The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 4: Salvation

Another month and a half had passed and Ada was so tired of the life they existed.

It was only a matter of time before Marlon killed them, so they may as well go down fighting. Over the last few weeks, she had Chuck bring her supplies and Science books, she gathered as much knowledge as she could because she was going to try to knock Marlon out with a solution she had created and she had better succeed. He would be here soon, so she pocketed the solution and waited.

Danna wrung her hands beside her and Mma was busy with her homework. Ada tried to teach her, both of them, as much as they were able to grasp; she found Mma took to math really well. The door opened and Marlon entered.

"Good morning, my lovelies," he sang.

"Good morning, daddy," they droned. An appreciative moan left his lips.

Like clockwork, he dragged Ada to his room.

"Shower," he ordered. She scurried to the bathroom, turned on the shower and bathed quickly. When she turned off the shower, she quickly poured the solution on the rag and rushed to the door before he came in. She had her hands placed behind her back in a faux-shy stance.

"Daddy, could I have a kiss,"? she batted her eyelashes at him and he fell for the ruse.

He kneeled to her height and pulled her closer and began puckering with his eyes closed. Wasting no time, Ada placed the rag over his nose and prayed the adhesive agent bonded to his skin quickly. Fortunately, she could see him start to waver and his tongue would feel too heavy to move so, she wasn't worried about him screaming. She caught him before he fell to the floor, she wouldn't take any chances of him alerting anyone. Even if all who were here were passed-out junkies.

She watched with sick satisfaction as the light drained from his eyes and they became foggy, but she knew he wouldn't die. He would be out long enough for them to escape and find help. She grabbed the keys to the cage, threw on her rags and went to free her sisters.

They ran out of the house, adrenaline giving them the energy to move. They ran and ran until they reached a town, Cave Hill, the sign read. Passers-by saw the trio and immediately pulled out their phones dialing the police. Two women ran up to them and gasped seeing Ada who collapsed and the other two malnourished children. Adaku could hear sirens and knew that salvation had come. A warm breeze caressed her face and Adaku imagined that it was her mother.

"Are you proud of me, Mama"?

*

Ada woke with a start, and looked around the room she was in for her sisters. She didn't see Adannaya, nor Adamma and began panicking; the heart monitor was the only alert to her panic. A nurse rushed in frightening the poor child.

"Where are my sisters?" Adaku directed at the plump, redheaded nurse.

"Why don't you get back in bed, Dear," her voice sounded like wind chimes and it eased Adaku.

"Where are they?" she questioned once she settled back in the bed.

"They're in their room, I can take you to see them after you've had your own check-up by the doctor," she informed.

"Why weren't we all placed in the same room?"

"Well, Dearie, you're in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit because your injuries were far more severe..."

Nurse Sienna came closer and didn't miss the way the young girl tensed; her heart broke knowing the ordeal the child had been through, at only twelve years old.

"Could you press the red button on your armrest, Dearie"?

"Why?"

"It'll alert the doctor," Sienna was patient with the rightly-guarded child.

Tentatively, Ada pressed the button. A few moments later, an aged woman entered the room with a soft smile on her face.

"Hello, Alessandra," Doctor Swanson began.

"Please, call me Adaku". She elaborated upon seeing the confused look on her face.

"Well, Adaku, I want to talk to you about your condition, but we will have to wait for your caseworker.

It took a minute and thirty-two seconds for the caseworker to arrive (Ada counted).

"Good day, all, I am Cecilia Banks, but you can call me Lia," she directed generally.

Ada scrutinized her, she was dressed rather... loudly. Clad in a hot pink blazer and some floral pattern bloomer pants, Lia was quite-odd. However, she managed to make Ada want to laugh and the more Ada noticed her attire, the more she wanted to laugh and the faces of Nurse Sienna and Doctor Swanson. Oh, Gosh! She couldn't help it, a giggle escaped her and more tumbled out.

All eyes snapped to her and she stopped immediately.

"Oh, you think the way I dress is funny, huh"? Lia teased.

"Yes," Ada didn't lie.

Lia guffawed, rather absurdly if you asked anyone else, "yeah, it is, but I find it either puts off the grumpy people," she hiked her thumb at the nurse and doctor, "or, it makes all the cool cats, like me and you, laugh," her wink was exaggerated.

Ada liked the woman, but was worried the other two would take offense.

"Very funny, Lia," Doctor Swanson deadpanned.

"Do you all know each other?" Ada questioned.

"Oh, yeah. Me and these two fuddy-duddies go way back, don't we?" She kissed Sienna's left cheek and Doc's right cheek after pulling them under her arms.

"Yes, yes, now, off, vagabond," Doc wasn't too far off in her description...

Ada giggled at the trio once more.

"My sisters!" She suddenly exclaimed. Ada felt horrible. How could she have allowed herself to be distracted!? She was a terrible person.

"Adaku, I promised that you would be able to see them after your own consultation, trust me when I say, they are safe," Sienna reassured.

The next hour was spent discussing the course of action for the next few days and getting as much information for the children's files as possible. As soon as the consultation was finished, Ada requested to see her sisters.

A wheelchair was brought in and Nurse Sienna carted her off to her sisters' room which was on a separate floor. She heard the familiar babbling of Mma and she knew Danna wasn't one to be loud. A smile graced her face as she knew she protected them to the best of her abilities.

"Ada!" Squealed Mma who was held back from flying into Ada's arms by Danna.

"Nodi ani," Danna commanded. (Sit down).

"Sorry, so pretty, please," Ada had missed them terribly.

The girls caught up and Nurse Sienna had to turn away to hide the tears in her eyes at the reunion. Later, Lia joined the trio and Mma started squealing all over again because CeCe was here! But Lia was just as enthused to see the girl.