Dying Ember #2

The next morning, I shot up breathing heavily, from a bad dream. I threw the blanket off me and got up to make a drink. As I walked into the kitchen, I noticed dads door was open. I walked over and found a note lying on the floor. It read, in very scrawly writing:

Bye.

I felt the rage build up in my muscles and the careless way dad had written this note made my blood boil. I tore the note up and watched it fall like snowflakes onto the kitchen floor.
"What's that?" a voice behind me enquired
"Reece?" I turned round and saw him standing in the doorway. I looked straight into his brown eyes and I knew I couldn't lie.
"Dads gone, hasn't he?" Reece said. All I could do is nod. I opened my arms for a hug and Reece ran towards me. He threw his arms around me and lay his head on my stomach.
"Ssh," I soothed stroking his ruffled sandy hair "It'll be ok, I'm still here and I'm never gonna leave, okay?" I knelt down in front of him and wiped the tears from his face.
"W-will he c-come b-back?" Reece stuttered
I shrugged "I'm sorry Reece, I don't know."
I started to see more tears stream down his face, I pulled him closer. I then began to hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Maya plodded into the kitchen and when she noticed Reece, she tilted her head to one side.
"What's wrong with Reece?" she mumbled sucking her thumb.
"Um, Maya, come here, sweetheart," I said and she walked over obediently, still sucking her thumb "Dads left us, but I want you to know that…"
"You said he wouldn't leave!" Maya shouted standing up "You said he wouldn't… said he wouldn't!" Maya was soon out of the room and I could hear her storming upstairs.
"Maya!" I called after her "Reece, gimme a minute." I stood up and ran up the stairs and headed towards the bedroom.
"You can't come in!" Maya screamed before I could say anything.
"Maya it kinda helps if you lock the door." I chuckled and opened the door. Maya was lying on her bed with her head in her pillow. I walked slowly over and then sat down next to her.
"You said he wouldn't!" she sobbed into her pillow.
"Maya, I know I said that but I didn't know ok," I assured her "And I'm never gonna leave you and if I do, I will bring you with me, ok?"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Cross your heart?" she said sitting up and looking at me. I crossed it.
"Cross my heart."
She wrapped her arms around me.

After breakfast, which was only a slice of bread each as we had nothing else, we decided to play a board game. As Reece and Maya were fighting over who's turn it was, I suddenly heard rustling outside.
"Wait a sec." I said getting up and going to open the door. I breathed in and out evenly, thinking someone was going to jump out as soon as I opened the door. But as soon as I did open the door, no one was there. I stepped out into the cold air and looked around.