Melissa comes home tonight.

The reminder on my phone feels like a slap in the face. I've liked being here alone. Things are less tense and I don't feel so uneasy, but nothing good lasts forever. I try not to spiral while I clean the house in preparation for her return.

I could barely stay focused in school today, my mind reeling as I imagine the best and worst case scenario of Melissa's return.

The day moves by slowly. It feels like hours until it's time to go home. I barely even acknowledge Dustin as I practically run off campus. When I pick up Faith, I hold her closely, her small body bringing much needed comfort my for nerves

When I get home, I try to remain focused on my homework but it's hard when all I can think about is when Melissa will be back. I take a deep breath when I hear the loud slam of the door.

Of course rehab didn't work. She'll never get sober.

I'm surprised to see Todd sitting at the dining room table when I come downstairs. He looks eerily calm, and my blood runs cold at the sight of him. I already know tonight will take a turn for the worst.

I make a move to leave, but he sees me before I can.

"Don't." He says and the command makes me stop in my tracks. I turn to face him, deciding having my back turned to him is probably not smart. He is standing, his eyes trained on Faith who I hug closer to me.

He steps towards me and I subconsciously take a step back.

"I can't believe I never saw it." He laughs dryly. "That bitch is nothing if not a good liar. For a whole year, I thought she was yours." His eyes move to my face and he looks utterly pissed. "You're just as bad as that bitch. Lying to me about my own daughter. She's mine."

In a blink of an eye, he's standing right in front of me, his grip firmly on my arm as he yanks Faith out of my grip. I scream, lunging at him, but he knocks me down. Faith is crying, her brown eyes filled with fear.

"It's okay my sweet baby. Daddy's here." His words do nothing to calm her down. He looks at me. "Tell that bitch Melissa that I'll see her in court." He turns to leave but I jump up, clambering on his back, hoping to catch him off guard. I don't know what exactly my plan is but I can't let him take Faith. I just can't.

The odds seem to be in my favor as he stumbles forward.

"Get off me you crazy bitch!" He shouts, spinning around and slamming backwards into the wall. I groan at the impact, but I hold on. He elbows me in the side and I cry out in pain, still holding firm. As he flails, trying to get me off, he loses his grip on Faith and I watch in horror as the baby falls towards the floor.

I scream as she hits the ground, her loud wails making me feel nauseous. I let go of Todd, rushing to the crying baby, and cradling her to my chest, sobbing as I try to calm her down.

Nothing else matters. Only Faith. She doesn't seem badly hurt, just scared, but I can't be sure.

The feeling of something hitting my head makes my vision go hazy. I shakily reach a hand up to my head and gasp when I see blood on my fingertips.

"She's mine!" Is all I hear before everything goes black.

****

The sound of my name being called is distant and hazy. The voice continues, telling me to please wake up, and slowly becomes less hazy, clearing up until finally… my eyes open and Melissa's face comes into view.

"Thank God!" She breathes out. I stare at her, feeling confused until the events come tumbling back into my head.

I sit up abruptly.

"Woah," Melissa steadies me. "Take it easy."

Where is Faith?

I feel tears roll down my face and I aggressively wipe my eyes.

I shrug Melissa off my standing up, my body swaying.

"You were unconscious. We should get you to a hospital."

I shake my head, hastily trying to find a pen and paper, moving woozily around. I grab a random book and pen, jotting down what had happened. I shove the paper in Melissa's face, my chest tightening and my breathing becoming more labored.

Did he take her? I hasitly write down, my pen marks messy.

Melissa nods and I sink down to the floor, pulling my knees to my chest and crying.

He has my baby.

"Yea..." Melissa says lamely, sitting next to me and pulling me into her chest. She has a look on her face that I can't quite place. "That mother fucker," she mumbles. "I'll get her back. Don't worry."

I nod, feeling numb while also feeling like I'll explode.

Please let her be okay.