Saved By Carli

II

Carli's POV

The five of us and Sage are in the waiting room of the emergency room of some local hospital waiting for the doctor to come collect us to examine Sage. I don't know why we didn't get seen right away. I suspect they might be calling the police so they can get a statement from Sage. And as if right on cue my suspicions are confirmed when a female police officer and the doctor come out.

"Ms. Sage?"

She just nods and gets up and we go to follow her, but are stopped by the doctor.

"I'm sorry ladies only one of you will be allowed back their with her."

"Carli can you come back with me?" Sage asks.

"Of course I can Sage," I then turn to the girls. "I will tell you what we find out."

Walking back to the exam room with the doctor and the police officer Sage never strays more than a foot away from me. I can't imagine what she's been through. I also can't imagine who could hurt a child. I hope we can help her.

"Alright ladies in here and we will get this under way." The doc says.

"Alright Sage I need you to lift up your shirt so we can treat you" The doctor says.

Sage proceeds to take of her shirt and after seeing how mistreated she has been I want to throw up. There isn't a part of her body that isn't bruised. It's just black, purple, and blue bruises and scars. How do you do this to a child? More importantly how did Sage survive this? She must be a very strong girl. Sage sees everyone staring at her and gets uncomfortable and starts breathing heavily. Not another panic attack. Luckily I know how to stop it now.

- - - - -

Sage's POV

Not another panic attack. This shit is getting ridiculous. Why does this always happen? I hope this subsides and I can hurry this crap up. Oh wait Carli is hugging me. I guess she is going to try that thing she tried at the park.

"Hey you're okay I got you. Just listen to my heart beat again and try to slow down your breathing okay? There you go. Breathe just breathe. In out in out."

What the hell? How has this worked twice now? I need to somehow find someone like her whenever they leave so I'm able to calm down whenever these attacks happen.

"May I continue now Sage?" The doctor asks. I just nod.

Once the doctor is finished with treating me, he gives me some medicine to help with the bruising and says to buy scar cream, the police officer leads us to a private room to talk.

"Sage I know this may be something that is hard for you to do, but I need you to tell me how you got all this bruises and scars so that we can help you."

"Alright, but Ms. Police officer can you go get the rest of the girls so I only have to explain this as few time's as possible please?"

The officer nods and then leaves the room.

"Hey Carli?"

"Yes Sage?"

"Um...while I'm telling everyone whatever I have to tell you would it be possible for me to hold your hand."

Carli smiles. "Of course Sage." And with that I grab her hand just as the rest of the girls file in to the room and take their seats.

"Well I guess I will start at the beginning of all this. When I was 12 my dad was killed overseas fighting in the military. It was very hard for everyone in the family to handle. Eventually both sets of grandparents ostracized us for some reason and we haven't hand contact with them since. I wouldn't be surprised if they are dead. My mother couldn't handle this so she turned to her three best friends. Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, and Captain Morgan. Every night since the funeral my mom has gotten drunk and every night she has uncontrollable rage that she apparently needs to take out on somebody. And since I'm the only person around her she will punch, smack, kick, cut, and verbally abuse me until I pass out and then the whole cycle starts over whenever I wake up and whenever she wakes up from her hangover. She also doesn't allow me out of the house. Today was the first time I've been outside of the house in five years. I just couldn't handle anymore of the abuse. I had to leave. So I left and ran until my feet couldn't go anymore and I found my self in the park where you guys are and well here we are."

I look up and their all staring at me in shock and their eyes are glossy. That actually felt kind of good to get off my chest. Next thing I know I'm pulled into a hug by all of the girls. And if I'm honest it felt great to know people actually cared about me. Even if it was for an hour or two.

"SAGE WHERE ARE YOU?"

Fuck that's my mother. I grip tightly to Carli, but ultimately I get up to leave. Which of course the girls don't allow me to, but ultimately I free myself from their grip.

"I'm sorry I have to go or she will hurt all of you if I don't. I will be okay." I turn away and mumble "I hope."

Unbeknownst to me the girls and the police officer follow me towards my mother. Seeing my mother's erratic behavior I approach cautiously."Sage Avalon where have you been you worthless slut." A stinging sensation hits my cheek and I realize my mother just hit me...again.

"Hey you can't do that. " Alex says and the girls come running up to protect me while the police officer steps towards my mother.

"I'm guessing you are Sage's mother." The officer says.

"Yeah so what? This useless little shit is coming home with me where she can be punished."

The police officer approaches my mother with a grin on her face to talk to her while a different officer comes up behind my mom and handcuffs her.

"Fortunately ma'am the only one being punished is you. You are under arrest for child abuse, child endangerment, neglect, and wrongful imprisonment. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights that have been read to you." My mother just nods and is led away in handcuffs.

The female police officer takes us into another private room and by the frown she now has I think I can tell what she is about to tell me.

"Sage, unfortunately, you were correct. None of your grandparents are alive and there is no next of kin for you to go live with so we will have to put you into foster care until you get adopted."

Could this day get any worse?

"Wait, Ma'am I would like to adopt Sage."