Emrys

I work at an inhuman daycare. None of the kids here are fully human or even partly human for some. Originally the daycare was just for child demons until they matured into their powers. Then the only worker there decided that there are other beings who have kids they can’t always keep an eye on so why not add them? So we have demons, werewolves, sprites, satyrs, faeries, dryads, hybrids, and so many more here at The Witch’s Daycare. It’s called The Witch’s Daycare because the person who started it all is a witch. She started it several decades ago, almost a century but not quite there yet.

          Her name is Pax. Pax is a character. In hell, most know her as the mother of demons. Why? Because she unofficially adopted almost every demon child they had her watch in the beginning and they all call her mom. Her kids come help every now and then when they have a day off but they mostly come to spend time with their mom. She is one of a kind. Most of the kids know her as Miss Pax and it’s adorable to hear them run up to her yelling “Miss Pax!” in their little voices; except for the little banshee who is still learning to control her voice’s volume. But she’s still absolutely adorable despite almost blowing everyone’s eardrums out and killing us.

          I met Pax about ten years ago. She saved me from a poltergeist who was trying to kill me. After that incident, I needed a strong cup of joe and a good pastry. So we went out to a local coffee shop and chatted for a while. I discovered that there were more than poltergeists and ghosts in this world that day. She talked me through how not all of them are out to kill you but to definitely be careful if I ever want to make a deal with a demon, unless it’s one of her kids then I should be fine. I found myself wanting to learn more.

          So she offered me a job at her daycare. I wasn’t sure at first, but now I'm glad I accepted. This place is amazing and I love these children so much. Not all of the kids have parents, Pax explained to me once, so that’s why some of them live there at the daycare in the living area. Then there are others who get left there by their parents, or one of them, and never taken back. It’s sad when that happens, though it happens so often. Just yesterday a man, human, dropped off his son with a letter stating he wasn’t going to take care of a kid he didn’t want and that the kid was dropped on his doorstep by some woman. He didn’t even name him. He’s a half-human, half-Drus (the male counterpart of Dryads).

          He looks to be about two, very young. Pax did a little digging and found out that his mother was a Hamadryad whose tree died. That’s probably why she gave Emrys, the name we gave the little one, to his biological father. Little Emrys is a sweetheart. Despite being half-human and not tied to any plant, he has impressive plant and wood manipulation. He always helps me out in the garden with other little ones who are more related to nature.

          I simply adore little Emrys. He’s always smiling and laughing and having fun. It’s like having a little lamp of absolute positivity around. Even the more aggressive children tend to calm down and laugh around him. Sometimes though, I just can’t help but worry about him. He likes to sit in trees alone, there was one time he fell out and broke his arm, and he sometimes wanders off without anyone realizing it. Pax laughs and says I’m being such a mother that I should just adopt him. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like too bad of an idea either.

          I’ve been pondering this for a while now. Should I adopt Emrys or should I not. What would be best for him? I love all the kids here, Emrys simply seems to be closer to me than the rest and I’m not sure why. Most of the kids here gravitate to Pax naturally; she just has that aura of comfort that draws them in. Not little Emrys though. He always comes to me and sticks around me, not that I mind. A lot of those who come in to pick up their kids have even noted to me that they thought he was my son already; he certainly acts like I’m his mother a naiad told me once.

          Today is my day off from the daycare, so I’m still at home in my seats and oversized shirt, lounging on the couch. My home is simple, a little house out in the country with a couple of apple trees in the backyard. One of Pax’s sons, Lazlo I believe his name was, connected one of the closet doors to the daycare so I can travel between the places and not lose my home. That was rather nice of him.

          I wonder how Emrys is doing, and all the others too. They are probably all fine, Pax is with them after all and she raised at least seven demons on her own. A gentle creak sound from behind me, causing me to look over my shoulder. I lurch to my feet.

          “Emrys!?” I exclaim, slightly confused and alarmed. How did he get here and why? I walk over to him swiftly and lift him up. “What are you doing here? Did something happen?” he shakes his head while wrapping his arms around my neck and laying his head down on them.

          “Mommy, I sleepy.” He whispers, closing his eyes. I freeze. Did…did he just call me mommy!? W-wh-what!? I rub his back lightly, rocking him to sleep automatically. This child is going to be the end of me. He’s so precious. I settle down onto the couch. If…if he is okay with it, I think I will adopt him. It’s like Pax has said before, he is practically my kid now anyways. What’s a piece of paper going to change?

          I drift off on the couch, smiling.