Chapter Five: Her Hands

15 years ago…

Four year old Suri woke up after hearing a loud scream. She rubbed her eyes and moved to get off the bed. Her little feet didn’t quite reach the ground, she let go with a thud.
Suri
Mommy?
She opened the door slowly, still afraid of the dark. She walked down the hall to her parents' room. She saw down the stairs the TV was still on.
Suri
Daddy?
She continued to her parents’ room, knowing even at such a young age, mommy always laid in bed brushing her hair. The door was wide open, and her mom was lying in bed. Suri climbed onto the bed with a little bit of a struggle.
Suri
Mommy, I heard a scream.
Suri, like all the other times she had a little nightmare, was expecting her mom to tell her it was nothing and she had nothing to be afraid of. No response came, not even any movement.
Suri
Mom, I’m taking to you.
She put her hand on her mother's face.
Suri
You’re cold mommy.
She tapped her mom's neck.
Suri
Mommy, wake up.
Her mom didn’t wake.
Suri
Mommy, wake up. Wake up, mommy.
She began to shake her.
Suri
Mommy, what’s wrong? Wake up.
She went to look for her mom's hands under the covers. She felt a warm sticky liquid, even for her age, she knew it was blood.
Suri
Mommy, you’re bleeding. Wake up!
Although she kept shaking and asking her mom to wake, she didn’t. Suri began to cry.
Suri’s Dad
Baby, don’t cry.
Suri jolted her head to see her dad at the door with a smile and knife in hand.
Suri
Daddy, why do you have a knife? Why won’t mom wake up?
He walked forward.
Dad
Sweetie, I’m not going to hurt you.
The moonlight shined off the knife.
Suri
Did you do this to mommy?
He put the knife behind his back.
Dad
No, mommy had an accident.
Suri looked at her mom again.
Suri
Mommy doesn’t have accidents.
He stepped closer.
Dad
Suri, go to your room and get in bed.
Suri
Why daddy?
He walked to the bed.
Dad
Just go, and I’ll be in to tuck you in right after.
Suri looked at her mom.
Suri
What about mommy?
He put his hand on her head.
Dad
Mommy is very tired.
Suri knew he was lying, she’d seen enough TV with him late at night. She got off the bed and ran to her room.  
Dad
Suri!
She ran into her room and shut the door. She had no time to lock it because he was already pushing the door.

Dad

Suri, get the chair out of the way of the door.

Suri only had her hands on the door pushing against his weight.
Suri
Stop, daddy!
The door cracked.
Dad
I’m going to show you what I did to mommy.
She pushed harder. The door flew off the hinges and pushed her father far back with it across the hall. The window behind Suri burst into pieces. She screamed and turned around and saw a man sitting on the window frame. His long black hair flowing in the wind.
Stranger
Relax child, I will not hurt you.
He walked forward.
Stranger
And neither shall he.
He crouched down next to Suri.
Stranger
Are you okay?
Suri looked up to him.
Suri
Yes, but my mommy isn’t.
The man stood up to see Suri’s father limping to the door.
Dad
Who the fuck are you?
Stranger
That does not matter. You will not hurt this girl.
Dad
She is my daughter, asshole! Get the fuck out of my house!
Stranger
Not anymore.
Suri’s dad raised his knife.
Dad
Not anymore?
Stranger
She is in my care now.
Dad
You’re not taking her anywhere!
Stranger
And you will stop me?
Dad
Yes I will!
He ran up to the stranger and jammed his knife in his chest.
Dad
My eyes!
The knife shattered on the stranger’s chest and ricocheted across Suri’s fathers face.
Stranger
You were saying?
The stranger lifted his hand and gently pushed Suri’s dad and he was lifted off the ground and back across the hall.
Stranger
Humans never surprise me.
He looked down on Suri.
Stranger
What is your name?
Suri didn’t look up. She kept her head in her knees.
Suri
My mommy told me not to talk to strangers.
Stranger
My name is Hayden Olymny. What is yours?
Suri
Suri Monroe.
Hayden
That is a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl.
Suri
Thank you.
She sobbed a bit.
Hayden
Your mother is gone Suri, she is not sleeping.
Suri
No, she is sleeping. She’ll wake up and I’ll be here.
Hayden
You’re coming with me.
Suri
No, I’m staying here with mommy.
Hayden
I can’t allow that to happen Suri.
Suri
Leave me alone.
Hayden
Never.
Suri
Leave me alone.
Hayden
No Suri, you are my child now.
She looked up to him, her eyes met his and she felt like it was okay to go.
Hayden
I will protect you like today. I will protect you tomorrow, forever, and ever, till the end, and then after.
He stuck out his hand and she grabbed it with a tight grip.
Hayden
Your hands are special, Suri.
She smiled.
Hayden
Lets go.
Suri
Wait!
She let go of his hand and ran down the hall to her mother’s side. She took the necklace off her mom; it was a heart shaped locket with a picture of them both inside with a quote that said,
“Don’t cry baby, you’re always in my heart, as I am in yours.”
Suri
I love you, mommy.
She kissed her mom on the cheek.
Suri
I promise I won't cry. Never.
She walked to the door where Hayden stood and grabbed his hand. She looked back one more time at an old life she’d never live again.
Suri
Bye, Mommy.