Rogue

Chapter 15 - Revelation

Dedicated to CrossOwl for finding that perfect song linked on the side. :) 

Chapter 15 – Revelation

Jeff sped the car down the highway, ignoring speed limits at Morné’s instruction. Leto was nearly passed out in the back seat, grasping at a slipping consciousness. Brian was on her lap, Sera on Warren’s. Karen, who was taking a lift to school with Morné that morning, tried to console the frightened little girl. Rain pelted the road, increasing traffic and making the journey agonisingly longer.

“Crap,” Morné muttered as he glanced at the time on the dashboard.

“Phone Zahra,” he heard Leto mutter to Warren. “Tell her what happened.”

The car was silent except for the sound of Warren taking out his phone and making a hushed call.

Finally, the car reached the hospital. It wasn’t the same one that Ouma had been at, but a sleeker, more modern building. An ambulance rushed past. Jeff pulled into an emergency parking bay and ran into the hospital to get a wheelchair and nurse. Before she knew it, Leto was in the wheelchair and being pushed into the ER. Someone, she was too dazed to notice who, took Brian from her. The last of her energy faded and she welcomed the numb, blackness of being unconscious.

***

“She’s going to be okay, her brother too,” said Karen, returning to where they sat outside in a waiting room. Morné sent her to speak to a doctor; he needed to know what the news was, but didn’t want to be the one to hear it from a doctor. He let out a sigh of relief and buried his face in his hands.

“Thank goodness,” he murmured. He lifted his face,

“What else did he say?”

“Leto’s brother, Brian, has TB but they can treat it. Leto...they have a lot of questions about Leto’s condition, and said that the police might get involved. They said her whole body is covered in bruises, and that she was physically and mentally exhausted. They want to keep her for a few days.”

Karen sat on the couch next to Morné.

“It could have been worse,” she took his hand and squeezed it.

“I know. Can we see her?”

“The doctor said no. He was reluctant to tell me anything, but I managed to convince him. They want to speak to an adult, preferably one of her parents, first.”

At that moment, Warren returned. He had been at the entrance of the hospital, waiting for someone. Behind him was a middle-aged couple and a young woman.

“These are Leto’s friends from school,” Warren told the family. “They brought her and Brian here.”

Morné stood up, waiting to be introduced properly. The man held out his hand,

“I’m Yaseen,” he said. “My daughter Zahra’s been helping Leto look after Sera and Brian since she started at your school.”

Morné shook his hand and nodded. It was good to have an adult who knew Leto properly around.

“Where are her parents?” he asked.

“Leto’s mother passed on a few years ago, and her father disappeared last night. There was a big commotion; the police are looking for him now.”

Things suddenly made a lot more sense to Morné. He knew who was responsible for Leto’s wounds, and would make sure her father faced justice. He deserved to suffer in jail for a long, long time after the hell he put Leto through.

There was a familiar click of high heels on a tiled floor. Confused, Morné looked to the entrance and saw Ms Kruger striding in, holding a bouquet.