A quiet drive

You thought ending that man's life would make you feel better, but it didn't. You feel worse.

The drive back to the Rice Room is quiet. Ivan tells you to go home after you park in the garage, mentioning that you will discuss it later. He tosses you some clothes to change into, then takes your 'dirty' clothes and puts them into a trash bag.

You nod, numb. It's all a haze, and you struggle to remember what he said. The blocks drift by until you find yourself out front of your house again. You sit down on the steps, staring into the sky. Clouds drift past, and people walk by. You don't know how long you sit there. Eventually, you hear the door open behind you.

"Daddy?" you hear. Karina comes out and sits down beside you. She leans her head against you. "What happened?"

"He'll never hurt you or anyone else ever again."

She simply nods, then grabs your hand. "Daddy, can you follow me?"

Numbly, you follow your daughter inside. Ana is there, sitting in the living room with Nadia and Mia. You wave hello. Karina pulls you upstairs, into her room, and closes the door behind her.

"Tell me what happened."

You shake your head, no. "You don't need to know the details, dear. You don't want to know."

"I do. I want to know exactly how he suffered. I need to know, daddy." She lays down on her bed, resting her head against her pillow. She pats the spot beside her. "Come tell me."

"I...okay," you say, not knowing what else to do. You lay next to her and wrap an arm around your waist. She takes your hand in hers and pulls it to her chest, then plants a kiss on your knuckles.

"Tell me," she whispers.

"We found him and took him to the wharf. Put an oxygen tank on him and a concrete block on his feet. Then I pushed him into the water. The fish will get him, or the lack of oxygen will. Either way, he'll suffer for what he did to you."

"Good," Karina whispers. She starts to shake. No, cry, you realize. Soft, wracking sobs. "Thank you. I wish I had told you forever ago." You start to sit up, to comfort her, but she stops you. "No, please, just lay here with me. I need you. I need you to hold on to me and forget the world for a while."

You cuddle against your daughter, your hand wrapped around her waist, the other snaked under her head. You stay there for what feels like hours until you realize she is sleeping. Still, you stay. You can't stand the thought of leaving her alone again.