MARYBELLE'S POV
There I was, running across the pavement as I finally took my chance to run away from that monster and find Mummy. Who knew when would be the next time Daddy actually takes me out? This was my chance, so I had to grab it! I didn't know where I was going and Daddy had been chasing me for at least a good ten minutes straight; I couldn't stop or else he would get his hands on me again. I had to take the risk! But where to go?
I was just running, something I couldn't had done all my life; I was always backed to a corner but this was my chance. I didn't care where I was going as long as I was with Mummy! Nothing mattered, all I had to do was run as fast as I could until my legs took me somewhere safe and away from my father. I bumped into several people and some gave me foul looks but I only tripped on the feet of this scary man sitting on a bench taking a smoke. I fell to the ground while the man scolded me but once I looked at him, a pair of neon-blue eyes stared right back at me. I guessed I couldn't have kept a straight face since I knew Daddy was coming after me because the man switched his expression to a very concerned one.
He was very handsome and had a rather muscular body, not to mention the colour of his eyes were so...beautiful. His black hair was bushy and the right side of his fringe was swept back; a black turtleneck jumper covered such a masculine body with a pair of light grey trousers and white trainers; he wore a small golden pearl necklace that complemented his golden hoop earrings, as his sleeves were folded up, so I could see a tattoo of a sword wrapped in chains on his right forearm, plus he wore black nail polish that oddly suited him. The man's eyes were wrapped around smudged eyeline, as his face was very defined and was absent of even an ounce of imperfection that had I told you about him, it was impossible to think that a man this charming even existed. But I couldn't get over those blue eyes; such soft and lovely eyes that were shielded by large round glasses; eyes that were as blue and majestic as the greatest ocean in the world.
No one had ever looked at me with such concern and care on their faces. There was a certain aura the man was emitting, some alluring aura that could somehow attract others to him. Such a strong presence, like that of a medieval king! The handsome man and I exchanged a few words but by the end, I asked with hope, "Do you know where my mummy is?" Now that I thought about it, the man looked oddly familiar...where had I seen him before? His face was like a vague memory of mine buried at the back of my mind. After asking my desperate question, the mysterious man's expression changed. "No, I'm sorry, I don't," he answered, obviously disappointed at himself. His voice was deep and stoic, and yet so smooth and clear. My smile immediately faded. He said he could help me... Before I could get up, two feet stopped in front of me, making my face pale upon realizing who it was. It felt as if some great evil was embracing me in its arms and was going to trap me forever. I...needed an angel so badly...
I was too late; he would get me and beat me when we get back home. Hell, who was I kidding? Home never felt like home. There was no way he would ever let me out of the house after the little stunt I pulled on him today; it was over; his little goose chase ended right there. "Marybelle, why must you run away from me?" Daddy asked in a voice I grew to resent. My body couldn't stop shaking as the tears in my eyes began to trickle down my cheeks. I was done for... "I am very sorry about the trouble my daughter caused you, mate," Daddy apologized to the man in an unsuspecting friendly tone. However, the man with the blue eyes seemed unconvinced by my father's facade. "Let's go now, Marybelle," Daddy reached out his hand. "NO!" I cried before I huddled against the unknown man on the bench. Maybe he could be my angel! Daddy frowned and glared at me, giving me a warning. "Marybelle, do as I say or I will get mad," He grabbed my arm but the kind man pulled me back. "Who are you?" he asked in an almost threatening tone.
Daddy shrunk back as he was surprised that a random stranger would keep me away from him. "Why, I am her father! Please let go of my daughter," Daddy requested, staying calm. The man looked at me with his beautiful eyes and asked, "What is your name?" I swallowed the lump in my throat and answered, "Marybelle, but you can call me Mary..."
"I am Levi Churchill. Is this man your father, Mary?" he asked and I nodded. Now I remembered! The blue-eyed man was the one and only Duke of Churchill! He looked surprised that I said yes but returned back to his stoic expression. "Do you want to come with him?" To which I immediately shook my head frantically. "NO!" I cried and grasped his arm in my small hand. "PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME COME WITH HIM! HE HURTS ME AT HOME! I JUST WANT TO BE WITH MY MUMMY!" Daddy grew angrier and lost all his patience by then. "Come on, this little brat is obviously telling lies. She ran away from me because she just wanted to see her mother, so please give her back," he tried to make himself seem innocent. Lord Levi dropped his fag to the ground before stepping on it aggressively. He then picked me up by the waist and stood up, carrying me in his arms, then looked very clearly at Daddy and declared, "I can't do that," Daddy's eyes widened in anger as I could almost feel his blood boiling. Yes...finally, I found my angel! I smiled, shallow breaths coming from my mouth.
"What do you mean you bloody can't? Give her back to me or I will ring the police and say you're kidnapping my child!" Daddy threatened. Knowing him, he would have already thrown hands at Lord Levi if the man couldn't had knocked him out with one punch due to his build. "Oh, not to worry, sir, my sister is an officer and is right inside of this pub, so we can take this over with her and I can address the bruises on this girl's body as well," Lord Levi bravely stated as he began walking away to the pub. Daddy followed after and yelled at him to give me back. We attracted the attention of everyone around us, wondering what was the commotion. "EVERYONE, THAT MAN IS KIDNAPPING MY DAUGHTER!" Daddy screamed, pointing at the man who saved me and who paid no mind to my father's outburst.
"Kid, where is your mother?" the handsome man asked me. "I don't know, Le— My Lord..." I answered nervously. "She doesn't live with us." The man nodded, hugging me tightly in his arms. Such warmth coming from him... "Just address me as Levi, kiddo," he instructed. "And don't worry, everything will be alright," We were nearing the counter when the barman noticed that Levi had a little girl with him inside the pub. "Excuse me, mate, children aren't allowed here!" Everyone looked back at us in confusion but two people stood out, a woman with short ginger hair and a man with the most gentle expression on his face; they looked at Levi as if they knew him. "Levi? Who is that?" the hazel-haired asked but Levi did not answer. "Eponine," he turned to the young woman and sat me on her lap. "W-what?" the beautiful lady put her hands behind my back as we exchanged confused looks. I remembered. Eponine Churchill, the big sister of Levi who worked in the Metropolitan Police. I got a good look of her face and I had to admit— she was very pretty and had a similar facial structure as Levi.
"Eponine," Levi leaned towards her. "I understand this isn't a good time but this is Marybelle and she was running away from her father, that man over there, when she bumped into me. She is so frightened of him and said that he hurts her at home. Mary here has no idea where her mother is but she is definitely being abused at home, just check her body for any visible bruises," Lady Eponine took a moment to analyse everything her brother had just dumped on her as the gentleman with the hazel hair stood up from his chair. Finally, Lady Eponine looked at me and asked with a tone so kind, "Marybelle, may I?" to which I nodded slowly. She pulled up my sleeves only to reveal the several bruises, wounds, and even burns on my arms; some were healed, some slightly, and some were still fresh as hell. This was where nearly six years of living with that man got me. Lady Eponine's eyes widened, her mouth slowly falling open. She checked my legs and stomach only to see them in the same state as my arms. "This...this can only be caused by one thing..."
"She has a skin condition!" Daddy lied and grabbed me from the kind lady. "There is no abuse going on at home and you probably aren't even an officer!" I started to scream and struggle in his arms, tears forming in my eyes again. "LEVI, TAKE ME BACK! DON'T LET ME GO WITH HIM!" Levi stomped right over to Daddy and took me back. "Take her again and I will make sure your hideous little face is smashed into the pavement!" he threatened in such a scary tone, stepping back. Lady Eponine had enough and got to her feet. She showed her badge and spoke in a professional tone, "Sir, we both have all the reasons to suspect that you are abusing this child and those marks on her body couldn't have possibly been caused by a skin condition. I ask you to come with me back to the station,"
Everything else that happened was all a blur to me; Daddy screaming, Lady Eponine restraining him, me refusing to let go of Levi (my angel), and blue lights flashing in my eyes. Levi sat with me at the back of the police car and I remember thinking, "Am I finally free? Can I be with Mummy?" Everything felt surreal but I was just thankful that Levi found me and I took the risk of running away. But then, what now? Where would I go? I was sure they would find my mummy but what if they didn't? I remember being so silent the entire ride and felt I was going to burst into tears again but nothing came out. I didn't know if it was because I've already cried all my tears or if my mind was positively blank.
"I want Mummy..."