A/N: Surprise! One more bonus chapter before the new year. Y'all ready for a twist? ; )
Rose was sitting on a bench in Central Park, the sun on her face and a book in her hands. Her eyes were closed with her head tilted toward the sky, savoring the heat on her skin. A thousand new freckles had blossomed on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, one for every hour spent unencumbered by sun hat or parasol.
Today was a day for observing and experiencing. The book was her alibi, so she could pretend she'd been reading and was now simply resting her eyes. In actuality, Rose had come here with the sole intention to listen and to feel. The warmth of the sun was a calming embrace, kept in check by an occasional breeze that brought both relief and slight irritation as it tickled her skin with loose strands of her hair. A slight turn of her head facing into the wind pushed her hair to the side without having to touch it and the bother blew away, carried off on the summer air.
Facing a different direction uncovered new sounds: the clattering of carriage wheels on cobblestones, tidbits of conversations in a variety of languages, the fluttering and cooing of pigeons. You could see a lot without opening your eyes.
Then there was a sound that made her pause. A quiet sniffling, like someone trying to stifle their tears. Rose opened her eyes and turned toward the noise. It came from the direction of a cluster of drooping evergreen trees, whose heavy, sad-looking branches hung toward the ground in a skirt of emerald needles. Popping the small book back in her bag, Rose went to investigate. Nearing the trees, it became obvious that someone was inside -a very young someone by the sound of it- and cautiously, Rose parted one of the branches to take a look.
A small girl, perhaps 4 or 5, was hunkered at the base of the evergreen, hugging her knees to her chest as she hiccupped against her tears. Judging by her clothes, she didn't live on the streets, the style of her dress was very fashionable. The poor thing must have gotten separated from her Nanny or her parents, Rose thought, and she wondered if they were still nearby.
"Hello." Rose said softly, causing the girl to gasp as she looked up in surprise. "I don't mean to intrude, but I heard you crying and thought maybe I should check and see if everything's alright."
The girl shook her head and sniffled loudly.
"Do you speak English?" Rose really hoped she did, this would be a lot harder if they couldn't communicate.
"Y-yes." She managed.
Rose smiled. "That's good. I could maybe help if you also spoke French, though I'm very rusty. What's your name?" Big blue eyes stared back at her warily. "I'm Rose, like the flower. Are your parents around? Or a Nanny perhaps?"
"I-I want Ms. Kru-u-ger." She moaned. Rose winced. Casting a backwards glance, she quickly scanned the area for any sign of an anxious guardian. No one nearby seemed to be looking for her.
"If you come out of there, I can help you look for her." Rose said, offering her hand. The crying girl looked hesitant, hugging her legs tighter. After a while, Rose drew back. She was getting sore crouching down like this so, carefully she stood and moved to replace the branch. "Very well. I'll be over on that bench if you change your mind." And with a quick smile goodbye, she dropped the bough and took loud, exaggerated steps toward where she'd been sitting. A few moments later, the skirt of the evergreen parted and the little girl cautiously stepped out.
Rose grinned, and returning to her, offered the child a handkerchief for her tears. With face wiped and nose blown, her tiny companion took several quivering breaths and looked around anxiously. So long as she kept things positive, Rose thought, the crying appeared to be over.
"Where did you last see Ms. Kruger? If we retrace your steps, I bet we'll find her."
"At-at Aunt Cora's H-house." She managed.
"Do you know how to get there from here?" Rose asked. At the question, the girl's eyes started to fill with tears again and Rose quickly added. "That's okay, that's okay. Um, where were you earlier today? Do remember anything after your Aunt's house?"
"A train." Her words were barely a whisper.
Rose knelt down to hear more clearly. "Did you say a train? Like at the train station?"
But the girl shook her head 'no' and pointed at something in the distance. Rose looked, but all she saw was the city street past the park. "Hmm. Should we go take a look?" The girl gave the tiniest nod and, very slowly, they made their way toward where she'd been pointing.
As they neared the road, Rose reached for the child's shoulder, to keep her from running into traffic. But she shied away, leaving Rose to ring her hand awkwardly. Okay, no touching. Noted.
Looking around, nothing nearby seemed train-like, until the ringing of the trolley bell made the little girl jump. Rose watched as she hopped in place and pointed at the trolley tracks imbedded in the road. So that's what she'd meant. Rose wondered if the girl would be able to look at a map and know which stop would take her back home. She doubted it, but it was worth a try.
Locating the route map on the loading platform, Rose guided her companion toward it and pointed out nearby stops to see if any of them sounded familiar. It wasn't until she got all the way to the Upper East Side that a look of familiarity shone in the child's eyes. Well, that would explain the fancy clothes, Rose thought.
"Really? All the way up to 72nd street? By the lake? Are you sure?"
She nodded solemnly. Rose sighed. This could be a long shot. What if they went there and the girl was wrong, then what? This wasn't exactly how she'd planned to spend her day. Glancing briefly at a pair of passing offers, Rose thought, Maybe I should just…No. No police. This'll be fine.
"Okay. Let's get our tickets then. I'll take you home." For the first time since they'd met, the little girl smiled. Rose smiled back. "Are you sure you don't want to tell me your name?" Another head shake meant 'no.' "Alright. You can be mysterious if you want. But it's a long ride, and I have to call you something. Want me to guess?" Her smile widened and she nodded, 'yes.'
Paying the man in the booth, Rose took their tickets and sat with the child as they waited for the next Trolley to arrive, guessing sillier names to make her smile.
By the time they arrived at the carriage entrance on 72nd, Rose had earned several giggles and even a full laugh when she guessed, "Princess Stinky Von Fish Hat."
Her reply of, "No, silly!" sounded like trickling water as the words tumbled happily from her lips.
Rose couldn't help but laugh too when she said, "Are you sure? I really thought that was it. I think I'm getting close." She looked down in surprise then as the little girl took her hand. She was still smiling as she dutifully looked both ways and then confidently stepped into the road to cross to the grand houses on the other side. Her certainty was reassuring, telling Rose that they must be close.
"Can you give me a hint? What letter does it start with?" After asking, Rose paused, wondering if someone so young would know how to spell.
It didn't matter however when the child suddenly exclaimed, "Papa!" And tearing her hand away, sprinted at top speed toward a group of men who were gathered ahead on the sidewalk. The tallest of the gentlemen spun around and knelt just in time for the girl to fling herself into his arms. The police officers with him smiled, relief spreading across their faces as they closed and pocketed their notebooks. Rose stopped and admired the touching reunion, raising her hand to shield her eyes against the intensity of the setting sun. Backlit by burning colors of magenta and orange, the silhouetted pair looked like the very picture of happiness. It was heartwarming to see a family that cared so much for one another, an experience Rose had never known.
But as the stepped closer, intent on sharing what had happened with the girl's father, the blossom of cathartic tenderness in her chest instantly shriveled and died when the man raised his gaze to hers and she got a clear look at his face. Gratitude shifted suddenly to recognition and shock, and for a split-second, Rose found herself locked in the familiar trap of those cold, dark eyes.
She couldn't breathe, she could hardly think, the only sense that registered in her mind was fear and utter panic.
The child in his arms briefly stole Cal's attention, breaking his hold on Rose and returning control of her body. Seizing her window of escape, Rose turned on her heel and sprinted, weaving through oncoming traffic and darting into the park. Kicking off her shoes, she ran as fast as she could, determined to keep going and terrified of looking back.
