He couldn't believe it until he saw her with his own eyes. The doctors told him she still needed to stay here a couple of day, that she needed rest from now, but he just wanted to bring her home. Mark walked toward her quietly and fell on his knees near the bed. It seemed his little flower fell asleep again. One of the doctor came and he listened silently as the man spoke about the injury and the treatment she had to take from now. When the man leaved, Mark relaxed a bit.
He sighed and took Amelia's hands with his, he felt her little hands squeeze a little finally a couple of minuts later and smiled. The smile fell quickly for a face full of concern and relief when his daughter tried to open her eyes, in vain.
" sshh..Don't force yourself "
The Phenom kept murmuring reassuring words to her but she kept trying. She finally opened her bright emerald eyes after a few minutes, eyes full of tears she locked directly into her father's.
" Da-daddy.. "
She coughted roughly with pain. He quickly stood up, bringing her against his strong chest, his left hand massaging her back.
" It's okay.. I'm here.. Relax.. "
He kept rocking her against him for a long moment as she fell asleep a second time. He laid her on the bed a few minuts later as he put the blankets over Amelia little body.
He sat on the chair next to the bed, and quietly watched her in her sleep. After a moment, his eyes began to close slowly and he fell asleep too.
~~~ " Mark ! I got one ! "
A little boy was running, nearly falling a couple of time before stopping, a bright smile on his face, the brightest he never seen in his life.
" Good " he found himself say,
" Put it in the can so we can begin the experiment ! "
Mark fell on his little legs and looked at his brother, the smaller boy shook his head and did the same, puting a tied rat in the can before closing it.
" You think it's gon' work' ? "
" I think so, Paul told me it was called "cremation", they do it to people sometimes. "
" It's scary ! "
" Come on little brother, I told you already not to be scared, you're not a baby anymore "
Young Mark grinned as he took a lighter from his poket and placed the can on a pile of wood and coal he stole from their parents.
" Glenn, wanna try this time ? "
The boy eyed the lighter a moment and answered " No " by shaking strongly his head.
" Fine then, I'll do it myself "
He started to approach the lighter to the can carefully, shivering as he finally set the woods on fire. They watched quietly the can, waiting for something to happen . The rat, trapped, began to scream. The two kids were silent, a look of horror and sick curiosity in their eyes.
" WHAT IS GOING ON HERE ?! "
The two boys jumped and saw a short, chubby man coming their way. The fat man was running.
" Go Glenn ! "
Mark took his brother hand and started to run as fast as he could. It was quite easy to leave Paul behind, the man was a real pig. They entered a forest near the park and stopped a few minuts later, breathless.
They started to laugh together.
Glen jumped in his brother's arms, giggling. Mark catched him and smiled before falling in the grass. They stayed like that a moment, quiet. Little hands were suddenly grabbing his throat and Mark laugh disappeared, eyes weren't little hands anymore.
A huge, colossal man was on top of him now, his dirty hair falling on his face covered by a red mask. He was trying to strangle him.
Mark screamed. ~~~~
Mark coughed as he opened his emerald eyes, checking his throat to see if there was anything. Nothing. He sighed and rested his head against the back of the chair. Just a nightmare. He was fucking done. His demons were here, he couldn't ignore them anymore.
Crows were flying around the hospital, he could see them outside, they always followed him everywhere, since he was a kid, since He ordered him to kill them. A laugh escaped Mark's mouth.
~" I should be in a fucking asylum, I'm mad "~
" Dad ? Daddy ? " Amelia's weak voice croaked and pulled out Mark from his thougts, the man rose from his seat and got closer to her.
" I'm here darling.. All is fine.. " He adjusted his coat and ran his hand through her black hair. She closed her eyes at the sound of his father's voice and touch as she seemed to relax a bit.
" Where is mom ? "
Mark heart stopped at her words. How could he answer that ? He took a long breath and bit his lips. He had to tell her, he was sure that she would not understand at the young age of six. He'll have to explain her in the future. It was part of his tasks.
" She's.. She's resting.. Mom is resting "
" Mom is sick ? "
The weak voice full of concern saddened him even more.
" No she's not sick.. It's not like that.. You'll understand when you get older "
She nodded and buried herself under the blankets, not pleased with her father answer.
" Come on baby girl, we're going home now. Together. You stayed here far too long "
As the documents were already signed, he wouldn't wait even more here and could bring her home already.
He removed the blankets slowly and picked her up carefully. She buried her head in his father's neck and shut her eyes again. After checking if there was anything left, he opened the door and carried her across the corridors.
People started whispering around him as he kept walking calmly, staring coldly everyone while leading to the gates.
It was a new beginning for the two of them.
He will keep his chance this time