The Vistors

The knock came at the door, just as Derrick had finally put Daniella to sleep, his heart froze for a moment, but he forced himself to relax. 

But then again his mind started to play the what if game, I mean it was past midnight who would be visiting this late. 

He  swallowed as he heard the loud bang on the door again 

Daniella, who had been sleeping peacefully, slowly opened her eyes as a result of the noise. 

She turned swiftly looking at her father, there it was that same face. Fear written all over them, the same face he wore the day she lost her mother. 

“Papa… what’s going on?” She asked him as her tiny eye brow folded into confusion 

“Go back to bed” he whispered looking all serious 

“But papa someone is….” 

“Daniella…bed now!” He repeated, sharper this time. 

She went quiet. 

Derrick walked towards the door, his heart beating like he had been running for miles now. 

The knock came again this time slower. 

When he finally turned the door knob and the door tore open allowing the chill cold air to rest on his face. 

Standing in front of him were three men who looked surprisingly good and well dressed. But then something about them felt off. 

What brought them to his home by this time 

“Good evening” one of them said, he had the polish Uk accent. 

Derrick didn’t respond immediately, he made sure to grip the edge of his door tightly still looking at them in confusion. 

“What do you want?” He asked his voice firmly 

“We would like to have a word with you” one of the men spoke tapping his feet on the ground acting all impatient. 

Derrick stepped outside and pulled the door from behind 

“My daughter is sleeping” his voice sounded quite harsh “say want you want and leave it’s late!” 

The men exchanged glances then the one in front took a closer step 

“We heard you have a child”

Derrick's jaw tightened 

“I have many things and none of them concern you” he could hear his stomach filled with fear. 

The man grinned evilly then continued 

“We’re not here to cause trouble” he looked around “Infact we are here to offer you something”

“I am not interested” Derrick cut him shortly 

“You’ve not heard of the offer yet!” 

“I don’t need to” 

They went silent staring at each other as if speaking with their eyes, the one from behind stepped forward. 

“It’s for a good cause” the man added “an important one at that… our employer is unaware and…”

Derrick’s eyes hardened 

“And that concerns me how?” 

“He needs a heart” the air felt heavy as the words dropped out of his mouth, just like he suspected evil has landed on his door. 

Derrick looked at them in disbelief

“And you think?” Derrick said slowly “you can come to my house in the middle of the night and ask for my child?” 

“We’re not asking” one of the men spoke 

Derrick stepped forward, his eyes hot and red; they weren’t calm any more, just anger and warning written in them. 

“You should leave”

The men grinned staring at each other one of them spoke up his voice soft almost a whisper 

“You see erm Derrick? That’s your name right?” He asked Derrick face lit up in shock 

“We get what we want whenever we want it so yes we will return” he turned around immediately and the others followed as they walked out of the building. 

Derrick knew this wasn’t over, they would definitely come back and he needed to protect his family, the only one left. 

Behind the door was Daniella. She stood there shocked and confused, her tiny brain trying to process what those men came to talk to her father for, something was fist and she could smell it. 

Derrick turned swiftly about to head inside when his eyes met with that of confused Daniella shocked and worried. 

For a moment none of them said a word. He walked up to Daniella and grabbed her off the floor 

“You didn’t go to bed pumpkin” he queried 

“Papa, who were they?” 

Derrick didn’t answer he looked at his daughter holding her tighter 

“Don’t worry you’re safe, nothing would happen to you” he smiled 

“Do they know where mom is?” Curious little Daniella just kept asking hoping to get an answer but mom was forthcoming her dad kept sweeping the issue under the floor. 

“You know you're a very stubborn child just like your mom” he dropped her off and gave her clear instructions to go inside and sleep. 

Derrick stood at the door shaking, he looked into the darkness checking to see if he’d get a glimpse of the men but didn’t. 

He could feel his heavy heart, the night had gone colder than usual, he could still feel their presence even though he didn’t catch sight of them. 

He had seen men like that before, not in the village, not this close but he knew this type 

These type of men didn’t need to shout 

They didn’t need to threaten 

They come in the night and take what they want when they want it and he knew it was only a matter of time if he didn’t do something immediately. 

He looked in the direction of his farm and everything was peaceful, too peaceful only his fear was so loud they were ringing bells in his head. 

He was about heading inside when he heard a sudden rustling sound coming from behind the house, he turned sharply, his legs trembling. 

“Who’s there?” He called out pretending to be all strong 

He slowly walked in the direction and just when he thought he saw a shadow move just as it appeared it was gone. 

He held his chest firmly and made a U turn heading back into the house 

Whatever was out there he won’t be chasing it tonight not with his daughter inside putting her in any form of trouble he’d never forgive himself. 

He walked in and shut the doors behind him.