CHAPTER NINE

"Mum?". Dora whispered unsure as she sighted her mum pacing around their backyard. Just as the word left her mouth, her mother turned around to face them almost instantly as if she heard her. Her eyes widened as she took in their appearance

"Oh thank God. Where have you all been? You made us worried". Mrs Monica scolded relief in her voice as she came towards them "oh no! Is that Violet" she gasped, shocked when she noticed Violet behind Daniel

"Mrs Monica''. Violet who has been trying to keep her eyes opened muttered in affirmation with a weak smile

"What happened". Mrs Monica asked eyes wide as she took in all their appearance

"Love". Dora snickered. Her reply earned her a glare from Daniel, a sigh from Violet and a confused look from her mother

"What do you mean?". Mrs Monica asked

"Can we discuss this inside instead". Daniel cut in before Dora opened her mouth to reply

"Oh. I'm sorry, come in". She said, leading them inside through the back door.

When they entered the house, they all walked up to Dora's room -which she normally shares with Violet during sleepovers- to lay Violet on the bed. After she was placed on the bed and made comfortable, Dora voiced out the question she's been meaning to ask since she stepped into the house while Daniel went to get the water Violet had requested for

"Mum, where's dad?"

"Your dad isn't currently in. When we couldn't find you, he went in search of you all. And oh yes, Violet your mum called". Mrs Monica announced after explaining, her gentle gaze now on Violet whose eyes are now wide open at the announcement

"My mum called?". She asked alarmed

"Yes, some while back, after the sun had set. She said you called in the afternoon that you would be spending the night here, and that they tried calling your phone to wish you good night but you weren't picking up. I didn't want to make her worried so I said you both aren't here yet but Dora had called some minutes ago that you will both be late and that the reason your phone wasn't reachable is because it had died. But I assured her you're both safe since Daniel is with you both, she did say to call her back once you both arrived". Mrs Monica explained. Both Dora and Violet couldn't help but release a sigh of relief

"Thank you very much Mrs Monica". Violet gave her a grateful smile which she waved off with a smile of her own "it's nothing. Thank God you both didn't come any later than this. It's about 8:30 pm. I think it's best you call now though, instead of delaying it". She advised and Violet nodded her head

"I will, can I please lend your phone?". She asked politely "mine should be actually dead now" she looked at her jean pocket which showed a slight bulge indicating her phone was in it

"Ofcourse, I'll just go and bring it". She nodded as she walked out of the room just as Daniel walked in with a jar of water and two cups for both the girls

"Take care of them, I'll be back". Mrs Monica told him as she held the door knob

Her words made Dora, who is seated by Violet's side on the bed, scoff as she muttered "putting the deadly wolf in charge of grazing the sheep" as she gently rubbed Violet's head

"Dora!". Daniel warned but she just rolled her eyes at him and smiled at her mother who gave them both a confused look. Mrs Monica could feel something was wrong, it was obvious that there is some sort of tension between the three of the them

"I'll be back soon". Mrs Monica smiled as she left the room

Daniel walked inside the room and placed the tray onto Dora's bedside drawer then he sat on the bed by Violet's other side

"You should go and have a shower, you need a change of clothes". Daniel said to Dora "but first drink some water, you must be parched" he said as he poured water into one of the cups and stretched it towards her.

Dora firstly narrowed her eyes at him before taking it and offering her thanks as she rapidly drank the water "more please" she muttered and he only smiled before pouring her more which she took grateful.

He then turned to Violet "here, drink this". He said bringing the cup of water towards her lips

"I can have it myself". She said blankly as she moved to take the cup from him

"Your hand is injured". He pointed out drawing the cup back from her reach

"I only hurt one hand Daniel, I didn't become handicapped". She sighed, wishing she had the strength to roll her eyes. But she is so tired, the hand she lifted a moment ago took a lot of effort, not that he needed to know that

"But you're weak, stressing yourself further isn't the best for you". He gave her a stern look

"I can feed her the water then, or what do you say, Violet". Dora butted in. In reply, Violet gave her a grateful but tired smile as she nodded her head

"Let me have it". Dora said to Daniel her hands stretched. She had already dropped her cup on the bedside drawer behind her

Daniel only sighed and handed the cup to her. Of Course he wasn't expecting things to go back to normal, especially not after what he had done. But at least he's trying to gain their forgiveness. He watched as she downed the water in the cup fast showing how parched she is

"Do you need more?". Dora asked when the cup was now empty and Violet nodded

Daniel immediately poured her more water and Dora went ahead to feed her

"More?". Dora asked, noticing how she'd quickly downed this cup too and Violet nodded again. Daniel was glad he decided to bring a jar along and not just two cups of water

"Thank you". Violet whispered as she drank half the water in the cup. She didn't realize she was really thirsty till she felt the water running down her throat

"It's nothing". Dora smiled as she returned the cups to Daniel who placed them both on the tray

"How do you feel now". Daniel asked Violet

"Weak". She mumbled honestly "but a bit better after having some water". She replied looking anywhere but him. After drinking water, she did gain a bit of energy, though her injury still hurts.

"That's good to hear". He smiled, his gaze not leaving her face for once

"Shouldn't you leave now to take care of yourself, you don't look good too". Dora scoffed. Sure she was thankful for the water, but it doesn't mean she's still not angry at him. And seeing him is raising her urge to strangle him

"I'll leave as soon as mum arrives, you both should also have your bath and clean up. And Violet you should make sure to treat your wounds too, leaving it untreated for too long would only worsen it"

"You don't have to tell us what to do, besides you're the cause of everything that happened. So please Daniel leave the room before I act on my urge to strangle you". Dora exclaimed, annoyed. He really should stop acting like he cared

"I'm just worried, I care about your well being". He exclaimed, annoyed too. As much as he loves his sister, she can be really vexing

"Worried?". Violet scoffed "you don't need to worry about us Daniel, we are fine without your worry". She said as loud as she could in her weak state, finally meeting his eyes, then she smiled at him. A fake smile that made Daniel hate himself the more

"Violet-". He began as he raised his hands to her cheek

"Please Daniel, not today". She pleaded still staring right at him

He withdrew his hand back to the tray handle and tighten his hold on it, his knuckles turning white

"You both should have a good night's sleep. We'll see tomorrow". He muttered as he stood up with the tray in his hands

"I hope not". He heard Violet mutter but he ignored her comment and instead smile at both of them and walked away