The Chosen One

Guarded

----Melinda

Alex and Liam left for a run promising to be back soon.  It's been a couple of days now, I was halfway through my pregnancy.  I was picking the vegetables from the garden and I saw Ben watching me from a distance.

I walked toward the house Liam, Alex, and I shared and I could hear Ben behind me.  He grabbed my arm and I dropped my basket of vegetables.  He shoved me into the barn and had his way with me.

----Alex

The sound of a motorcycle on the road got my attention.  I recognized the rider.  It was Nick from camp.  "It's Mel."  He said.

"Go, I'll catch up."  Liam said.  I hopped on the back of the bike and we sped off down the road.

----Melinda

Blood.  All I could see was blood.  My ears were ringing from screaming after what I had done.  My heart pounding in my chest, my blood flowing from the adrenaline.

Alex came running into the infirmary and I barely saw him.  I kept starring at the blood on my hands.  "Mels."  Alex said running to me.  His voice distant like an echo.  He took my face in his hands.  "Mels."  He said again.

"She's been like that since we found her."  Doc said.

"What the hell happened?"  Alex asked doc.

"It's not her blood."  He said pointing to Ben who was either dead or just about.  "She was found with her clothes torn and he had a knife in his gut."

"Is the baby okay?"  Alex asked.  Doc nodded.

That night, I was sitting in the bathtub, Alex was crouched beside the tub with a wet rag in his hand as he wiped the blood from my face and hands.  "Mels."  He said quietly.  I lifted my head looking at him.  "Baby, what happened?  I need to know so I can take care of it."  He said.

----Liam

"Captain will see you now."  Jack said exiting the captain's office.  I went in.

"Ah, one of my best guards.  Need a drink?"  He asked.

"No sir.  I need to have a word with you."  I said.

"Is it about Melinda and my son?"

"Yes sir."  I said.  "I know the rule, just tell me now.  If she is exiled, Alex and I will be leaving with her and we can be gone by morning."

"Exiled?  Liam she protected herself and her unborn child.  She finally got the guts to stand up to the son of a bitch.  If anything she needs to be moved to a place that better suits her needs and closer to the infirmary."

"She broke a rule."  I said.

"She did everyone a favor."  He said.  "The house next to the infirmary is available.  Have her moved in as soon as possible."  He said.  "Is there anyone else in the compound she trusts?"

"Nick, Cam, and their wives."  I said.

"Once she is comfortable, if you and Alex have to go on a run.  She will have company of the wives and the guard of the husbands."  He said.

----Melinda

"I was picking vegetables from the garden."  I said quietly my voice hoarse from screaming, exhaustion, and unshed tears.  "He was watching me.  I tried to get away but I can't run."  I was laying beside Alex in bed, his arm around me cradling me against his chest.  "He grabbed my arm and shoved me into an old shed."  I said.  "I-I carry the knife around that you gave me for safety.  Like you said.  I-It happened so fast."  I whispered.  "I stabbed him.  He said that he was going to kill my baby."  I sobbed.  "It was all I could do.  I tried to get away from him.  He hit me so hard in the face."

"It's going to be okay.  I'm here.  Liam is here.  We are going to protect you and make sure you are safe.  I'm sorry I broke my promise and let you down."

"You didn't know."  I moved to my back and touched his cheek.  He kissed me softly.