Chapter Four
The past
Clayton
Standing before Elsie’s house, I have followed every trail I took back home and memorized the way. It won’t be the last time I visit her.
I crave to be near her.
I walk around the house, it’s well constructed but it’s definitely built by a strong mind. With her father’s broad build, I’m sure he built this house himself, maybe his wife helped him too. She didn’t flinch when he hugged her with Elsie.
Happy family.
Maybe I won’t be part of their family but I definitely will be the best friend for Elsie.
The brick walls of the house scratch the palm of my hand as I run my fingers along the rectangle shapes.
No light is coming from any window. I can’t ring the bell, what would they think about me?
Hi I’m Clayton and I met your daughter and can’t seem to wait till another day to see her.
I’m her new friend, I saved her from the bridge.
Can I please stay here cause I don’t wanna go back home?
I approach the living room window and the curtains are shut. Reaching forward as I try to open it but it doesn’t budge.
I try the back door and it’s also locked.
I zip open my backpack and reach inside till I feel the bobby pin I stole from my mother’s drawer.
Picking locks is the least harmful thing people do in this town. I insert it and move it around carefully and precisely. A click sound echoes as I grin and wrap my hands around the handle.
The door creaks open as I step inside and shut it gently. Silence fills the space but not the kind that makes you feel eerie, It’s comfortable.
I walk inside and feel the fabric of the couch, it’s so soft. I lean my head down and rub my cheek on it. The picture frames on the walls beside the staircase grab my attention as I step onto the stairs and look up.
A picture with Elsie’s parents looking younger as her mother wearing a beanie and a sweater that swallows her body wrapping her arms around her husband who is matching with her winter clothing and his arms are around her waist looking at the camera with a boyish grin.
Another one with her mother pregnant and lounging on a chair, probably taken by her husband.
Another one with her father holding a hammer in a hand and a pencil behind his ear in the woods.
I keep taking the steps one at a time and see every picture. Each of them is ordered like their life growth and the last one makes me smile, tilting my head as I inch closer to get a better look.
It’s Elsie screaming in laughter as she is sitting on her father’s shoulder as her mother looks up at her covering her mouth laughing, behind them is a campfire.
Every inch of this house is surrounded by warmth. My hand itches to take the picture with me so I could have something to look back on when Elsie gets scared of me and realize that I have broken into her home because I just want to see her again.
Stepping onto the top of the stairs, there is a small living area and a bookshelf. The walls are painted dark grey but it does not ruin the colorful spirit of the home.
A hallway is at my left as I walk through it. Two doors appear in the darkness, one on the left and the other at the end of the hallway facing me. The door is painted light pink with ugly white Daisies spread all over the harsh wooden surface.
Elsie manages to paint her lightness through everything harsh.
Anticipation pulls me towards her door but I stop beside a slightly open door, the streak of moonlight splits onto the carpented hardwood floor.
Tilting my head as I look inside. Two figures lay down, arms tangling as her parents fall asleep peacefully.
Unaware that their daughter’s new friend just barged in the only safe place he discovered.
The floors creak underneath my feet as I step back, breathing hard.
Why am I doing this? They don’t deserve that I barged into their home.
I should head back. But my legs don’t push me towards the staircase, I look back to the pink door.
Maybe I will just check on her and leave. One minute won’t hurt.
Creak
Creak
The wood underneath me weeps as the house tries to wake up their owners and warn them of the undeserving figure walking in their space.
The handle spikes coldness into the palm of my hand as I tighten my grip and press down.
The door opens further as I stand frozen.
Her small figure wrapped in a blanket appears, my heart beats in my ear.
Moonlight casts a soft glow on her silky hair reminding me of the cold snow in December as it glistens when you touch it.
I step into the room, the walls are covered in drawings, princesses, butterflies and glitter.
A small desk sits beside the bed and facing them is a white closet.
Surprisingly, the colors don’t overwhelm me, each item is an indication of her presence.
Inching closer towards the bedside as I stand over her, holding my breath.
Her eyebrows are eased in a deep slumber, light eyelashes curtaining her icy eyes, lips parted slightly as she snores.
I chuckle inaudibly as I sit down beside her.
there is a hint of lavender scent mixed with something that’s only hers around the room.
My hand itches to stroke a strand that fell over her forehead.
Her eyes flutter open as light blue eyes stare at me confused for a second then she scrambles back into the wall beside the bed, clutching her blanket as her lips tremble.
“D-dad!—“
I jump forward and cover her mouth, cutting off her scream for help.
“No, no, please, it’s me Elsie.” I whisper as my hands shake.
If her father finds me he will beat me up like my dad and throw me out of the house and maybe I won't be able to see Elsie again. I just want to stay for a bit.
Elise’s breathing slows down as she squints her eyes, tilting her head as she realizes who I am and I lower my hand down gently, kneeling on the bed in front of her.
“Clayton?” She’s uncertain as I nod and smile.
She smiles back and looks around “Why are you here and how did you get in?” I scratch the back of my head as I search for an answer.
“I’m sorry if I scared you, I wanted to see you again so I followed the way you walked home and I picked on the lock” I look down as my face reddens in shame. “I can leave if you want me to, sorry that I scared you.”
Standing up from the bed, I walk back towards the door, feeling guilty.
What was I thinking? This is weird.My eyes tear up as nerves eat away my shame.
A small soft hand reaches out, wrapping around my wrist. I turn my head and look at her.
She got out of her bed and stopped me before i reached the door.
She shakes her head as her lips tilt up into a smile as her eyes widen in excitement.
“No, Clay, stay. Would you like to see my dolls?” I look at her in confusion.
Her hair is messy from sleep as she waits for my answer with the same hope in her eyes that I felt when I met her.
I wipe a tear away and nod slowly as she leads me back towards a small dollhouse and kneels by it.
I follow her and lower myself to the floor.
“This one is called Brittany. She's super cool and has a pink car.” She holds up a blonde doll to me. I hesitate but she inches closer and presses the doll into my hand in reassurance as she grabs another one, her hair is red.
“That one my mom got me and I haven’t named her yet.”
“What about Daisy? I saw the daisies you painted on the door and maybe it will be a good name.” She keeps looking at the doll for a minute till she nods. “Daisy it is, I like it.”
I grin, feeling proud of myself that she chose the name I suggested and we spend a while playing together. If I’m being honest I never had a toy and if I did, dolls wouldn’t be my choice. But I don’t seem to care.
She moves the doll and screeches her voice acting silly and I zone onto her playfulness, joining her in the story we are imagining.
She yawns after a while as I put the dolls back down and take her hand “Do you want to sleep?” She shakes her head, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
“No, I'm happy you’re here. It’s so much fun, we should do something else." She stands up looking around her room in excitement and I look towards her parents room, making sure they’re still fast asleep and our noises haven’t alarmed them as an idea pops into my head.
“Do you still want to go camping?”
I grab a hooded pastel yellow sweater from her closet and she wears it. I cover my eyes when she changes her pants. When she’s done I grab my backpack and hold my hand out to her.
She hesitates. “I never snuck out before.”
“I promise, it will be fun and I will keep you safe.” I hold out my pinky finger, her eyes dropping to it as she interlocks hers with mine and we both lock eyes smiling.
“Try to stay quiet and follow me.” I whisper as I hold her hand and pull her behind me into the hallway. I check on her parents quickly as we pass by their door and down the staircase. She takes the steps one at a time as I hold her, making sure she doesn’t fall.
Once we open the front door she pulls back my sweater and I look at her over my shoulder as I raise my eyebrow in confusion.
Maybe she doesn’t want to go and I’m forcing her but before I ask she murmurs. “Wait Clay, your shoe ties are loose.”
I look down at my sneakers, most of the time I just lose patience and tuck the ties in. She crouches down, tying them up in bunny ears.
“My mom always said that bunny ears make you hop faster.” she giggles.
“I’m not a bunny, i’m a wolf. Its cooler.” I buff out my shoulders and smirk proudly.
She pushes me and I step back a bit. “No, I’m cooler.”
I put my arm around her shoulder and led the both of us away from the house. Covering her hair with the hood of her sweater, tucking in a strand of her hair.
I smirk. “let’s see about that, have you ever stolen?”
Her eyes widened.