Chapter 9

Chapter Nine
Elaine slowly crept into the room, making her feet fall as light as she could as she approached the bed. She didn’t want the little girl to wake and scream the entire house awake. She didn’t want her presence to be known. Not just yet. Elaine got to the head of the bed and stared down at her. She was so beautiful. A perfect little angel asleep with her favorite stuffed purple elephant clutched to her chest as she lay on her back. Her vulnerability scared Elaine. Anyone could take her from her bed and she wouldn’t have a chance to scream. She probably wouldn’t stir awake when she was touched, easy for someone to slit her throat. Elaine squeezed her eyes shut, banishing the scary thoughts out of her mind. God, she couldn’t think like that anymore. Things were different now, safer for her.
Katya. Elaine wanted so much to touch her, to kiss her, to hold her in her arms and never let go. Despite everything, she would never regret having her baby girl. Katya was the only good thing to ever come from her. Elaine had been away for a very long time, but it had all been for her, for Katya’s safety. She really hoped her daughter still remembered her.