Hidden Depths

The next month passed in a blur. Dalton, while being awkward around Maddison at first, bonded with the little girl quickly. Maddy had taken a liking to him. She seemed to always be striving to make him happy, which concerned me sometimes. Dalton noticed too though and often turned her mistakes into games in an attempt to show her she didn’t have to be perfect.

Blake showed up at the house often but only managed to get to me two more times. I kept hoping he would give up but he didn’t. I was starting to worry he never would. However he hadn’t done anything to or around Maddison since the alley.

Worse than Blake though were the notes. I didn’t know who could have found out that Maddison was Seth’s daughter, or what they wanted with Seth, but I had received two notes. The first one was in my car at work and said simply peek-a-boo. I had thought it must have been some kid and shrugged it off. It was the second one that changed my mind. I found it on my apartment door and it said to assure Seth they had eyes on us.

I hadn’t told Dalton about this, but had told myself if it continued I would. I didn’t understand why everything seem to be threatening, if not attacking, my daughter and I suddenly. I had fought to make a safe, comfortable life for Maddy. Right now though, I was failing miserably.

It was Friday night and I sat out behind the bar taking a break alone. I was rereading the second note for what seemed like the hundredth time. I hadn’t decided what to do about it, or even if it was real. What if it was just someone playing a prank. It just didn’t make sense…

“Nice place, a strip bar, that suits you.” Blake’s icy voice broke me from my revelry.

I stood quickly turning towards the door. If I just got inside I would be safe. I wasn’t sure what smashed into my lower back but it flung me into the door with a thud. I slid onto the ground as he walked over to me glowering.

“Why must you always test me?” He hissed kneeling next to me. He reached out to brush my cheek.

I smacked his hand away. “Go away!”

He raised his hand to strike but the handle jiggled above my head.

“Damn it.” He hissed before turning and walking away.

I stood slowly and opened the door to see Bryan. “You okay, honey?”

“I’m fine, why?” I winced trying to stand up straight.

“Someone said it sounded like someone was hitting the door.” He frowned at me doubtfully.

“Oh, yeah.” I said awkwardly, “I uh, couldn’t get the door open. Thank you.” I stepped around him quickly.

“Oh, sure.” He responded skeptically.

On my way to the bar I got bumped four times, each one bringing a new wave of pain in my back and tears to my eyes. It was going to be a long night. Bryan observed me for the next hour before starting to ask the other servers to do all the running. He kept me at the bar under the pretense of teaching me bartending.

I learned a lot and was in a lot less pain the rest of the night. To my relief Bryan didn’t ask any questions, though he avoided touching my back or bumping me in any way. It was clear he knew something was wrong. I appreciated him helping, and not asking questions.

“Thank you.” I said as we cleaned up after closing.

He looked at me for a minute before nodding and responding. “No big deal, you’re a natural.”

“Thanks.” I said again.

We were silent for a long minute before he sighed and looked up. “I just want you to know you have friends in high places. Dalton, Seth, I can even help you if you need it.” I understood money spoke volumes and Seth, even Dalton, had a lot of that. However there was something in his tone that said more than the actual words. He wasn’t talking about money.

“What do you mean?” I asked curiously.

“Just that you have help available.” He repeated before walking down the bar to start on the till.

I stared after him for a minute before before slowly continuing to wash the cups. My curiosity and need for independence suddenly at war with each other. As I turned to place a cup on the shelf behind me though, pain shot through my back again and I realized my independence may just be my problem at the moment. It was possible I needed to swallow my pride and ask for it.

That night I curled up on the couch with a book after paying Emma. I knew Blake wasn’t coming by tonight. He never came twice in one day. I felt safe and was looking forward to a day out with Dalton. He was going to pick us up early in the morning.

Suddenly I heard the door knob jiggle. I looked up, surprised. There I saw a man I didn’t recognize standing outside the window by my door. Slowly he brought a knife to the window. In my panic I almost missed the fact he was slowly spelling out something on the glass.

S, the knife slid scratching the glass. E, the sound was ear piercing. T, the blade was large and gleamed silver in the dim light from the street lamp. H, the man’s malicious grin sent chills down my back. Seth.

As soon as he was gone I ran across the room drawing the curtains tightly. I then fell on the floor in a panic. I couldn’t breathe, and even as I gasped for air I knew I was going to faint. I woke back up a little later and managed to drag myself to bed. Not that I would be getting any sleep.