Chapter 5 - The Morning AwakeningSunlight flooded through the tall arched windows of the Mercer Estate guest room, painting the hardwood floors in warm amber hues.
Mave stirred.
She blinked sleepily, staring up at a ceiling painted with delicate golden clouds. She sat up quickly, clutching the blanket to her chest, her heart hammering. Where was she? Was this a dream?
The last thing she remembered was the cold sidewalk, the cruel laughter of the men in suits, and the warm hot chocolate in the café.
The door creaked open.
Silas walked in wearing a soft gray sweater and dark trousers, carrying a silver tray with a plate of warm pancakes, sliced strawberries, and a glass of fresh orange juice.
“Good morning, Mave,” Silas smiled warmly, setting the tray down on the bedside table.
Mave stared at him, her gray eyes wide. “Am I... am I in heaven?”
Silas chuckled softly, sitting down on the edge of the mattress. “Not quite. You’re in Manhattan. And breakfast is served.”
Mave looked down at the food, her stomach letting out a loud, embarrassed rumble. She looked up at Silas, hesitation written all over her face.
“Where... where is my mom?” she whispered.
Silas’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of deep, gentle concern. When Marcus had investigated Mave the night before, the background report had brought a heavy silence over the room.
“Mave,” Silas said gently, taking her small hand in his. “Marcus checked on your apartment last night. Your mother... Clara Jensen... has been sick in the hospital for three weeks. The neighbors were feeding you, but you snuck out to sell flowers to pay for her medicine, didn't you?”
Tears welled up in Mave’s eyes, and she nodded slowly, biting her lower lip. “She’s all I have left. My dad left before I was born. If she dies... I’ll have nobody.”
Silas felt a sharp pain in his chest. He reached out and pulled the little girl into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest as she finally let go of all the fear she had bottled up inside.
“Listen to me, Mave,” Silas whispered fiercely into her tangled brown hair. “Your mother is not going to die. And you will never be alone again. Do you hear me?”
May you like
Mave sniffled, burying her face in his sweater. “Promise?”
“I promise,” Silas said. “In fact, let’s go pay her a visit right now.”
