One Day at a Time - (Season One)

Chapter Eighteen: Taken

Alicia--who'd been the one watching Lukas while Nick had snuck into the neighbor's house--had come by after Marty had grabbed their food, she'd seen Nick storm by when he'd come into the house and had come to comfort her brother. The younger girl had not been pleased to see the forming bruises on his face... nor by his or Marty's silence when they refused to tell her what happened.

But Nick was determined to keep his silence on that matter, even if he did accept his sister's hug in the end. Marty was just happy that the siblings were reaching out to one another for once rather than pushing each other away.

By the time Nick and Marty had finished their meager portions of the Campbell ravioli Mrs. Clark had served for dinner, Lukas was already snoring peacefully--cocooned inside blankets and comfort sucking on his thumb, a habit that he'd mostly kicked but only made a reappearance when he was stressed. That was when the soldiers arrived to bring Griselda and her husband to the facility Dr. Exner was running. The men carefully brought Griselda down the stairs with a makeshift stretcher, but the older woman kept groaning in pain no matter how gently the men tried to carry her.

Marty watched all of it through the open door of the bedroom before leaning into the hug Nick had enveloped her in from behind. It wasn't easy to see the woman in that sort of pain... or fear. Griselda was clutching her rosary beads fervently, Ave Maria's falling out of her mouth between pained gasps. Liza was at the woman's head, trying to keep her calm and directing the solemn-looking soldiers.

Ofelia gave one last hug to her mother before the uniformed men carried her out of the house. Marty ignored Travis' confused inquiries, it looked like he'd forgotten that they would be moving Griselda into the facility tonight.

"If we don't get Griselda to the surgeon, she's going to lose the foot." Liza explained, before stating bluntly, "You're in the way." so that Travis would stop blocking the front entrance, "Careful there's a step." the Latina told the soldiers as went ahead of them.

"Here we go. Lead on." one of them replied.

Daniel pulled his daughter to the side, though all of them could hear him impart some final words, "Hey, I don't know how long we will be. Be safe. Listen to Madison. We will see you soon." before pulling his daughter into a hug and trying to follow his injured wife outside.

Another soldier quickly blocked his path, "Sir, I'll need you to wait."

"No, that's okay. That's his wife." Mrs. Clark explained as she gestured to the man.

"Listen, I only have three names on the list."

"Griselda Salazar, Daniel Salazar." Daniel spoke calmly as he referred to himself and his wife, "I did not know that our daughter would be allowed to come with us, but that is not necessary, I will be the one to accompany my wife." he said firmly before once more trying to bypass the man.

"No, not you." the soldier denied, "Nicholas Clark-"

"What?" Mrs. Clark gasped out immediately like she'd punched.

"And Martina Ruiz."

Marty could feel the blood drain out of her face, she had to force herself to remain upright as her knees grew weak. Nick tensed like a coil behind her before pushing himself in front of Marty protectively. A trembling hand immediately pressed against her abdomen as her breathing hitched fearfully.

The movement immediately caught the men's attention, "Come on, man. Free medical care courtesy of the U.S. Military." the soldier said with a sardonic grin on his face.

Alicia, the closest to them, turned her wide brown eyes onto their forms and whispered out a desperate, "Run."

Nick grabbed Martina's arm without looking and bolted, dragging her through the house as shouts erupted and stomping feet chased after them. Pingu immediately began growling before charging an unseen assailant behind them.