Ingress Opened into Tom and Door's bedroom as she had every afternoon this week. She climbed into their bed and snuggled up to Door's pillow. She could smell her sister's shampoo when she did this, and Door seemed close, like she might walk in the bedroom at any moment and scold Ingress for getting in bed with her shoes on.
Ingress would do anything to hear Door fuss at her again.
If she were grown up, she could help Tom or go find Door herself. If she were a Herald, she wouldn't let the bad guys get Door.
When she was by herself like this, she knew Megwyn was right there. Megwyn was always right there, but sometimes Ingress wanted to be quiet and not hear her. Mary was staying with them round the clock, and Arithon was with her much of the days and nights, playing fun games and making her think of things that were happy even though she was very, very sad.
Gavroche was also her nearly constant companion. He was always ready to play with her, or hold her hand and just be her big brother. Both children were spending the nights in the nursery, not wanting to be alone.
But even with all those people there for her, the ones she wanted most were Tom and Door. She only saw Tom for a few minutes during the day and again at night. Arithon, Mary, and Megwyn had explained in different ways where he was and what he was doing, and she understood, but in this frightening time, she wanted him there telling her things would be okay. That's what the daddy did, and she needed her Tom.
She heard a rustling of robes and sat up. Tom was home. Her eyes lit up and she took her thumb, which she had begun sucking again, out of her mouth. "Tom!" Her face fell somewhat as she looked past him to see if Door was there, too.
As soon as Tom stepped in the room, he saw Ingress huddled on the bed. He'd found blue hairs on Door's pillow and knew she'd been coming into their room. He didn't blame her one bit, but that ugly voice within him snarled, "You need your rest. Get her out of here."
Tom wasn't that far gone, nor was he too tired to take care of his little girl. He missed her during these long days and nights, too.
"Hello, little one," he said, shucking off his outer robes. He slept in his clothes these days, so it seemed nearly normal to climb into bed clothed. He reached for her, and her arms went around his neck tightly.
Sometimes Ingress chimed their room and joined both of them in bed on lazy Sunday mornings. They would all laze around, snuggling and laughing, beginning the day in a most pleasant way.
This afternoon, Tom and Ingress clung to each other.
After some time had gone by, Ingress' voice, sleepy and sad, mumbled into Tom's neck. "Did the bad guys kill Door, too?" She'd wanted to ask for days now. Knowing Door was with Mummy and Daddy and Arch would be better than not knowing anything.
Tom cleared his throat, tears burning sharply into his eyes. "No, sweetheart. I don't think so. They tried, but Door got away from them. She's tough and brave, your sister. I think she's just hiding somewhere till she feels safe enough to come home."
"But why hasn't she sent a rat to tell us? Or a pigeon?"
"I don't know, love, but I'm watching for them while I look for her. The rats seem to have gone on holiday."
"Rats don't go on holiday," she said, yawning.
"Would you like to take your nap here, little one?" he said, pulling the comforter up over her.
She nodded yes, popping her thumb back into her mouth as he tucked her in. They were both resting their heads on Door’s pillow. Ingress snuggled up to her Tom, and he kept a protective arm around her.
Before his eyes closed for the short hours he'd allow himself to sleep, he wished with all his heart that he'd find Door soon. For Ingress's sake, for Gavroche's sake, for his sake...
He was shattering, slowly but surely. The little person in his arms was one of the only things left holding him together.
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