“Jodie. Miss Jodie, it’s time to wake up.” A robotic voice coaxed Jodie from her sleep gently, though she still sprang up as if she had just been rudely awakened. The 14 year old girl looked at the Mr Handy, startled. “Alfred?” Her voice shaking slightly as she brushed jet black hair adorned with purple streaks behind her ear. “What’s wrong? Where’s dad?” She asked, knowing something was wrong since usually it was her father who woke her up for school. “Er- Well, he stepped out and asked me to get you up and ready for school.” Alfred scrambled for words. Jodie stared at him for a moment, her father never went out without waking her up first, or telling her in advance. Unconvinced, Jodie sprang out of bed, ran out of her room and looked out the front window, but all she saw was a man walking his dog. “Alfred?!” She called again, wanting answers as he hovered into the front room. “Miss Jodie… I think you should sit down...” Alfred said with a sigh. Jodie looked at him, her rosy face almost became pale and she quickly sat down on the couch. Alfred hesitated for a moment before he played the audio recording he’d recorded earlier. “Recording, now.” Alfred’s voice said. “Alright.. Jodie… I want you to know that I love you very much. You are so beautiful, and talented, and you have such a bright future ahead of you...” Her father spoke, his tone sending her heart sinking into her stomach. “But I have a greater calling, something I can REALLY be a part of. When you hear this, I’ll already be on the plane. I’m joining the army, I’m going to do some good in this world. I’m sorry, Jodie I’m so…. Sorry… Goodbye.” The recording clicked to an end, leaving Jodie staring at the floor, hurt, terrified, her head full of thoughts swirling through it. The room was silent for what seemed like hours. “How long ago was that recorded?” She asked, her voice almost catching in her throat. “Two hours ago, Miss.” Alfred’s voice soft. A moment more passed before she sprang off the couch and out the front door. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to make it in time to stop him. She had to try, at least. “Miss Jodie!” Alfred called after her; However, realized this was probably something that needed to happen. He watched her race away on her bike, hoping the universe kept her safe.

The airport was thirty minutes from her house by car, but she knew shortcuts and was able to be there in twenty-five minutes. When she arrived, she ditched her bike at the entrance and took a moment to catch her breath. Still in her pajamas, she caught the attention of nearby people, but she was focused on finding her father. She ran into the doors, and found a security guard. “Please! Where is the plane for the army?” She huffed. He stared at her confused and shocked. “PLEASE! My dad’s getting on that plane, I need to stop him!” She begged. Taking pity on her, the guard gave her directions and she took off running again. He alerted the guards ahead of her using his radio and told them she was coming and why. She got close to the gate, however, another guard stopped her. “I’m sorry miss, that plane has already left the gate, they’re taking off now.” He said as he pointed to the plane on the runway. She spun around and ran to the window, falling to her knees as she watched the plane take off, carrying her father away with it. Now sobbing into her hands, the security guard gently patted her back. “Please follow me.” He said softly. She turned her attention back to the plane that was now disappearing into the distance. She was alone. Straightening herself again as the guard waited patiently, she began to follow him, wiping the tears away only for them to be replaced by more. The guard had her wait outside his office and came back shortly after, wrapping a blanket around her. “I’m sorry.” He spoke softly, sitting her on a bench and sitting next to her for a moment. “I can buy you something to eat if you’re hungry?” He offered. She shook her head. “Okay, if you change your mind, I’ll be around, okay?” He softly placed a hand on her shoulder before standing. He hesitated before turning back to her again. “Do you need me to call you a taxi or anything?” She shook her head again. “No, thank you...” She whimpered. He nodded and continued with his patrol. Jodie pulled her legs to her chest and covered her head with the blanket, despite her legs aching from paddling with her life, she just wanted to make herself as small and invisible as possible. “Hello?” A male voice caught her attention, and she looked up to see a couple, the man with an army uniform on, and a woman, apparently his wife. “Oh honey, what’s wrong?” The woman said as soon as she saw Jodie’s red, wet face. She sat next to her and wrapped her arm around her. Jodie froze, feeling embarrassed and awkward. “My dad just abandoned me and joined the army.” The man sat on the other side of her. “What about your mom? I’m sure she misses you right now?” The woman said. “My mom died four years ago..” Jodie replied. “I’m so sorry… Do you have any other family?” The woman asked. “Just Alfred, our…. Uh, my Mr Handy.” Jodie replied. The woman frowned, looking at her husband. Jodie looked up at the woman as she continued. “My name is Nora, this is my husband, Nate. He just came back from the army, as you can probably tell. We live in a nice place called Sanctuary Hills, about 30 minutes from here.” She said. “I live there too, and my name’s Jodie.” “You do?! I’ve never seen you before, did you just move here?” Nora asked. Jodie shook her head again. “Since my mom died, I’ve been working, keeping the house in order and going to school, trying to help my dad, but in the end, it was all for nothing...” Jodie mumbled, lowering her head into her arms again as the pain lashed at her once more. “Oh honey, it’s not for nothing, you have those skills for the future now.” Nora smiled brightly at her. “So! Since we’re on our way home, and you live in the same neighborhood, would you trust us to drive you home safely?” Nora asked. Jodie looked at them, studying their eyes. After a moment, she nodded, deciding that she would trust them. “Okay.” Jodie said with unease. Nora smiled and stood up with Nate. Jodie stood too, her legs feeling like jello after her bike ride, but she was able to support herself. She folded the blanket neatly and left it on the bench before following the couple through the airport, and out the front doors, where she grabbed her bike. “You rode here on a bike?” Nate asked in surprise. “Yeah, but I know shortcuts.” Jodie said. “Allow me to get the car, you ladies wait here for a moment.” Nate said. Nora passed him the keys and then waited next to Jodie. “So… I know we’re strangers and all, but since you have no parents, would you like to stay with us? I can’t in good consciousness let you stay in a house with no parents. How old are you anyway? If you don’t mind my asking.” Jodie shuffled a bit. “I’m fourteen, and my Mr Handy is like a second dad to me.” She said, “I trust him with my life.” Jodie kept her eyes on the ground as Nora studied Jodies body language. Finally, Nate pulled up with the car and opened the car door for the ladies, closing the door when they got in. He stored Jodies bike in the trunk, making sure it was secure before getting into the driver’s seat again. “Alright, off we go.” He said as he put the car in gear and slowly started forward.

Jodie watched as the cars passed by, the city in the background, and familiar landmarks, telling her they were going the right way. The couple in the front seat talking about everything they had missed duing Nates deployment, while Jodie sat in silence. Finally, they pulled up to Jodies street and Nate assisted her in getting her bike out of the trunk. “You going to be okay honey?” Nora asked, getting out to bid farewell to her. Jodie nodded. “I’ll figure things out. Thank you, for caring, and for the ride home.” She told them both. “Anytime. We live just right up the road, you’ll see our car. You’re more than welcome anytime, and I’ll give you our phone number too.” Nora said as she turned and reached into the car for a pen and paper, quickly jotting down their number and then giving it to Jodie. “You call us if you need anything, or just to talk, alright?” Nora insisted. Jodie forced a smile and nodded. “Thanks.” Nora smiled back and nodded. “Take care of yourself honey.” She said as she got back into the car with Nate and they drove off. Jodie headed back home and stored her bike in the garage, grimacing at all of her father’s things, realizing that with him gone, she would have to go through it all. After closing the garage, she opened the front door, and a relieved Alfred rushed to greet her. “Thank goodness Jodie, are you alright?” He asked. Jodie nodded but the pain was still too much and tears flowed down her cheeks again. “Come, Miss, sit down, I’ll make you a nice hot chocolate. Your favorite.” Jodie grabbed some tissues and sat down, wiping her eyes as Alfred prepared her hot chocolate. “How could he do this?” She ranted. “I’m sure he had his reasons, and they were right in his mind. Here you go Miss Jodie” Alfred said as he placed a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate down in front of her. “Thank you.” She said before gently blowing on it to cool it down enough, sending the steam away. She picked it up and took a light sip before putting it back down. The two sat in silence for what seemed like hours, the clock ticking and Alfreds hover the only things breaking the silence. “He’s a piece of shit.” Jodie finally said before taking another sip of hot chocolate. Alfred didn’t say anything to that, knowing that she was right in her own mind, and this was the beginning of her healing process. “If it means anything, Miss, you’re not alone.” He spoke softly and gently petted her head, then hovered off to leave her be for a bit, but knew that she knew where to find him if needed. Jodie continued sipping her hot chocolate until it was done and cleaned up. She paused for a moment to look at the TV, pondering if she should watch something, but decided to just go to bed and try to forget, even just for a little while.