid seriously. No. Tommy would have to wait and bide his time. The kid was bound to wander off or get left alone. Tommy would just have to be near till then.
Jack glared at Tommy for a long while before James entered the room at a slow pace. "Boss wants us at a meeting with Gambol. Said to bring the kid. Clean her up shit like that." James murmured, taking in the scene of Jack and Tommy with narrowed eyes.
"Wasn't planning on uh... leavinG herrr" Jack drawled turning on his heel to face James. "The real uh... QUEstion is... whyy does Boss... uh... wanT her to come?" He questioned in a low, gravelly tone.
James scratched at the back of his head. "Boss said something about your image. How the stories would get around about the scared guy and kid. You know Boss and his theatrics." James mumbled pulling his car keys from his pocket.
Jack heaved a sigh. Yeah. He knew his boss loved to put on a show. Only bad thing about the man really.
As Jack left the room Sem' sat up and looked back over Jacks shoulder. The man was staring at her. She quickly looked away, and tightened her grip around Jacks neck. "He's scary, Jack." She murmured lightly.
Jack arched a brow. She had spent last night and most of the day face to face with his scars and TOMMY was scary? He had to admit. He was slightly pit off. "And whyyy is thaT?" He demanded as he Followed James to his car.
Sem' puffed out her cheeks. "He just is." She mumbled looking around the empty parking lot that they were in.
"The wife is gonna just love this.". James called as they all got into the car.
Jack settled Sem' in his lap and propped his hand against the window. "Whhyy?" He questioned sounding entirely bored.
James started to his home. "Well all she has is the two boys. She been wanting a little girl."
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James lived on the nicer side of the Narrows in a small police kept subdivision. Crime rates were lower here, but it was still the Narrows.
"Lilly is probably making lunch, come on." James called getting out of his car with a wide smile on his face. He nearly jogged into his home.
Jack followed at a much more sedated pace. Sem' clutched in his right arm. She was looking at anything and everything, her eyes wide with wonder. Suddenly, her little hand pointed at something. "What is that, Jack?" She questioned excitedly.
Jack glanced to see that she was pointing at. It was a bike. Probably one of James's boys. "It's a uh... BiKe." He murmured lowly as he slowly stepped into James's home.
He had all of three seconds to look around before he was quite literally attacked. A tall thin woman with shining red hair threw herself at Jack, screaming something in a high pitched voice.
Sem' cried out and wrapped her arms around Jacks neck. Sem' began to tremble and turned her face into Jacks hair.
Jack scowled and tightened his grip on Sem'. She was scared. It's not like he cared. It just that he was supposed to take care of her till Ardin decided on what to do with her. Getting her scared didn't really seem to fall under the category.
James was there then gripping his wife's arm gently. "You're scarin' her Sweetheart." James murmured as he pulled her away from Jack slightly.
"Oh nonsense! Let me see her!" The woman. Lilly. Called in a quieter tone. She calmed her quickened movements. Jack glared at her for a moment. She was a pretty woman, soft features, and freckled cheeks. Her eyes were a dull green. Or maybe they were a normal green and he had grown used to the green of Sem's eyes.
After glairing at her for a moment or two, Jack gently tugged Sem' from around his throat. She mewled softly, but released him easily. Jack turned his body slightly, and showed Lilly Sem's face.
She cringed away from Sem'. Her eyes going wide and her mouth falling open in a gasp. She slowly brought her hand up to cover her own mouth. "My God. What happened?" She nearly whispered, turning to face her husband.
Sem sniffled lightly, and rubbed at her eye with a closed fist. Koshka clutched to her chest by the other. She frowned lightly as the woman stared at her.
Sem' didn't know who this woman was, but she was looking at her like Mommy used to. Wide eyes and a frown on her face.
"Well... this was Molotov's kid..." James trailed off running his hands through his hair.
Lilly's eyes snapped wide, and she instantly cooed to the girl in pity. "Poor thing. Why don't we get some food and wash that kitty of yours?" She questioned lightly, her eyes never staying on Sem's face for long.
Sem' glanced down at Koshka, then turned to look at Jack. Her cheeks were puffed out slightly. She studied Jacks face, and then looked at him like she wanted him to say something.
Jack had no idea as to what she wanted, but even as he looked at her, he felt a small amount of pity. Lilly had looked disgusted with Sem'. She was just a child.
When Jack didn't open his mouth, Sem' sighed heavily through his nose, and gently held Koshka out to the woman. "Don't hurt him" she mumbled lightly, not meeting the woman's eyes.
Gently, Lilly took the cat from Sem'. Sem' didn't like the woman. She didn't like the way she looked at her scars. That's why she like Jack. Jack gad scars. Jack didn't look at her like he didn't want to see her. He just looked bored. A lot. But that was okay. She like Jack because he wasn't mean to her.
He hurt her, but he didn't mean to. It wasn't his fault that the bath was to warm. He let her sleep in the same room as him. He didn't lock her in the dark room. She like him.
"You uh... hungry?" Jacks voice pulled her from her mind. She turned slightly, to look him in the face. Her eyes roved over his cheeks, the scars that were there. The way they deformed his lips. She liked them they were like hers. Slowly, she let her eyes travel to his face. She met his brown eyes evenly. "Can... can I eat?" She questioned lightly, heat rising to her cheeks as she held Jacks unwavering gaze.
Jack worked his mouth as he studied Sem'. "Yeaaahhh..." he drawled moving farther into the room and into a kitchen. James was hot on his heels.
"The Boys should be getting home from school soon. Lilly just got done makin lunch." The large man called as he sauntered over to the stove and peeked into a simmering pot.
The room smelled amazing and even Jack had to admit that he wanted to taste whatever it was cooking. Sem' shifted in his grip, her head tipped back and her nose in the air. She inhaled deeply.
"Smells good, huh Jack?" She questioned lightly gripping his shirtfront and leaning closer to the stove.
Jack didn't answer, instead, he moved quickly to settle Sem' at the one table in the room and looked to James for directions as to where the bowls were.
James silently, let Jack serve not only himself but Sem' as well. The kid watched Jack like a hawk, his eyes never leaving his frame. It looked almost like she was scared that he would disappear.
James studied the little girl. She looked like a starved little runt. Even so. She would be cute if it weren't for the scars. The scars were horrid to look at. He kinda felt bad for the kid. She was going to go through her entire life with everyone around her calling her names and pointing out her flaws. Poor kid.
When Jack returned to the table, he set a red plastic bowl with a small spoon in it in front of Sem' it was filled with a thick dark brown soup. He watched as Sem' propped herself up on her knees to reach the table and began to eat. She still favored her left leg, and he made a mental note to check it later.
He started on his own soup slowly, and was careful to keep the warm liquid from his cheeks. He could hardly drink anything let alone eat soup. At least he wasn't chewing. It hurt more.
After a few long seconds of silence before James cleared his throat. "Lilly will go get her a dress after the boys get home. Then we have to go meet with Gambol. He wants to speak to the boss about something." James murmured so only Jack could hear him.
Jack bobbed his head. He wasn't quite sure as to why Sem' had to come, she would just get in the way. Wouldn't she? Jack glanced to Sem'. She had the spoon stuck in her mouth, elbow cocked at an odd angel. Yeah. She would. So then why?
Just then some soup dribble out of his right wound making him wince.
Sem' head snapped up and as she took in the sight of Jacks hand pressed against his cheek. His body hunched over his bowl. She frowned lightly. "Dint worry Jack. It won't hurt so bad soon." She murmured lightly reaching forward and patting Jacks shoulder lightly.
Jack went still and stiff as a rod. Had she really just... he turned to face her then. Hand still pressed to his pained cheek, his brown eyes wide. She was wearing a smile that didn't belong on a four year olds face. A smile that was to knowing for the subject she spoke of.
The room of filled with utter silence for a long moment before the front door crashed open and two boys came thundering in, calling "I'm homes" and "where's lunch?"
Sem' whirled about as the two boys came into the kitchen and froze at the sight of the two people in their home. Sem' studied them. One was older. He was much taller. His hair was red and hung over his forehead. The other was near her own age. His red hair was cut close to his scalp. Both of their eyes were green.
They were staring at her. Sem' felt her cheeks flush, and she quickly looked away. Her hair falling over her shoulder and shielding her from their gazes.
James grinned at his boys. "Sam, Cody. This is Jack and Sem' they work with your old man." He stated on a chuckle as he moved forward to pull both of his children into his chest. They began to rough house slightly.
Sem' watched with wide eyes through her hair. The other man. He was not hurting the two boys. He was... playing with them... Mommy used to do that with her. But... Daddy was always mean. He always hurt her. Why didn't this one hurt the kids? Sem' frowned and pushed the bowl from in front of her.
She was confused. The two boys were laughing. Were calling there Daddy "old man". Why didn't he hit them? Sem' stomach knotted and her brow furrowed with confusion. She didn't understand. Daddy's were mean. Hers was. She had just... just guessed that all of them were.
She turned her eyes away from the three laughing people, and knotted her fingers into her dress front. She didn't like being confused. She wanted Koshka, but that lady had taken him from her. Koshka would know what was going on. Sem' was sure of it.
Jack watched as Sem' grew more agitated by the second. And for once he knew entirely why. This had to have been the first time she had ever seen a happy family. It had to be a large reality check for her. Her head was bowed forward, and her fingers were working the front of her dress. Her small shoulder were taunt, and she sat over her folded legs stiffly. The same feeling from this morning surged through his chest just then.
He sighed through his nose and worked his mouth. Slowly, he reached out to Sem' and caught her upper arm lightly, drawing her attention.
Her head snapped up, and she met his eyes with a wide bewildered look. Confusion swam in their amazingly green depths.
With a gentle tug, Jack hauled Sem into his lap. She sat rigidly against him her right side pressed into his chest. Her small finger seemed to refuse to release the front of her dress.
Jack sighed. Sem' was acting too old for her age. Weren't four year olds supposed to cry? weren't they supposed to demand attention? Weren't they... supposed to do SOMETHING other than sit nearly silently with a much too old look on their faces?
"I'm confuoosed, Jack." Sem' mumbled leaning into him and pushing her face into his chest. She frowned heavily.
Jack worked his mouth. Trying to hide his grin. "The word is uh... Confused, Sem'." He corrected lightly, his hand running across her shoulders lightly.
"Con- Confused." She mumbled lightly. Slowly, the frown left her face, and a laugh bubbled in her throat. She smiled up at Jack. "Mommy always laughed when I said that word." She laughed.
Jack smirked down at her. She was smiling at him again. He wouldn't lie and say he didn't like it. It was just a small amount though, he reassured himself.
"What's your name?" A voice to their left made both Sem' and Jack jump slightly. Cody, James's youngest. Soot there staring at Sem' with wide curious eyes.
Sem' shifted uncomfortably on Jacks lap. "I'm Sem'" She murmured, her hair falling over her shoulders. She didn't meet the boy's eyes.
" Well I'm Cody. Daddy said to play with you." The boy stated in a gruff, highly displeased voice.
Sem' sat up suddenly. "Really? You wanna play with me? Wanna play hide and seek? I'm really good at it!" She called scrambling from Jacks lap with all the exuberance of a four year old.
The boy looked completely put off, and as he took in the full sight of Sem' and her scars, he took a few steps away from her. "Fine. Ill count." The boy snapped turning and stalking away.
Jack watched as Sem' stood still for a moment, before suddenly dashing forward, slipping her tiny body into the insanely small space between the fridge, and the wall. And then, everything went silent. Jack could faintly hear the boy counting in the other room.
Sem' stifled a giggle this was the first time she was playing with someone her age! She covered her mouth with her right hand and laughed lightly.
She waited and waited. Cody had stopped counting a long time ago. Still she waited. Cody just wasn't very good at hide and go seek. Sem' was VERY good at hiding. She just had to be patient.
Jack drummed his fingers in the table top. His eyes never leaving Sem's hiding place. That little shit of James's had stopped counting little over half an hour ago. James had left with his wife to go find Sem' a dress a little before that.
Sem' puffed out her cheeks and slowly pulled herself from her hiding place. She dared not look at Jack, and instead limped her way through the unfamiliar house. It was not long until she came upon Cody and the other boy. They were in a room with lots of toys. There were two beds pushed on either side of the wall. In between them Cody sat with the bigger boy. They were watching TV.
Sem' slowly ventured forward. She wasn't quite sure as to what she was to say. She WAS really good at hide and seek. Did she say sorry, and that she would count this time... even if she could only count to three...
Both boys turned to look at her when her bare foot scuffed across the carpeted floor. She smiled at Cody. "I found you." She called lightly, in an apologetic tone.
Cody grimaced. "What are you doing here?" He demanded. His tone was harsh.
Sem's brow furrowed in confusion. She twisted her fingers together in front of her. "W-well... when you couldn't find me... I came and found you." She called, ending with a smile.
Cody scoffed, and looked to his older brother to see if he was seeing the same thing that he was. His brother just stared at the girl with mild disgust. Cody looked back to the girl. She was weird. Those scars were disgusting. His nose crinkled slightly. "Ever think I didn't WANT to find you?" He demanded glaring at the girl.
Sem' frowned once more. "But... why not?" She questioned lightly. This boy was looking at her like that Daddy did. His nose crinkled, teeth slightly bared. His eyes little slits.
This time the older boy laughed lightly. "Cause you're a freak. Those scars are nasty!" He snapped.
Sem' didn't understand. Why did her scars matter? She just wanted to play... it wasn't her fault that Daddy had put them there... well it WAS. But she was only bad a few times.
"Would you just get out of here you weirdo!?" Cody hissed keeping his voice down. He didn't want that guy with the split cheeks to hear him.
Sem's frown deepened, but she said nothing as she turned and limped from the room. She didn't understand, and she didn't like it. She clenched her little hand at her sides and grit her teeth.
She limped her way back to the kitchen and looked to Jack. Her breath coming in little pants. He was staring at her. But not the way everyone else did. Again he just looked bored. "What is a freak?" She questioned in a hard tone.
Jack drew back slightly at the look of Sem'. Her chest was heaving, and her hands were clenched at her sides. Her shoulders were hunched forward, nearly touching her ears. She... she looked like him.
"Aaaaa... FreaK." He drew out his words. "People call me a uh... freaK... Whyyyy?" He demanded leaning forward.
Sem' ducked her head. She wasn't going to tell on Cody. That would be her being a bad girl. She huffed a breath through clenched teeth. "Why am I a freak?" She demanded once more.
Jack worked his mouth and stood in one fluid rush. With one long stride he was towering over Sem'. And then. It was like whatever was going on with her, broke.
She tilted her head back, looked up at Jack for a moment, and then burst into sobbing tears. She didn't know why Cody and the other boy was mean to her. She was nice, wasn't she? She didn't understand!
Jack just stood there, not really knowing what to do. Sem' was not just crying. She was SOBBING. and then Jack found himself angry. Pist! What the hell was she crying for? He wasn't quite sure if he was mad at Sem' herself, or at whatever had made her cry.
He crouched low in front of Sem' and still. He towered over her. She was rubbing at her eyes with both fists. His shoulders were taunt, and he couldn't decide on whether he wanted to strangle the kid till she turned blue, or clutch her to his chest.
It was then that he remembered that boss wanted her alive. Killing her was out. With a low displeased noise from his chest, Jack pulled a Sem' to his chest.
"Quit uh... CRYING." He put emphasis in his words. He wasn't cut out for this. He didn't know how to react to a crying kid.
As Sem' coiled her arms about his neck, the same feeling churned through his gut. He still had no idea what it was. It was like this... this UNWANTED feeling.
This feeling made him thing of kicking a wounded dog. Or stealing food from starving people. He felt... BAD. It was a completely new sensation to him and he didn't like it.
He stood in a rush and looked about. He just wanted her to stop crying. He was POSITIVE that if she did... the feeling would go away. His eyes fell on Sem's little hiding place, and he wanted to groan with frustration. He was about to do something idiotic...
"Sem'...ill uh... play with you..." Jack called on a low growl, as he looked down at the crown of her head.
Instantly, her bawling wails settled to small hiccups and sniffles. Slowly, she lifted her head and peered up at Jack with reddened eyes.
Jack looked over her face. As soon as her cries quieted, the feeling had gone just as quick as it came. Her gaunt cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were red, and slightly puffy. She had a fist up, rubbing at her right eye. "R-really?" She sniffled lightly.
Jack worked his mouth and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. "Yeaaahhh..." He drawled slowly tipping his head forward.
Sem' studied Jacks face for a moment before breaking into a massive grin. "Okay! Can I hide?" She questioned with all the exuberance of a child. Both hands moving to clutch at his black shirt.
Jack smirked. So he was playing hide and seek... no one would know, and HE was the reason Sem' wore such a cute smile. "YeP. Ill uh... cooouuunnnttt" Jack drawled bending and setting Sem' on her feet.
The little girl swayed slightly, and tightened her grip on Jacks shirt. She blinked up at him widely for a moment. "I like Jack." She mumbled, releasing his shirt and quickly toddling away. "Start counting okay Jack?" She called over her shoulder as she disappeared into the living room.
Jack stood hunched over for a moment, before straightening slowly. He blinked and looked toward the living room where Sem' had disappeared. A smirk found its way onto his face. He was just SLIGHTLY glad that he didn't kill her.
Clearing his throat loudly, Jack began to count. He counted to thirty, before calling out to Sem that he was coming. Slowly, he crept into the living room. His feet light on the carpet.
Sem' covered her hand over her mouth to hold back laughter as she watched Jacks shoes creep across the floor. She was hiding under the couch, Jack would never find her!
"Seeemmm'" Jack drawled, a grin tugging at his cheeks. He whirled around one of the recliners in the room, only to come up empty.
His lips pursed, as he looked about the room once more. She was in none of the low cabinets. He would have heard them open and close. She wasn't hiding behind any of the furniture. He glared around the room once more before his eyes settled on the couch.
It was an ugly floral print, and had ruffles along the bottom. Part of the ruffles were pushed farther underneath the couch than the rest.
Jack smirked. "Where are youuuu?" He called loudly, striding toward to couch and ploping down on it.
Sem' nearly shrieked with laughter, as the couch above her applied little pressure on her small frame. Jack was sitting above her!
Jack sighed loudly. "Looks like I uh... can't fiiinndddee herrr" He drawled, slowly leaning forward, moving his hand towards the bottom of the couch.
Sem' had to force her other hand up to cover her mouth. That was... before a large hand grabbed her leg, and hauled her from under the couch. Laughter burst from her throat, as Jack piled her in his lap.
Jack grinned widely, as Sem' laughed loudly, struggling in his grasp. His hand drifted to her sides, where he began to tickling her, drawing her into hysterical giggles. Her small hands tugging at his much larger ones.
It went completely unnoticed by both Jack and Sem' when James and Lilly walked in.
James froze solid at the adorable laughter filling the air. Jack sat on his couch, Sem' on her back in his lap. They were facing the couch, and James could plainly see the smile on Jacks face. It was not a wide grin. Not a smug smirk. But a smile. It made him look young. His age. He was... tickling Sem'
Lilly bounced into the room before James could stop her. "Would you look at that? So the boy CAN smile!" She called bustling into the kitchen with her arms weighted down with bags.
Both Sem' and Jack froze solid, and both eyes flashed to James who still stood in the doorway. One wide with curiosity, the other a cold hard glare.
James quickly looked away, and ducking his head he trailed after his wife. "We'll get her changed, the go." He murmured in a low voice.
Jack remained still for a moment, before scooping Sem' up and settling her on his hip, as he stood. Sem' was still giggling lightly, and heat was making her cheeks a rosy hue. Jack fought to keep a smirk from his lips as he carried Sem' into the kitchen.
Lilly was upon them then, nearly ripping Sem' from Jacks grip and whisking her from the room along with a new set of clothing. Jack made to follow. "She gonna be naked boy. Might just wanna sit tight with me." James called clamping a hand on jacks shoulder.
Jack scoffed. He had given her a bath just earlier. But as James words settled in his mind, Jack slowly stepped back. He didn't want to make it a habit of seeing the kid naked. It was to weird and it made him feel slightly like Tommy.
Sem' kept glancing towards the door as the woman helped her into a new dress. She didn't want to be alone with this lady for too long. Even now she was looking at Sem' with pity filled eyes. She didn't like it.
Jack drummed his fingers on his thigh. He was leaning against the counter left of the stove. His eyes and ears searching for anything out of the ordinary.
James was sitting at his kitchen table yelling at his boys, about homework. Both of them were shuffling about their Father heads bowed slightly.
Movement to their left caught all men's attention. Sem' shuffled forward, as Lilly gently pushed her shoulders.
Jack sat forward. She wore a red dress that puffed about her hips and stopped just above the Lust scars on her thighs. A deep red shawl sat over her shoulders, the hood pulled up. It hid her face in shadow. Spilling from either side of the large hood, were her inky black curls.
A clean bright red and white Koshka was clutched in her right hand. Jack had thought that Koshka had been orange. The grubby little thing had been THAT dirty. It was still stained badly, but the look completed Sem's outfit. She still wore no shoes.
"Ain't she just cuter than a June bug?" Lilly demanded as soon as Sem' was in the room fully.
Sem began to work the front of her dress as she peered around the room. Everyone was LOOKING at her! She let her gaze settle on Jack. He didn't look quite as bored, just mildly un interested. She limped forward and stopped at Jacks knee. Slowly she offered up Koshka. "Koshka got a bath!" She whispered lightly, looking up at Jack.
Jack slowly took the offered animal, and crouched next to Sem'. "YeP. You uh... Readdyyy to... go?" Jack questioned lightly.
Sem' nodded and as Jack opened his arms she crawled into them, taking Koshka back and cooing at him lightly. Jack looked to James who was already leaving the house. Quickly, he trailed after, holding a new and improved Sem' to his chest.
&$&/&$^ &$/*:*?"^ #:*^#^#, $:?/$
Gambol sat quietly behind his desk. Large dark skinned hands covering his mouth. He toyed with his ring slightly, as he waited.
Ardin was not a man known for his punctuality. Always showing up late to ANY type of meeting. Gambol had expected this and was content to wait. What he had to ask was already going to put Ardin in a bad temper. Gambol could afford a few good points.
The door to his office opened then, and in waddled Ardin closely followed by a massive red headed man. There came a slight pause and another impressively tall rail thin man walked in. His long hair was blond, and some of it stuck to the wounds on either side of his face.
This was the man Gambol wanted. Just for a simple Job. Servalnce really. He had heard good thing about the kid. He would follow any direction, and was a dependable man.
A soft laugh drew Gambols attention downward, and he was honestly shocked at what he saw. A child was clutched to the man's chest. She wore a hood and dress of deep red and stark white. He could just see black curls bobbing out from underneath the red hood that his the child's face. A large cat was clutched to her chest and she was currently laughing at the animal.
"Gambol. This had better be good." Ardin wheezed as he plopped down in the one chair before Gambols desk.
Without removing his eyes from the child, he nodded. "It is. First. Who's the kid?" Gambol demended with a wave of his hand.
Jacks head snapped up at the mention of Sem, and he met the cold hard stair of mob Boss Gambol. There was no first name that went along with it. Jack held and met his glare.
Ardin scoffed but a massive grin found its way onto his chubby lips. "Little red riding hood. Who's it look like?" The man demanded just before bursting into laughter.
Gambols black eyes shifted to Ardin then. He wanted to glare but he wanted the kid more. "She fits the part." Was all he said.
Gambol knew Ardin to be a very theatrical man. Often dressing his men up in idiotic costumes just for shits and giggles. It was one of the things Gambol couldn't stand about the man.
Ardin leaned forward then. "Enough of the small talk. What do you want Gambol?" He demanded in a hard tone.
Gambol moved his hands from his mouth then and leaned back in his chair. "I need surveillance on a man. He's suspected of being a rat. I need Him to do it." He motioned to Jack. "He's quick clean and capable." Gambol finished.
It was quiet for a moment, before Ardin cleared his throat. "And what would I get out of this?" The fat man demanded.
"Thirty grand." Gambol stated waving his hand as if the amount meant nothing to him.
It was silent again, before the quiet was broke but a soft gasp. All eyes flew to Sem' who was leaning forward in Jack grip. She studied the man sitting behind the desk for a moment. Then whirled to face Jack. "That's one of Daddy's friends!" She whispered to him lightly.
Gambol sat forward then his eyes going wide. "That's Moltovs kid." He stated.
Ardin cleared his throat. "He was found did yesterday. I'm keepin her till I can find his supplier and make a deal." He clarified. "Thirty grand it is. Jack take the kid with ya. Don't do something stupid." He growled, as he stood and waddled from the room.
Jack worked his mouth in silent anger. He was not just some... pet to be used. Sem' shifted in his arms, and suddenly, he was face to face with the disgusting cat , Koshka.
"Don't be upet, Jack." Sem' called in the voice she used for Koshka. She bobbed his head about, trying to hold back laughter.
Jack had to purse his lips to keep from smiling. "Its uh... UpSET... Koshka." He murmured in a low tone, his gaze slowly traveling back to Gambol.
The two men eyed each other for a moment, before Gambol suddenly scooped a pair of car keys off his desk. "Kill him if you have to. I KNOW he's taking my money." He growled, tossing the key to Jack.
Jack snatched it out of the air a scowl on his lips. "WhaT am I uh... geTTing paid?" He demanded resettling a quiet Sem' on his hip, and holding her there with one arm. The other slowly fell to his side.
Gambol scoffed. "A grand even. His apartment is..." He prattled off an address on the other side of town with a wave of his hand he held up a picture.
Jack worked his mouth for a moment, before snatching the picture. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left the room.
"We're findin' somebody Jack? Are we playing hide and go seek again?" Sem' questioned him lightly, as he left the low two story building that had a front of a butcher shop, that was Gambols office.
Freezing air slammed into Jacks body. He angled his side to block most of the wind from Sem'. Their breath mingled forming a white fog the howling wind quickly sweeping it away. Sem' whined softly and curled closer to Jack. Jack worked his mouth as he thought about how to answer her question.
Jack thought for a moment. "Yeahhhh." He drawled pressing the button on the middle of the small key ring in his hand.
A sleek black car across the street honked once, drawing his attention. Resettling Sem' on his hip, Jack was at the car in four long strides. He moved around it, and opened the passenger door. Settling Sem' on the seat roughly, he leaned over her, placing his hand on the seat near her thigh. He quickly buckled her in, and leaning back he peered at a blinking Sem'.
She met his stare for a moment before looking away as a heavy blush settled on her pail cheeks.
Jack smirked, as he stood and slammed the car door closed. He strolled about the front of the car, looking up at the darkening sky. A freezing wind slammed into his body as he rounded the cover of the car. It was going to start snowing soon.
He got inside the car quickly, and once it was started he blared the heat. The car had light tan leather seats, and black carpeting. It ran with a low purr. Sem' shifted in her seat slightly as Jack glanced to the picture and started towards their destination.
Sem' placed a clean Koshka in her lap and cuddled him. "So nice and clean Koshka!" She whispered to him pulling back and kissing him lightly on the nose.
Jack glanced down at Sem' as she continued talking to her slightly better cat. She was speaking to him as if he were speaking back. She would say something. Pause for a retort and continue on.
Again Jack was faced with the reality if Sem' having no one but that toy to speak to. Vaguely in the back of his head a tiny voice wondered as to why? From what Jack had been able to see, Sem' was smart fir her age. Maybe overly so.
There were times when she would loose that childish innocence of her. Her young voice would loose its soft lit and grow hard. Cold even. A knowing sharp look would come into her eyes and a face that did not belong on a four year olds would appear as if it had always been there. Hiding underneath a childlike facade.
Jack drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, and tried to keep his eyes on the road before him. He failed miserably. His eyes did not want to leave Sem' as if they were scared that they were going to miss some massive detail that would finally unravel the mystery that the little girl was.
She fascinated Jack. She did not seem to fear ANYTHING. Not James. Not her obviously abusive Father... not Jack. Not Jacks scars... nothing. It was an amazing thing to him.
Everyone in Gotham had a fear. This city was filled withdisgusting, fearful people that made Jack all the more solid to go on with his plans. He HATED this city and all of its people. But Sem'... she was DIFFERENT. So much so that only though he had been with her for two days... he LIKED her. Shit. He played GAMES with her!
She smiled at him. A wide massive grin that he had only seen her give to Koshka and himself. She had told him that she LIKED him. Him! Had looked him straight in the eye and told him. No one held his gaze like she did. Even his Boss had to look away.
There suddenly came a gasp from beside him, as he came to a stop at a red light. He turned to look at Sem' once more. Her tiny body was straining against the seat belt as she craned her neck to peer outside. Her mouth hung open with wonder and her massive eyes were wide. "Jack! What's that, Jack!" She called lifting one hand and pointing out the windshield.
Slowly, Jack turned to look at what ever it was that she was pointing to. Large fat snowflakes fell from the sky and danced about erratically in the wind that was buffeting against the car. He slowly turned his attention back to Sem'. He worked his mouth slightly. She didn't even know what fucking snow was! If her Father were not already dead... Jack would have KILLED him.
"It's uh... Snow, babydoll." He murmured in a low voice, turning his attention back to the road as the light turned green.
Sem' made a noise in aw. A long drawn out gasp. "Snow... Mommy told me that snow is REALLY cold! Are there Pengins Jack? Pengins live in the snow right?" She questioned struggling to see better.
Jack pursed his lips for a moment. Trying his danmdest to hold back the laugh that was building in his throat. Soon after however, he failed and laughter poured from his mouth. "Its... PENGUINS Sem'. Penguins." He managed to state through his laughter.
Sem' pursed her lips before turning to grin at him. "Okay. Are the PENGUINS out ther Jack? I saw them in a book momy gave to me once. They Waddle! Did you know that Jack?" She questiined still grinning at him.
Jack managed to calm his laughter to quiet giggles as he nodded his head and took a left. "I DIIIDDD." He drawled. Slowly he reached down and pressed the red button to Sem's seat belt. It quickly snapped back into place, and Sem' was on her knees, face nearly plastered to the window.
"Thank you Jack!" She called, turning to grin at him then back to the window.
The rest of the long drive was made in silence. Jack found the upside apartment complex easily, and he was lucky enough to find a parking space not too far from the ground level apartment.
Jack shut the car off and they sat in silence for a moment. He sucked in a deep breath, and narrowed his eyes as his man stepped out onto his back porch. Jack glanced to the picture, and back to tue man. It was him. Short, dull brown hair. A scruffy face.
Sem' shuffled about and placed both hands on the dash board. She peered out at the falling snow. There was no wind here so it fell slowly in thick flakes. She wanted to go play in it. She was sure that her new coat would keep her warm. Even if it didn't cover her arms like a normal one did. She turned to look at Jack. He looked upset. His eyes were little slits. His tongue lapping at his lips.
He looked mad. She wasn't sure if she had been the one to make him so. He had laughed earlier. Sem' liked his laugh. It came from deep in his belly, and rumbled from his chest.
She studied him. The black shirt he wore was long sleeved, and he wore light colored jeans. His fingers drummed against his leg as he glared out the window. Sem' watched his hand. He had long fingers and they looked rough. Suddenly, she found herself wanting to hold his hand like she always used to hold Mommy's.
Her eyes flashed to his face, as she slowly edged closer to him. They slowly traveled back to his hand. She reached out carefully, always ready to pull her hand back if he were to get mad at HER.
Jack went stiff as an absolutely tiny hand clutched at his hand. His eyes flashed to Sem' who was staring at his hand as if she had just caught a prize. Her small hands coiled about his pointer finger.
Sem' grinned and quickly looked up at a wide eyed Jack. She lifted his much bigger hand and splayed her hand against his palm. Her tiny hand hardly covered the width of his palm. "Your hand is really big." She murmured studying the lines of his roughened skin.
Jack sat forward slightly, and peered at the tiny hand pressed within his own. Her tiny fingers hardly reached the bases of his own. It was that moment that Jack realized how truly breakable Sem' was. He would kill her with a flick of his wrist.
He allowed his fingers to curl over hers gently. "And YOURS is uh... smalll." He murmured lowly as he reached out with his other hand and tugged Sem' into his lap. She came willingly, and settled herself in his lap as if she was meant to be there.
Sem' smiled at Jack and leaned back against the steering wheel. Wanna make a promise Jack" she questioned lowering her voice and glancing about like someone was watching them.
Jack smirked. "Suuurrreee Babydoll." He called pulling her hood over her head playfully.
She squealed with laughter, and grabbed at his hand. Her hood remained in place when Jack pulled away. She blinked at him from under her hood and suddenly blushed wildly. "Well... uh... since Jack is... nice to me... and... plays with me... I wanna... uh... make a promise that... we will be friends... kay?" She questioned in an impossibly small voice filled with embarrassment. Her tiny hand held aloft, pinky out.
Jack went still as he stared at her tiny hand. She wanted to be his FRIEND. What. The. Fuck. He didn't know what to do... on one hand, he was positive that if he refused her promise, Sem' would change the way she acted towards him. On the other, if he made it... and he was given orders to kill Sem'... he... He wasn't sure about that outcome at the moment.
Jack was a VERY honest man. He would often tell nothing but the truth, just mix it up a little. He was NOT going to lie to himself and say that Sem' meant NOTHING to him. She DEPENDED on him. He fed her. Had given her a bath. Bandaged her wound... shit he had even PLAYED with her. All simply because... he LIKED her. She had eyes for HIM. Not his Boss. Not James. HIM. It was a completely new thing to him to have someone be so focused on him and him alone.
Sem' frowned slightly and began to lower her hand. "Sorry..." she mumbled ducking her head, hiding her face under her hood.
And before Jack realized what he was doing, he had her tiny Pinky wrapped about his. "All right, Sem'. I promise." He stated, his voice taking on a gravely edge.
Her head snapped up, and with her free hand, she shoved her hood from her face. A grin stretching her cheeks. "I like Jack!" She called releasing his finger and wrapping her arms about his throat, and pushing her face into his neck.
Jack slowly let his hand settle on her back, and he rubbed it lightly. He was fucked.
$*/^#)/)^($&!^#*$(^(/* ^ $(/^(#&-^*'
Jack got home late that night, a dead asleep Sem' on his right arm, and a slightly less grubby Koshka in the other hand. He was dead tired. The fuck that Gambol had his watch had been a runner.
Jack had told Sem' to stay in the car and not to leave when his rat had begun speaking to another, well known Italian Mob runner. Long story short, Jack had shot the Italian and had to chase the snitch fir little over a mile in freezing cold weather. To say he had been irritated... would be a MASSIVE understatement.
And. To make it all the better. There was a snow storm blowing in. There was already an inch of the freezing shit in the ground.
Sem' mumbled in her sleep, and clenched her arms about his throat. Jack sighed through his nose, and quickly moved into his room, and deposited Sem' into her blankets. She hardly moved.
Jack had some serious thinking to do.
