Dashed hopes

-Guh... ahn... awww!!!-.

You shoot back your head, moaning out the orgasmic pleasure that is bursting from your inner regions. It's such unbearable that you have to squeeze your eyes to resist. You grasp your prominent nipples with one hand, while with the other you clench your grip on the platinum blonde mane between your legs, whose owner's tongue is the cause of your ecstasy.

-Mmm... anf, anf... fuck!- You exclaim, regaining some breath and looking down. Krissy's bluish spotlights peep up with an intrigued gaze. Immediately, you retrieve your posture and abruptly let her go: you don't want to look remissive with her, in any shade of meaning.

"This is for you to comprehend who is in charge, bitch." You think to yourself, but knowing that she will hear the same. Krissy wipes her mouth with a towel, a crabbed look on her face.

-Whatever. I need a cig. Savannah... where is she? She has my pack!-.

She must not have noticed then that, while she was busy burying her mouth up to your pussy, Savannah had exited the only-staff room you had hijacked; and you see no intention to inform her. On the contrary, seeing her in such a distressed search makes you grin subtly. But then your hideous mind taunts you with the memory of another certain blonde, and your last encounter with her.

-Here.- You eventually say, rummaging inside your own purse. You don't smoke, neither Kim had ever; it's just for situations like these. She accepts your cig with a greedy swift and then takes a lighter off her pocket. You, in the meantime, have casually rested your hand on your phone; funny to think that it's been at least an hour since you last used it, and you even didn't notice.

A frown wrenches your perfect front. So many missing calls from Tina (shit, what has she done, has she burned the house or something?) and one from Cindy (who actually avoided you all the morning, and you really don't like being ignored). Right then, your sister calls you again. You fix your hair with a gesture and pull the phone to your ear.

-What's up?-.

Krissy has finally taken a puff of smoke. However, she soon notices your change of attitude and your countenance becoming more and more confused and alarmed.

-What???-.

Half an hour ago

Charity's room is rather bare. Not much larger than 9mq, it has a desk next to the door and the bed on the opposite wall; nothing hanging on the walls but a ticking clock of those who do not let you sleep the first night you live there. However, in a stark relevance, right in the middle a carpet has been laid and a kid-size table has been positioned. Around it there are four small chairs of which one is empty, two have stuffed animals on and, on the last one, is sitting a young girl with long, blonde hair, who is giving you her back. Noting the toy cups, you deduce she was busy playing tea.

Though strange, the situation seems harmless. Nevertheless, Cindy has turned pale and Charity is looking more and more distressed.

"O...k... that's her... sister maybe? Is this her room then?" If they are not very wealthy, such an arrangement may be plausible after all.

-Are these your friends, Big Sis?- Tweets a lively childish voice.

-Y-Yes, Millie.- Charity answers nervously: -Cindy and Tina. They were just leaving...-.

What? That's definitely not true, and why has she brought you here in the first instance?

-May they play with me?-.

Cindy startles at those words, and you see a tear running down her eye. She's terrified.

-They're really in a hurry, so...-.

-Actually- You intervene: -I'd love to play with you. But we really need to speak with your sister about some topics...- your voice fades away when she suddenly turns towards you.

-But Mr. Cuddle would like so much to meet you!-.

It's her appearance that has made you flinch. She's, indeed, a gracious child, having big hazel eyes and pink thin lips pouting in displeasure; but, aside from that natural quality, what has surprised you is the overall look she's combed in: her face is more than just clean, it's washed and smooth like a newborn's one, her curly hair is carefully styled in an aristocratic cut, and she's wearing an elaborated frilly gown, almost looking like with a costume. She looks like the child princess of a fable, a princess who seems really saddened now.

-...Well, if Mr. Cuddle insists...-.

-Yay!- Her pout morphs into a joyful beam, and you, still a bit insecure, take your seat in front of her. However, you try to cheer up and give yourself some glee. Sitting on this stool is hard, but Tina always had a soft spot for kids, and she always loved playing with them. In fact, she wanted to become a kindergarten teacher before you...

You look at your sisters-in-soul. Still immobile, still shocked. You move your attention to the teddy bear at your right, Mr. Cuddle you assume, and then to the rag doll at your left. The setting is predictable, but accurate, and the clock ticking fills the silences without being really that bothersome.

-Do you want some tea?- She offers, as a real host. Therefore, you have to be a proper lady for this important event.

-Gladly.- You smile kindly. She "pours" some air into your cup.

"She knows me.".

You frown.

"Cindy?".

"She knows me.".

-What's your name miss?- Millie's chirpy question brings you back.

-Tina. Ehrm, my name is Tina, and I am truly delighted to meet you.-.

-Hello Miss Tina! My name is Millie. We are very happy that you came to visit us today for the tea! There are many things we have to discuss! What, Mrs. Rosy?- She turns toward the doll, like listening. You try to show some curiosity, and she giggles.

-What is she saying?-.

-She says that you're really beautiful, Miss Tina. Can you be my sister?-.

You blink in surprise.

-Oh. W-Well, thank you Mrs. Rosy.- You chuckle, moving a strand of hair behind your ear: -Honey, I'd love to be your sister, but...-.

"She... doesn't...".

-Yay! I'm so happy, sis... I mean, Miss Tina! Uh? Yes Mr. Cuddle, now I ask. So, Miss Tina, Mr. Cuddle wanted to know who are you looking for.-.

?

What was that final intonation? ...Well, maybe you just imagined it.

"She doesn't!"

"What? She doesn't what?" You're starting to get exasperated, but you try not to leak it out. Millie leans towards you, searching for your complicity.

-I'm sorry if he sounds inopportune, he's a real snoop.- She gossips secretly. You immediately regain your cheer.

-Yes, I see, don't worry.- You whisper back with a wink; then you turn towards the teddy bear.

-Well Mr. Cuddle, it's a bit complicated to explain. Just grown-up stuff.-.

-But we want to help!- Millie protests with involvement, a cute sulk on her face.

-Erm, of course! You're very sweet Miss Millie. Maybe can I talk with your parents? For only a minute?-.

-My parents?- She repeats confused. Then, she bursts out giggling, something you actually didn't expect.

-Oh, you're so silly Miss Tina! You see, I'm the lady of the house! We don't need parents here! More tea?-.

-Uhm...- You'd like to make her understand that it's a need out of the act, but you don't want to spoil her fun. She's just a kid playing.

"She doesn't have one!".

"Cindy, who are you talking about?".

You've flinched for some seconds, and so your cup is "full" again. You pretend to drink it, keeping your polite facade on.

-It's for your lovely sister.- You resume: -And thereby I thought that maybe they could help me...-.

Millie ignores you, or if she's listening she doesn't make it obvious, as she's pretending to fill everyone's else cup.

What's wrong with this girl?

"C...Charity doesn't have one!".

-There you are Mrs. Rosy.-.

"One of what??".

-Let's drink again, shall we?-.

"A sister.".

...

-Miss Tina!- "Millie" urges you, cup in her hand. You look at her smiling face, which turns into a frown as you keep staring.

-Miss Tina? Is there something wrong? Maybe you need more sugar? Oh gosh Mr. Cuddle, don't be such caddish!-.

No. It can't be.

Not to a kid.

She can't have done this.

-Miss Tina, Mr. Cuddle says...-.

-Who are you?- You whisper.

She looks perplexed.

-You're not... her, right?-.

She assumes a thoughtful expression and tilts her head slightly, her big, childish eyes focused on you, piercing your soul.

-Well, I'm Miss Millie. Don't you see?-.

You clench your fists on the table, feeling your stomach turning and aching. Your voice comes out faltered from the disgust that is boiling inside of you.

-Why? Why are you doing this?-.

She lowers her eyes in a gesture that you initially misunderstand as shame. In reality, you soon understand, she's just peeking at her little dress and at the young body beneath, like trophies to be proud of.

-Mmm... I guess I like being eight years old! I can do sooooo many things without adults scolding me! It's really, really fun! And I don't have to grow up, ever!-.

-Does... does she even exist?- You ask, your heart pumping down your throat. Maybe everything is just a big pretense. It must be.

Millie starts kicking in the air as if she were on a swing, between bored and distracted. She doesn't deny it, neither she answers in any way, and this means only one thing.

-What about her parents? Her-Her life? You can't steal her of her life! My God, she's just a child! You can't-

-Booooring! Big Sis, let's go back to playing tea!-.

-This is not a game! This is serious, Charity!-.

She stops kicking.

-Don't call me like that.- She says with tight lips.

-Charity, listen.- You say calmly, slowly, so that she can discern every singular word you pronounce.

-This is wrong. You know it. You can't **** her body like this, it's... she has a life, a family who cares about her! I can help you, we can find a solution together. But you have to release her, her and Maria, before-

-Umpf! You're mean!!!- She crosses her arms, puffing in annoyance.

-You're mean, Big Sis! You're just like that ugly dumb girl at the maid's house! I don't wanna play with you anymore!-.

Your heart drops at that last sentence. Like a knife slashing your chest, you suddenly remember the missed calls you found when you've quickly checked your phone, right before getting in the car. All from one person.

You dismissed them, thinking that this was more urgent.

You were wrong.

-What did you-

-Now I want you to go, Miss Tina! Go away!-.

You should have called her.

-What have you done??-.

-Go away!-.

-Charity, what have you done???-.

SNAP

You gasp. From that infantile whirlwind, her expression had become deadly; torpid; staggering. Not the one a little girl should have. Not an expression any person should have.

The ticking carves the heated silence. Now it rings in your ears as if you had it beside you. But it's not the worst part.

You cautiously move your pupils from side to side. You weren't wrong. The puppets have turned their heads toward you.

-I said. Get. Out.-.

Someone puts a hand on your shoulder, making you wince. It's Charity; well, your Charity. She has your same dread on her face.

-Let's go.-.

You open your mouth to protest, but she literally drags you away and you barely have the time to sight "Millie" recomposing and going back to address her toys, before you found yourself in the kitchen once again, driven to the exit.

-Wait! Why are you doing this? Why are you helping her???- You scream in rage.

-I have ****!-.

She opens the main door and pushes you out.

-Please, don't come back here!- She slams close while you're throwing yourself ahead, making you smash on the wooden frame with a moaned cry.

-No! No!!! Open the door!!!-.

But it's useless. You know she won't.

-Fuck! Fuck!!! ARGH!!!- You shout tearing out your hair, spinning around like in a drunken state.

"Heather.".

You fumble in your pocket to find your phone, seeing with horror the same missed calls as before. None new. You manage to keep still your fingers enough to dial her number.

-Come on, come on, come on!-.

It goes straight to the voicemail.

-No! No, no, no!!! It can't be! Heather!!!-.

Tears form under your eyelids and snot leaks out of your nose. Despair takes root in your guts. Heather is in danger, she's somewhere and that monster had done something to her. As your eyes wander around they fall upon Cindy herself, right a few meters from you, a distraught expression on her face.

-W-What do we do now?-.

That pitiful whimper snaps something inside of you. Heather is in danger, and is she crying?

-Why haven't you helped me??? You're fucking useless!!! This is all your fault!!!- And you'd add that she dares standing here like a goddamned statue, that she's just sniveling from the beginning, that because of her stupid crush for a girl that she barely knows a real sister of yours, not her, is hurt or even worse. But as you see her visage mortify and her very own soul collapse beyond her retinas, you realize the gravity of your words. And of your thoughts, which she can hear the same.

-Y-You're right...-.

-Wait, I didn't mean...-.

-This is all my fault!!!- She turns around and runs to her car, but you have the keys - shit, she's a shapeshifter like you! - you move but too slowly, and the car starts at full speed.

-No! Wait, wait! Cindy, Heather!!! Wait!!!- You run for a few steps, then you stop and dangle back, then you put your hands again in your hair, you cry, and finally you feel your lungs explode.

"What do I do??? WHAT DO I DO???".

-Tina, slow down, what are you saying?-.

Your younger sister is scared as you've never heard her before, but her frantic blethering on the other side of the handset prevents you from understanding anything concrete. Plus, she seems running judging by her heavy breath, and she probably has cried up to the moment before this call.

-It's, it's terrible! It's a nightmare! Kim, that monster has taken Heather!!!-.

-Who? Who are you talking about?-.

Some hectic breaths, then: -Her-Her name is Charity Dawson! She's like us! We tried to reason with her, but she's crazy!-.

What the fuck? Like you? Does she mean that she has your powers? No way! It's impossible! Right?

-"We" who? Where are you now?-.

-I can't explain! Anf, anf! I'm going to Heather's! Kim, Cindy was with me! Anf, anf! Charity's powers, it's because of her! But it's not her fault, she must know, it's not her fault!-.

-Cindy? What's with her? Tina, what the hell is going on??-.

-Anf, anf! You have to, you have to find her! Listen, I'm afraid that she...-.

You listen to the next words without saying anything. Krissy has lowered her cig and she's staring at you between curious and worried.

In the end, you simply say: -Ok. I'll find her.-.

You put away your phone and hide your mouth with your hand. You hear Krissy's voice, but it's far, muffled.

"Listen, I'm afraid that she...".

-Kim?-.

She eventually reaches you.

-Kim, answer me! What did she say?-.

-She...- You pause. You inspect her carefully. She's worried, yes; but who is she, truly? Can you really trust her? Is she really your ally, just because you put some goo inside of her?

-What's happening? Fuck you're scaring me!-.

-Call Savannah. Call the shop girl, call everyone. We have to find Cindy.-.