Daddy's Home Part 2

Daniel returned home. Charles entered shortly after him. Charles looked at the tricycle in the front room. Daniel stumbled into his kitchen as he sobered up and started to comprehend what he did. His mind began to spiral as Charles walked around the house. As Daniel couldn’t believe that he released a random man from the sheriff's basement, Charles walked the house taking in the remnants of a broken home. Daniel started to think that what he did was a horrible mistake, his heart sank as he began to imagine the sheriff’s department breaking down his door and beating him down before locking him away for good or worse, killing him. Charles’ looked in Daniel’s direction as his eyes flashed light green, he put down the picture of the family’s last Christmas together.

Daniel felt himself breathing heavier and heavier. His mind was going through all the worst possible outcomes. As he thought that he would never see his son again, Charles put his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

“My friend. Thinking like that isn’t productive.”

“... how did you know what I was thinking?”

“Because I am where you are. My wife and son have been missing for a long time. I refuse to give up on them. I won’t let you give up on your family either.”

“... I. I don't know how much more of this I can take.”

“Breathe. Go lay down. Hydrate and rest. Give yourself time to restore your heart. A man running barefoot from running out of his shoes, deserves rest if he desires to run more.”

Daniel nodded and asked Charles what he would do. Charles promised to return after “stretching the rust off”. Daniel offered the old leftover food in his fridge. Charles thanked him and walked out the house.

Daniel grabbed a mug and felt like a third person in his own body as he filled the mug with water, finished it, filled it again, and made his way to his bedroom. He laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. He couldn’t sleep. Correction. He couldn’t relax. He couldn’t turn off his brain. The whispers began.

“You spineless creep. You are so weak that you let a monster loose to fix your problems.”

“Daddy, can you really say that you did your best when your best is another man’s efforts?”

“Can you honestly lay here and say that you are anything but useless? You’re laying in bed, doing nothing. Again!”

“You wouldn’t let another man find me before you would you? What if he finds me and keeps me from you?”

“Or worse, our son. Our Charlie prefers this complete stranger over the man that gave up on him.”

Daniel tried to argue back, only for the whispers to get louder. He held his head in anguish. He began to scream. To be louder than the whispers. A strong knock at his bedroom door silenced everything. It was Charles.

“Daniel.”

 Daniel looked at the doorknob as he caught his breath.

“Daniel.”

Daniel looked to the empty beer can on the nightstand.

“Daniel. It’s Charles. May I enter?”

“No! No…”

Daniel felt a chill up his spine as he could feel Charles staring directly at him. He reminded him of when his father would stare him down as a teenager before telling him, “Don't you raise your voice to me, boy.”

“Daniel, did you get any sleep?”

“... No.”

“Do you need anything?”

“No… I’m not a child.”

“But you are someone’s child. You deserve to be taken care of when you need it.”

“.. How do you… How do I know I can trust you?”

“You only have my word. I understand that that might not be enough for you. I could tell you about my family. Or I could do something to earn your trust.”

“... Like what?” Daniel asked as he sat up, “What could you possibly do?”

“You tell me. What would you need from me to prove myself?”

Daniel hesitated as the whispers began again. Daniel covered his ears and fell to his knees. He began to hyperventilate. Light green mist began to come from him, rolling off himself and onto the floor. He felt as if something grabbed him by the hair and pulled his attention to the door. He saw Charles staring him with glowing light green eyes but his body in darkness. The lights of the bedroom flickering. Daniel doing his best not to panic, heard Charles’ voice clearly, “Be calm. Those voices in your head? Be. Silent. Still your nerves and stand strong. You are a father. Your son will need you at your best. If I must move so you can reclaim your strength, I will. Be your sword. Make your command.”

Daniel began to think.

“Now.”

Daniel felt his heart in his throat.

“NOW! Make a call, Daniel Miller! From the heart!”

Black flares of smoke started to amass around Daniel. Deep blue sparkles gleaming in the smoke. Charles’ eyes widened as deep blue sparkles appeared in his eyes. Daniel looked to Charles , clutching his chest as he screamed, “Bring back my son and I’ll prove that I’m a good father. I want to make everyone sorry that they doubted me! I want to live with my son in peace! If you can make that happen, you can have whatever you want.”

Charles smiled, confident, “Of course I can. A father is willing to do anything for his family.”