The Life of a Nomadic Tumbleweed Ch.12

“Yes I can promise your father will come back to you,” she said slowly, “But maybe you should stay I couldn’t put you in any danger. There’s got to be someone who is watching you,”

Sunshine's little face fell into a mixture of confusion and hurt.

"But -" she started. "You said I could -"

“And as for not letting me die, only god can do that. I’ve been through so much that maybe dying is the best way to end,”

Her eyes widened slightly, brimming without he beginnings of tears. She hated this woman. She should have never spoken to her. How could she say that she would let Sunshine help her father and then take it back so quickly? Her hope had been replaced and then ripped away again, leaving an even bigger wound than before.

Plus, not only had this woman taken her hope away but she was talking about how death was a good option, simply because she'd been through so much. Not such a good example for a little girl who'd been through as much as she had.

How could a ten year old be stronger than a woman?

She supposed she had her father to thank for that. But she felt very sorry for the stranger.

“I’m sorry but I am not going to bring you, but your father will come home to you. So wait here for him, it won’t take long for them to get here. And that’s it…there’s no arguing about this. I am not changing my mind.”

As the woman turned and walked away, Sunshine had no plan on just letting her leave. She told her that she was going to follow her whether she agreed to it or not, and that was exactly what the little girl was going to do. Armed with her laser gun and chocolate bar, she trailed after the lady slowly.

Until the sound of voices barking at her stopped her in her tracks.

"Sunshine!" a man's voice bellowed, a warning. "SUNSHINE!"

She'd been caught. Part of her knew they'd find her -- they all cared for her too much to not constantly be on the lookout for her… she could see them in the hazy desert distance, their dark frames all turned in their direction.

The first laser was shot in the direction of the woman, and Sunshine screamed in protest. Luckily the laser missed, but not so luckily… Dr Death Defying was starting to run toward them, followed closely by his group of allies. They'd be there faster than you could blink.

"Run!" she called out to the woman, waving her arms. "You gotta run!"

She turned back to her guardians and screamed until they believed her. The woman was not dangerous - she hadn't tried to hurt her or kidnap her - it was just Sunshine's fault. When the adults shouted threats toward the retreating form of the woman, telling her never to come back or to talk to the little girl again, Sunshine simply waved and smiled before being directed back to the diner.

She hoped the lady wouldn't go back on her promise.