A man I cannot say I recognize walks far behind Evangeline and I. She sings a song she learned from daycare, not a care in the world as she swings her hands in the air. The freedom of walking makes her happy.
I listen to her, but turn around and see that tall figure follow us with his head lowered and a hat covering his face. He wears a suit, one that looks expensive.
I clutch Evangeline's hand, and we walk a bit of a faster pace. My heart races, and I grow weary of what's going on.
The autumn afternoon reminds me of my birthday, which will only be a few days away. I'll be thirty-one. The same age as my mother when she passed.
And as I see our small home in the distance, I pray to God that this man who has been walking behind us since I scooped my daughter up from daycare will turn the other way.
I don't consider Evangeline's tiny feet as I walk faster and faster. She stumbles, but I don't let her hand go. She belts out a cry, her feet catching each other must've scared her. I stop and pick her up, telling myself that I need to calm down.
She rests on my shoulder and puts her thumb in her mouth. Evangeline always gets like this after walking from the daycare home. She's due for her nap, and I can't be more thankful.
I dig my hand into my bag and pull out my keys. I stand before the front door, hearing the wind whistel as I try desperately to get my key into the lock. My fingers are trembling.
My eyes make a sharp turn towards the man who stands around our small fence. The door unlocks, and as I enter my house, I spin around to see him raise his head and look right at me.
I shut the door, immediately locking it behind me before running with Evangeline to the couch.
I lay her down, and watch as she protests. "Mama!" She begs for me to pick her up, but I can't. I can't do much of anything right now.
I leave her a gingerly kiss on the top of her head, running my finger over her head. "I'll be right back baby," I whisper before running towards the phone on my table.
I quickly call for Thomas Shelby and the phone rings before she picks up.
"Shelby residence." It's Ada, I can hear her perfectly.
"Ada!" I shout, my throat closing as I wipe hot tears from my face, "I need Tommy, please! It's urgent."
Just like that, as if on time, loud knocks come from my front door making my eyes spring to Evangeline who stirs in her sleep. She rolls into her side, in her usual fetal position.
"Ok, ok." She heard the desperation in my voice. "Thomas!" She shouts, "Just give a moment, I'm going to grab him!"
I stand up, moving to the window as I take the phone with me. My eyes poke out from the curtains to see three men standing before my door. I note how they look, the way they stand and the determination on their face.
"Y/n?!" I hear a panicked voice on the other end, and I instantly sob.
"Tommy! There are men here!" I cry, "Thomas, I-I don't know what to do. I have the baby, I don't know what to do, Thomas!"
"Alright, calm down. Hey, don't scare Evangeline. You need to breathe, stay calm."
"What do I do?" I whisper, moving my fingers over my lips. "I don't know what to do."
"I left a revolver where you keep the towels. It's already loaded." He tells me. "Where Eva?"
"She's here, with me, in the living room."
"Alright. Move her to the bedroom, she's safer there."
"Okay." I blink, feeling tears run down my face. A chorus of bangs start again, making me jump. "Thomas, I'm so scared."
