Chapter 4

Kaylee, Ellie, and Mrs Ashton returned to their home after closing in the restaurant. They had dinner together and calculated their sales as expected. It was little thought it could be enough for two days' expenses.

After the Ashton family had dinner, Mrs Ashton retired to bed since her body felt sore while Kaylee assisted Ellie with her homework before leaving the house later at night around, 7 pm.

Kaylee moved the shopping cart from one shelf to another while Ellie did the shopping delightfully as she picked some canned food and a diary as well. Kaylee raised her hand to pick something from the shelf since it was needed at home and Ellie's hands were still short to get them so she did it herself.

She dropped the thing into the shopping cart and her gaze met the little kid who was so engrossed,staring at this particular shelf. Kaylee followed in the direction and saw it was a pretty doll that placed there.

"We can get one for you." Kaylee said softly.

Ellie shook her head and then she said. "No I can't keep an ugly doll next to me. We can go get the comic books on the other shelf."

After saying this, Ellie moved further, leaving Kaylee behind.

Kaylee in dazedness looked at the back figure of the little kid who was leaving. Ever since Ellie learned how to walk, talk, and learn about people's emotions. She had become considerate, spoke, and acted like a grown-up lady.

A little child at her age never requested toys or dolls like a normal kid does nor did she play with other kids but only requested books and stayed introverted. This got Kaylee worried as she tried to leave Ellie behind to their neighbors who had two kids so Ellie would get to play with them and interact with other kids however that didn't change anything.

All Kaylee wanted for Ellie was a kid with a normal life without childhood trauma instead of a childhood filled with great memories.

After a long thought, Kaylee heaved a big sigh. She returned her gaze to the doll once again before pushing the shopping cart trailing behind Ellie.

Ellie was done picking some comic books and went to the cashier as she waited for Kaylee.

Kaylee slowly brought out the goods she shopped for and dropped them on the counter as Ellie assisted her.

"Your goods are purchased at the price of 100 dollars." Said the cashier.

"Okay," Kaylee said

"Cash or card?" Asked the cashier.

"I got my cash with me, please hold on." Kaylee grinned.

She stuffed her hand into her small hand back trying to bring out her wallet. She brought out the wallet, opened it, and saw it was only a little change she had with her and short of $60. Has she forgotten so easily she had gotten Ellie some street food before reaching the grocery? 

Kaylee's face changed a bit when the cashier noticed Kaylee's expression and then suggested. "If your cash didn't reach up to that you can drop the comic book."

Kaylee chuckled softly before saying, "No. I will take them all."

Her mouth hung open when she was interrupted by the vibrating cellphone in her handbag. Kaylee stuffed her hand into the handbag and brought out the cell phone which was still ringing.

She looked at the caller ID for a while, her expression darkened more. 

Remembering the little girl was with her, Kaylee brightened her facial expression before saying. "Ellie don't move from here. I will be right back please give me some time."

Ellie nodded in obedience.

Kaylee moved away from the counter and went to the corner as she answered the call.

Ellie waited patiently for her mother when a strange person pushed a shopping cart and stopped beside her.

She noticed his eccentric appearance. Ellie didn't stop staring at the strange person. He was so tall that she had to raise her head to see the person's face but she still can't see his face.

He was dressed in a black robe and had a black face cap hung down which hid his face from the world with the help of a black nose mask as well. Everything on him was all black.

Ellie stayed quietly while observing him. She didn't seem to be afraid of the strange person or that strange deadly aura lingering around him.

After scanning the items the strange man picked. The cashier told him the price as he brought out his wallet and paid with a card.

It was seconds later when Ellie's eyes went down and noticed a silver necklace with a jade pendant lying on the floor.

Ellie glanced at the cashier and then slowly bent down. She picked it up and looked at the strange necklace. It wasn't new but looked old as if worn for ages. She wasn't sure if he dropped it on purpose or it fell from his trouser pocket unknowingly.

Ellie didn't give much thought to it as she ran after the strange young man.

When Ellie got outside, she saw the guy putting the items in the back seat and was about to turn to the driver side. However He stopped instantly when he heard the tiny voice behind him.

"Hey, Mask guy." Ellie called for him.

He turned around to the little girl. Apparently, the young man knew he was the one around here right now and the only person in a mask.

Ellie walked up to him with her hands behind her, resting on her tiny waist. "Did you drop something?

Hearing the little girl, he became perplexed with grim expression beneath his cap.

"Mask guy, are you sure you didn't drop something? Why not check yourself properly?"

The young man seemed at a loss. All of a sudden, he seems to remember something as he started to running his hands all over his body as if looking for something. However he found nothing.

"I see you did lose something. So tell me,What did you lose?" Ellie questioned and appeared to enjoy what she was doing.

"Yes I did lose my necklace. Can I have it?" He asked calmly but sounded cold. 

Ellie frowned. "How can a grown-up be this rude to a little kid? How sure am I that the necklace belongs to you? Tell me, how the necklace looks like." She twisted her neck to the side while waiting for a reply.

He went closer to her. "Miss you can't be outside here at such an hour talking with a stranger. You don't know if I am a bad guy."

"I know you are not a bad guy so that's why I am talking to you."

The young man stared at the little girl for a long time. "At times you don't have to trust our instincts."

Ellie mouth was parted to speak but wasn't given the chance to when he continued. "You are still little and don't know how the world resolves even those who appear good could also suddenly turn bad in any circumstances. Hope you understand. So can I have it now? Hmm?" He said while waiting patiently for her to hand over the necklace herself but she didn't make a move rather staring at him strangely as if not understanding his words.

The young man seemed not to be ready for this as he gently took her hand which had the necklace and opened her grip and took his necklace back.

He stood up, turned around to leave but stopped in his tracks some distance away from her when he heard her saying. "Ellie doesn't like people who are rude to little kids and the masked guy is a bad guy!" She huffed and stomped her foot at the time.

Was he being rude to the little girl? The young man wasn't sure.

He turned around but couldn't see the little girl again. Not too long, she said he was a good guy but he is now a bad guy. He couldn't help but snorts.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kaylee was still going on with the caller. "I will get the money ready, please just give me two weeks," Kaylee begged.

"I can't give you such a long day! I want my money in four days! It won't be nice if I send my boys to come get the money themselves!" The person sounded angrily over the phone from the other side.

"P-please I promise to get your money ready in three weeks p-" Her lips pursed when she couldn't hear anything from the cellphone anymore.

"Hello?Hello?" Kaylee called out in a frustrated tone as she glanced at the cell phone and noticed the call has been disconnected.

Seemingly, she had been on the call for some minutes now begging the person who wouldn't listen.

That night, roaming in the street helplessly with the unborn baby in her stomach, promising to be the best mother flashed into Kaylee's head. What mother is she that can't even get her child a doll? And now Ellie is 6 but still couldn't get a comic the little girl wanted desperately instead found herself helpless again.

Kaylee broke out of dazedness when she caught a glimpse of the little girl walking into the store with a mug look.

She rushed out from the corner and went to Ellie as she glanced at the exit first.

Looking at Ellie who was furry, Kaylee questioned; "What's wrong Ellie? Did something happen?"

"I went to return the mask guy's necklace which he dropped off but he was so rude to me."

Kaylee was perplexed, looking around for the mask guy but didn't see anyone in the mask. "Who's the mask guy?"

Ellie said nothing, still surging up.

Kaylee narrowed her eyebrows slightly, "What did Mama tell you?"

"Not to talk to strangers." Ellie recited nonchalantly

"Right. Not all strangers are good people so.."

Ellie cut in "Just like a mask guy. He is a bad guy and Ellie doesn't like him." She huffed again with her arms wrapped across her chest.

Kaylee turned speechless, It was the first time seeing Ellie this upset because of a strange guy. Ellie does not care about people's words or opinions about her. Although she didn't know what Ellie and the strange guy conversed in her absence. However, this strange guy has been on the bad side of Ellie. 

Who is the mask guy? Kaylee can't stop thinking about the person.

"I'm sorry Mama I won't talk to a stranger anymore."

When Kaylee heard Ellie she broke from her dazedness and then smiled sweetly at the little girl.

"It's okay. Let's go and pay for our item then return home and join grandma in sleep." Kaylee said, walking hand in hand with Ellie to the counter ahead.

When Ellie heard 'Grandma' it did seem to brighten her mood as she jumped up, wiggling her tail and giggling to the counter. 

Kaylee finally paid with her savings card. She and her daughter left the grocery store with what they bought.