I looked up with teary eyes, my vision was blurred but I think that even if I was blind, I would be able to recognize them. Eddie and Clyde were standing there, looking down at me before crouching so they could be closer to my eye level

They looked to be hesitating but slowly, Eddie opened his arms and he was definitely surprised when I literaly jumped straight into them. I cried frantically, hugging him tightly

'Oh, shhh, sweet thing. You're okay' he cooed. 'I'm so, so sorry' he hugged me tightly and this time, tightly, meant tightly. 'I'm so sorry, are you okay. Are you hurt'

I couldn't bring myself to answer, my voice was sore from all the crying. I wasn't hurt much except my scraped elbow. It's more of hurt inside that I almost lost what felt like a dream

'Let's take you back inside.' He stood up but I jumped from his arms, tucking myself back in the corner while shaking my head frantically

'N...no..' I sniffed

'Hey, look at me. I talked to them and I'll talk to them again. I promise it won't happen again, please. Don't you trust me?' He asked, reaching his hands out to me as he looked at me hopefully

'Of course. It's them I don't trust' I sobbed, tucking my head between my knees

'Don't worry, I promise they are not mean people at all. And if you do not like them, I can fire them'

I looked up at him and he shrugged. 'What do you mean?' I asked, tilting my head to the side

'I mean that, I'm their manager and they are my workers' he shrugged

'Oh... But you can't fire someone just because I do not like them' I argued

'Look, kid, that's not my point. If they will ever be bad to you again, just tell me. I promise I'll fire them. Okay? Although after our talk I doubt they will. And like I said, they are not bad people. Stuff happened'

'Now let's go back, shall we?' Clyde reached his hand for me. I looked at them both before taking the offered hand

'Mind if I pick you up?' Clyde asked, making me look up at him. 'There are sharp stones and might be glass as well. Dangerous..'

'Oh, umm.. kay' I agreed. I did see glass around and even nails. I don't want to feel them stuck in my feet, thank you very much. It was a miracle already that I didn't step on them while running here

He scooped me up in princess style and Eddie ruffled my hair, making me giggle a bit. The three of us made our way along the alleyway, around the corner, and into the other alley, stopping at the second door, the one closest to the wall

Eddie glanced at me before opening the door. I wiggled in Clyde's arms to be put down as we entered. When he did put me down, I hid behind him. The boys were there, standing next to the bed

Clyde wrapped and arm around my shoulders, hugging me sideways. Eddie tsked his tongue and when I looked up, he was looking at the two boys who were smiling sheepishly and apologetically

Eventually, Eddie let out a sigh and shook his head. 'Okay. Let's start with introductions and then, you two,' he pointed his fingers to the two boys 'are going to apologize. I know you didn't mean anything bad but the kid was terrified.' Okay... he might've overexaggerated a bit

'Guys,' he got our attention 'This is Parker.' He put a gentle hand on my head. 'Parker, that is Fabian' he pointed to the dark-haired boy. 'And that is Devin' he pointed to the nicer guy