I was finishing off the last bottle of lager and trying to beat the next level of the shooting game on my PC when little Emily tugged at my sleeve, whining for food and a walk. Dad, Im hungry, I want to go out! she squealed again.
Id had a crucial match coming up, and her shrill pleas were a constant irritation. I couldnt understand why she wouldnt just sit quiet for a while. My temper rose each time she clutched my arm, demanding my attention. She was only five, but I expected a child that age to make her own porridge. I was out with my mates in the garage, while my daughter seemed like a helpless little thing.
My distraction cost me the round I lost. Fury clouded my vision. I shot up, lunged to the kitchen, grabbed a hardened roll of bread and slammed it into her hand.
Take it and chew it, cant reach it yourself? I barked.
I poured a glass of milk from the fridge, set it on the table, and when Emily reminded me that mum always warmed the milk, I snapped, Im not mum, you should know that by now. I went back to the computer, hoping a full stomach would silence her. It didnt. After a quick bathroom break I returned, but didnt even have time to sit in my favourite armchair.
Dad, I want to go out. Mum and I always go for walks together! Emily whined, pursing her lips.
Want to go out? Fine, off you go! I shouted, seeing a perfect chance to be alone.
I rummaged through Emilys wardrobe, pulling out warm trousers, a sweater, mitts and a coat with a hat. I hurriedly dressed her, shoved her out into the yard and told her to stay there until I called her back. Back at the computer I slipped on my headphones, cranked up my favourite music, opened a fresh can of energy pop, and started blasting enemies in the game, thrilled that nothing would disturb me.
Emily shivered in the cold. She remembered mum always dressing her in cozier clothes for winter walks. The sun had set, and mum never let her out at dusk. She missed her mother terribly the good times with her and the emptiness without. Her lips trembled, and she tried the front door, only to find Id locked it. To keep warm she tried to run around, but the snow, unshoveled for days, clung to her feet. She attempted to roll a snowman, but the powder was too loose, more sand than snow. She wondered if the snow might actually be cold sand. She knocked on the door again, but no one answered, as if shed vanished. Fear rose. She started to cry, calling for me, but I ignored her. Wrapping her arms around herself, she glanced at the slightly ajar garden gate and slipped out, hoping to warm her frozen toes even a little.
She thought of visiting neighbour Mrs. Lucy, who often gave them milk, but Lucys house was dark. Emily knocked, but no one opened. Perhaps nobody was home. She walked on, soon leaving the village, because our cottage sat on the edge of town. She kept crying, not knowing what would happen next. When a blizzard rolled in, she turned and felt terror tighten around her she could see nothing. She ran forward, gulped the icy air, sobbing and shouting for dad, but the only image that kept flashing in her mind was my angry face and my harsh words: Leave me alone, Im not your mother! Realising she was utterly alone, she tried to shield herself from the wind that knocked her down, then collapsed on her knees. The cold snow burned her skin, and the biting wind crept under her coat.
I didnt remember Emily until about two in the morning. I might never have thought of her again if I hadnt rushed to the loo and heard a fierce knocking at the window. Bare lilac branches, frosted with ice, were being battered by the gale.
A proper whiteout, I thought, but the next instant the idea that Id left my daughter outside hit me like a bolt.
I bolted into the yard, shouting Emilys name, but she was nowhere. A chill of horror seized me it was late, the blizzard was fierce, and my child could freeze to death. Yet I waved my hand away. Shell manage, shell find someone, I muttered.
Assuming shed been taken in by a neighbour, I went back inside, despite the bitter cold outside. I wasnt too worried; Mrs. Lucy often looked after Emily. Seeing a light in Lucys window, I finally calmed down. When my wife, Diane, asked how we were doing, I coldly replied that we were asleep and everything was fine.
Lately Diane and I had been at odds. She reminded me constantly of her late mother, nagging me to get a job instead of sitting on my sofa playing games. I dreamed of turning my gaming into a profession; Id heard stories of pro gamers earning big bucks, hoping one day to reach their level. I chided Diane for her criticism, telling her Id start earning the proper money when I finally cracked it.
I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep, leaving the door unlocked just in case Emily returned. In the morning, I was woken by Dianes sister, Diana, shouting, Youve gone mad! Wheres Emily? I asked you!.
Its not my fault! She isnt home! I snapped, trying to turn away, but Diana clutched my arm and I, still halfasleep, fell to the floor.
Ill count every bone in you if you dont tell me! she threatened, glaring. Unlike her gentle sister Olivia, Diana was a tough girl, trained in karate since childhood, not easily scared. She could easily pin a man who seemed dumber than a monkey.
Wheres the child? Where have you taken my niece? Im here for Emily! Diana demanded.
Shes out wandering the village, I muttered, omitting that Id literally thrown her out.
Dianas eyes widened. She was ready to pounce, furious that I treated my fiveyearold as if she could disappear without consequence.
What if somethings happened to Emily? Who did you hand her over to? she asked.
I didnt hand her to anyone. She went out on her own yesterday, after I after I drove her out so she wouldnt disturb my game. I didnt admit that Id tossed her into the cold.
Without wasting time, Diana ran to Mrs. Lucys house. Her hands shook with fear. She couldnt understand why I hadnt searched for my own daughter when I realized she was missing, especially with the blizzard raging. She pounded on Lucys door; the elderly woman shook her head, pale, asking for details. Lucy didnt know the girl, and Diana had just returned from a short business trip, her sister in hospital, so she was frantic.
She knocked on every neighbours door, hoping someone had sheltered Emily. Everyone shook their heads; in such weather people stayed indoors, barely peering out. Finally, Diana dragged me back to the living room, where I was calmly restarting my game. She began punching the desk, crying, Wheres the child? What have you done?
Calm down! Shell be fine! Shes a strong little thing! I tried to reassure her, though my voice sounded hollow.
Diana decided not to tell her sister, Olivia, about the tragedy yet, fearing it would ruin her upcoming heart surgery. She called the police, but I tried to snatch the phone away. She stared at me with a threatening look, making it clear I shouldnt get near her. The rescue team promised to sweep the area soon, though the snowstorm made the search almost impossible. Diana kept insisting it was a nightmare, a bad dream, but the reality was brutal. She blamed herself for not getting her sister out of the hospital sooner, for leaving Emily with such a useless father.
Police arrived quickly, interrogated me, and, understanding the situation, placed handcuffs on my wrists.
What am I supposed to do? I didnt harm her! I protested.
The law is clear. Leaving a child alone in a blizzard is child endangerment, the officer said, disgusted.
Diana sobbed, terrified of what might have happened to Emily. The rescuers unearthed a small, oddly placed snow mound and began digging. After taking a calming tablet from Lucy, Diana tried to compose herself, but failed. She entered Emilys room, where clothes were strewn, grabbed a nightgown, and broke down. The last time shed seen her niece was a month ago; Olivia had been postponing a critical heart operation, unable to focus because of work. Emily had clung to Diana, saying she loved her, and now she was gone perhaps forever.
The lead detective entered, We found mittens in the woods. Do they belong to the girl? He held up a pair of tiny gloves Diana had once brought from a work trip. She nearly fainted, leaning against the wardrobe. A police officer helped her sit on the sofa.
Its too early to bury her. All we have are these mittens. The storm erased any trace. Itll be hard to find her without a direction, the detective said.
Diana nodded, crossed her arms, and began to weep silently. In her mind Emilys smiling face haunted her, and she prayed to God for the girls safe return.
The search continued through the night without result. The rescue crew was rotated out, and the police left with the grieving father. Diana was left alone in the unfamiliar house, cursing herself for never dissuading her sister from marrying me. It had been obvious from the start I cared only for myself, my looks, the muscles Id built in the army, not for any brain. Olivia wore rosecoloured glasses, convinced I was a perfect husband. Even when I disappeared for days into my games, she swore I loved them both. In truth, I loved nobody. I hadnt earned a penny in a year. The last time Olivia spoke to me, I swore Id quit gaming, but I relapsed as soon as she ended up in the hospital. Addiction like mine cant be broken unless the person wants to.
I could not sleep; Diana kept lying to her sister, saying everything was fine, and had taken Emily in. She couldnt imagine breaking the news to Olivia if Emily turned out dead.
At dawn the phone rang. A detective said a fiveyearold girl had been admitted to the regional hospital and that Diana should come immediately. She rushed there, only to learn it was Emily. The medical staff had kept her under a young doctors steady hand.
Is she yours? the doctor asked gently.
My niece Diana whispered, struggling to pull herself from his grasp.
The girl is strong. Shell pull through, the doctor assured.
The detective asked the doctor to step aside, and Diana sat beside the bed, took Emilys hand, and wept with relief. She couldnt stop crying, but the fact that the child was alive made everything else seem trivial. Diana promised to do whatever it took for Emilys recovery and, if Olivia ever left Andrew, to take the girl in.
The doctor, Dr. Steven, explained Emily suffered minor frostbite on her hands and a suspected early pneumonia, hard to spot on scans. Diana listened, tears falling, as he described the treatment plan. He told her hed found her after a night out with his dog, Charlie. Charlie had chased a squirrel, then heard a small voice and pulled at a childs sleeve, dragging her toward safety. Steven had rushed her to the hospital because she was unconscious.
Seems Charlie saved her life, Diana sighed, grateful.
Steven invited Diana for a coffee in the staff room; Emily was still sedated with fever reducers. Diana, having not eaten or slept for a day, accepted, thinking about how to tell Olivia without crushing her. She knew the news would be a massive shock, especially with Olivias pending heart operation. The thought gave her goosebumps. Steven promised to do everything possible for Emilys recovery; the frostbite wasnt severe, and the snow had not buried any trace because Charlie had found her.
Diana decided there was no point hiding the truth, so she went to Olivias bedside. Olivia, freshly discharged, greeted her with a bright smile.
Good news! No surgery needed; the treatment is working. Ill be home soon, Olivia said, then asked, Wheres Emily? Did you leave her with Andrew?
Diana lowered her head, telling the story from the end so the blow wouldnt hit too hard. Olivias head swayed, tears rolling down her cheeks. She could not believe Andrew could do such a thing, and she vowed never to forgive him.
I could forgive you for everything your laziness, your games but what you did to Emily Ill never forget, Olivia said, asking if she could stay with Diana for a while.
Of course, youre welcome. The flat is ours now, Mum left it to us, and Im hardly ever here anyway Im always on assignments, Diana replied.
Olivia decided to file for divorce as soon as she left the hospital, wanting to be with her daughter. Diana promised to look after Emily, becoming a motherfigure for the time being.
That evening Emily woke up. She ran to Diana, hugging her tightly, sobbing. She told Diana a beautiful dog had saved her and that shed heard a kind mans voice, but couldnt answer. She begged Diana never to let her see her father again, because hed thrown her out. The little girl understood everything, making the wound even deeper.
Emilys lung infection didnt develop, so she recovered quickly. Olivia was discharged early, and while Andrew sat in a police cell, she packed her things and moved into Dianas flat, filing for divorce, determined never to forgive that worthless man again.
Unexpectedly, Diana and Dr. Steven began a romance. After Emilys discharge, Steven and Charlie became regular visitors at Dianas place. Emily adored Charlie, constantly asking for a big bone or a treat from the shop. Olivia found life easier without the burden of an irresponsible husband, and Andrew received a short custodial sentence and a conviction. He showed no remorse, laughing that now he could live alone without anyone nagging him. He eventually sold everything he owned, fell into a perpetual slump, and, after a drunken confession at work about how his wife and child left him, a group of colleagues beat him up, calling him a disgrace to manhood. He ended up bedridden with a spinal injury, trying futilely to win Olivia and Emily back, but she would never trust him again.
Olivia focused on her daughters rehabilitation, while Diana planned to marry Steven, confident in his big heart.
