Protect Me Daddy

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I gripped Dwight's hand tightly as we approached the elegant brownstone, my heart fluttering like a caged bird. The Haven's exterior was unassuming, but I knew wonders awaited inside.

"You okay, princess?" Dwight's deep voice rumbled softly. “Nervous?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. He squeezed my hand reassuringly as we passed through the discreet security checkpoint.

The moment we stepped inside, I was transported to a magical realm. Twinkling fairy lights cascaded from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the reception area. The sweet scent of vanilla and cotton candy enveloped me like a comforting hug.

"Welcome to The Haven," chirped a friendly voice. The receptionist—her name tag read 'Rachel'—smiled warmly, fuzzy cat ears perched atop her head. "First time?"

"Y-yes," I managed, my nerves easing slightly at her welcoming demeanor.

"You're going to love it here," Rachel assured me. "Let me know if you need anything at all."

Dwight's hand on the small of my back guided me forward. "Ready to explore, little one?"

I nodded eagerly, my earlier anxiety melting away as we ventured deeper into The Haven. Soft music drifted through the air, mingling with distant laughter and chatter.

Earlier that morning, as we’d prepared to leave Dwight’s place, Daddy had described The Haven to me as the city’s best and only age play club, a space where people like us could relax and be themselves without judgement, in a setting that was appealing and calm.

Even so, I hadn’t known quite what to expect. Would the place be gaudy and over the top? Would there be a bunch of subs wearing bondage gear trotting around on leashes?

So far, this place was exceeding my expectations. It was classy and private, with soft lighting and tasteful décor. Everyone seemed happy and smiley, and there wasn’t even a hint of any kind of creepy vibe.

“This place is so cool,” I whispered as we past a couple who waved kindly at us.

“It’s pretty special,” Dwight agreed. “But just you wait until you see what’s in here.” He gestured to a door with the word, “Playroom,” printed on it in cute balloon letters.

When he pushed the door open, I gasped in delight. Pastel murals adorned the walls - frolicking unicorns, soaring dragons, enchanted forests come to life. Plush, super-thick carpets in soothing hues were scattered with building blocks and stuffed animals.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, drinking in every detail.

Dwight chuckled warmly. "I knew you'd love it. Go on, princess. Take a look around."

I moved further into the room, marveling at the art stations brimming with markers in every imaginable color. A massive dollhouse caught my eye, intricate in its detail. Cozy reading nooks with oversized beanbags beckoned invitingly. There were half a dozen littles in here, all happily engaged in a variety of activities.

"Can we color?" I asked shyly, eyeing the art supplies longingly.

"Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you'd like."

As I settled at a table, selecting my first marker, a profound sense of peace washed over me. This place was pretty much the opposite of O’Malley’s. When I thought back to how it had been, working at that place, it truly felt as though I’d been a different person, in a different world.

I looked up at Dwight, my heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for everything."

His eyes crinkled as he smiled, gently stroking my hair. "Anything for my little girl."

I was absorbed in coloring a whimsical butterfly when a cheerful voice piped up beside me.

"Hi! I'm Lily. Wanna see my special markers?"

I looked up to find a petite blonde girl beaming at me, her pink tutu swaying as she bounced on her toes. Glittery ribbons adorned her pigtails, catching the light with each movement.

"Sure," I replied, my voice small but eager. "I'm Tilly."

She gasped with delight. “Tilly and Lily? We have to be friends, it’s like destiny.” Lily plopped down next to me, spreading out an array of markers. "These are scented! Smell this one—it's cotton candy!" Her voice was soft and cute, with a subtle southern accent.

I leaned in, inhaling the sweet aroma. "Wow, that's amazing!" The scent took me straight back to being a kid.

"I know, right? Oh, and look at my unicorn book!" She thrust a sparkly coloring book under my nose. "Daddy James got it for me special."

My eyes flicked to where two men—Dwight and who I assumed was James—stood chatting nearby. But my attention was quickly recaptured by Lily's infectious enthusiasm.

"Want to color together?" she asked.

I nodded, feeling a warm glow spread through my chest. It felt so natural, so right, to slip into this childlike headspace here. No judgement, no pressure—just pure, innocent fun.

As we giggled over our artwork, Lily suddenly gasped. "Oh! We should have a tea party! Come on!"

She tugged my hand, leading me to a corner set up with a small table and chairs. China cups—no, plastic painted to look fancy —awaited us.

"Here," Lily instructed, handing me a teapot. "You pour for the stuffies first. It's proper manners."

I carefully "poured" for the assembled plush animals, including my own Red Rabbit who I'd brought along.

"Now we add sugar," Lily demonstrated, miming the action with a tiny spoon. "And stir, stir, stir!"

We clinked our cups together, erupting into giggles as we pretended to sip.

"Would you like a cookie?" I offered, presenting an imaginary platter.

"Oh yes, please!" Lily replied with exaggerated politeness before chomping down on thin air.

As we played, a warmth bloomed in my chest unlike anything I'd ever felt before. This was acceptance - pure and unconditional. For the first time in my life, I felt I truly belonged.

I couldn't help but marvel at the magical world unfolding around me. Everywhere I looked, there were littles engaged in various stages of innocent play, their faces alight with pure joy. In one corner, a group huddled over coloring books, their tongues peeking out in concentration as they carefully filled in intricate patterns. Nearby, two girls were constructing an impressive tower of blocks, their eyes wide with determination.

"Look, Tills!" Lily tugged on my sleeve, pointing towards a cozy nook. "That's the movie room."

I peered inside, my heart melting at the sight of littles snuggled up with their caregivers, all transfixed by the colorful underwater world of The Little Mermaid dancing across the screen. The soft glow from the TV cast a warm, comforting light over their faces.

"And over there," Lily continued, practically bouncing with excitement, "that's where we have family dinners!"

The dining area she indicated was adorned with cheerful, child-sized furniture and brightly colored plastic tableware. Everything about it screamed 'fun' rather than 'formal.'

I found myself exhaling slowly, a tension I hadn't even realized I'd been carrying finally releasing. "This place is amazing," I whispered, more to myself than to Lily.

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out over a hidden speaker system. "Attention, everyone! It's time for our weekly Princess Parade!"

Lily let out a squeal of delight, grabbing both my hands. "Oh, Tilly! You have to dress up with me. Please, please, please?"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I felt a childlike excitement bubbling up inside me. "Okay," I agreed, grinning. "Show me where we go!"

Lily led me to a room that made my inner child gasp in wonder. Racks upon racks of princess dresses lined the walls, a rainbow of tulle and satin catching the light. Sparkly shoes in every size imaginable were arranged neatly below, and an entire wall was dedicated to tiaras and crowns that glittered enticingly.

I reached out, my fingers trailing over the soft fabrics. The weight of adulthood, of all my worries and responsibilities, seemed to melt away.

"Which one do you want to try?" Lily asked, her eyes shining.

I bit my lip, overwhelmed by the choices. "I . . . I don't know. They're all so beautiful."

"Let's start with this one!" Lily exclaimed, pulling out a shimmering blue gown. "You'll look just like Cinderella!"

As I slipped the dress over my head, feeling the cool satin against my skin, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The girl staring back at me looked transformed - not just by the dress, but by the pure joy radiating from her face.

For a moment, I was that little girl again, the one who believed in fairy tales and happy endings.

Lily's enthusiasm was infectious as she twirled in her own pink tulle creation. "Now for the finishing touches!" she giggled, reaching for a sparkling tiara.

I knelt down, allowing her to place it carefully on my head. "How do I look?" I asked, a hint of shyness in my voice.

"Like a real princess!" Lily beamed. "But wait, we need glitter!"

We giggled together as we dabbed shimmering powder on each other's cheeks. The room buzzed with excitement, other littles helping each other into costumes and sharing accessories.

As Lily braided ribbons into my hair, I caught sight of Dwight through the doorway. His eyes met mine, filled with such pride and tenderness that my heart swelled. I'd never felt so beautiful, so cherished.

"All done!" Lily announced, giving my braid a playful tug.

I stood, smoothing my skirts. "Thank you, Lily. You're the best fairy godmother ever."

Just then, a familiar pressure made itself known. "Oh no," I whispered, glancing at the clock. "I need to use the restroom before the parade."

Biting my lip, I approached Dwight. "Daddy," I said softly, "may I please use the bathroom?"

His eyes scanned the hallway before he nodded. "Straight there and back, princess," he reminded me, his voice gentle but firm.

"I promise," I replied, meaning it with all my heart. As I walked down the quiet hallway, the soft pink tiles cool beneath my feet, I couldn't help but marvel at how safe I felt. For once in my life, I knew someone was watching out for me, keeping me protected. It was a feeling I never wanted to lose.

The bathroom was empty, just as I'd hoped. I sighed with relief as I locked the stall door behind me. I wondered what was going to happen at the parade. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d been this excited.

I didn’t have long to wait. But if I’d known what was about to happen, I might have just stayed in that bathroom cubicle forever.

I stood nervously in line with the other littles, smoothing my purple princess dress with trembling hands. Rachel's gentle voice rang out as she arranged us by height.

"Remember, sweethearts—wave like a princess, walk slowly, and most importantly, have fun!"

My heart fluttered with excitement as the first notes of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" filled the air. I peeked out at the gathered crowd, my eyes immediately finding Dwight. He was positioning his camera, a proud smile lighting up his face. Seeing him there, ready to capture this magical moment, made me feel like true royalty.

I leaned over to whisper to Lily beside me. "I can't believe this is really happening!"

She squeezed my hand, her eyes sparkling. "We're real princesses now!"

The parade began to move forward. I watched in awe as the first three littles twirled gracefully, their dresses swirling around them. My heart swelled with joy and anticipation. In just moments, it would be my turn to—

A loud crash shattered the peaceful atmosphere. The music cut off abruptly as the service entrance burst open. Everything seemed to move in slow motion.

My blood ran cold.

It was him.

Earl.

He stormed in, flanked by three men wielding guns that glinted menacingly under the fairy lights. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, like the world was falling away from under me. This couldn't be happening. Not here, not now.

Lily's hand found mine, trembling violently. All around us, screams of terror pierced the air, shattering our magical world into a thousand glittering pieces.

"Dwight," I whimpered, my eyes desperately searching for him in the chaos. But he was lost in the panicked crowd surging around us.

My mind raced. How had Earl found this place? How had he known I'd be here? The questions swirled, but there was no time to process them.

All I knew was that the safe haven I'd only just discovered was crumbling around me. And I was terrified of what would happen next.

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Earl's cold eyes locked onto mine, his face twisting into a cruel smile that made my skin crawl. This wasn't the same man who'd harassed me at O'Malley's. There was something far more sinister in his gaze now.

"Well, well . . ." he drawled, his voice chilling me to the bone. "Looks like we found ourselves a couple of pretty princesses."

I swallowed hard, tasting fear on my tongue. My fingers tightened around Lily's hand, trying to offer comfort I didn't feel myself.

"Tilly," Lily whimpered, "I'm scared."

"It's okay," I lied, my voice barely a whisper. "We'll be okay."

Chaos erupted around us. Security guards rushed forward, but Earl's men were ready, their weapons raised threateningly. Through the pandemonium, I spotted Dwight. My heart leapt—he was coming for us! But then I saw one of Earl's goons swing his gun towards Lily, and terror froze me in place.

"Stay back, narc," Earl sneered, "or the little blonde princess gets it."

Lily's sob tore at my heart. I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her shaking form.

"Please," I whispered, though I wasn't sure who I was pleading with—Earl, Dwight, or some higher power that might be listening. "Please don't hurt her."

I didn't have time to process what was happening. Earl's iron grip clamped around my arm, yanking me violently towards the exit. The sudden movement tore me away from Lily, and I heard her cry out in panic.

"No!" Lily screamed, struggling against the man holding her. "Tilly!"

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I watched in horror as Earl's hand flew through the air, connecting with Lily's face in a sickening slap. The sound echoed through the room, cutting through the chaos like a knife.

The casual brutality of it shocked me to my core. "Stop!" I cried out, my voice raw with emotion. "Please, don't hurt her!"

Earl's lip curled into a sneer. "Both of them," he barked at his men. "Double the leverage."

As they dragged us towards the exit, my eyes frantically searched for Dwight. When I found him, the look on his face made my heart stutter. I'd never seen such a combination of rage and fear in his eyes before. His jaw was clenched tight, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

"You're going to regret this, Earl," Dwight growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm going to tear your entire operation apart."

I wanted to call out to him, to beg him to save us, but the words caught in my throat. As Earl shoved me roughly towards a waiting van, all I could think was how quickly our magical evening had turned into a nightmare. The glitter on my cheeks felt like a mockery now, a reminder of the innocence that had been so violently shattered.

I stumbled as Earl shoved me into the van, my torn princess dress catching on the edge. The rough metal floor scraped my knees as I fell, sending a jolt of pain through my body. Lily tumbled in beside me, her small frame wracked with sobs.

"Shh, it's okay," I whispered, trying to comfort her even as my own heart raced with fear.

Earl's hulking form loomed in the doorway, blocking out what little light remained. He leaned in close, his breath hot and rancid on my neck. I shuddered, fighting the urge to recoil.

"Your Daddy's gonna learn what happens when he sticks his nose where it doesn't belong," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.

The van door slammed shut with a finality that made my stomach drop. Darkness enveloped us, broken only by the faint glimmer of streetlights through tinted windows.

Lily's quiet sobs filled the cramped space. I reached out blindly, finding her trembling hand and squeezing it gently. As we held onto each other, I heard a sickening crunch beneath us—our crushed tiaras, another casualty of this nightmare.

My mind raced, desperately trying to make sense of what had just happened. How had our magical evening at The Haven turned into this horror? I thought of Dwight's face, contorted with rage and fear. Would he find us? Could he save us?

"It'll be okay," I murmured to Lily, unsure if I believed it myself. "We'll get through this together."