Barely There

Chapter 15 - Broken Clock

"Oh wait I think I may have some toys from when I was a kid. Do you want to take a look at them?"

"YES!" 

Leda stood up, glancing out at the darkened sky as she walked towards her bedroom. She entered the small walk-in closet and observed the details of the compact space before setting her coffee-colored gaze upon the dusty boxes in the corner. She coughed away the clouds of dust and particles as she dragged the cardboard box out into the middle of her dim room. Her hands pulled onto the two flaps held by the broken tape until the box opened. Observing the contents within, she reached into the arrangement and pulled out a tight, plastic bag. She poured out the items onto the floor as the slightly tinted material they were initially in obstructed her view. 

A shadow of a smile attacked her expression, yet her vacant eyes remained focused on the colorful articles of childhood. She lost herself in the abyss of nothingness.

The rain began to patter against the thin windows, saving her from the hold of dread. 

Standing up confusedly, she stumbled towards the patient girl. Clementine's brown eyes twinkled with newfound light in spite of the dark sky and she flashed a wide, toothless grin at Leda. Still recovering from the instance of confusion, Leda dropped the distantly familiar stuffed animals in front of the eager child. 

"YAYYYY!"

The previous emotion disappeared as she felt herself fawn at Clementine's joy. 

"Look its a baby elephant!! What's its name Leda?"

The smile decreased from it's prior intensity. "Huh...I really don't remember if I gave it one."

"We'll call him Jerry!"

The rain became merciless against the apartment windows and Clementine cowered into a ball with fear. She whimpered softly as the wind howled roughly against the night. Instinctively, Leda reached for the young girl, pulling her into a comforting hug. "It's okay Clem," she spoke tenderly as the child melted into her hold. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

At the sudden increase of rain Clementine sniffled against Leda's top. Her small grip around the elephant tightened. Leda brushed through the toddler's subtle waves, until the young child began to slacken in her hold. The storm cruelly attacked her efforts with a cacophony of sounds but Leda maintained her rhythm of comfort. The child relaxed fully as she fell into a blissful sleep, ignorant to the world around her. Leda beamed.

A text ruined her celebration for the small triumph and she carefully leaned towards the wooden table, analyzing the notification. 

My car is completely out of gas and everything is closed. Could you possibly drop her off at my house

Also save this number

Leda took out her left hand from under Clementine and used her legs for support as she extended her arm painstakingly slow towards the phone. She typed weakly with her inferior hand and read over her simple response several times before sending it. 

Yeah I can. What's the address 

As she saved the contact, the device sounded out again. 

34 Willburrow St. 

Leda slowly stood up, holding tightly to her phone as she tiptoed towards the door. Although she initially struggled with the door handle, she sighed with relief as her path to the hallway was clear of obstructions. She cautiously made her way to her car, moving in a more frantic pace as the sounds of the storm intensified in the barren parking lot. Setting the phone down on the shiny hood of her car, she reached her left hand into the pocket of her hoodie, whilst awkwardly supporting Clementine's still sleeping form. A thin sheet of sweat poured into her skin as she finally unlocked the car.