Arabelle’s POV

I heard noise, shattering, loud shots, and angry words. Everything. I heard it all from my closed door. As soon as the shattering started, I had run to my room, closed the door, and hid under my bed. I don’t know why, but I knew that this shattering wasn’t Momma just dropping a water glass. It was something…evil. I felt a dark presence enter the house.

Clutching the gift from my guardian angel, I steadied my breaths until the yelling subsided.

I never hoped to use this against a person, but I knew that if I had to, I would. Mom could take care of herself. She would be safe. Beth would be safe too, because Mom would take care of Beth.

Mom was strong. She could do this.

Daddy was out at the store. He would be back soon. We would all clean up the class. I would hold the pan as Daddy would sweep up the glass. Momma would go sleep and make sure Beth wasn’t crying.

All would be okay.

I heard the door close and waited.

And waited.

And I waited more.

My fingers traced the foam handle. The entire slingshot was metal with a nice pouch, but there was a foam grip on the handle. It was squishy and comfortable. I continued to trace the edge of it as I took shallow breaths.

It must’ve seemed like an hour, maybe more, maybe less, but then I emerged. It was dead silent in the house. Mom wasn’t coming for me. Whoever broke in had left by now. It had been too long for them to stay here. I didn’t hear voices or footsteps anymore.

As I emerged from my hiding place, I shook, and I shook a lot. Daddy wasn’t back from the store yet. I was just waiting it out.

I feared to open my door, so instead, I looked around for more ammo for my slingshot, in case I had to use it. I don’t really know how to use my slingshot, but I think that in a situation like this, I would learn quickly.

Scanning the small area of my bedroom, I found little pony beads from a bracelet making kit. I had currently been working on a new bracelet for Uncle Aaron because he said he loved his last one so much that he wanted another. His favorite color was the purples I had in here.

Taking out the big tub of plastic beads, I weighed a small handful. These would hurt, especially since this seemed to be a very high powered slingshot with tight bands that would send the pellets flying into my targets.

Since I couldn’t fill my pockets with much, I grabbed the little cross body bag. It had a strap that went around my shoulder and hug like a satchel. Dumping all the beads into my bag, I felt the weight drop onto my shoulder. Hopefully, this would last me.

There was a noise.

Dropping my empty bowl onto the floor, I took out a handful of beads, only four or five of them, and zipped up my purse. There were footsteps coming up the door. My breathing went ragged as I feared who it would be. They didn’t call my name, so I don’t think it was Momma or Daddy. Ducking behind my tiny desk, I peeked out.

The door handle twisted, barely opening.

I had my hand on the foam grip, the other on the pouch. The beads were loaded as I pulled back and aimed.

A figure pushed through the door…

And I released.

Two green beads, a purple, and a glittery red bead all went flying towards the door. Two ricocheted off the door with noises like a gun going off. They left two little dents in the wood. I was kind of impressed at how much power they had, so much that they took chunks of wood out of the door!

The other three pelleted the man. He yelped in pain and slammed the door close. I was breathing heavy as I snagged another handful of beads. This time, I kept my purse only partially open, so I could scoop the bead out but not let them all tumble to the floor.

“D-don’t come in! O-or I’ll s-shoot again!” I yelled, trying to keep my voice even. I don’t sound that menacing though, since I’m pretty young. I loaded my weapon and pulled back with shaky fingers. My aim had been a little off, but not too bad.

“Arabelle! It’s me!” A rough voice called out. I knew that voice…I knew it…

“My guardian angel?” I asked him. The door creaked open. His face appeared. All the rough edges of his jawline, the familiar eyes that seemed to reflect the Pacific, and the defensive posture. They all screamed my guardian angel. Tears came to my eyes.

“It’s me.” He nodded and entered. The handle of a gun was sticking out of his belt, out of a holster. I stood shaking by my desk. Putting the beads back, I sniffed and tried to put on a brave face. The fingers of the angel touched the indents in the door.

“I see you got my gift…nearly killed me with it!” He chuckled softly, sadly.

“Oh, angel…Where’s my mom?” I asked softly, feeling the sadness start to shake my nerves. He came over, kneeling so that he was level with my eyes. His arms wrapped around me. I hugged him back. He was so warm. I sniffled a little more as he patted my back. He let go and put his hands on my shoulders. I saw the ink that seemed to come alive on his arms. There were tattoos that Daddy sings written on his skin…

“Arabelle, you have to listen to me. Momma was taken by a mean man. He’s a very angry, very dangerous man. They took Beth to and they are following Daddy. I need to get you somewhere safe so they can’t take you to.” He explained to me. I gasped.

“They have my family?” I asked. The angel nodded sadly.

“I’m going to rescue them, okay? But you have to stay safe-“

“No! I’m going to help you! That’s my sister! I have to save my sister and my mom and my dad!” I told him firmly, crossing my arms. My angel shook his head.

“Arabelle, I made a promise to your grandma…”

“The one in heaven?” I asked softly. I never got to meet my grandma.

“Yes, that one. I met her once. I said that I would protect you mom and her family. I’m going to keep you safe, okay?” He asked me quietly. I shook my head.

“I’m going to help you. I have a slingshot!” I argued and pointed to it. He pursed his lips.

“I see, and that is a very dangerous slingshot.” He rubbed bruises forming on his arms. I saw the little black dots on his tattoos.

“Then I will come with you. They won’t notice me. I am small. I hide well. Plus, I have ammo.” I said, pointing to my little green purse. It was filled to the brim with little pellets. The guardian angel looked into it and nodded.

“Is there a place you can go?” He kept asking me. I could protect myself! I don’t need protection!

“Sara and Oli are out with the band at the studio. Uncle Tino, Aaron, Phil, and Alan are all at the beach with Aunt LP.” I said. Well, I kind of lied. They were at a mall near the beach. Close enough…

The guardian angel bit his lip, trying to weight the options. I tapped my foot. We didn’t have much time. I heard Momma’s phone ring and moved to answer it. The angel held me back.

“If it’s the mean man calling, he’ll know you’re here.” He whispered. My eyes widened and I froze, nodding.

“I will be quiet. If we can get Daddy, I can be safe.” I explained, tugging at his arm. The angel nodded.

“Fine. We’ll go get Daddy. The mean man has henchmen that work for him. Have you ever seen Avengers?” The angel stood up, looking at me with the blue eyes that reminded me of JC.

“Oh yes! That was JC’s favorite movie! He never liked the aliens! Loki was a cool bad guy, though.” I responded wistfully. The angel took my free hand and led me downstairs. We walked into the kitchen. He looked around, glancing at things in our kitchen. I saw his car down in the driveway.

“So the mean man is like Loki, but he is REALLY bad.” The angel emphasized. I stood in the midst of the broken glass in my little shoes. I would listen carefully to every word this angel said. He was my guardian angel and would protect me.

“Really mean?” I asked. The man nodded.

“His henchmen are like the aliens. We’ll just call them the aliens and we’ll call the mean man Loki for now. So Loki is holding your mom and Beth with him. Daddy is being tracked by aliens.”

“No! Not the aliens!” I cried out. I stomped my foot angrily. I wouldn’t let the aliens attack him!

“So what we’re going to do is we’re going to be stealthy. You’re going to call the police and I’m going to take out the aliens, okay? You gotta back me up, but you gotta stay in the car, got it?” He asked me seriously. I nodded, setting my face hard as stone.

“I’ll dial 911. You take out the aliens. I’ll watch from the car.” I repeated back to him. The angel with hair and soft eyes smiled. I liked it when I could make him happy.

“I’ll keep the sunroof rolled down so if I need back up, you watch pop up through the sunroof. Don’t unlock the doors, don’t get out, okay?” He said. I nodded.

“What if Daddy comes to the doors?” I asked. The angel thought for a moment.

“Then open the doors and tell him he has to stay in the car.” I explained. Nodding, I adjusted the slingshot that rested in my hand. My fingers nervously played with the rubber bands.

“If I get hit, you hide in the car, okay?” I said. I nodded, but didn’t think too much of it. The angel wouldn’t get hit. He’s an angel! “If daddy’s in the car, then you tell him to drive out. I’ll keep the keys in with you. You protect the keys.”

“I protect the keys. If daddy is in the car when you get hit, then he drives away. You’ll hold them off.” I responded. The angel nodded and led me to the car. We ran out and I hopped in the back, buckling my seatbelt like Momma had taught me.

“Off to Daddy?” I asked. The angel smiled, looking back at me.

“Off to Daddy and to destroy some aliens!” He cheered, as if this was a game, but I saw the worry in his eyes.

“I call being Black Widow!” I kicked my legs excitedly. The angel smiled sadly.

“And I’ll be Captain America.” He chuckled.

Notes