Once upon a time

by swalow

Warning! Contain spoilers from Freefall book 3 and in last chapter from Spiral book 5 . This is the story of Elliott's background and childhood. Characters is: Elliott, Molly, Eddie, Drake and Will a couple of made up ones. Rated T for language and light violence/mature themes. But if you can read the books without problems, you'll be able to read this too.

5. Chapter 5 – The peach

Chapter 5: The Peach

– Later that day –

"Dad!" Elliott shouted when she entered her house. She could see her parents sitting close to each other on the living room floor in front of the fireplace.

"There you are," her father said, and his thin mouth curled into a wide smile. Elliott ran into his arms, and he held her close, stroking her hair. "I missed you a lot, love."

"I missed you very, very, very much," Elliott said. "Dad, where are you when you're not here?"

Her father was quiet for a bit, as if he was thinking. "I'll tell you about my work someday. When you're a bit older, okay?" He looked at her mum, who nodded slightly. He looked back at Elliott and smiled. "I promise." Elliott nodded. "Oh, I almost forgot! Look what I have for you!" he said, taking a peach out of his bag.

"What's that?" Elliott asked, stroking the fruit's soft skin with her small fingers, her brown eyes wide with awe. She'd never seen anything like it before. It was like an apple, but with fur.

"It's a peach. And it's very good."

"As good as apples?"

"Much better than apples," Elliott's dad said and handed the fruit to her.

"Thanks, Dad! I'll save it for tonight," she said and hugged him once more. "How long will you stay this time?"

"Not very long, I'm afraid. I must leave tonight."

"Tonight? But why can't you stay longer? Just one day? Please, Dad?" Elliott pleaded desperately.

"I'm sorry, Elliott, but I have to work."

"Oh…" Elliott mumbled disappointedly. "But when will you be back?"

"Very soon. I promise."

But he didn't come back for little Elliott. Not for a very, very long time.

"Where is he?" asked Elliott one night while she and her mum ate supper.

"Where is who?"

"Dad, of course! When is he coming back? He said he would be back very soon, but it's been over a month now!"

Molly's face went flat and emotionless, but Elliott could see in her mother's eyes that she was very, very sad.

"I don't know," she finally said. "Eat up now, you said you were hungry." Elliott looked down at her plate and proceeded to finish her meal.

Later that night she heard her mum sobbing in her room. Elliott thought about going inside to comfort her. But she decided that it was probably best to leave Mummy alone.