Emily

The next morning I wake up without Mateo. How do I know? Well, I didn't felt him this morning in bed. It's kind of sad though... I thought maybe I could say my farewells to him at the airport but I didn't get the chance.

When I woke up I found a letter beside me that said.

Dear Butterfly, I'm leaving now. Don't worry; Scott and Tyler are going to protect you from now on. Yesterday night was amazing; call me when you're awake!

-Mateo E.R.

It's been two weeks since Mateo left. We both call eachother now and then but don't talk to much; He's busy with god know what... something about losing the important area's . It's none of mine business anyways.

I've been working too. Kids&Go were happy to hear I was interested in the job as psychologist for the kids.

I can still remember when I was 9 and came there, a psychologist named Amira. She was trust person until I was 15 because then she suddenly died of cancer. I miss her each day but I go to her grave now and then, especially when it gets hard for me.

Today I've been signed up with a girl named Lucy; she is 13 and also lost her parents by a car accident. She's send in 3 weeks ago and until now no psychologist can't get to her. She's closed off, just like me back then.

"Emily, hi" I look behind me and find Maria, an old but wise lady, standing there, worry in her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I step toward her.

"Oh, nothing...Okay I lied. I want to make sure you are sure you want to go to room 45" room 45 is Lucy's room.

"Yes, why?" I put my pen on the desk before me, brow arched.

"Just...you are new and I want to make sure-"

"-I'm sure" I cut her off, anger boiling in me. "I'm like her, don't you remember 13 years ago when I came here? I was also closed off and for some reason I feel responsible for her. I didn't even saw her but I know what she feels more than anyone is this room, so if you excuse me, she is waiting for me"

I knock on the door. No response. I knock again. No response.

"Lucy? I'm Emily, can I come in?"

"Leave me alone!" she yells. Sighing, I open the door. Lucy sits on her bed, a blanket around her body; she's trying to be in her own world. I close the door. When walk in the room she begins to talk, or rather scream.

"I told you to LEAVE ME ALONE! Why is nobody listening to me!?"

"I'm not like the other psychologist you had, Lucy" she turns her gaze away from me. Looking around, I find a chair in the corner. I sit there, looking at the girl before me. she reminds me so much of myself and I tell her that.

"You know, you remind me so much of myself" she is still not looking but I know she is listening. "Like it said, I'm Emily and I'm not going to be a psychologist to you but a friend" now I have her attention a little. She slowly turns her body but gaze still on the ground. "Can I tell you a story about me?" she nods. "Okay, where do I start?"

"Maybe why you said you aren't like the other?" Lucy says softly, embarrassed.

"Well, I know what you are going through and not in a way that I have a lot of kids like you because hell, I'm new but because I was 9 when I came here"

"Why did you came here?"

"I lost my parents too when I was little, I was 9 and also by a car accident" I put the papers on my lab, ignoring the notes I need to take of her. "I see so much of myself in you, you see when I came here I also had problems with opening myself because why should I? The most important people in my life died, left me alone in this hell of a house" she looks at me now, tears in her eyes and I keep going. "The feeling I had...I can't describe them but I'm going to try...Pain, like someone stab you in the heart. Lost, because two people who loved me, the only one who truly loved me, are gone. Sadness, where I am going to go? Will I like the new home? Can I even call it a home without them? And the thought you have right now is: I should have been the one who died, and then they would still be here..."

"Yeah..." Lucy says softly again.

"But you want to know what my friend, Amira said?" she nods.

"The nature of a parent is to protect their child no matter what and they would do everything in their power to make their child happy...So you think they wanted you to be sad?"

"No...but...I can't go anywhere, I don't have any family left!" she sits up straight, tears creeping down her cheek. I stand up, walking toward her. For some reason I hug her and she hugs me back.

"Let it all out, there is no reason for you to always keep strong, even powerful people have down times"

"Can I ask you something Emily?" Lucy says her eyes full of tears and I swipe them away. I nod.

"Are you really my friend?"

"Of course I am, look..." I lower myself to her height, even if it's just a few inches. "I know that letting people in isn't simple, you are lost right now and you need to find your own identity but I'm going to help you...Not because I'm paid for it but because I want to" she nods. I take out my card with my number on it. "Here, you have my personal number, if something is wrong or you need to talk, even its 2 P.M, I will pick up" she takes the card, scanning it and putting it in her pocket.

"Alright, now...is there anything you want to tell me?"

The work day is over. I've worked 4 more hours than necessary but I don't care. These children need me, especially Lucy. After our talk she didn't told me much but I also didn't expected it. I need to spend some time with her so she knows I'm trustworthy, I get the feeling she doesn't trust me with some information but time will tell...

I take my handbag, checking if everything is inside. The hall lights are off because the children are sleeping right now. I told Scott and Tyler to wait outside and with some violence, kidding I just threaten them to call Mateo if they don't listen, they did what I asked.

Phone check. Papers Check. Sunglasses check. Alright I have everything. When I close the door for the staff I hear something fall. Huh?

"Hello?" I walk where I heard the sound. When I walk down the hall I spot some clips on the ground. Okay...weird but it can happen. I bend down, taking the clips 7 clips, yes I count them, and put them back on the table. Then I spot the number 7 written on a paper...okay, this is a little creepy. Looking around to make sure nobody is here I walk fast to where I left my handbag and I found the something sticking on it. A post it with the number 7. Shit...I need to get out here.

Now I run to the door, I know Scott and Tyler are there so if I can get to the door then I...

I stop dead in track when I hear footsteps behind me. They aren't children footsteps... FUCK FUCK FUCK! I'm scared, no terrified...

I only need to go 10 meters until I'm at the door. Okay, run!

Running as fast as I can, I feel a hand on my shoulders, FUCK! I need to kick him in the balls! Lucky I went to the training lessons Mateo prepared for me.

I turn around, ready for some fighting but when I do I see nobody. WHAT THE...? I spot a tall shadow at the end of the hall, walking away from me. I need to make sure he isn't going to hurt the kids!

I run to the front door, opening it and walking off the stairs but not before I bump into a strong body. I yell a little, scared if it's him.

"Miss El Ricci, are you alright?" Scott says, through the tears that suddenly came into my eyes I shake my head.

"No...I...I..."

"Take a deep breath" Scott says and I do. "Now talk"

"There is a guy...he followed me, or I think, but someone chased after me...touching my shoulder..."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't know, I felt so scared suddenly...I thought..."

"Tyler!" Scott yells, holding me in his arms. "Go inside and take Miss El Ricci's stuff"

"The kids...We need to check of he's still inside or if he is going to hurt them" I make attempt to go inside but strong arms grasps me from behind.

"Tyler is going to make sure everything is okay, let's go to the car" he says gently and walks me to the car while Tyler is inside the building now.

"Tell me what happened, Miss El Ricci" and I tell Scott everything, every detail I can remember.

That scared the shit out of me... Who the fuck is he? And what were his intentions?