Cherish Red ✔️

Chapter Five

~ Your New Home ~

"Red, wake up, we're here."

Red blinked. She instantly shut her eyes: it was so bright! Why was that though? Also, she felt comfortable. She wasn't sleeping on a concrete floor. Red felt like she was sleeping on cotton candy. But she figured she had to wake up, and opened her eyes once again. Mr. Henderson was sitting on her bed with a inpatient look on his face. Red sighed: did she have to wake up? It all felt like some twisted dream. Something bad or terrifying was going to happen! That's how all dreams go, right?

"Red."

"Ugh... what?"

"Wake up, sleeping brute. We can't relax all day."

"Why not...? How long has it even been?"

"Twelve hours."

"You've been counting the hours of my sleep?"

"Maybe. You did ask. Now come on, breakfast is ready."

Then, Henderson got up and left the room, which wasn't very decorated. It only had one big mirror, a bedside drawer, a very comfy bed, and a closet filled with strange looking clothes. Probably not strange in Dad's world, Red thought. As she observed the bedroom, she noticed a picture of a girl on the table. Red awed at her beauty: silky blonde hair that flowed past her shoulders. Beaming green eyes like jewels. Her skin was crystal clear, and she was covered in sassy freckles. On her head was a colourful flower crown. Huh? Who is this?

Red decided to take the picture with her, but she stopped when she looked in the mirror: Red had never seen herself before. She had densely matted black hair that dripped onto her shoulders and forehead as well as a hazel skin tone. She had three eyes on her face: two in their normal positions, and one on her forehead. She was wearing a dirty hospital gown that hadn't been washed in weeks. Her eyes were a light shade of red. On her arms were two eyes each, and her legs only had one each. She turned around and Red saw that she also had an eye on her back when she pulled her gown up. Red sighed as she looked at the last eye, which was stuck in her right palm.

Why did Mr. Henderson ever bring her?

Not because of how she would look without the eyes. Red did see that if she covered herself up with sleeves and some good leggings, she'd look decently pretty. It was because of her ability. He could've taken one of the others, such as that flower girl who obeyed him so well. Or that Phoenix boy who didn't have any abnormal physical looks. He looked like a normal black boy and had a great personality.

So why her?

Henderson shouldn't have brought her here: if something went wrong, she could kill him or any of the people he knows and loves. Or even random citizens. He should have-

"RED!"

"Okay, okay! I'm coming! One minute please!"

Red went to the closet and admired the clothing. Witty crop tops and t-shirts with funny quotes and pictures. Jeans covered with florals like she had never imagined. Sneakers that had no laces ( she never learned how to tie ) and boots that covered her thighs. Leggings with cute patterns such as stars and tropical patterns. Even accessories, such as shiny bracelets, headbands with bows, and -

Flower crowns.

This was where that girl lived or stayed.

Red swiftly picked out a green blouse with a white bow and lace, with a black jumper to go with it: it even had red cherries and snowflakes! She snatched a poinsettia flower crown, and couldn't resist the plastic silver ring. Then she dashed out the door and threw herself into her chair.

"What took you so long?" Mr. Henderson asked, looking up from his newspaper. "I see you... discovered the closet. You look like a Christmas tree."

"Thanks...?" Red replied. She glanced at the ground and showed him the photo. "Um... Dad. Who is this?"

Mr. Henderson choked on his coffee. She gave him a confused stare. What was that about? It's just a girl! She sure didn't look like a thing or a creature either.

"Dad?!"

"I forgot to put that away..."

"Huh?"

Mr. Henderson stood up from his seat and ripped the photo out of Red's hands. She flinched. He brought the picture close to where his heart was: if he even had one.

"Oh goodness..."

"What is it? I don't understand-"

"Of course you wouldn't!!"

Red blinked.

"You're just... a... a... you're not human! Y-y-you're..."

She looked down, lowering her shoulders and hunching over.

"You're... you're just like my niece..."

"Your niece? What's a niece?" Red wondered quietly. "Don't you mean a daughter-!"

"No... my niece," Henderson frowned. "Despite her looks and bubbly smile... she wasn't a good person. Raised by two brats for parents. It sickened me..."

"So why are you comparing her to... to me...?" She whispered.

"Because... because she was just like you: a stubborn good for n-nothing," His voice wavered. If he didn't like that girl, why didn't it sound like he was about to cry?

Henderson set the frame on the kitchen table and sat back down. His watery eyes remained, but the rest of him reverted to calm and composed. He faced Red and shook his head. Not in disappointment, but... in a different way.

"Red."

She looked up.

"What is it, Dad?"

"I need you to do something for me, okay?"

"O-okay."

"I need you to go into the living room and open up a large box. It's in the middle of the room, you won't be able to miss it. I need you to open that. I'll give you the key. It is very easy to open."

"Alright..."

Mr. Henderson tossed her the keys: they came from his pocket too.

"Now, after you do that, I request a second favour."

Red nodded.

Mr. Henderson walked over to Red, grabbed her hand, and hugged her. Red could feel that this was genuine, but she could also feel the disgust of hugging such a creature.

"What's the second favour...?"

Henderson breathed.

"Can you keep a secret?"