Chapter 32: chapter 32

Chase POV-Seeing Leah and Evangeline's mom in that condition, made me scared. I always knew that this man can do anything to harm others, but I never thought that he would treat his wife the same way.Evangeline's mom told me to take Evangeline away to some safe place. I did exactly that. I hold her hand and ran from the hall. I went upstairs with her following me. There is a small storeroom. We get in there. I lock the door behind us. We sat on the far corner. She was sitting beside me. I looked at her. She was sobbing hard and was calling for her mom again and again.In the end, she is just a kid. I hate it that she has to see all those painful things.I didn't know what to do so I pulled my sleeve down and hold it in my hand. I turned towards her and wiped her tears. I patted her head to calm her down. Now her sobs turned into just hiccups. "They will be okay and I will protect you." I said as confidently as I could.I don't know if I could really do that but I will try my best to keep her away from that man.I took her hand in mine, but she removed her hand from mine and cowered into my laps. She adjusted herself comfortably on my laps. Then took my arms one by one and put them around her.It seemed like she wanted to use me as her safety blanket. So I make it like that for her. I embraced her in my arms. She was warm and it made my heart to calm down a little too.After some time she calmed down and her breathing became even. I moved to look at her face. She was fast asleep. She must be very tired so I didn't move an inch so that she won't wake up.I didn't notice how much time passed. I was waiting for her to wake up then she stirred up a little."Chase, I am hungry." She whispered."We have to wait Kiddo. Until that bast*** I mean until he sleeps, we can not go out." I told her.She held her stomach with her little hands. And looked very sad."But I am hungry now. My tummy is saying it needs something to eat." She said innocently. I am feeling so helpless. I can not do anything for her. She is so small and hadn't eaten anything for the whole day. She must be very hungry. She doesn't even understand what is going on around her and why she can't go out and eat?"It's almost dark outside. Just wait for a little while, I will go and bring you something to eat. Okay?" I told her.She nodded and again sat comfortably on my laps. We waited for I guess an hour and then I placed her on the side and stood up to go and look something to eat from the kitchen.But Evangeline stopped me and tugged on my hand."Don't leave me. It is very dark in here. I will go with you." She said. "Okay. But you have to stay very very quiet. I don't know what he wants from you." I said.We get out of the room. The hall was empty. It felt like there was no one in the whole house.We saw there was no one downstairs. I lead the way and entered the kitchen. I switched on the light. I looked into the refrigerator. There was some leftover spaghetti. I took it out and put it in the microwave. As I set the timer, I heard a loud sound of breaking something.I suddenly turned to see that Evangeline. She had that horror look on her face. She was looking at the floor.I looked down and saw what broke. It was a glass of water. She must be thirsty and wanted to drink water but obviously could not handle it properly.I heard footsteps. My heart sank in my stomach. I hurriedly took Evangeline in my arms and hid behind the refrigerator.The person was standing at the door of the kitchen. The strong smell of alcohol confirmed that who was the person that just came in. I was scared out of my wits. I put a hand on Evangeline's mouth. If this man found us then no one could help us. "I know, you little dogs are here. Show me your face." His voice was slurred. He was totally drunk. We didn't move an inch. He started to walk around."If I found you both, then you will be punished for breaking the glass." He said. It looked like he was having fun playing with our fear."Okay, if you don't want to come out then I will have to go and look for your sister. That poor girl, she is so much in pain, I think she has to suffer more. I thought you wanted to save her but you are too scared to stand in front of me." He said.My sister. He must have hit her that's why she is in pain. If he goes after her again, maybe she... I have to protect her. He will not kill me.I looked at Evangeline and by the look on her face, I think she understood what I wanted to tell her. She shook her head, telling me to not leave her here. I gave her a reassuring smile and tear my hands from her. I step away from behind the refrigerator. I looked at him. He was looking half asleep. He could not stand up on his own.He came to me and looked at the floor where the broken glass pieces were scattered. He bent down holding the table as his support. He took one big piece of glass in his hand. He brought it near my face. Scared by it, I took a sudden step back but he held me by my forearm and pulled me towards him. He placed the broken piece near my neck. It was in the position that if I moved a little, it will cut my skin. So I stood still."Now, tell me, where is that girl? Is she here with you?" He asked."No. She is hidden somewhere. I don't know where she is. I tried looking but couldn't found her." I lied.He slapped me hard. Because of the impact, the glass piece sliced my skin. I hissed in pain. "This is nothing if you didn't tell me where that little bitch is, I will surely cut your neck." He said. I could feel the blood coming down from the cut on my neck."I really don't know..." He didn't let me finish and put the piece against my chest and pressed it hard. I felt it went in by tearing my skin. It hurt so badly that for some seconds my mind went blank.I tried to push him away from me but I felt so weak at that time. I was just holding his hand to dig more into me.Suddenly a scream came from near the refrigerator. Evangeline's eyes were sticking to my chest.It was too much for a 4-year-old girl. That bastard got distracted by the scream, so I took advantage of it and pushed him back. He stumbled away a little. He tried to catch Evangeline but I acted fast and looked for something. There was a pan hanging by the corner. I took it out and just as he grabbed her hand I smashed his head with it. I used all of my strength, so I knew the impact will be big. Within a second he fell down on the floor.I thanked God and ran towards Evangeline. She looked like she would faint any second.I was about to take her out from here but the microwave went off. I was relieved a little. I told her to stand out of the kitchen and I will bring the food. Actually, I saw blood was oozing out from that bastard's head. I could not let her innocent eyes to see that. So I told her to wait outside.I took out the bowl from the microwave and took two spoons and went out. She was standing by the door. I was holding the bowl with one arm and a glass of water in another.She followed me into the storeroom again. We could not take any risk. I didn't know when he will get up again. So we went in. I put everything down and locked the door.I let her eat first. She was very hungry. I waited patiently. She was eating heartily. I was satisfied with just watching her eat. She hadn't finished half of the food and she was full already.She drank half of the glass and then gave me the bowl. She looked worn out again. I patted my lap for her to put her head there and rest.She obeyed and put her head on my lap. I was tapped her head with one hand and eating with the other.I had to find a way to get us all out of this situation.***********Hello, sweethearts.How did you like Chase?So many have asked about Chase's age... he is 12 years old.The wait is almost over. See you guys soon.