Page 26 of Blade

“Eloise, I’ve been so worried about you!”

“Y-you have?” Eloise asked.

“Yes, we all have!”

The look of disbelief on Eloise’s face only confirmed my suspicions that she didn’t know how valuable she was to those around her.

“I think Eloise is a bit shocked that someone cared about her,” I explained, still not knowing who the woman was.

“When you didn’t come back to the shelter, I was so worried. I went to the police and they said you’re a missing person?”

Fuck.

“I am, um, my ex reported me missing…” Eloise struggled to explain.

“Is that why you were in the shelter?” Allyson asked, taking a seat in a chair Rogue pulled up for her. “Because of him?”

Eloise nodded. “Y-yes. I didn’t want him to find me.”

Allyson flung her small body across the bed and hugged Eloise tight. “I knew it must be a bad situation because you were always looking over your shoulder.”

“He b-beat me and I left,” Eloise explained, growing braver. “But I am going to have a good life here in Strickland. I’m not going to run from him anymore.”

I was so fucking proud of her and I also understood why she didn’t want to relive the whole story.

Allyson seemed to feel the same. “I’m so happy for you! I’m glad you’re staying too. I really would have missed you.”

“You would?”

“Of course, silly. We’re friends.”

The look of shock told me Eloise didn’t realize Allyson felt that way. Eloise really did go around spreading her sunshine on everyone without realizing how much we all adored her for it.

“How did you find Eloise?” I asked her, needing to know. Allyson must have gone to a lot of trouble to find her. I hated that I hadn’t even considered communicating with anyone at the shelter.

“I started going to all the places I knew she looked for cans and asking questions. When I got to Shorty’s Gas and More, the cashier said she’d gone with someone in a Daddies Ink shirt, so then I went to Daddies Ink and met Rogue,” she rushed to explain. “Rogue told me how Blade found you and how sick you were and that you were here getting treatment. I was so glad you were alive and I needed to see you. I asked Rogue to bring me to you.”

Eloise blushed and looked down at her fingers. “This is Blade,” she said, stating the obvious due to her nerves.

I waved at the woman. “It’s nice to meet you, Allyson.”

“Blade is very nice to me.” Eloise said, almost as if she was assuring Allyson she was safe.

“I’m so glad, you deserve some good things after all you’ve been through.”

Fuck me, this one was sweet too. These women and their big hearts were going to kill me.

“I got hurt the other day collecting cans and my wound got infected. I was really sick and kinda fainted. Blade called his doctor friend to help me and now I’m much better.”

“I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“I’m so sorry I worried you,” Eloise said sincerely.

“I’m just glad you’re okay! I care about you. We all do!”

“Y-you do?”

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. Once again this sweet Little one had proven she had no idea how much she brightened the lives of those around her. I couldn’t wait to show her how much she meant to all of us.

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