Her Savior

Chapter 5

Maelynn

I was lying in peaceful darkness. I never wanted to leave. Until I started hearing distant sounds. I was curious and began looking for the noises. They started becoming a bit clearer. What is that? I wondered. As the noise got louder and clearer the darkness began melting away. I started feeling heavy and dull shocks of pain. I suddenly heard a low beep. Beep!

I slowly peeled my eyes open. I was looking up at the ceiling of a room with bright lights. It temporarily blinded me and I covered my eyes just to hiss at the sudden movement. My entire abdomen hurt like hell. I turned and noticed a heart monitor. It was beating so I guess that was the noise I was following. I sighed. I guess I didn't die.

"Hello Miss," a man walked in with a doctor's uniform on. "I'm glad to see you're awake."

"That makes one of us," I mumbled. "What happened?"

"A gentleman saw you passed out on the side of the road. He brought you here to seek medical attention. We noticed you have a few fractured ribs and a sprained ankle. Would you like to tell us how that happened?"

"I uh...fell?" Really Maelynn? You fell? Who would believe that huh?

"You fell?" He repeated not believing it for a second.

I nodded. "Down a flight of stairs."

"Right," he said. He didn't buy it but he didn't question me further. He asked how I was feeling and informed me I would be staying a few more days before leaving. He finally left after some time and I was finally alone. I didn't like being alone though. It was scary. "Alright. She's in here," I heard the doctor at the door. I guess he's pointing a nurse to my room. I went to looking at what's on the TV screen. "Good luck."

I heard the door open and close. I looked to see what nurse I'll be getting but it wasn't a nurse. It was a guy with an armful of tattoos carrying a little girl in mermaid pajamas with a little boy wearing teenage mutant ninja turtles’ footy pajamas. My eyes got big. Who is this? And why is he in my room? I bit my lip nervously as I watched him take a seat in the chair next to my bed. He stared directly into my face and it made me nervous and self-conscious.

"Dang your face is messed up," the little boy said.

"Aye!" the guy hit him on the back of the head.

"Owe!" He whined. "You didn't let me finish. She still bae though. Girl you are fine with your bruised face. Looking like a sexy two-faced." Wait, how old is this kid?

"Shut up." The guy turned back to me. "Ignore him. I'm still training him. How are you feeling?"

"Oh um...fine," I mumbled. "Who are you?"

"We found you on the road," the little girl spoke up. "You okay miss?"

I smiled a little at her. She was very beautiful. She was light skin with the same colored eyes as the guy. She had to be only four but with a lot of curly hair. "I'm fine thank you."

"Yes you are. Honey slay," the little boy said. He too was light skin with short curly hair and dark brown eyes. He looks to only be seven. "I'm Marcel baby." He came over and kissed my hand. I couldn't help but laugh a little. He was too cute.

"Cel I'm going to toss your ass out the window in a minute," the man said rubbing his eyes in irritation. They both favor him so much it's crazy. I guess he's their dad. Wait, what time is it? I looked around and found a clock on the wall. It read sometime after ten. Judging by the fact they were in pajamas aside from the man they must've been getting ready for bed. Why did he bring them?

"Really man? You’re just going to toss me out like that? I thought we been cool man? Ain't we go back like four flats on a Cadillac?" I laughed at their altercation. This little boy is too much.

The guy chose to ignore him and looked at me again. I immediately stopped laughing and shied away a bit. "You sure you okay baby girl?"

My heart fluttered when he called me that. I ignored the feeling. "Y-Yes. I'm fine."

"What happened to you?"

"I fell," I mumbled.

He raised his eyebrow at me. "You really expect me to believe that bull s**t when you got a foot print on your face?" I flinched at his words. "Are you going to tell me the truth or try another lie?"

"It's none of your business," I snapped. I felt bad immediately.

"Well I'm making it my business. Who put their hands on you? Well, more like feet."

"Yeah. So we can roll on them fools homie," the little boy started talking in a bad Latino accent. I started laughing again. He was too much.

"Alright y'all two going home," the guy said grabbing Marcel.

"But I didn't do anything," the girl whined. "I wanna stay with the pretty lady. We have to make her feel better." I blushed when she called me pretty. I know I'm far from it, especially right now.

"Y'all got school tomorrow. We'll be back."

"You don't-" I went to quickly intervene with him coming back but he quickly cut me off.

"Hush. We're coming back. And I want to know what happened."

"Noooooo," Marcel said as he dragged him out the room. The guy held onto the back of his footy pajamas while carrying the little girl. His feet dragged the floor as he fought to stay in. "We can't leave her! Not my baby. Lord help me please."

"Cel-"

"You and me, Us never part

Makidada

You and me, Us have one heart

Makidada

Ain't no ocean, ain't no sea

Makidada

Keep my baby way from me

Makidada"

What killed me was the fact he was doing the whole hand movements with it. I don't know this little boy but he's already made me laugh in the short ten minutes he's been here more than I ever have in my entire life. He finally got dragged out of the room.

He poked his head back in two seconds later. "Nothing but death can keep me from it!" He got yanked out of the room and I couldn't help but laugh some more. It hurt my rib cage but I couldn't help it. I had finally calmed down after a minute or two. I realized I never got the guy's name. I guess it doesn't matter because I'm sure I'd never see him again.

Sure he said he'd be back but I'm sure he'll forget me directly. I'm not very memorable. I sighed and leaned back. I fought back against the hope I would see him again. I'm a loner. Loners don't have friends. It's a depressing thought I've been forced to drill into my head. I'm meant to be alone. I watched a bit of TV until I drifted off to sleep.

******

I woke up a few times in the night but only briefly just to fall back into temporary slumber. I kept having nightmares about DJ and Angel. They've never went this far with my abuse and I'm afraid it'll end up like this again. I kept thinking back on a time where I might’ve done something to make them so spiteful but always drew up a blank.

Once upon a time ago, I used to like DJ. Not because he was popular or because his parents were rich. I felt like there was a side to him that no one could see. A story no one would read. But over the years that little crush was stomped on by dislike and fear. There is another side to him. A monstrous side he keeps hidden away. A side that came out simply because I stood up for myself. That’s scary.

I woke up completely early in the morning. I had to pee really badly. I got out the bed and hopped to the bathroom. It took me a little while to find a way to sit on the toilet. Once I was finished I washed my hands and then my face and brushed my teeth with the things in the bathroom. I hate the taste of morning breath. Yuck. I hopped back in the room and nearly had a heart attack.

The guy from yesterday was back. He was standing at the foot of the bed on his phone with a bag in his hand. When he heard me he looked up from his phone. He cut it off and slipped it into his pocket. He was wearing all black aside from the chain on his neck. His tattoos were on full display yet again. I finally paid more attention to his features and noticed he was gorgeous. My heart rate was going crazy. I ignored the feeling I got when I realized he actually came back to see me like he said.

"Uh hi," I mumbled looking down with a blush.

"Let me help you." Before I could say anything he was in front of me and picked me up. I squealed and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Put me down!" I panicked. I'm way too heavy for this!

"I've got you baby girl," he said walking to the bed. He didn't look to have much trouble at all. He sat me down gently and passed me the bag. "I know this hospital food taste like shit."

"Uh thanks?" he got me some breakfast from IHOP. Haven’t had them in years, literally.

He got me some pancakes, eggs, and bacon. "I didn't know what you liked so I got something simple. You want something else?"

"No, no, no," I said quickly. "This, this is good. Thanks." I wanted to stuff my face with the food since I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning but I had to savor it. That and I was self-conscious around him. "So...what's your name? I realized I never caught it.”

"Tremaine," he said. I mumbled the name to myself. "But everyone calls me Tre. Call me whatever you’re comfortable with. What about you shorty?"

"Maelynn."

He raised his eyebrow at me. "Where did your parents get that from?"

I blushed. "It's a combination of their names."

He nodded. "Iight cool. I like it. So Mae, what happened yesterday?"

I fought against the blush at the nickname. God I've been blushing a lot lately. "I...I don't want to talk about it," I mumbled. I heard the chair squeak and looked up. My eyes got big when I noticed how close he was. I leaned a little away but he grabbed my arm. I hissed in pain. His eyes went to my arm. I tried pulling away but he was not letting go. He examined all the bruises before looking at me. I looked away.

"You think being quiet is your safe guard? Well it’s not. The quieter you are the farther they’ll go. Your silence gives them power," he said in a chilling voice. If only he knew what happened when I did open my mouth. He finally let my arm go and sat back in his seat. "What do you wanna watch?"

"You're...staying?"

"Yup."

"Don't you have work?"

"Nope." He leaned back in his seat.

"Oh. How old are you?"

"Twenty-Two," he said. My jaw dropped. He's so young. Sure he's five years my senior but he looks much older and what about those kids?

"But your kids-"

"They're my little brother and sister. Marcel is seven and Chasity is five. Anymore questions?" I bit my lip and shook my head. "Good. Oh and baby girl," he looked at me on the side. "Don't bite your lip. It's a turn on for me." My eyes grew wide as I quickly stopped. He chuckled and began flipping through channels. He found something and we just sat and watched TV together. I kept glancing at him while fighting the urge to bite my lip.

He seems so different from the guys I'm used to. He's so laid back and chill. Not to mention pretty blunt. And he's been in my presence and not once has he tried picking on me. After a few hours the nurse came in and gave me some pain medicine.

"I have to go," Tremaine said getting up. I felt a stab of disappointment but like every other weird feeling, I pushed it away. "Rest. You're going to need it."

"Okay," I mumbled. "Bye." He looked at me for a second before leaving. I sighed and leaned back the meds worked quickly and I was out like a light.

Tremaine POV

"Iight what he did today?" I asked Cel's teacher. Second day and he’s already got detention.

"Mr. Gadsden, Marcel has been very disruptive in class today." It was the same teacher from yesterday. "Today he even went as far as putting his hands on one of the female students in an inappropriate manner."

I raised my eyebrow to her. "He hit her?"

She shook her head. "No but I caught him touching her bottom."

"Man that's not true," Marcel said.

"You hush," his teacher said.

"How about you hush and let him talk?" I told her. Marcel might be a lot of things but I know he wouldn't go THIS far. He knows I don't play when it comes to bullying or acting up like this. "What happened Cel?"

"Okay we were playing tag and I hit her a bit too hard. When I noticed I hurt her I apologized and even gave her my cookie to make her feel better." I nodded. "And the only reason I touched her butt was because when someone pushed her down I was the only one that helped her up and clean the dust off her pants."

I turned to look at the teacher. "That sounds a bit more believable if you ask me. Unless you have someone who will discredit him he's going home and I'm going to the board for your lying ass." Her eyes got big.

"Are you seriously going to believe a child over me?"

I crossed my arms and gave her the 'duh b***h' look. "I raised Marcel myself on my own. He may be a class clown and a bit slick off the mouth but one thing I know for sure is he's respectful of a female and he's NO bully. I taught him better. I can go to his last school and ALL of his teacher verify how he would be considered a star pupil. But the moment I step into your class I hear different. So yes, I believe my child over your ass any day. Cel was there anyone around when you told her what they did?"

He nodded. "My English teacher next door."

"Go get them." He nodded and ran out. The teacher looked nervous. I raised my eyebrow. I knew her ass was lying.

"Hello Mr. Gadsden," his teacher came in. I shook his hand. "Your son said you would like to speak with me."

"Yes. I have a question. How is he in your class?"

"Well Marcel is a lively individual. Aside from an outburst here and there he's quite a wonderful student. Really smart for his age. He also helps other students whenever he finishes early."

I nodded. "Today, has he touched any student inappropriately?"

The teacher looked a bit confused. "Of course not. I'm actually proud when he went to Mrs. Star and told her what was going on. You raised him very well."

I nodded. "Thank you." He left and I turned to his teacher who was pale in the face. "He won't be in your class anymore. I suggest you start looking for a new job too." Did she really think I would take her word for it? I know my son. Marcel plays a lot and push boundaries but when it comes to his education and how to treat people I know he won't ever mess them up.

"What y'all wanna eat?" I asked.

"Ruby Tuesday," they said. I nodded and we headed there.

"Marcel, calm down in your classes iight? We just moved here and I don’t need any problems."

"Okay," he said. See? Marcel ain't a bad kid. He acts up a bit like any kid but I know him.

"Daddy," Chasity said. She was sitting in my lap. She's spoiled as s**t. Never want to be out my arms. "Can we see the pretty lady?"

"Oh yeah I got to see my woman," Marcel said.

I chuckled. "Ain't nobody want your little ass." He glared at me. "But yeah we’re going after we eat. Oh yeah let me get her something." I order another plate of my food and got the check. Once we were done I tossed the money on the table. We got in the car and headed to the hospital. "Y'all be quiet though. She might be sleeping." We walked inside and she was still asleep. "Iight go do y'all homework."

They both went to the corner and sat on the floor. I sat in the chair and pulled out my phone. I have business to conduct. I was a hustler. I worked for a big cat. I pushed weight and that's about it. We were struggling and I had to find a way to support two kids. I'm not doing anything too heavy because this is temporary. I'm just trying to make sure Marcel and Chasity are good when they go to college. I heard mixing up in the bed and glanced up. Maelynn shifted in bed and was now facing me. The swelling in her face looked a bit better but not much. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at me sleepily.

"What's good sleeping beauty?"

"You're back," she said with sleep all in her voice. I chuckled at her. She rubbed her eye like a little kid waking up. It was cute.

"Yup. Brought some people that wanted to see you. And brought you food."

"You didn't have to," she mumbled.

"I'm not letting you starve in here."

"Hey baby!" Marcel ran to the bed. It scared her a bit but she smiled when she saw him. "I was the one who said we should come see you. I had to slap the ole man around a bit."

"Oh really?" she giggled.

"He’s lying!" Chasity yelled. "I wanted to see you pretty lady."

"Chas stop yelling," I told her.

"Sorry." They talked with Mae while I continued business on my phone. "Daddy." I looked up and Chas was standing in front of me looking me in the eyes. I raised my eyebrow at her. She slowly slid my phone out of my hand before walking to the bed. I chuckled and watched as she showed Mae her favorite game. They were both in the bed with her. Marcel on her left and Chasity on the right. They eventually tuckered themselves out. "They really like you," I said as Chas's head rolled off of Mae's arm and on her lap. Mae fixed her where it would be more comfortable.

"They're good kids," she smiled while rubbing Marcel's head. She looked up at me. "Do they normally call you daddy?"

"With Chas yes," I said. "I raised her since she was young. I’m the only parent she knows. Cel only really call me pops."

"Where are their parents?"

I shrugged. "Don’t know. Don’t really care."

"Oh," she said. It was quiet for a minute.

"When can you go home?" I asked.

"Tomorrow," she said.

I nodded. "Your parents been here yet?" I wonder if she knows I know she's more than likely on her own.

Her face was sad for a second before she quickly covered it up. "Uh...no. They're at...work?"

I raised my eyebrow. She's not a good liar at all but I'll go with it. "You mean to tell me they couldn't get off to check on the well-being of their child?"

"Well times are rough and they can't afford to get off," she chewed her lip.

"Not even for their daughter?"

"I told them I didn't need them. I'm a big girl."

I nodded. "So they're picking you up?"

"Uh no I'm going to take the bus-"

"You mean they can't even get you from here?"

"I'll be f-"

"Hell nah," I cut her off. "You ain't riding no bus. I'll pick you up. I won't be here in the morning. At least not as early as today. Maybe eleven at the earliest."

"You don't have to," she said.

"Apparently I do." I got up. "I have to take them home. I'll see you tomorrow iight?"

"No it's okay. I'll take the b-"

"I'm taking your ass home. I don't wanna hear any more of it."

"Okay," she said quickly. I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote my number on it.

"Call me if you need something." I grabbed the two monsters and left.