just_muse_me : Awkward Moment : Bump in the Night
Duela Dent
Batman
412 words
Duela Dent woke up at four o'clock in the morning. In and of itself, that wasn't unusual. The little girl woke up several times most nights and merely rolled over, located her stuffed dog, and fell peacefully back asleep. One thing stood out tonight, however.
Light streamed in from beneath her door and footsteps sounded toward the living room. The seven-year-old slid out of bed, clutching her faithful toy close as she opened the bedroom door and peered out through the small crack she'd made.
Her father settled onto the couch and wrapped his arms around her mother, pulling her close. "She's fine," he whispered, kissing his wife's forehead. "Sound asleep."
"Did you turn the light on?"
"Of course not. That would have woken her up."
"What if it's in there?"
Duela heard her father sigh, watched his hand stroke her mother's back. "It isn't, Nadine. I promise. It isn't going to hurt our girl. It isn't going to hurt you."
The woman gave a quiet sob and curled up against her husband's chest while he cradled her.
"I shouldn't have left." It was probably the only time Duela had ever heard him say that. He'd apologize now and then-- when she'd let him get it out-- for the bruises and sometimes the shouting. But he never apologized for leaving. The girl had long since come to understand that he left to keep the damage to a minimum. Leaving, as far as he saw it, was something of a favor, not something to be apologized for... except for tonight.
"It was at the window," her mother whispered.
Duela knew her father wasn't convinced. She heard it in his voice when he replied, "I'm sure it was, but it didn't get in. I came home in time. I promise, it's not coming back."
"And Duela's safe?"
"Safe and sound, not a worry in her head." He paused when the woman he was holding shifted and kissed him. He waited a few moments, never breaking the embrace, before he touched her cheek. "Ready to go back to bed?" Only when she nodded and climbed off his lap did he stand.
He put a hand on her back and glanced toward his daughter's bedroom. His eyes met the pale blue of a small child's, and his expression fell further. He led his wife to their bedroom as his daughter closed her door and scurried back into bed. Duela hugged her plush protector close as she tried not to be afraid of whatever had made her mother so afraid.