The Enders

Chapter 4

               I walked into the room and called Saos name. No answer.

               I instantly knew something was wrong when I looked up and saw that the window was open. I rushed to the window sill, leaning over and looking out at the driveway. Grunts and moans came from the scuffle that was taking place on the freshly fallen snow. 

               Sao and that big man were rolling around on the ground and the snow around Saos head was getting darker. His face, oh his beautiful face, was almost unrecognizable, because the man was sitting on top of him, hitting him.

               When the man suddenly gets up, grabbing Saos shirt collar and pulling him up as well, blood dripping from his seemingly unconscious face, I jump out of the window and onto the ice under the opening. 

               I sprint, barefoot, towards the hulk of a man, noticing that this may seem a futile effort but keep running.

               As I run, Sao opens his eyes, and his irises start to glow. To my utter amazement, his face becomes clean, and all of his cuts are healed. he looks up into the surprised face of the man, grinning from ear to ear. 

               He twists free, getting his arms loose and in less than a second he and the man are on the ground again, this time Sao is on top, the look of determination pasted upon his face.

               I am almost there when I slip on the ice puddle that was formed when the little lake in the yard froze over. I throw my arms out in front of me, trying to break my fall but the only thing I break is my wrist. 

               The breath is knocked out of me and a different thug approaches me, cracking his neck as he comes. 

               I stand up warily, staggering just a little and standing up straight, cradling my injured wrist, trying to act confident. The man smiles, and says to me " I can see that you're hurt, it will only make this easier." He then seems to notice or figure out who I am and says, "Sorry, Nikki, it'll be fast enough, I guess."

               I grit my teeth and brace myself for the pain, but it comes fast. He rushes me and I try to sidestep him but he is too fast. I fall onto my back as he tackles me and my arm twists under me. The pain of a broken arm rushes back and I give up the fight, letting the semi-familiar man do whatever he wants to do with me as I writhe in agony. All he does is pull out a syringe and stab my leg.

               The last thing I notice before blacking out is the man. I knew I recognized him. The man, my father, scoops me up and pulls me over his shoulder, seeming to take care of my broken, floppy arm. I feel dizzy and sleepy and the pain in my arm subsides.

               Then everything went black.