Daddy and Papa were fighting. I didnt like it. They thought I couldnt hear them. But I could.

They left me with uncle lou. He was trying his best but I didnt care, I just wanted daddy and papa to stop. I couldnt hear all of it or really tell what they were fighting about but muffled snippets could be heard through the back door.

Papa got quite loud

"I HAVE TO DO THIS RICKY"

They quieted back down but I still put my hands over my ears. Daddy and papa never fight. Uncle lou tried distracting me

"Hey why dont we watch some tv or something?"

I nodded hugging topsy really tight. He put on some nature show. Usually I just watched cartoons but this was nice. There were elephants just like topsy.

It was a slight distraction from Daddy and Papa fighting. I sucked on my pacifier and tried focusing on the screen but it was hard. Daddy and Papa dont normally fight. What are they fighting about? Should I be worried?

I fumbled with my fingers. Occasionally scratching the back of my hand. Daddy hadn't put the gloves on me today and I hoped he wouldn't notice any scratch marks.

Why even were they fighting? Earlier papa said he needed to talk to daddy about something so they went outside. I don't think they realised we could kind of hear them.

Uncle lou wasn't watching me, as I craned my neck back, sneaking a peek out the glass in the back door. I saw Papa hugging and comforting Daddy. Why was he doing that? No one ever tells me anything.

I quickly turned back to the tv as they came inside, hoping they didnt see me.

Daddy sat next to me on the couch and Papa leaned over the back. Daddy pulled me into his lap and ran his fingers through my hair.

"Baby bear-"

I looked up and rested my chin on his chest.

"Papa and Uncle Lou are going out tonight so its gonna be just us"

Wait is that why they were fighting? Daddy and Papa can be really silly sometimes. Papa goes to work every day what's wrong with him leaving tonight. He always comes back, even I know that.

"So we are gonna have the best time ever baby bear, we can build a fort and watch movies it'll be great"

I bounced excitedly on daddys lap. I liked it when I was alone with Daddy sometimes. I definitely missed papa but Daddy was a bit more lenient on the rules. Maybe I can stay up late! Papa would never allow that.

This is gonna be fun.

Uncle Lou stood at the front door. He gave a nod to Daddy before leaving. He didnt even say bye to me, I would've kicked a fuss but he already was headed to the car.

Papa kneeled in front of me. He was wearing all black, usually he had some grey or another colour in his outfit but he was covered in all black today. It was kind of unnerving.

Papa hugged me, saying a quick goodbye. He knew I'd get upset if he drew it out.

"You be good for Daddy, Wren"

"Bai Papa, miss ooo"

I took out my pacifier and kissed his cheek before popping it back in. He gave me eskimo kisses and I giggled at the tickley feeling

"I'll miss you too bubba"

Papa stood and Daddy scooped me up. Papa and Daddy shared a kiss as I whined beneath them, papa laughed and ruffled my hair.

"Stay safe my husbando"

"I shall dearest"

We watched Daddy and Uncle Lou leave, get into the car and drive away. Daddy squeezed me tighter and tighter in the armchair as they drove into the distance.

"Daddy.. can' breathe"

Daddy suddenly released his tight grip.

"Oh god I'm sorry baby bear. Are you alright?"

"Ya" I giggled but instead of giggling back like he usually would, Daddy continued looking out the window. He looked worried and that scared me.

I poked his cheek and he snapped out of his trance. All his attention turning to me.

"Sorry little bug.. now, daddy's got an idea of what we're gonna do tonight"

"Wha daddy?"

"Well first were gonna give you a bath"

I whined and Daddy chuckled.

"Ah come on baby bear. It's ok, afterwards we'll watch whatever movie you want "

I wasn't as scared of baths anymore but I still dont like bits of them.

Papa and Daddy had recently started rubbing me down with baby lotion and I hated it!

Daddy carried me to the bathroom where he began running the bath. Pouring in some stuff to make it bubbly. I liked the bubbles.

Daddy held me up to his face and sniffed.

"You stinkier than usual baby bear, or do you just have a messy diapey?"

I blushed as I kicked my legs out, feeling that indeed I did have a messy diaper.

Tears threated to pour as my bottom lip quivered. Daddy brought me to the nursery, comforting me the whole way.

"Its ok baby boy, daddy'll clean you up. Dont you worry."

He calmly shushed me I let out a small scream when he left me on the changing table. I realised he was only grabbing bearemy for me. I hid behind him as Daddy awkwardly took off my pastel purple onesie.

Bearemy was my favourite changing buddy. My other plushies would suffice but bearemy was the biggest of them and the least judgy.

Daddy untaped my diaper as I snuggled into bearemy, sucking like hell on my paci. I know daddy would be quick but changes have always felt embarrassingly slow.

Daddy threw away my used my diaper and picked me up, he took bearemy out of my hands and left him on the table.

I grunted in frustration and tried reaching out for him.

"Honey you know bearemy cant go in the bath with you. He'll get all wet "

Another reason I hated baths.

Daddy carried me back to the bathroom. He quickly looked at his phone on the way before putting it back in his pockets. He checked the water and turned off the taps.

"Ready baby boy?"

He took out my paci and set it on the countertop.

"In you go"

I was placed gently in the water, daddy making sure that I was ok the entire time.

There were a few rubber ducks floating around and I grabbed them. Making them splash in and out of the water.

I barely noticed as Daddy began shampooing my hair. Only taking my focus off the toys when he asked me to tilt my head back. I, of course did and the shampoo was washed away.

Daddy carefully washed my body, making sure I was comfortable. Soon enough I was removed from the bath and the tub was drained.

Daddy dried me off with the towel. As the cold started to set in, I tried to snuggling up to Daddy's warm chest. But when I noticed he was holding a bottle of baby lotion I started whining and squirming.

I was cold, the lotion was cold. I hate this. I tried crawling away but was pulled back into his lap

"Stop squirming you little worm"

I fussed as Daddy rubbed in the lotion. I was probably being irrational but I dont like it.

Daddy carried me to the nursery, checking his phone again. He lay me on the changing table. While he wasn't looking I put my fingers in my mouth, sucking happily.

When daddy noticed he tutted and took out my fingers.

"Dont suck your fingers baby bear-

Here, pick a paci"

He pulled out the pacifier bin and I pulled out a purple unicorn paci.

I put it in my mouth and giggled as Daddy started tickling my tummy. He quickly creamed and powdered before taping me into a fresh diaper. I was sat on the ground in front of the closet.

"So what are we feeling tonight baby bear?"

"Purpuhhl"

It had to match my paci.

Daddy pulled out a few options for me to choose from, all purple. But one stood out to me. I wanted to feel pretty on my special night with daddy so I pointed at the tutu, onesie and big hoodie

"Good choice baby bear, you've got incredible style"

I blushed as daddy dressed me in the onesie and tutu. The hoodie draped over me and I loved it. The arms were too long but that meant I got hoodie paws!He also put me in some ruffley thigh high socks with purple bows.

Daddy offered me a matching purple bow. I did grabby hands and he picked me up. Taking the purple bow, I pinned it to Daddys hair so we were matching.

Daddy gathered all my plushies, my main blanket plus some others, pillows and more comfy items.

"You wanna build a fort little bug?"

I nodded excitedly. Forts rock!

On our way to the living room daddy stopped in the bathroom to double check his bow was straight. I giggled, moving it to the side. Sure it was lopsided but I preferred it that way.

Daddy brought me to the living room and put me in my bouncer as he set to building the fort.

I giggled and babbled while Daddy built us a castle worthy of kings. It was like a nest. The largest blanket draped over top for a roof and thrown up so that you could actually see out of it.

Once done, Daddy picked me out of the bouncer and set me on my unsteady feet. I excitedly waddled and dove in the pile of pillows, blankets and stuffies inside the fort.

Daddy followed suit, climbing in after me.

"How about we order pizza for dinner baby boy?"

I resurfaced from beneath the nest and nodded eagerly.

Daddy made the call while I arranged all my stuffies to watch whatever movie we watch.

"-Thats perfect, see you then. Thank you!"

Daddy hung up the phone turned me back towards him.

"So what are we watching baby boy?"

I couldn't think of anything on the spot so I just shrugged. Daddy nodded and flicked through Netflix before suddenly stopping and gasping so loud that I jumped.

"Oh my god! Baby bear you wanna watch a goofy movie?"

I didnt know the movie but I nodded cause daddy seemed really excited.

"Trust me baby bear you're gonna love it"

Daddy seemed cheerful, but everytime he checked his phone, the momentum stopped and I saw his worry. Daddy was definitely not alright. It's my mission to make him better.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The car ride was slow and silent. I leaned on the car door watching the world go by. It was a good hours drive.

When I told Ricky it was going down tonight, he was surprised, but when I told him I would be doing it. He downright refused. Saying that it was too dangerous and he couldnt let me. But I needed to do this. I let him know just how angry that bitch makes me feel .

Ricky eventually saw my side and let me go.

I had suggested to him that he and Wren do something fun tonight, knowing that tonight would be hard on him.

Little texts from Ricky would come in every now and then from Ricky asking if I was ok. I would respond immediately to stop him from worrying but that probably made him send more texts.

I sighed, putting my phone in my pocket as we pulled up to a large estate that I knew all too well. Ricky's old home, if you could even call it that.

"If everything has gone right, which it better have. She should be eating dinner right now."

"

Perfect"

After this we can be normal, as normal as we can get. I took a deep breath, I shouldn't be nervous, I've done this too many times to count. Perhaps louis was right. I was getting rusty.

I flinched when I felt his hand on my shoulder. Louis didnt say anything but I knew what he was saying.

"I'm alright.. so what now"

"We wait for the signal"

We sat in silence for what felt like hours. More sparatic texts from Ricky. I told him to focus on Wren and that my phone was getting low on charge. It actually was, piece of shit phone.

The silence was cut by a knocking at the window. Louis motioned for me to get out of the car. I did so, the woman who knocked on the door beckoned us in.

This was far more professional than my old jobs. A lot of back allies and late night heart rips. This was so planned, so meticulous.

There were guards but they didnt react as we passed, two lay unconscious in the hall was we entered. It was a grand mansion esque house. Large staircase, drawing room, insanely long dining room. The whole nine yards.

People were in very room, tearing the place apart. Good riddance. No matter how beautiful this house is, its stained by the awful happening inside its walls.

Some people were carefully bagging paintings and valuable items but most were just smashing stuff. Most likely staging this as a break in.

The less I knew, the better.

We walked though the halls, past the carnage and up the stairs.

We came to a stop in front of an ornate wooden door

"She's in here"

The woman spoke, disgust laced her her tone. She let out a light laugh.

"Do your worst"

She stood at the side of the door and opened it. Revealing a dark bedroom. We entered and the door closed behind us.

A figured was sitting in the centre. Hands bound behind her back, beaten black and blue.

"I should've-"

It coughed, doubling over and sputtering blood

"I should've known"

Jessica sat up, her current state revealed. Someone had obviously already got to her. Her usual uncanny valley esc face was swollen and bleeding, mascara tears running down her bruised cheeks but she still wore a sadistic smile.

"My little shitstain of a brother has sent you to do his dirty work. At least hes finally grown a pair"

Rage flickered in my brain.

"Ricky has not to do with this you botched piece of silicon. This is personal"

I cracked her across the face and she groaned. Louis casually leaned against the wall, watching, supervising.

All of my years of hatred for her bubbled to the surface. I saw red as I yanked her up by her hair.

"You are what's wrong with the world, I'm simply doing everyone a favour by disposing of you"

I threw her back to the ground and kicked her in the stomach. She laughed dryly as she coughed up more blood.

"You'll never be the good guy, you're family will neve be normal, you're tainted nightshade.

And killing me wont change that"

"I know, but it'll feel great"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a wooden stake. Old fashion maybe, typical even but I knew it would be painful. Drawn out but swift for me.

"Any last words?"

" You-"

I didnt let her finish, she didnt deserve last words. I plunged the stake deep into her heart. She screamed bloody murder, her veins turned black, and her eyes clouded over. I stood as she writhed in agony before she stilled. Her eyes closed.

I turned back to Louis and smiled. He smiled too. This was it. Our troubles were dead lying at my feet.

"Alright let's go"

As I turned on my heels the body suddenly reanimated. She sprung forward and bit down on my ankle. I heard louis yell. The room spun before I fell and everything went black

///////////////////////

I sucked on my bottle of juice, watching daddy more than the movie. I noticed him doing the little things that I do when I'm nervous. He kept checking his phone and bouncing his leg. I dont think either of us were actually watching the goofy movie.

The pizza had been eaten and the box was left on the coffee table. The looked over and noticed the credits were rolling.

I crawled onto daddys lap. He only noticed me when I giggled at being brought up and down by his bouncy leg.

He brought me to his chest and hugged me tight. I snuggled into him but felt sudden cold drops on the back of my head. I looked up and saw daddy was crying.

"Nu! Nu daddy no cwy!"

I tried wiping his tears with my hoodie paws. I desperately wanted him to stop so much that I started crying myself.

"Wren it's ok"

Daddy took my hoodie paws from his face. Daddy was smiling.

"Nu! Daddy cwying"

"I'm ok baby bear. It's just getting late, I think it's time for bed"

Daddy wiped his tears and picked me up, he put my pacifier back in my mouth. It was my bedtime but Daddy definitely wasn't ok and I need to fix that.

D

addy did my normal bedtime routine but this time throughout it all. I kept asking of he was ok and he kept assuring me that he was fine. There was no way he was fine.

I was left in just the onesie and my thigh high socks. My tutu and hoodie thrown over the armchair's arm

Daddy layed me in my crib, tucking me in with all of my retrieved stuffies, blankets and pillows. He offered a story but I said no because I knew I'd fall asleep if he did and I was falling asleep anytime soon.

Daddy kissed me goodnight, leaving the nursery with the door cracked open.

I listened and heard Daddy return to the couch. Some people yelling on the tv, he turned down the volume but I still heard it.

It annoyed me that Daddy wasnt telling anything. No one ever tells me anything.

I angrily threw my pillow out of my crib and that gave me an idea.

I piled up the cushions still inside the crib and stood on top of them. I threw down my blankie and stuffie. He was my bravest stuffie.

Now the hard part.

I put all my strength into my arms and tried climbing the bars. I managed my leg over and shuffled awkwardly with one arm and one leg over.

Preparing myself for the drop. I carefully dropped the pillow and blanket with a small oof.

I stayed still for a moment, worried that daddy heard me. But apparently he hadn't.

I was a bit cold out from my duvet so I waddled over to the armchair and grabbed the hoodie. With my blankie in one hand and stuffie in the other, I started my secret mission.

I creaked open the door and slowly made my way down the hall. Hiding behind the wall, I spotted daddy.

He was slumped over himself, texting on his phone. The tv was playing but Daddy wasnt paying attention.

Daddy ran his fingers threw his hair and threw his phone to the ground. He put his hands to his face to muffle a small scream. Tears pricked my eyes

"Dada?"

Daddys eyes snapped to me. His expression softened, he quickly turned off the tv and rushed over to me.

"Wren honey are you ok? How did you get out of your crib, you could've gotten hurt. What's wrong?"

"Dada sad!"

I hugged him and he picked me up, carrying me to the couch.

He cradled me as I cried, stuttering out absolute nonsense.

"Sh sh sh, it's ok baby boy. Tell daddy what's wrong"

I coughed and hiccuped as Daddy rubbed my back. He ran his fingers through my hair and I calmed down enough to speak

"Oo were crying an sad but oo say you no sad!"

"Uh huh" he smiled sadly

"An an you no tell me a-ni-thing!"