Pinky Promise

The weekend had come after a busy beginning at Wildwood Elementary.

Maru and Rick were seated on the couch, watching cartoons, when they heard a sudden knock at the door.

“Rick?”

Rick looked up, half asleep.

"Chris?” He sleepily replied.

The door flung open.

“Hey! Are you trying to break my door down!?” Rick cried angrily.

“Rick,” Chris began.

“That certainly is my name.” Rick let out a sigh.

“You’re not going to believe this.”

Rick sat up.

“What am I not going to believe?” He asked.

Chris brushed his hair back.

“Experiment Labs,”

Rick’s eyes widened at the name.

“Well,” Chris continued.

“There was a rebellion by a few of the patients, they kidnapped the boss’s son, and now the labs are in ruins.”

Rick quickly turned to Maru, whose eyes were filled with fear.

“Chris,” Rick began.

“Are there any survivors?”

Chris let out a sigh.

“I volunteered to go back tonight with a few of my guys, but I highly doubt it.”

Maru looked down at the floor.

“247...” She whispered.

“Maru,” Rick began.

Her eyes began to fill with tears.

“Why?” She whimpered.

Chris scratched his head.

“I don’t know, kiddo. I just don’t know.”

Maru turned to Rick with pleading eyes.

Rick stared momentarily. What does she want? Does she want a hug...?

Before he could say anything, the girl clung to him, wildly sobbing into his chest. The two men exchanged nervous looks. He then began gently stroking her head.

“Maru...” he whispered.

“It’ll be ok.” He reassured her.

“I promise.” He said.

Maru looked up at him.

“You really promise?” She asked, sniffling.

Crap. He knew he shouldn’t have used such a heavy word such as ‘promise,’ but if it was what she needed to hear.

“Mm, I promise.”

His heart sunk. Thinking about how he’d already made a promise, he knew he couldn’t go back on.

Rick cupped the girl’s tiny face in his hands.

“I promise you, Maru, everything will be ok; I’m here for you no matter what, okay?”

Maru’s eyes widened.

“Oof.”

Rick quickly shot Chris a dirty look.

“Now, why don’t you go inside and relax?”

Maru nodded.

“Wait,” she said, standing up.

“Mm?”

“Pinky promise?” She smiled.

Rick looked up quickly and smiled.

“Ah,” he said, raising his pinky.

“I pinky promise that no matter what, I’ll protect you.” He smiled as they swore on it.