Stella finished the burger and downed two glasses of milk. She settled comfortably on the bed and popped a fry in her mouth.
Stella then retold the whole story of the day till the time she had passed out.
Simon listened in silence with the tips of his fingers together. After Stella was done, Simon got up and helped her lay down, saying, "Okay. Now you need your rest. Sleep."
Stella smiled as she gave the last french fry to Simon. She was shocked when he took it and popped it in his mouth.
Stella sat up again, "You guys can eat!?!?!?"
Simon chuckled as said, "Story for another time. You sleep now."
Stella grabbed his hand and her eyes suddenly glistened with the all the fears she had, all the things she had faced. She said, "You'll stay. Won't you?"
Simon said nothing as he pulled a chair to her bedside and sat down, holding Stella's hand in both of his.
Stella spoke with her eyes closed, "Say Simon?"
"Hmmm?" Simon murmured, his eyes fixed on Stella's troubled face.
Stella: "Don't say anything to Allen or June about today."
Simon was surprised, "Why?"
Stella opened her eyes, "Allen will get angry. And June will be worried. It's just not worth it."
Simon sighed and said, "Okay I won't. Sleep now."
Stella smiled mildly as she closed her eyes again. Simon sighed and hung his head. What had this little girl of barely any age had gotten herself into.
Stella squirmed a little, murmuring something and tightening her hold on Simon's hands before the medicine he had mixed with the milk began to take effect and she sank into a deep sleep.
Simon got up after he had made sure that Stella was deeply asleep. He leaned over, but his face stopped inches from Stella's face before he pulled himself back and walked out of the room.
Simon went in the adjoining bedroom and knocked on the door of the other room. After getting no answer, Simon spoke, "I know you're in there Den. Open up."
After getting no response, Simon twisted the handle with all his force and it came into his hand. He opened the door and calmly walked in, closing the door behind him and walked over to the man who was bending over a table.
Simon took the painting Den was holding in his hand and carefully set it on the table with a lot of care. He then looked at Den for a long time, before punching him full in the face.
Den was thrown two steps back, and the corner of his lips began to bleed. But the wound healed in an instant and he looked at Simon before saying, "So she called you? Good decision."
Simon walked over and again punched him in the face, saying, "How dare you? How dare you!?!?!"
Den wiped the blood from his chin and said, "Calm down Simon."
Simon yelled, keeping his voice low enough not to disturb Stella, "I asked you one thing in exchange of leaving her here. And you!!! How dare you!?!?!!!!"
Den's anger also built up as he said, "Who are you to impose conditions on me? I was the one who found her!"
Simon: "And who was the one who saved her?!?!! She would have either bled to death or you would have sucked her dry if I had not been there!!!!!"