#mark simon

He was trying to get a few things together, he didn’t plan on taking much more than a small pack. Karen was busy downstairs with the girls, probably trying to force Sophie to learn how to read again. He had time to go through their room and pick out things that were important. A few sweaters, heavy coat, heavy blanket.

And then he turned around and was greeted by Sophie watching him. She looked ready to cry. He hadn’t really came up with an explanation for all of this yet, it looked like the time for that was right now. He opened his arms, letting her walk over and wrap hers around him.

“You said you weren’t leaving again.” Quiet, he didn’t realize she knew how to be this quiet.

“Things, things change Sophie. It’s not safe for me here.” He hugged her tightly, trying his best to be able to make up for things.

“I came here to hide, because mom’s hitting me again. And now you’re leaving?” He leaves the girls with her for less than an hour and Sophie is already complaining about her getting mean, he couldn’t leave her to this, it wasn’t fair. Taking her wouldn’t be safe either. There’d probably be no medical care, and Sophie got sick if there was even a drop of water on her and it got super cold. He should just stay, but she made that impossible, it seemed there was no way out.

“Mom hit you, why?”

“Because I don’t want to read, and I’m stupid and…” It felt like she stopped breathing.

“Sophie?”

“She called me a failure.” His mind was made then, he couldn’t leave her. It would be hard, but he couldn’t leave her to this.

“And what about Sadie, is she going after her?”

“No, she only praises her. She’s so smart I’m pretty sure mom is happy either way.” Sadie was safe, he figured that. At least he wouldn’t have two kids to worry about.

“Okay, I’ll get stuff together for you, don’t let mom know. I won’t leave you behind this time, not with her.”

She just nodded her head before making way to his bed. “I’m going to hide here, she won’t think to look for me here.”

“Alright kid, I promise you, things will get better. We’ll make it, okay?” He didn’t know if he was convincing her or himself, but either way it felt like it was something that needed to be said.

“Yeah! I know you wouldn’t hurt me. You love me too much. You’ll make sure I’m safe.” It was reassuring to hear, at least. One person believed.

Getting away wasn’t the easiest thing. He thought of hiking when it was just him, but he knew Sophie wasn’t going to be able to keep up with him and they wouldn’t make it far. The car was easily trackable, but it seemed like the best bet.

Their house was out in the woods well hidden. It was always convenient but it ended up working out well for the past five years, he hated to leave. He knew trying to chase Karen out would be impossible, at least Sadie would be safe.

Sophie was passed in the back seat, almost immediately after she said she’d stay up with him. He was glad, her laying down prevented anyone from seeing her if they just glanced in, she was safer.

The gas tank in the car was still pretty full, when Mark went for supplies he always made sure it was somewhere he could reach on foot. (Getting out of the woods was too hard on bike, though he did it a few times for longer occasions.) The car would have to be left eventually, but hopefully it could get them to a point where he could find a safe place to make camp.

The first stop was in the mess of what used to be their nearest town. Mark finally had a use for the drugs he came by when he was making his way back to his family after xcom’s fall. Trading for canned goods seemed like a good idea, he wouldn’t dare take his supply from home. He might’ve been mad at Karen, but threatening her survival wasn’t very fair for her. Finding a way to get food was when it was clear he was safe to leave.

It took him about an hour to get there. His contact waiting for him. He nodded once he was out of the car.

“Look, I know we agreed to trade for food, but if you have any medicines that can be used for pain, I had to take my daughter with me, I can double what I offered.” It was worth being upfront, he had to try.

“Could just give her some of this morphine, I’m sure she’d like that.”

“She’s ten.” If he wasn’t trying to make a deal, he probably would’ve punched the guy.

“Right, ten, never too young for the drug addiction, you really should just let her have the fun, how long do you think she’s going to last? A few more years? Don’t kid yourself, we’ll all be dead soon enough.”

“Doesn’t mean I should offer her less than the best chance possible.” He knew the game, and knew it wasn’t worth getting upset over. The man just laughed.

“I can throw them in, have a gun for her? I can offer that for free, wouldn’t want the girl unprotected.” It wasn’t a bad idea, she did need a way to protect herself. He could teach her how to use psionics instead-

No, the gun was a better idea.

“Please? Would be nice. Know anywhere safe?”

“Maybe a days drive away, up north a little, there’s not much advent control. You’d be safe from them there, they don’t like the heavy woods and cold.” He handed Mark the gun and bag of foods after throwing the medicine on top. He smile brightly when he saw the drugs.

“Washington state area?” Mark took the bag and placed it in the trunk, hoping that it being out of sight would keep them safer.

“Something like that, it’s winter there. Probably have to find a new car, shouldn’t be hard for you. Girl know her dad’s a murder?”

“She doesn’t need to know of my past, I can’t put that on her.”

“Hmm, think this is where we part ways, best of luck my friend.” He bowed, going back to his own vehicle.

Mark sat in the car, Sophie started sitting up. She looked confused for a second, and then scared.

“Dad?” Her voice sounded dry, he could only hope she wasn’t already getting sick.

“Still me Sophie, you’re still safe, go back to sleep.”

“Okay, love you.” She curled back up, her purple rabbit wrapped up in her arms.

“Love you too Sophie.”

He found a place that seemed quiet enough, he needed to at least take a break from driving. There was also the matter of teaching Sophie how to pitch a tent, and make fires.

Oh, and not to mention, the bright idea to teach his ten year old daughter how to shoot a gun.

Sophie was awake and chattery, treating it like an everyday average car ride. Pointing out sights, getting excited when there was something pretty. She was amazed when she saw the first city center, Mark was just happy to pass by it unnoticed. He could explain to her later what they were, let her have her pretty things.

The tent part was easy, Sophie picked that up quickly. Fire was… well… one of those moments where it was kinda bullshit he promised himself that he wouldn’t use his psionics around his daughter. She needed to learn how to make a fire normally though, it was for the better.

Sophie was happy sitting by the fire, eating a can of spaghettios. It wouldn’t be daylight much longer, he needed to get the fire out and well, needed to teach her about the gun while he could.  

Sophie looked unhappy when he started to put out the fire, but it wasn’t something he could help. She reluctantly helped him after a bit, even if it was more of her clinging to him for warmth.

“Hey Sophie, this is going to seem weird, but this is something you gotta learn.” Her eyes brightened up, at least she seemed excited. “I know it’s hard for you to see, but-” He pulled the pistol of of the car’s glove box, Sophie didn’t look happy now. “You have to learn to protect yourself.”

She at least took it when he handed it to her, even if she look terrified. He showed her proper positioning, where to hold it, what to do.

“You want to try firing it?” He pulled his arms away from her, content that she could hold her position herself.

“Uh, maybe?”

“See that tree? Aim at it, try to hit the hole in it if you want.”

She breathed heavily for a few seconds before firing the pistol, it barely missing the hole, he had to admit it was impressive.

“Keep trying till you hit it.”

It took a few attempts, but eventually she was able to. She seemed proud of it.

“You want this back?” She handed him the pistol.

“No, I have my own, you keep that just incase. Put it in your bag.”

She nodded her head, at least she was seeming more happy about it. Maybe things could be okay. If they ran into a pack of advent at least he’d have help. Trying to stay away from psionics would be hard enough.