Explanations (1)

I don't even know what to say. What. What the hell was that?

I felt as if I was an dinosaur skeleton in an museum exhibit—frozen in the most awkwardest positions in time. Again and again, the scene of the little girl uttering the word replayed in slow motion inside my mind, sending fireworks each time that word touched my soul. That was barely bearable. Then, I felt her weight shift... then a part of her arm and then her heartbeat and body—

I'll be completely honest.

—I was so lost. I held her but with no strength, which left her body drooped midair, as she clawed her way further up my chest to my shoulders. All I could think about was the sheer coincidence and improbability of what just happened: I declare to myself and look personally for a kid, and one just happens to deliver herself to me? In the most brazen but cute away possible? Why was she hugging and climbing me, and why couldn't I leave my attention from her?

"B-brother Vincent, stay away from here! S-she's.. dangerous!" Sicily repeated again, snapping me out of my trance but I still couldn't do anything.

The little girl grunted as my arms sagged further and further. Twisting and turning for God knows how long, she had to ask softly: "Daddy?" before I got the message. My body moved on it's own, and before I knew it, I was holding her properly.

As I watched the little girl continue to try and make herself comfortable in my arms, I found her to be much lighter than when she was tugging my arms. In the end, she hugged me like giant a teddy bear and left it at that—her weight not much heavier, possibly no more than few severed limbs tied together.

What was surprising however, was the warmth and sensation she brought forth within that hug. I've never been one to be touchy-touchy or 'intimate' with... anyone, as far as I could remember. And the only human beings I've actually had physical contact with were with... dead ones.

Denounce that all you want, but I was certain the only other LIVING organism(s) I've touched were stray cats and kittens, and they've all left with shrieking meows, flurries of claw swipes, and clouds of dust.

That was that and that was why I found myself miffed when the the little girl started to giggle and mutter incomprehensible words after it looked like she found herself a comfortable position. It sure felt surreal—people, more specifically a stranger child, enjoying my touch? Impossible. In the end, I felt I've just drained half-a-lifetime's worth of a luck as my tense body relaxed a little, and even began to accept the feeling, also.

Since when were hugs this pleasant and enjoyable? Was it okay to hug every little girl on the streets from now on? I really wanted myself to indulge in this pleasure further... and thought proudly to my past self that my dream was truly worthwhile.

Yeah, I spoiled myself and gently pulled the hug tighter. The little girl responded with an agreement "mhm" and something else I couldn't I catch.

Thus, I tilted my head sideways—my ear pressed almost next to ears—and still wasn't prepared for what was to happen next.

"Lab... daddy...," she murmured quietly, before swinging her head upwards with a cheerful, cheeky grin at the end that could've sent me dazed for days.

And that was she took the opportunity to grab my neck—two hands wrapping around—sending everyone in a sudden cry of shock, and myself continuing that stupefied flinch. This time, everything really went white.

Out of reflex, I pried the little girl off and threw her down on the ground, hard. Perhaps with a little more force that I would liked, considering... her words that I could still feel resonating with my heart... and her touch around my neck which was so damn warm, when the feeling I was expecting was a stony heart and silent chills around down my spine.

I stared at the little girl, whom landed on her two feet perfectly. There wasn't even a trace of worry, hell, not even a slightest change of expression as her smiling eyes locked with mine for one more time. Sicily ran over yelling and spouting some nasty remarks that I didn't even knew he was capable of spouting, but this time, I didn't let his worries go unfounded.