The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

  Her mother had so much experimenting done to her by that horrible man, and yet Jess had survived without any of it surfacing. Sophie was mostly glad for that. Her mother had been through enough.

  She shuddered at the thought of the man with the cane finding out that everything had been a success. The things he would have forced her mother to do…Sophie shook her head to clear it and looked out the window at the droplets that chased each other down the pane before her eyes. Did he know about her? Was that the “test” at the pool that her mini me had referred to?

  Sophie thought about how her dad had taught her to close her eyes and focus on the sounds she heard, no matter the distance. From the leaves brushing against the sidewalk as they danced with the wind to their next destination, to the clicking of her mother preparing a gun for firing and guessing how far away she was hiding.

  She thought about how her mother trained her. Sophie realized her mother was teaching her to control her strength and speed along with other “assets” when it came to fighting. She wondered if that’s why her mother got so mad when she found out Sophie had been fighting the bullies at school in a physical fight instead of a mental one and remaining unnoticed.

  She tried to remember when she, herself, started to notice her “talents”. However, it was a blank slate. Probably because her parents had always made it like Sophie was no different than any other kid, despite knowing the truth.

  Her dad always gave her books to ease her racing mind as a child. Her mother and Eddie had always taken her outside to burn off the extra energy that consumed her, and she had always beaten them by miles when they raced.

  Eddie…the boy Sophie was always meant to protect but left behind when her life was shattered within seconds one sunny afternoon. The day she lost everything.

  He had been a bit annoying. That was mostly because he had no patience unless he was studying people. It was the only time Sophie could get him to sit still. Eddie hated books. Yet, he loved it when Sophie shared what she was reading by retelling it in story form. He had struggled in school. Eddie wasn’t book smart, but he was plenty life smart. He loved gadgets and people watching the most.

  Sophie was still piecing together her fractured memories, nevertheless she had always had a soft spot for Eddie even though she never showed it. He was already following her around like a lovesick puppy, and Sophie didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Eddie would always be special to her. In a brotherly way. Not the way he wanted.

  She wondered if he was safe. If he had escaped his family and went off to do the great things, he always talked about doing with her, when they were kids. Surely, Eddie was in a much better place without her putting him in danger. Sophie watched the rain race against itself down the pane, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 9

  T he wooden door awaited her once she opened her eyes. Sophie hesitated to open it. Her mind was already swimming, she wasn’t sure she could add any more to it quite honestly.

  “It’s time to remember, Peanut,” her father said softly. “Go on,” he urged.

  Sophie sighed. She knew her father only meant well, and it was time that she remembered. She turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. Light consumed her immediately, and it took a while for her eyes to adjust. She heard the kids laughing and running behind her and she froze. How many times did she have to keep drowning to move on?

  “If you want answers, you have to open your eyes, Peanut,” her father pressed.

  Sophie reluctantly turned around to see a younger version of herself in a birthday girl hat and dress. She was once again talking to another young girl by the pool. Promptly, a young woman, who looked similar to her mother, approached her with a much older man walking with a cane. Sophie managed to see his face this time.

  It was an older version of the man that had been in the operating room with her teenage mother. She couldn’t hear what they said to her younger self, but within seconds the woman pushed her into the pool and held her head under the water.

  Her mother flung open the back door, kicked her shoes off immediately, and ran like a bullet towards the pool. She dived in immediately and pulled Sophie from the woman’s grasp before swimming them both to the opposite side of the pool.

  “Have you lost your damn mind?” hissed Jess glaring at the woman and man standing calmly on the edge of the pool opposite of her as she pulled Sophie out of the water.

  “Just testing a theory,” the woman replied with a simple shrug as if drowning a child was no big deal.

  “She is not a specimen for you to test,” ridiculed Jess as she handed Sophie to her father.

  “Says you,” said the woman looking bored by the whole situation.

  Jess pulled herself out of the pool and turned to the man and woman.

  “Stay. Away. From. My. Daughter,” she emphasized to the couple. “Or that limp won’t be the only thing you receive from me,” Jess stated firmly at the man watching her intently from the edge of the pool.

  He flinched at her statement but made no comment. He continued to study Sophie coughing up water in her drenched party dress.

  The woman looked at the man with the cane for orders. Everyone stood awkwardly staring each other down. Jack picked up Sophie and carried her away while Jess remained ready for a fight. Finally, the man tapped his cane and walked away with the woman close on his heels.

  Jess waited for them to leave their property before she went inside to her family. “He suspects,” she said full of concern.

  “What do you want to do?” Jack asked her before instructing the soaked Sophie to go change her clothes.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Jess said with her voice cracking. “If he already suspects, he will never stop,” she said as panic gripped her heart.

  Jack pulled his grieving wife into his arms. “Then it’s time to prepare her to fight,” he said firmly.

  “We can’t do that to her,” Jess said in alarm, pulling away from her husband.

  “It’s already done,” Jack said grimly. “But if we prepare her, then she will have a chance to actually win. Don’t you want that for her?” he asked softly. “Shouldn’t we give her every chance to be free?”

  “It’s not like he’s just going to give up one day and call it quits,” Jess snapped walking away from her husband. “He never stops,” she said with anger oozing from her voice.

  “Then we might as well hand her over now,” Jack said frustrated. “She’ll never be able to fight if you won’t fight for her.”

  Jess turned to glare at her husband. Jack didn’t care. He knew the control the man with the cane held over his wife since she first encountered him. He had groomed and brainwashed Jess to be the best assassin in the world. Only Jack could wake her up when she needed it most. They both knew it, but Jess still fought Jack most of the time when he pointed out the obvious.

  “Who said I don’t fight for her?” exclaimed Jess.

  Jack sighed. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to give him our daughter to do the same to her that he did to you,” he said softly. She flinched at the reality. “So, how can we help her win?” Jack asked, waiting for his wife to see the whole picture with him.

  Jess stared at the floor for a couple of seconds before lifting her head to stare at her husband with confidence and determination.

  “We beat him at his own game,” she said showing her wicked smile.

  “That’s my girl,” Jack said sharing his Cheshire smile. The scene before Sophie disappeared. “We did our best,” she heard her father’s weary voice speak behind her. She turned around to see a very exhausted version of her father before her.

  “Does he know?” Sophie whispered unable to fully speak.

  “No one knows everything, Peanut,” Jack offered honestly.

  “He really messed with mom, didn’t he?” Sophie asked, looking at the ground with a loss of what more to say.

  “That he did,” Jack answered angrily. “He made her into the ver
y thing he wanted most,” he said bringing his hands into tight fists.

  So many questions came to mind. “So, what changed?” Sophie asked, looking at her father who was clearly in pain.

  Jack chuckled, changing his mood immediately. “She blames me,” he said with a slight smile.

  “I can see that,” Sophie said smiling at her father.

  “Yeah, well, you changed her even more,” Jack added winking at his daughter.

  “How did he find her?” Sophie asked with curiosity.

  “That is not my story to tell,” Jack said more sternly. “She will share it when she’s ready,” he added, knowing his daughter’s curiosity well.

  Sophie knew that meant she was to drop it, but she wondered if knowing the whole story would give her what she needed to be free once and for all.

  “Mario wants me to go home,” she said slowly changing the subject.

  “Does he know?” Jack said with interest.

  “He sent Tina a message,” Sophie informed him.

  “How do you feel about that?” Jack asked cautiously.

  “I’ve never been back,” Sophie said looking at the floor uncomfortably.

  “That’s understandable,” Jack said walking towards his daughter and putting his hand on her shoulder. “Home is never the structure that takes up space,” he offered.

  Sophie distractedly rubbed the necklace. “It’s where the heart is,” she said softly.

  “That is true,” Jack said lifting his daughter’s chin to look into her eyes. “Don’t let the past haunt you, Peanut,” he said softly. “Our journeys don’t define us. They’re simply a part of who we are.”

  “You make everything sound like a Hallmark card,” Sophie retorted.

  Jack chuckled. “Maybe they’ll hire me in my next life,” he said winking. Sophie stared at her father before shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

  “You take being dead very lightly,” Sophie said flatly.

  “Eternity will do that to you,” Jack shrugged. “But for now, you need your rest.”

  Sophie sighed and prepared to be pushed through the door, but then her father hesitated.

  “What?” Sophie asked.

  “Just keep your guard up,” Jack added with concern.

  “What’s wrong?” Sophie asked, knowing her father’s instincts well.

  “Going home shouldn’t be bothersome,” Jack said slowly as if he was trying to find the right words. “Never underestimate the enemy. They may be closer than you think,” he added deep in thought.

  “Do you think it’s a trap?” Sophie asked suddenly in alarm.

  “I’m not sure,” Jack added honestly. “However, luck will not always be on your side. Don’t be overly confident, because things have been going your way thus far,” he added with concern.

  “Is Mario in trouble?” Sophie asked in alarm.

  “Looks like you’re about to find out,” Jack said with a frown, and before Sophie could say anything else, he touched her on her forehead and put her in a deep dreamless sleep.

  The leaves were holding on for dear life to the dormant trees they called home. The wind smelled of autumn, and people were enjoying the sweater weather while it lasted.

  Christmas lights were making their appearance, and the cheerful sounds of Christmas played all through the bus station as Sophie stepped off. Christmas always came sooner and sooner with each passing year. Before too long, it was going to start appearing before summer had actually said good-bye.

  However, it still remained Sophie’s favorite time of the year. Not for the commercial aspects, but because the songs and decorations always brought out the kid in her. Her Cheshire grin shined as she recalled the memories of her past.

  Sophie remembered smashing her nose against the cold window as her parents drove her around to look at the lights. Decorating the tree with her mother. Watching Christmas movies as a family. White Christmas was always a must for her mother. Sophie also baked goodies with Jess to hand out to friends, family, and workers in their neighborhood.

  Then her dad would tuck her into bed, before reading “The Night Before Christmas” to her as she drifted off to sleep. Christmas morning was full of presents and eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a Christmas feast for a late lunch/early dinner, followed by laughs and quality family time.

  Sophie sighed as she made her way through the station unseen. Kansas City was a lot of things, but it was definitely a city that did Christmas right.

  Mario had done his best to keep many of those traditions alive as she grew older, and only the two of them remained. Even though Sophie’s anger and frustration of her parent’s murder ruined the holidays more often than not, Mario had always been patient with her. Understanding her pain, and even suffering with her.

  However, her dad’s warning kept circling in her mind. “Just keep your guard up,” Jack had said. He seemed just as bothered by this trip as she was. Something wasn’t right. Sophie would check in with Tina to see if any more messages had arrived in her absence once they all got to the hotel.

  She called for an uber and waited patiently at the bus station entrance for the driver to arrive. A blue Honda Civic pulled up to the curb, and Sophie quickly hoped in.

  “Good afternoon, Ma’am,” the boy who didn’t look much older than Sophie greeted her. He had messy jet-black hair, and a tan complexion despite the lack of sun hiding behind the winter grey clouds in the sky.

  “Hello,” Sophie replied politely as she looked out the window while he started their journey.

  “First time in KC?” he asked insisting on small talk.

  “No,” Sophie answered politely as she continued to stare out the window. He gained no insight from her body language that she wanted to be left with her thoughts. Christmas music blared from his radio.

  “Some people say it’s too early,” he babbled on. “But it’s never too early to get into the cherry spirit,” he said merrily. Sophie didn’t respond. “I absolutely love this time of the year!” he continued. “What about you?”

  Taking note that small talk was going to be her only option whether she liked it or not, Sophie entertained the driver all the way to her destination. She had forgotten just how friendly the Midwest could actually be. It was an aspect she had missed in most locations she traveled to. He wasn’t doing it to be annoying. He was just naturally overly friendly. Sophie wondered if she would be the same if she had gotten to stay.

  “Thank you,” she said sweetly giving him a smile as she climbed out of the seat. He eagerly helped her with her bags to the door.

  “No problem!” he said with a smile from ear to ear. “Welcome back! And may your stay be half as amazing as you are,” he bowed. Sophie giggled, making a mental note to give him a good tip and rating once she was inside and out of the cold.

  “I thought you only giggled for me,” said a familiar voice behind her.

  Sophie turned slowly to see James leaning against the pillar with his arms crossed and smiling his boyish grin that made her knees go weak every time she saw it.

  “You do get it out of me the most,” Sophie giggled and winked as she headed inside.

  He kept his distance, despite his eagerness to pull her into his arms. They avoided the security cameras and headed up the back staircase. He gave her a head start to get to their room first, before he entered and dropped his bag just in time to catch her jumping into his arms and kissing him passionately. He returned the favor feverishly.

  “I hate these longer trips,” James murmured against her lips. Her giggled response only made him want her more. He started to carry her to the bed.

  “Seriously!” Sophie laughed. “Didn’t you get enough on Halloween?” she tried to act put out.

  “I can never get enough of you,” James murmured in desire and placed her gently on the bed to prove to her just how much he had missed her.

  “Can I ask you something?” James asked her nervously as he stroked Sophie’s naked back lightly with his fingertip
s.

  “If you’re asking me if I’m ready for another round, I think I need to eat first,” Sophie giggled as her naked body was tangled with his under the sheets.

  “Well, that wasn’t what I was going to ask, but duly noted,” James said deep in thought.

  “What’s up?” Sophie asked suddenly too scared to look at him. She wondered if this was the end of them.

  “I know that life is not ideal at the moment,” James started with reluctance.

  Sophies stomach dropped immediately and she battled the desire to curl up into the fetal position. She tried to wipe the tears away without him noticing.

  “Do you ever think of a future?” James asked nervously.

  “I kind of have to put all my energy in the now and what’s our next move,” Sophie replied, slowly wondering where this was going and hoping it wouldn’t lead to her heart shattering forever.

  “No, I meant,” James tried again, “do you ever think of a future with me?” he asked with obvious panic in his voice.

  “What do you mean?” Sophie asked fighting the urge to look at him just yet.

  “I guess, do you see yourself growing old with me?” James asked, trying to swallow away his anxiety and the lump that was lodged in his throat.

  “Oh,” Sophie said deep in thought. She wondered how honest she should actually be since she was still not sure where exactly this was going.

  “Be honest, Peanut,” her father whispered.

  Sophie wasn’t sure if she should be disturbed or grateful that her father was with her at this moment. “I’ve definitely had a couple of dreams,” Sophie confessed.

  She wasn’t sure that she was ready to share that she had dreamt of walking down the aisle in a white wedding dress to share lifelong vows with him. Or the dream where they had their own house in the woods as they sat holding hands in rocking chairs well into their 80s.

  “I worry that if I don’t focus on keeping you safe, I will lose you all together,” she added honestly.

  “I understand that,” James said mater-of-factly. Sophie knew that he actually did. “If life was different,” he tried again. “Would you be alright growing old with me?”