"Cheers mate, that's exactly what I needed" Jack smiled as he hung up the phone, tapping the pen he held lightly on the edge of his desk. He had spent the night sitting in the same position feeling that once he was there he was at least doing something to help.
He had went through so much emotions throughout the night, he was upset and angered at what had happened to Danielle - she was a sweet kid, she didn't deserve it and poor Ronnie, he wasn't sure she would be able to cope with all this, his heart melted at the thought of her, he would do anything to make her happy. That's why this was so important he convinced himself.
He sighed as he emptied his cup of cold coffee.
"right time for a shower" he mumbled to himself as he glanced at his watch. He pulled the sheet from the top of the note pad and shoved it in his pocket, taking a quick glance around the office before leaving.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ronnie held her daughter never wanting to let go, just leaving them in their little bubble so that she would never be hurt again, Danielle didn't speak, she just clung onto Ronnie afraid to let go, as if she was a barrier which would protect her.
The silence was unnerving for Ronnie, she didn't know what to do or say, she grabbed a towel from the nearby rack and wrapped it softly around Danielle.
"let's get you cleaned up .. Yea?" Ronnie soothingly rubbed Danielle's arm.
Danielle stood motionless as Ronnie began to peel her soaked dress from her raw skin.
Ronnie couldn't help but feel awkward, yes she was Danielle's mother but she hadn't being there through the early years to bathe and change her- this was pushing boundaries which Ronnie hadn't expected to ever really occur, but right then she didn't care Danielle was in no fit state to do it herself, it was Ronnie's opportunity to become the mother to Danielle in which she had always wanted.
Ronnie gasped as she realised the extent of her daughters injuries to her frail body, her back had several large scratches on it which were still brimming with blood and a yellow puss was making itself visible as well. Danielle also had a large purple bruise forming on her left hip from where he had obviously held onto her. Ronnie closed her eyes visualising how Danielle got these injuries and felt anger build within, she pulled her exposed daughter in, wrapping her arms around her.
"everything is going to be ok baby… I promise" Ronnie's words soothed Danielle.
Ronnie stood back and examined her daughters cuts, she had managed to get them to stop bleeding and had cleaned them off with some sterile wipes she had found lying in the bathroom cupboard. Danielle was sat on the edge of the toilet gripping hold of the blue towel her mother gave her to cover her modesty, she had let out little whimpers of pain as the sterile wipes stung through her open wounds, each time Ronnie attempted to soothe her, telling her it would be ok.
"ill just grab you some clothes ok, sweetie?" Ronnie waited for some sort of acknowledgement from Danielle who softly nodded her head not making eye contact with her mother.
After Ronnie managed to gather some tracksuit bottoms and hoodie, she made her way back to the bathroom and stood gapping in pain as she witnessed her daughter stood in front of the mirror, the towel wrapped tightly around her boney body, as she examined herself with a look of disgust.
"huh hum" Ronnie let out a soft cough to make her presence known to Danielle, who continued to stare straight ahead before slowly turning to Ronnie….
"what have I done mum" Danielle stared at Ronnie, a vacant expression on her pale scratched face.
"It's all my fault mum, I let him kiss me, I led him on" Ronnie was pained at her daughter's blame, she wanted to make it all better, take away all her pain but she knew it was impossible.
"Danni, listen to me" Ronnie leaned down to look into Danielle's eyes- there was an emptiness in them, one which sent a shiver down Ronnie's spine.
"Baby its not your fault, that …. Creep" Ronnie spat the word out as if it were a disease she was trying to fight, "took advantage" Danielle gave a slight nod as she absorbed her mother's words.
