Yearning For Home
puppy-lovve:
Joey had been talking to Reg about the things they were going to need for the house, and things for work. He was excited to get started and start making things better for him and Mouse, his new daughter. That was a fun and strange thought, he had a kid. He smiled at that. He’d be the first out of all his friends to have one, not bad for a non binary gay person, he thought with a snort. The look Reg gave him him grin and he told her his little thought. Making them both laugh.
Joey felt a tug at the his shirt and he looked down at Mouse, alarm bells going off as she signed “daddy’ over and over again. She looked pale and sick and a moment later she was sick all over the floor. Joey caught her in his arms and he could see the rash all over her. “REG CALL 911!” He shouted and he started to clear her airway she was having an allergic reaction. “Tell them we have a 5 year old going into Anaphylactic shock.” He yelled he was panicking on the inside but he was trying his best to stay calm. Mouse needed him to be calm. The 4 minutes it took the ambulance to get there were the longest minutes of Joey’s life as he held his daughter in his arms and hoped she would be ok. “It’s gonna be ok hunny daddy’s here.” He said over and over again.
____
Two days later Joey had Mouse in his arms only this time they were both smiling both glad to be home. “Alright kiddo here we are safe and sound at home.” Said and plopped them both down on the couch to relax. Poor Mouse was cover ins banades and had little bruises up and down her arms from the IVs his poor baby.
“I’m yours all day today, but tomorrow ill have to start work ok? Is there anything you want to do?” He asked her as he rubbed her back soothingly. He had been so scared when she was sick, but thankfully the doctors had found the problem, Mouse was allergic to meat. It was rare but there it was. Spotting a box with a bow on it by the couch where they were laying Joey sat up(Mouse still in his arms and opened it. Inside were dresses and shoes. Toys, art supplies and even some learning books. The note on the box said “I hope your little girl enjoys these and that she feels better. ~ Dagian” Joey read aloud. “Aww Mouse look what my Boss got you get well gifts… What a sweet guy. You wanna take a look?”
The first day in the hospital, Mouse floated in and out of consciousness. At one point she thought HE was in the room but the next time she opened her eyes HE was gone and Joey was there! Weak and frightened, Mouse was so glad to see her protector. Had she imagined HE was there? Where was she? Where they safe? She remembered feeling sick and going to Dr. Joey for help. His eyes had lit up for a moment when she first called him Daddy until he realized she needed help. Was she allowed to call him Daddy? He had called himself her Daddy. Scared and confused, Mouse wanted Joey and as if he could hear he thoughts he looked up from the screen he was reading and smiled at her. Things were attached to her arms and it took effort to find the strength but Mouse managed to lift her hand to sign ‘Daddy’ in greeting as she returned the smile. -----
Best laid plans and all... most employers would have fired any new employee who had not shown up for work their first three days of employment. But he was not an ordinary employer and Mr. Joey Jonouchi was not your normal employee. Seto sighed as he read the report again. Barring any setback, his new employee’s little girl would be released from the hospital later that day. This week was not going well for Mr.Jonouchi. In fact, he reminded Seto of another Joey. Joey Wheeler. That poor shmuck couldn’t win at losing. But it seemed... like Wheeler, this Joey’s was prone to good luck mixed with bad. Let’s see... Mr.Jonouchi get’s hired. Good. A building fire causes him to along with more than fifty other families and vagrants to become homeless. Bad. Decides to adopt a homeless boy who turned out to be a girl. Good...ish? The adoption is good. Hopefully, Mr.Jonouch would love a daughter just as much as a son. A severe allergic reaction that sends the child to the hospital, causing the man to be unable to start his new job for a few days Bad on top of Bad. And to top it off, more bad, Mouse seemed to have her own bad luck streak. As Mr. Jonouchi will learn as soon as he reads Regina’s report, that the child he is in the process of adopting was the sole survivor of the massacre of her family. The police report, which Seto paid a hefty donation to the police fund to obtain, stated that they found evidence that the murderer tortured the family of six for almost a week. Killing one family member a day. The children were killed in order of age, starting with the oldest, except the youngest, Zurie. Zurie Saxon now Zurie Jonouchi, Mouse certainly had a pretty name. That was one *good* thing. The report was rather graphic and at the same time vague. Why was the child spared? Was she mute before witnessing her families murder? The investigators found lots of evidence but no one to tie the murders too.
Thanks to Regina’s computer skills, a series of unrelated incidents came to light and painted a sinister picture. Zurie’s string of bad luck hadn’t ended with the police finding her at the scene. These incidents might explain Mouse’s fears and the dark figure she draws in all her pictures. Their connecting factor was all the victims had helped Zurie in some fashion after the murder.
The EMT that treated Mouse on the scene was killed the next day when an unidentified Junkie, who broke into the ambulance responding to a domestic call. Evidence showed they struggled and then the EMT was stabbed multiple times. The Junkie ransacked the Ambulance leaving bloody smears on all the drawers, then ran off.
The week later a female was the victim of a fatal hit and run coming out of a coffee shop. Eyewitnesses say the truck jumped the curb and hit a woman walking down the sidewalk, then continued speeding down the street. The poor woman was the social worker who had taken Zurie’s case.
The last case Regina marked with a question mark. It was the second death date wise but was ruled as natural causes. A heart attack. A woman in her 60′s found dead in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city. She was found days after her death. The Medical Examiner estimated her time of death as the day Zurie was released from the hospital. The woman was a doctor. Regina found out her last new case had been Zurie. Seto steepled his fingers and thought through all this information. Zurie Saxon... poor baby... survived the torture and murder of her family. How? The Murderer had plenty of time. Because the Murderer wanted her to. Later everyone that had contact with her except police died or was murdered. But no one connected them. Where did Zurie go next? Searching the notes, the caseworker picked Zurie up from the hospital but after she fell through the cracks. Wait... Some detail prickled Seto’s mind. No police were attacked but they would thoroughly investigate a cop killer. That fact wasn’t what was pestering him. There was something else he missed. Going back to the hit and run case, Seto reread it looking for small facts he might have brushed over. The woman had come out of the coffee shop with a cappuccino and a soymilk chug. If the caseworker needed soy in her drink she would have added it in the shop. That meant there was a child with her! A Child who was allergic to red mead might be lactose intolerant! Hense the soymilk! Zurie had been with the woman when she was run down! No one knew where or when Zurie disappeared! That was it! She saw the Murderer hit the caseworker. She knew he was killing anyone who got close to her. No wonder why she was so frightened and afraid to stay with Mr. Jonouchi. If the Murderer was stalking her and killing those she came in contact with, then they were all in danger!. No child should be tortured this way! Damn it all! Seto was not going to let this poor kid be tormented and abused.
A quick note to Regina would ensure no one could connect Mouse to her past. Then Seto started to write a letter to be included in the packet of files Regina would give Joey. Dear Mr. Jonouchi, I hope you will forgive Regina for letting me see the information on your daughter. I want to assure you that none of this is her fault. I am sure you will come to the same conclusion I have when you read my notes I have included in the report. You daughter is being stalked and tortured by the man who killed her family. He has killed everyone who has offered her any help. I am concerned for both your welfare as well as those around you. Let me make my position very clear to you. No matter your decision, your job with my company is secure. After reading this information about Mouse, if you wish to proceed with the adoption, I will do everything in my power to help the both of you. I will provide any security you or Mouse require to make her feel safe. It is my wish for Mouse to have as normal and happy a childhood as possible. Should you decide not to adopt Mouse, I will find her a safe and happy home personally. She will not be abandoned back into the system.
That being said, here are a few things I propose. In the building we have daycare. I would be happy to take on a specialized teacher who could give Mouse individual lessons or we can offer a preschool class of two to four so Mouse could learn with other children her age. I will add additional security precautions to the building and the surrounding grounds. If you require anything, even an ear to listen, one single dad to another, please message me anytime day or night. Sincerely, Dagian P.s I hope Mouse likes the gifts. ---------- Mouse was so glad to be home. While she didn’t feel safe, she did feel safer. The child never expected to feel comfortable in this place but it was much safer than the hospital. Mouse had woken up a few times, certain HE was lurking behind the curtain. She could smell him. Here there were locked doors between her and HIM plus the Dragondog that guarded their door. And Papa Joey... he had said he would protect her. HE wasn’t going to get in this place easily. Sitting in Joey’s lap, Mouse clapped as he pulled stuff out of the box. The dress was the prettiest thing she had ever seen. It even looked like it was her size! Pale sky blue with green grass around the hem. Out of the grass grew flowers in shades of pink. Dancing all around the dress were butterflies and ladybugs. Reaching out to touch the dress, Mouse was surprised to find it was the softest fabric she had ever touched. Hugging the dress tightly, Mouse felt her eyes tear up as Joey pulled another dress. This one was bands of ribbon sewn together. Some of the ribbons were fuzzy and others were embroidered. It was colorful and fun looking. By the end, Mouse was hugging as many of the gifts as she could hold in her arms, crying because she had forgotten how to be happy. Now wearing the garden dress and butterfly sandals, Mouse spun for Joey. The skirt twirled around her. Her tummy rumbled and Joey grinned at her saying “Dis time I know what to make ya!” Following her Papa into the kitchen, Mouse pointed to three new aprons hanging by the fridge. One was a cute feminine thing. Black with pink sequins, pink lace, and pearls. Written on the top was ‘Don’t Panic! Mama’s in the kitchen.’ Written on the skirt upsidedown was a cheat sheet for measurements. The other adult apron was pictures of cups of coffee. On the bib was a text screen, with the words ‘Can some text me a cup of coffee.’ The last apron was child size, pink with lace. ‘That’s Princess Sous Cheif to you.’ When Joey read them to her, Mouse didn’t understand why they made Joey laugh but she liked the sound of his laughter. Pointing to the one with the lace, she signed Mama at him and grinned.
While Joey tied her apron, Mouse realized she had forgotten her other protector! Dragondog must be hungry too. He was such a good guardian he deserved a treat. But what did Dragondogs eat? Pulling out the drawers so she could climb up and reach the countertop, Mouse snatching a plate Joey just put set down and an apple. Tugging on Joey’s shirt to get his attention, Mouse ran over to the screen on the wall and pointed to the Dragondog then she held out the plate with the apple on it. When Joey opened the door, Mouse was suddenly afraid. What if HE was watching?!? But she had to thank the Dragondog or they wouldn’t be friends! Gathering her courage, Mouse cautiously peeked out, first left, then right. Not seeing anyone she across the hall to the Dragondog. Setting the plate down at its feet, Mouse patted the Dragondog’s head then she kissed it on it snoot. Running back to Joey’s waiting arms, Mouse couldn’t stop trembling but she was proud of herself. The Dragondog was a good guard and deserved a treat, no matter how afraid she was to be outside. As Joey carried her inside Mouse was sure she had seen the Dragondog wink at her as if to say thank you.
They had the best afternoon. Joey showed her that the building they lived in had a wall around it, guards at the gate and that the building’s park was safely behind the wall. He assured her, they could come right back inside if she got scared. Since it was going to be one of the last warm days before winter, they were going to have a picnic in the park! Dressed in her new clothes, floral headband and shoes that flashed, Mouse felt pretty but she was nervous to be outside. HE might see her. But as they approached the park, Mouse forgot her fear. Pointing at the play structure and swings, she squeezed her Papa’s hand. she was so excited. It was the most magical thing she had ever seen. It looked like a fairytale! There was a castle with tunnels and slides. Out in the sand there was a pirate ship with rope ladders and tires to climb. When Joey picked her up for a better look, Mouse covered her mouth with her hands and bounced in his arms. THERE WAS A DRAGON AND A SEA MONSTER TOO! Staying away from the other children, she and Joey explored the playground. There was so much to see! A hidden door was the way up to the tower. It had stairs in that sounded like fairy chimes. Mouse had to go up and down the stairs a few times. The music was so pretty. At the top of the tower was the Dragon. He was holding a slide. She wanted to slide down but she was afraid. It was so high! Her Papa seemed to understand. Putting her on his lap, they went down together.
There was still more to explore but she was getting tired fast. Joey took her over to the grassy area instead of the picnic tables. He laid out a big blanket he pulled from his backpack. They ate under a tree. Joey made BLT’s and a bean salad. Mouse loved all the vegetables and new tastes. A full tummy and a little sleepy, Mouse was surprised when Joey pulled her onto his lap, then folded the blanket over them. Snuggled against him, cocooned in warmth, Mouse drifted off to sleep while her Papa read to her. This had been the best day ever!
