Salvation

Chapter 4- Sadena

 Her feet were silent on the forest floor as were the two men in front of her. Years of training came in handy. She saw Nigel slow, he stood quietly behind a tree. He held up one hand and immediately she and Daniel stopped. She could see shapes moving in a clearing just beyond and could smell the rich scent of a fire. She heard another scream and then a man bellowed in pain.

Nigel pointed to the north and Daniel slipped amongst the trees to her left. Nigel looked at Sadena, holding up two fingers. She nodded and he stepped into the clearing. She slowly went forward to where Nigel had stood a moment before and peered into the clearing.

She could see a young girl, in her teens, on the ground. She was naked, except for panties, from the waist down and was half sitting. She had blood covering her face. To the left of the girl there was a man on the ground holding his face and screaming. He was incapacitated for now. Another man stood in front of the girl with a knife and an evil look in his eyes. He was so intent on his purpose that he didn't even see Nigel creeping up.

The girl didn't see him either and she her chin jutted out as she eyed her assailant bravely. A calmness that every person reaches when they know their final moment has come washed over the girl and she closed her eyes, waiting for the man to strike her down. Sadena gave the girl a moment of respect. It took a lot to fight two men and then stare down death with your head held high.

Nigel stepped up behind the man and wrapped his arm around the bigger man's neck and locked it with his other one. The man struggled, fear crossed his face as he realized that he was under attack. He was slightly larger than her love but Nigel had strength and training. She wasn't worried.

Daniel stepped out of the woods behind the other two. He stepped over the man on the ground, bent down and the knife caught the light as he swiftly ran it over the man's neck. His wailing stopped as the blood gurgled from his throat. Daniel stood up and looked around, double checking for anyone else.

Nigel's choke hold on the other man's neck caused him to pass out. He slowly lowered him onto the ground, Daniel stepped around him and again bent over, drawing the blade over the second man's neck, he wiped his knife slowly on the goon's coat. The Sisters of Salvation had no tolerance for rapists, child rapists got even quicker treatment.

Sadena stepped out of the trees, marvelling at how quickly they had subdued the danger. She ran to the girl on the ground who was staring wide eyed at Nigel and Daniel. She started to crab crawl backwards, not sure if the new company was friend or foe.

Sadena squatted down in front of her, allowing her her space. It was best not to approach someone in fight or flight mode until they knew danger had passed.

"Shhhh...." She said, holding out a hand, trying to imbue a sense of calm about her, "It's okay little one, you're safe."

The terrified look that had been in the girl's eyes faded. Tears formed and started to flow. The girl started howling. This too Sadena had seen too often. She did not know how long the girl had been with these men, but the bruises and cuts on her told her too long of a story.

"Shhh....it's ok. Come here, let me get you something warm." Sadena held out her hand. The girl grabbed it as if she were a life line and threw herself into Sadena. She wrapped her arms around the girl and rocked her.

She looked at Nigel overtop of the girls head. She didn't need to speak. He nodded and then he and Daniel started rummaging around the items trying to find something to warm the girl. Nigel went over to the cart that was standing attached to a mare by the road. He grabbed a sleeping bag off the top and brought it over.