She entered cautiously, pulling off her coat to reveal a grey tank top. The building was tall and silent, seemingly abandoned. The work seemed to calm her, and she stepped inside, waiting for him. *** The boy frowned. "Mom said I shouldn't talk about it."
He followed her, seeming alert, if not a little anxious. *** "That's okay," she said softly. "I just to know any details you'd like."
"Look around," she whispered, "but be careful, okay?" *** He sniffled, running his nose with the back of his hand. "Could you... do you think you could do red? With yellow stripes?"
She nodded and started walking silently, moving deeper into the warehouse. *** The boy did as she asked, sniffling.
He went as well, looking around carefully and quietly. *** Once she finished the measurements, she nodded slowly. "Okay. You're all done."
Val gradually went out of his view, and it grew darker as they walked into the house. *** The boy gave her a shy smile. "What now?"
He looked around anxiously, but kept going. *** "I need the next kid," she said. "If you could grab 'em."
There came a cry of surprise from the other side of the house. *** He hesitated. "Should I ask Arlo?"
Landon jumper, panicking for a moment before running towards the cries. *** "Yes please," she said distractedly.
Val had her arms wrenched behind her back and a hand clamped over her mouth. The holder was a larger man, with small beady eyes and greying hair. She bit him and he cried out before she slammed her head back, hitting him in the nose. He cursed under his breath and let go. "Son of a-" *** Bryce hurried off and Arlo looked up. "Regina! Head on back." A girl with curly red hair stood up and headed back, her green eyes wide.
Landon panicked, and jumped in to strike the man down, the action seemingly out of instinct. *** Callie wrote down the name, looking up at Regina with a small smile.
The man stumbled and Val grabbed his hand and pulled. "Come on!" *** "Am I in trouble?" she asked quietly.
Landon ran, his expression fearful. "I'm never leaving my house again!" *** "Of course not," she said cheerfully. "I'm making sweaters."
"You might not get the chance to," she replied, turning the corner sharply. *** The girl perked up. "Really? How much are you charging?"
He didn't say anything, only gasped slightly. *** "Free," she said, rolling. "But your teacher insists to pay."
She pulled him as they ran through the house and they burst into the cold air of the outside. Val ran for her motorcycle. "Get on!" *** Her brow furrowed. "How much is he paying?"
He did so, his movements staggered with panic. *** "Don't worry about it, kiddo," she said. "You're too young to be this concerned. Besides, he doesn't even have to pay, considering I can afford it."
She threw him her coat and a helmet and gunned the engine. "Put the coat over the license plate," she instructed sternly, pulling out of the lot. "Hold on." *** The little girl frowned but tucked her hair behind her ear. "So what do you need me for?"
He did so, his movements focused. "You're absolutely crazy!" *** She grabbed the tape measure. "Because I'm making you a sweater. Got any color preferences?"
