Louie let out a curse as she stopped in front of the dingiest house on the block. What may have been yellow paint had darkened into a crusty brown that dotted the one story home.

“I’m home” Louie sighed and stepped into the house.

In contrast to the exterior the inside was spotless with everything put away neatly.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged in,” a woman’s voice said in disgust.

“Hi mom,” Louie said, turning to see a middle-aged woman coming out of the kitchen.

“I was hoping you ran away for good,” she said “but as usual you just have to disappoint me”

“Where’s Daisy?” Louie asked with a sigh,

“At the daycare” Kate said “Why are you asking stupid questions?”

“The daycare closed half an hour ago!” Louie shouted, running back out the door. She ran to the sidewalk but stopped when she saw two figures approaching. A young girl with long blonde hair in a lavender coat was holding hands with a tall young man in a blue polo. A daycare logo was on the blue shirt like a pocket.

“Louie” The young girl shouted in joy and ran towards her sister

Louie dropped to her knees and embraced the running child.

“I missed you” Louie whispered, squeezing the child tightly.

The young man stopped a few steps away from the sisters, giving them time for their reunion.

“Where have you been?” Daisy questioned once she could breathe.

“Some really crazy things happened recently” Louie said, wiping a tear from her eyes “I’ll explain when we’re inside”

Standing Louie turned to the young man, Zeke.

“Thank you for walking her home” Louie said “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to pick her up”

“I’m just glad to see you” Zeke said “I almost called Dan to fill out a missing person’s report”

Louie laughed “What’s that going to do? Your brother hasn’t left his desk in years”

Zeke joined in laughing “Isn’t it the thought that counts?”

“I suppose” Louie shook her head before turning serious “Will you be home for a little while? I want to talk with you”

“Yeah” Zeke nodded “I’ll be home for the day. Come by whenever”

“Thanks again Zeke,” Louie said gratefully “Let's head inside Daisy”

“Bye Zeke” Daisy said as her sister took her hand “See you tomorrow”

Zeke gave a wave at the departing siblings before continuing down the sidewalk, his house being two doors down from Louie’s home.

Stepping into the house Louie was immediately shoved to the side by her mother. The movement was more instinct on Louie’s part as the bony woman had little strength. Producing a hot pink hairbrush Kate brushed Daisy’s hair and spoke in a loving voice.

“How are you my precious daughter? Did you have a good day at the daycare? I hope none of those brats tried to bully you because of your sister again. I know it’s not fair that we have to suffer for other people’s choices. We did nothing wrong but have to deal with the consequences from such an ungrateful person.”

Louie stood to the side silently as her mother went on her tirade, waiting for her to tire herself out. Daisy also remained silent, giving Louie an apologetic look.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

After a moment Kate led Daisy to the kitchen where a sandwich waited on the table. Louie followed behind quietly, waiting until her mom took a seat with Daisy.

“I need to talk with you two” Louie said “I’m only here for a few hours”

“Good” Kate said “Say what you have to say and leave”

“Do you have to go?” Daisy asked

“I do” Louie said “I got hired by this rich guy to be his personal hunter”

“Someone hired you?” Kate asked in disbelief “Clearly this man needs a doctor not a hunter. He’s acting irrational”

“I will travel with him for a few months” Louie continued “Travelling the world and when possible I will hunt any animals he wants as trophies.”

“Well, there it is,” Kate cheered “Of course the only thing you can do is kill! Now it makes perfect sense,”

“I will stop by whenever I can” Louie was only looking at Daisy by this point “and will drop off some money but I won’t be able to stay more than a day or two”

“Did you say money?” Kate questioned “Since this rich guy is paying for everything most of your paycheck should come to us,”

“I’ll talk with Zeke and make sure he can walk you to and from the daycare every day” Louie said.

“Hey where's the money” Kate interrupted

“Here” Louie pulled out a brown bag and tossed it on the table.

Kate quickly swiped the bag and tore it open. Dozens of hundred-dollar bills fell on the table much to Kate and Daisy’s surprise.

“How did you get so much?” Kate croaked

“That’s $10,000” Louie said “That’s about how much I’ll bring back every time I visit. Make sure it goes to house repairs”

“Don’t tell me what to do” Kate spat “Don’t forget you’re the reason we have to rely on the government to get food”

“I’m going to contact the school” Louie turned back to Daisy “and make it so Zeke can sign any permission slips when school starts up”

“When will you be back for good?” Daisy asked, her eyes growing misty.

“I’m not sure” Louie admitted “but I will visit every chance I get”

Daisy nodded, trying poorly to hide her sadness.

“Don’t think you can stay here whenever you want” Kate said “I turned your room into a home gym already”

“I already have a place to stay” Louie said “I should head to talk with Zeke”

“ Can’t you stay a little longer?” Daisy asked

“I’m sorry” Louie pulled the young girl into a hug “I only have today and I have a lot get done”

Daisy squeezed her sister tightly, letting her tears fall silently.

“You too are embarrassing” Kate grumbled, leaving the table with the bag of money.

“You be good ok” Louie said, lowering herself to look in the young girl’s eyes “Stay strong and when I’m back for good we will do everything you’ve ever wanted”

“Can we go to Legoland?” Daisy asked, putting on a trembling smile

“I’ll buy you Legoland” Louie promised, hugging the child again

Louie slowly walked down the sidewalk to Zeke’s home. The man in question was walking to the side door of the garage.

“Zeke” Louie called before the older teen closed the door.

“Hey Louie” Zeke smiled as his friend approached “What’s new?”

“I need you to watch Daisy” Louie said seriously

“Are you going somewhere?” Zeke questioned

“I got a job” Louie said “I’ll be travelling the world for the next few months. I’ll stop by when I can”

“Hold up” Zeke interrupted “What do you mean travelling for months? You haven't even started junior year. You can’t spend months travelling.”

“I’m dropping out” Louie said “The money I’m making now is more than worth taking a year off school”

“On that note, who hires a teenage girl to travel the world?” Zeke asked “That sounds really sketchy Louie,”

“Just trust me,” Louie said “Can you watch Daisy or what?”

“Of course,” Zeke said “but this sounds crazy”

“I know” Louie chuckled “It is crazy”

“So what do you need me to do exactly,” Zeke asked

“Take this” Louie handed Zeke a silver debit card

“Oh, is this like an allowance?” Zeke asked “I get some money on this card every month to pay her expenses,”

“Basically” Louie said “There’s $500,000 on there right now”

Zeke sputtered as he heard the amount, eyes darting from the card in his hand to the smug look on Louie’s face.

“And a fifth of that is yours” Louie said “As long as you take care of my sister”

Zeke looked worried at the card “Louie, who exactly are you involved with?”

“I’ll add you to the guardian list at school” Louie ignored the question “She hasn’t had problems with her grades before but monitor them and talk to her to see if she's struggling. She can get the best tutors you can find. Also, any clubs or sports she wants to try should be encouraged. The less time she spends at home the better.”

“Is this for real?” Zeke asked quietly

“It is,” Louie nodded “Daisy is the richest person in the county and as long as she's taken care of you can be the second”