When Nicci got home, her father was standing by the door. “What were you doing? “ he asked harshly.
“I waited for a friend after school, and we got some tea. “
“A friend? You? I don’t believe it. “ Her father grabbed her arm, jerked her inside, and slammed the door. “Didn’t I tell you to come straight home? “
“But, it’s true, Daddy!”
“Don’t raise your voice to me! I work long hours so that you have a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and a phone to use, and you treat me this way? “
“I’m sorry, Daddy! I didn’t know you’d be home early. “
“So you were counting on me being late, huh? What were you really doing? “ He unbuckled his belt. “
“It’s lonely! And I finally have a friend! It’s true! “ Nicci started to tremble more harshly at the sound of the belt buckle.
“Are you sassing me?”
“No, Daddy.“ Her voice became low and meek. “I’m sorry.“
“I got off early, and was going to spend time with you. But I come home to an empty house.“ He pulled his belt out of his pants. “I was worried! But you were having tea! Supposedly. How do you think i felt? “
Nicci‘s eyes were on the belt. “Please, Daddy, I’m sorry. “ Her voice shook.
“Take off your dress. “ His voice became ice.
“Please, no.“ She started to cry.
“Take it off or I will tear it off! “
Nicci obeyed, scars old and new exposed. “It was just a few minutes,“ she whispered.
“Shut up! Arms up!”
Nicci turned around and raised her arms. “ Daddy, please!”
“I’m not using the belt with the thumb tacks this time. So. BE! GRATEFUL!”
CRACK!
An angry red welt rose up around Nicci‘s rib cage. She howled in pain and almost fell to the floor, sobbing.
CRACK!
Again the belt reached out, leaving its mark on Nicci’s hip. She fell to her knees, incoherent. She couldn’t even beg. She fell silent, surrendering, letting her awareness drift away. Her father raised the belt for a third blow, but the doorbell rang.
“What now?” He started to replace his belt. “Get dressed! And get dinner started. “
***
When May-fee got to Nicci‘s house, she could hear Nicci‘s father shouting at her from inside. It wasn’t long until she heard Nicci crying. What should I do? She froze in a panic. Nicci is in trouble. Why am I just standing here? When she heard the nasty sound of leather striking flesh, it prompted her to action. Do something, May-fee! The doorbell! She got an idea, took out her World History textbook, and rang the doorbell.
The man that answered was pretty average in every way: average looks, average height, and wearing a typical business suit. His face was slightly flushed, but his expression was neutral. When he saw May-fee, he made a smile.
“Is it cookie season already?“
May-fee held up the textbook. “No, Nicci and I were going to do our homework together.“ She couldn’t see Nicci pasther father.
“Is that so? She didn’t mention it. In fact, we’re going to have dinner soon,” He replied. “I’m afraid your timing is bad.“
“Oh, please? I need her help.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m May-fee.”
“Well, May-fee, as much as I love the idea you’re getting Nicci to study, this is family time.“
May-fee panicked again. What if hurts her again? What can I do? Her face must have shown her desperation.
“Listen, it’s not the end of the world. Tell you what. You can come back in an hour. But dinner time is family time.“
You bastard! I could rip your heart out of your chest right here! She hoped her malice didn’t show in her voice. “Can I see her for a minute, first?“
“What is your problem, kid? “ The false smile disappeared. “I said no, so get lost!“ He slammed the door. She stood still, not sure what to do. Then, Nicci came out on the porch.
“May-fee, you need to go. He’s really mad right now. Please, I’ll be OK.” It was obvious Nicci had been crying, and pain was evident on her face, but she forced a smile.
“But...!” May-fee started to respond, but Nicci put her finger to May-fee’s lips.
“It’s best for me if you go.” With that said, Nicci opened the door and went inside.
May-fee was frustrated, but Sara had said, “We protect humans from supernatural threats, not from each other.” She finally left, at a loss what else she could do. She put the book back in her bag and put it on.
“Why? Why doesn’t she do something?“ May-fee was muttering to herself, but Anna responded.
“For some humans, a familiar hell is preferable to change.“
***
When May-fee finally returned to the dorm, Sara was in the kitchen area making some ramen. “Hi, Mae-mae! Want me to make you some ramen? “ May-fee sat down at the table but didn’t respond. “You look upset, what’s wrong? “ Sara asked.
“Nicci‘s dad is abusing her! “ The frustration was obvious in her voice.
“Oh, no. How?”
“He hit her with a belt, just because she came home a little late!“
Sara brought over the ramen she made. “Try to calm down. Here, eat this.”
Realizing she was pretty hungry, May-fee thanked her and started eating while Sara made more for herself. Between bites, May-fee said, “I want to kill him.”
“Please don’t.”
“I know, it’s against the rules. But I don’t know what else to do.“ May-fee set down her fork and hid her face with her hands.
“I’m sorry, hon. That sounds rough. But you’re amazing.”
“What? Why?”
“Because you care about her enough to be upset. Most supernatural entities look down on mortals.”
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“A lot of good that does. I feel helpless.“
“You shouldn’t kill him, but you can still help her in any way another mortal might.“
“What would a mortal do? “
Sara sat across from May-fee with her bowl. “They might talk to the police, or try to convince her to tell them, herself. “
“Couldn’t a mortal kill him? “
“Well, I guess, but that is the extreme, even for mortals. And it wound have devastating consequences.”
“Worse than Nicci being beaten? “
“Yes. If you want to help her, it’s important you follow human laws. Please eat, hon. It’ll get cold.”
May-fee took a bite and was silent.
“It’ll be OK, mama.” Anna’s small voice broke the silence.
“Your vintriloquism is impressive, but is this really the time for it?” Sara asked., slightly perturbed.
“It’s not vintriloquism, “ May-fee and Anna both said at the same time.
“You don’t usually talk in front of other people, Anna.”
“I think we can trust Sara.”
“Is this a joke?” Sara chided.
“I really am alive, Sara! “
“Please believe us! “ May-fee implored.
“Wait, really?”
May-fee detached Anna from her bag that she had set down by her chair and sat her on the table. “You gotta keep it a secret, though.“
“As I was saying, it’ll be ok,” Anna continued. “I know you’ll be able to help her.“
“It really is a living doll. “
Anna waved to Sara. “Yes!”
“And she moves!“
May-fee sighed. “I’m worried about Nicci.“
Sara took a moment to process this new information, then said, “Get some sleep hon. Things will be clearer in the morning.” May-fee nodded, finishing her ramen. Sara was also finished, so she picked up both bowls. “Don’t worry about clean up. And hey...” May-fee looked up at her. “...I know you’ll find the right thing to do.”
“Thanks, Sara.” They soon were climbing the stairs to their rooms. “A living doll,” Sara muttered to herself.
***
The next morning, May-fee got up early so she could wait outside for Nicci to walk by. Nicci was walking at her usual fast pace when she appeared. When she saw May-fee waiting, she hesitated to approach. “Nicci, are you ok?“
Nicci looked like she wanted to cry. “I don’t want to talk about it, May-fee.“
May-fee took a step toward Nicci.
“I said no!“ Nicci tried to walk past, but May-fee grabbed her hand. Nicci stopped. “I don’t . . .“
“It’s ok, you don’t have to,” May-fee soothed. “Let’s just walk together. Just two friends walking to school.“
“Um, I guess that would be ok,” she replied meekly. So they started walking, neither saying anything, but Nicci kept ahold of May-fee’s hand.
***
Unknown to May-fee, Sara had gotten up even earlier. She waited about a block away, and saw the exchange between May-fee and Nicci. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, of course, but she did see May-fee take Nicci‘s hand. When she saw that, she felt like someone punched her chest. I want to hold her hand, too. It’s not fair. She swallowed her envy, and started walking to school. Kathy won’t give up so easily.
She stayed ahead of them, eyes open and scanning. She was familiar with the usual school bound walkers and would notice any strange faces. There was no one at the tree from the day before. She didn’t let down her guard and kept scanning. She saw someone with a stocking hat walk into an alley. A stocking hat in August? Must be up to no good.
Sara went around the back way to the alley. When she got there, she used the mirror of her compact to look around the corner. There were two kids there, likely boys sent by Kathy. They had ski masks and a spool of twine.
She heard one of them speak. “It won’t be long now. I saw her about a block away. Get ready.“ They pressed their backs against the wall of the alley. Sara was already feeling frustrated, and this didn’t help. She grabbed the handle of her bat sticking out of her backpack and tiptoed over to the boys.
“Hey, what are you doing? “ Sara asked loudly. This startled the boys. She put her free hand on her hip.
“Us? Nothing! At all!” stuttered one boy.
“Nothing? Just like carrying around twine and wearing masks for fun? That’s an odd hobby.“
The other boy said, “When we report her for threatening us with a baseball bat, she’ll be sorry.“
“Yeah! You’ll be sorry!“ the other boy parroted.
“How about we report each other? “ Sara responded. “I’m sure they’ll be interested in that spool of twine. “
“What, this? It was already here. I was just about to sit on it.”
“Is that so? What are the masks for, then?“ Sara retorted. She saw May-fee and Nicci walk by behind the boys, oblivious to the situation. Nicci was still holding May-fee’s hand. Sara’s face took on a scowl.
“Whoa, what are you so angry about?” asked the first boy nervously. “It’s just a mask!“
“You just wait. I’ll tell my dad. You can’t go around threatening us! “
Her goal achieved, she dropped her hand from her bat. “Yeah, you’re right.” She walked between them, then away.
“You sure told her!“
Sara ignored them and headed to school.
***
May-fee and Nicci were mostly silent for their commute. When they got to school, they went to their lockers. Mr. Pliney and the principal were by May-fee’s locker, and it was open. Her books and supplies were on the floor. May-fee approached them.
“Here she is, Mr. Truman,” said Mr. Pliney.
“May-fee Ellis?“ the principal asked. May-fee nodded. “This is your locker? “ May-fee nodded again. “Young lady, you’re in big trouble!“
***