She ran, as fast as she could. Her breath was caught up in her throat.
Her footsteps splashed on every step.
Thunder was heard in the distance.
She shoved air in and out of her chest.
"H-Help!"
Words she'd never dare speak.
"S-Some one! Help!"
A tear ran down her face. She wiped it away and kept running.
Her feet hurt. She ran down the side walk, she didn't stop.
A green car pulled up in front of her.
Thunder again. Rain poured down on her.
It was a family vehicle. A man was in the driver's seat.
Shock went down through her body. She tried to turn back. Her legs caved.
She tried to get back up. She tripped on the uneven cement
"No!" she shoved her small frame up off the floor and kept running.
"Help! Someone! Help me!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
No one was around.
She ran unto an alley way and ducked behind a sickly green garbage container.
It was overly big and hid her petite frame with space to spare.
She breathed heavily and fast.
She was feeling light headed.
Then she heard footsteps.
Her heart stopped.
She clasped her hands over her mouth.
She tried to be as still and as quiet like she never had before.
The footsteps dawned closer.
"..." she shut her eyes as hard as she could.
She swallowed hard.
The footsteps were inching closer. the sound of the weight hitting the puddles sent fear through her body.
Another thunder bolt was heard.
"...please..." she whispered.
Her whole body was tense.
She was shaking uncontrollably...
The ribbon in her hair, once a perfectly neat bow. Now barely hanging on.
Go away. Just…. go away. Don't find me. You can't… find me.
Her heart beat so loud she was afraid the approaching figure would hear it.
It thumped heard against her ribs.
She felt nauseous.
The footsteps stopped.
Her heart went silent.
She couldn't hear a thing...
She didn't breathe.
"Helga. There you are sweet heart."
Her eyes shot open.
Her hands dropped.
A tear streamed down her face.
" It's okay, daddy's here now."
He leaned down to pick her up.
He lifted her frame easily. Her pink ribbon loosely fell out of her hair.
"No."
He hauled her up on his shoulder and squeezed her mid-section against his arm.
She felt the acid in her stomach churn.
She didn't struggle.
Her body went limp against her father's shoulder.
He put her in his car.
Big hands buckled her seatbelt.
Dry lips kissed her head.
He smelled her hair.
"The rain makes you look beautiful Helga."
He took the loose ponytails out of her hair and let her damp hair fall.
Thin blond strands rested against her shoulders and back.
"Let's go." He ran his hand against her check and locked the door.
He got in moments after.
They drove the opposite direction of their house.
She looked helplessly numb at him.
"We're not going back, don't worry sweetie, were going somewhere else, some where she won't be."
She shut her eyes lightly.
She didn't have the strength to speak.
She leaned her head against the cold glass window.
Her body felt cold, but she didn't shiver.
Then the car stopped.
She heard the keys turn, and the motor settle.
Her eyes didn't open.
"Helga..." a pasty hand touched her shoulder.
She shot up.
Her eyes focused on him.
She looked around.
Rain was pounding on the car.
There were tall grass clumps around the car.
She could barely see beyond them. She was only able to see the brick wall in front of them.
"W...Where are...we?"
She kept trying to peer over the tall grass.
"Far...far...away from your sister, and your mother, dear."
She didn't feel comfortable.
"...o...okay..."
He smiled at her.
"Helga…dear….did I ever tell you the story of why….everyone calls me…. Big Bob?..."
He placed his hand on her thigh.
"D-Dad?"
She remembered why she was running...