𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 || 𝐩. 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫

.6.

"I'M SCARED.." a young Florence whispered. Her hair was pulled out of her eyes as she held the weapon close to her chest. "I don't think i can do it.." she let out.

"No- it's okay.. It's okay." the man by her side whispered. He held the same weapon close to him and guided her through an entry. It was dark enough for the lights on their vest to give them a sense of direction. "Come on. We're gonna find him." he told her.

She looked everywhere and paid close attention. Then she heard the loud noise from her uncles vest go off and it flashed red all over. "Dead!" she heard her fathers voice cry out from above.

Her uncle fell down dramatically letting out a war cry. "No! I've been hit!" he tossed his gun down by his side and looked at Florence. "You have to get him.. Avenge me, young one!" he belted.

"No!" she cried. But then she heard her fathers loud steps above and down the stairs. "I'll get him.." she said before running off in the dark. She passed corners. Ran into a few walls. But then she came face to face with her father. He held his gun to her as she did him.

"Well, well, well.." he said. "If it isn't my greatest enemy. Florence Rose.." His voice was in a monotone rasp.

"Not anymore!" she yelled as loud as she could and pulled the trigger. The blast from the gun went directly in his chest and his vest let out the sound and flashed red. "You're dead, daddy!" she laughed.

Just like his brother, he fell to the floor dramatically letting out a war cry. "No! My wife! My son... My daughter.." He let the gun fall down and then the lights came on and loud music played through the speakers.

"Congratulations, Florence Rose!" the announcer yelled over the music. "You have officially made the most kills in laser tag at age 6! Come on down to the booth and win your prize."

She threw her laser gun down and ran past her father to the exit.

She won the big stuffed animal and a lifetime ticket to play arcade until she was 18. She sat in a park at a bench with her mom, dad, baby brother, and uncle as she stuffed her face with victory food.

"I'm so proud of you, Flo!" her mother cheered. She flashed her mom a smile while her face was full of food earning a laugh. Her father let out a grunt making her mom look at him. "I'm proud of you too. Not everyone can say they got shot by their daughter."

"Okay.. To be fair.. i let her win." he tried to brag. He crossed his arms before feeling a kick to his leg and earning a disapproving look from his wife. "Ow.."

"Hey, don't be mad my partner is the best, alright!" her uncle called from behind them. He carried two large ice cream cones and sat down by his brother. "This is for the champion.." he said placing the ice cream in front of his niece. "And this is for her mother.." he placed the other in front of his sister-in-law.

Before Florence's mom could taste the sweet treat, she saw her son giving a look. "Please, mommy.." he whined. She rolled her eyes and handed it over knowing she was never going to see it again.

"Thank you for coming out again, Richard." her father said patting his brothers back. "I really missed having you around."

The two hadn't seen each other in months but he always made sure to send a letter or two every month for the past year. "Thank you guys for inviting me." he smiled. His smile grew wider seeing his niece grinning at him while pushing a bag in front of him.

Without question he opened it. He looked inside not sure what to feel. "Wha- What is this?" he beamed.

It was her favorite thing in the world. "It's my stuffed animal. They're lucky." she told him now eating her sweet treat.