What Next?

Chapter 6

Before I get to the hospital I go to pick up my bike from the garage I left it in yesterday. I look at the clock as I walk inside and see I’ve arrived just as visiting time begins. I head up to Sera’s ward first and see her with a couple of doctors so I head down to the children’s ward to check on Claire and the others.

As I make my way onto the ward I see a lot more adults than yesterday, I’m thankful I look more presentable today than I did yesterday. I walk straight over to Claire’s bed and she is just waking up. “Good morning Claire,” I say, “my name is William Smith. You’re in the hospital and you are safe now.” Now the swelling around her face has gone down I can see what she looks like, big green eyes sizing up everything around her, small nose that shows signs of being broken a couple of times and her brown hair all over the pillow.

She stares at me and is obviously judging me, “How do I know I’m safe? You could just be waiting to take me to another dungeon or just kill me.” She starts coughing after saying this, her ribs must be in a really bad way.

“Nothing I say can convince you, I know this, but I’m a social worker who has been assigned to you and I believe that you were abused in those care homes.” I sit down in the same chair I was in yesterday, “I’ve read your file and know about what your stepfather was doing to you. It was not your fault. Nothing that has happened to you is your fault so don’t ever believe it is.” She sits up in her bed and winces as she does, I don’t make a move, as I know it would spook her and that’s not what I want. When she is more comfortable I carry on speaking. “I am well aware that don’t trust anyone and rely only on yourself, but the people who took you will not be able to get you again. When you are discharged from this hospital you will be going to a care home, but not like any you’ve been to before.”

She stares at me for a solid minute before she decides to speak, “I’ll just leave that one like I have the others.” Despite the bravado in her words her body language screams out fear. “I may be young but I know how to survive, I’ve been doing it since that scumbag first touched me and nobody believed me.” My heart goes out to this girl; she is stronger than Tiffany was when she learned the truth.

“You may chose to run,” I say, “and believe me no one will stop you, it will only invite more misery into your life. My job states that I have to help you, however my honour demands that I do it. I could lose my job tomorrow and still I would help you. You can believe me on that or you can think I’m talking out of my ass, I don’t care, from this point on I’m in your life.” It seems like I should record this speech as I’ve said it so many times.

She hasn’t dropped her gaze from my face yet, obviously deciding if I am speaking the truth or just trying to gain her confidence. Her body language is still screaming out that she’s afraid, but there is also a little part of her that is starting to calm down. I remain silent and wait for her to decide what she wants to do. I can only hope she decides to except the offer I made, it will be a lot harder trying to keep tabs on her if she’s in the wind. “If I decide your talking the truth,” she says, “how can I be sure of what you’ve said? And what do you mean a care home unlike any before?” Good girl stay with me.

“The care home in question is not a part of social services, it is owned by a private couple that I can personally vouch for. One half of the couple works here incidentally, you may have seen her talking to the other children around you. Her name is Helen and her husband is called David. If I thought for a moment that anything was going on there, I would personally get all the kids out and rain down a shit storm the likes you’ve never heard of.” She carries on staring at me like I’m trying to deceive her. “The thing that makes it different to any other care home is all the children there go to the same school, even though they are all in different groups and years, they all look out for one another. Everyone will treat you exactly the same way; it’s like a really big family. Your opinions will matter in every discussion and you will also have your own room.” I lean forward a little but not enough to scare her, “I wish I had this offer when I was growing up.”

I sit back and give her a few minutes to decide if this is something she wants. Despite popular belief, not every child who has had these experiences wants a family orientated lifestyle. I know I didn’t when I was taken in. “So,” she says, “what makes me so special? What makes me more eligible for this care home over every other candidate I’m sure you’ve got? All I did was allow myself to get caught by guys who couldn’t get a woman. I spent too long trying to not let what they told me get to me.”

This intrigues me, “what things did they tell you? I guessing the usual stuff like you bought it on yourself, you were teasing them-”

“Yea and a whole lot more. The worst one I heard was while this fat guy was beating me up before he did things to me.” Tears are flowing from her eyes now. I start to feel bad about making her re-live all this but it will only make her stronger in the long run. She looks past me at the doors as they are opened and gets a really scared look on her face. She starts to hide as best she can, using me like a wall and pulling the covers right up to her chin. I don’t move a muscle, if she’s this scared it must be someone who has abused her and threatened to kill her if she talked to anyone. Claire lies down flat on her back and pulls the covers over her head, if you didn’t see it you would have thought it was just another soul that had passed on. I use it as an opportunity to see who has entered the ward and can only see a male nurse, but if she’s this scared of him, I might have to step in on Claire’s behalf. He makes his way over to one of the children who have, what I’m assuming, their parents at their bedside.

I get out of the chair and pull the curtains closed around Claire’s bed and make my over to another girl who is still asleep with no one at her bedside, so I’m in earshot of what is being said. “…So he should be okay in the long run then, no lasting damage?” a gruff manly voice with a little fear in it. That can only come from a concerned father.

“You will have to wait for the doctor and psychologist I’m afraid, they will be able to give you more information.” The nurse says politely, with deep sorrow in his voice. I don’t trust it. I watch as he checks on four more of the children’s charts before making his way over to the curtains around Claire’s bed. I make my way over to him,

“She’s still asleep,” I say, “I pulled the curtains closed to give her a bit more privacy, you know, with all these adults around.”

He gives me a cheerful smile like it happens to him everyday. “That’s okay I’m just monitoring what meds they were all given last night to help them sleep.” He pulls back the curtain just enough to get her chart, “that’s good they all seem to be given the same thing.” He puts it back and closes the curtain again. He turns round to face me again and seems to be looking through me. “I assume you’re her father then?” he asks, “Have you been told yet?”

I stare right back at him and decide to play the fool. “Been told what? And no I’m her older brother. Why what happened? Why is she in the hospital?”

“No ones certain what happened, but apparently a youngish guy bought them all in yesterday with a young woman who they’ve got upstairs.” I almost feel sick that they are assuming what has happened. He makes his way to another couple of beds and then leaves the ward, I follow his every move and something just doesn’t feel right. In the back of my mind I can feel this nagging urge to follow him and get some answers, but I want to know someone is here protecting these children. Of course, how could I be so stupid, Sera is here.

I pull the curtains open and stand close to her head, “Claire I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, keep the curtains open and fake being asleep.” I make my way out of the ward and go straight for the elevators, if I can get Sera down here she can keep an eye out for them while I check on this hunch I have.

Before I get to the elevators I hear a voice behind me that I had forgotten was here. “So you decided to check up on me at last.” I turn around am face to face with the man who will protect people with out thinking twice why he’s doing it. His eye is no longer blackened but he is still walking a little gingerly.

“Damon,” I say, “stand guard over the children’s ward. The children don’t leave with anyone till I come back and say it’s okay.” He just nods his head at me and goes down the corridor I’m pointing at. He may have a good ten years on me, but fighters pride means he owes me his life until he feels the debt repaid. I will never intentionally put him at any risk, but we still have a fight we need to sort out. The elevator comes down to my level and I push the button to go up to Sera’s floor. I get off the elevator and head straight foe cubicle to find the curtains drawn closed. As I reach out to pull them back, she walks out of them fully dressed in her joggers and hoody.

“Sensei what’s wrong?” she says. I must have an alarmed look on my face.

I just look into her hazel eyes and immediately feel better. “We need to get the children discharged and out of here now.” I may just be paranoid but Claire’s reaction has got me worried. Without saying a word she walks right past me and I take a quick look around to make sure she hasn’t left anything behind.

We go quickly back down to the children’s ward and Damon is standing at the doors waiting for us. Without saying a word the three of us walk in and I head straight for Claire’s bed. “It’s okay you can stop faking sleep now, I’m back.” I say. I can feel them both standing just behind me.

Claire opens her eyes and stares past me at Sera, this is either going to be good or bad. “You’re the one who got us out of there.” Claire drops her gaze, “thank you for helping us all escape that hell.” She says in a whisper. I don’t need to turn around to know Sera has started crying softly.

“Claire,” I say, “the male nurse that came in here had you spooked. Is he one of the men that abused, you or does he just remind you of someone who did?” I hear a sharp intake of breath that I guess comes from Damon, but carry on regardless. “I need to know for sure cause we’re getting all of you out of here right now.” I turn round to look at Damon and his face is set with no emotion showing. “We need transport, get a mini bus in here ten minutes. Call in any favours you have to and your debt is repaid in full.” Without saying a word he walks out the doors to make the calls he needs to.

“I’m not sure if he abused me but he looks a lot like one of the men who visited that place.” Thank you Claire, this makes my decision a lot easier. “Are you going to take all of us to the place you told me about? The only thing that kept us all falling apart was that we had each other… I just don’t want to go without them.”

As Claire finishes talking I hear the doors opening and look round to see a woman with chestnut brown hair in a ponytail with dull green eyes staring right at me, I knew this would not be the best idea in the world but with her help it will be a lot easier. She walks right over to us and I speak before she can even open her mouth. “Helen, all these kids are leaving as soon as the transport can get here. I need you to sign them all out into your care and they’re all going to the hotel to be looked after. The ones who still need medical treatment can be visited by doctors you personally approve.” I don’t make any of it questionable. I know she doesn’t like me personally, but she trusts her husband’s judgment about me.

She stares at me for a full minute before she speaks, “William, what are you doing? This is crazy even for you. I can get them all signed into my care but I want a good reason why.” God I love it when she’s angry with me, her voice reaches that slight high-pitched squeal while still having a bit of growl to it.

“Everyone of these children were being kept in a sex dungeon for paedophiles that could afford it. They kept each other going, to split them up would only hurt them more, and the longer they stay here, the more chance they will be taken again. The hotel is a safe haven that I keep of everybody’s radar.” She stares a hole through me. I didn’t want to have to say this; “David has always accepted my decisions in the past even when you swore I was wrong.” A low blow but I’ll get over it. I allow her to stare daggers at me while I turn back round to Claire to see her face showing confusion, I can understand it from her perspective.

“Can we back up a few steps here,” Sera says, “and explain what the hell you two are on about. You actually want to move all these children to a safe house and organise medical care there, rather then keep them here in a hospital? That makes no sense at all, and who is the guy who went to arrange transport who owes you a debt?”

“Sera trust me!” That is all that needs to be said for now; I’ll explain everything to her later with Damon there to tell her his part in all this. I turn round to look straight at Helen, “I told David this was Tiffany bad. I was wrong, this is a whole lot worse. Damon will be coming with us.” If looks could kill I’d be dead by now. “I know what you’ve been told about him, but there is a lot neither you or David know. I am at war with whoever was protecting that place, so Damon is going to take over protecting the hotel for me.” I glance at Sera and see she’s in shock. Don’t worry nothing will happen to you, they’ll have to kill me first.

Helen looks around the room before going over to the bed with the parents around it, as Damon walks back in the room and walks straight over to us. “Transport will be here in under ten minutes. All they know is to drop the keys off to me. Where am I taking them?”

I sit down in the chair that I seem to have not left since I brought the twelve of them in. How have I let things get so far so fast? A few days ago I come home to see my master in the last moments of his life and now I’ve got his daughter involved in my mess. I look up at Damon, he needs to know “you’re gonna follow me to the hotel your brother owns. After we get the children inside you and I are going to have a little talk about what I know about you, and what I suspect.” I suddenly feel so old. I should just get the kids out of here and go searching for answers at Paul’s old place, but I need to put certain things in motion first, including Sera’s safety. I will not put her in anymore danger than I already have.

Claire has just lain there while all these decisions have been made around her. I can’t help feeling proud of her. I look around at all the kids who are all now awake and staring at their surroundings in wonder. When I get lucky like this, I almost feel like I’ve regained my honour, almost. The kids will be safe at the hotel and those who have homes they can return to will, when they feel ready. I’m not putting any of them into the system as they’ve suffered enough already. I sit in silence and whey up my options, someone was ordering Sinclair to protect Solomon, he wouldn’t have done that if he had a say in the matter. Not with his families past anyway. That means he had a boss I don’t know about.

“Do you want me to go with the children in the mini bus?” Sera asking a question wakes me from my thoughts.

“Yes I do, but keep them all as calm as you can. Reassure them that nothing bad is going to happen to them.” That is said to Claire more than Sera. Once we reach the hotel I can see them all trying to runaway. The only trick I still have is my wild card that I wont play until I get information out of Damon. If he is what I suspect he is, then I will have no choice.

I take one last look over at Helen and can tell the parents are getting agitated so I get up and head over to them all. “Hello my name is William Stuartson, I am a social worker who specialises in child abuse cases.” The woman’s hand rises to cover her mouth while her eyes get wide, and the man just looks down at the boy. This close I get a good look at him and see myself when I was ten years old, but with natural black hair and green eyes.

“I was just telling them that their son will be transferred to a private residence for a few weeks, where he will be cared for while he comes to terms with what has happened to him.” Thank you Helen, this makes my job a lot easier. “I told most of the children yesterday the same thing, that they will all be together and that any parents who come forward will also get daily reports on how they’re doing.”

I take a good look at the two parents and get a niggling feeling about them, something doesn’t seem right, now I’m up close. They’re both dressed too smartly, showing just enough concern about what is going on. They don’t even seem to question the fact we’re moving their son without their consent. I glance at Helen and can see she has the same reservations, and then I feel the atmosphere in the room change.

I make my way back over to Damon and Sera and can see it on their faces as well. Without saying a word the three of us all tense up, readying ourselves for anything that might happen. I look to the door and see why the atmosphere has changed, standing there as bold as brass is police chief constable Simon King. Either I’m about to be arrested or he has another purpose here.

Damon walks past me and heads straight over to King, who gives him a set of keys and what looks like a portable radio and whispers something in his ear. As Damon turns back around and makes his way back to us, King walks straight out the door, as if he was never here. This is giving me more questions than answers, what does he have on the chief of the police force? And who does he work for now that Sinclair is no longer around.

“Figured you would be on that bike of yours so I got you a helmet radio.” Damon you are going to tell me everything I want to know even if I have to beat it out of you. “Couldn’t get a mini bus exactly but we have transport for twelve kids and me and your girl here.”

“Sorry Damon, my helmet wont be able to fit a helmet radio. It’s got a visor rather than an open helmet.” That and I hated wearing the damn thing when I did my C.B.T when I was younger. “An don’t ever call Sera ‘my girl’ again.”

“I just thought it was best to remain in contact, you never know who may try and follow us. We’ve gained a lot of enemies over the years.” True, but its harder to follow a bike that ignores speed limits and weaves through traffic.

Helen walks over to us as we get that settled; she looks like she’s going to be sick. “Give me a few minutes to sign all the paperwork, then they will be signed into my care. I’ll have to come with you so it doesn’t look any more suspicious then it all ready does.”

They all look at me for leadership. Damn. “Damon go check the transport, I want to be gone while the ink dries.” He nods and heads straight out the door, “Sera, tell the other children to get dressed and be ready to leave in a few minutes, but please try and be soothing.” She nods and goes to the other end of ward and gets the children’s attention. I look Helen in the eyes, “thank you for this. I know I’m putting you in a difficult position, but if you face a disciplinary hearing for this, tell them I made you do it. Blame everything on me.” She nods as well and leaves to sign all the paperwork.

I notice that as she leaves the ‘parents’ follow her out the door as well. NO not Helen, please god let me be wrong. “Claire please get dressed into whatever clothes are available!” I run towards the doors and pull them open to see the woman plunge a switchblade into Helens stomach and twist the handle 90 degrees. The man is standing a foot away laughing like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen.

I hear a nurse shouting for someone to call security, but I’m already moving towards them both, with bad intentions written all over my body. In about a second I’m in reach and thrust kick the side of her head. Her head looks like it’s been pushed to the other side of her neck; she’s dead before she hits the ground. As I land turn to face the man who has stopped laughing and is now sporting a switchblade of his own. “Motherfucker your gonna die for that. She was the best bitch I ever had.”

I stand on the spot, shaking, and just stare at him. If he thinks a switchblade will stop me he’s in for a surprise. I risk at glance at Helen and can see the small pool of blood forming under her and proceed to stand in front of her. “Someone get her to surgery NOW!!” I yell.

I turn all my attention to the dead man in front of me just as he throws the knife at me. I feint to the right and it flies right past me and goes into the wall behind me. He has skill to be able to do that with an un-weighted knife. I don’t wait around to see what else he can do, so I take two steps forward and forward thrust kick him straight in his rib cage, with all the force I can muster. As he falls I follow through with him so I’m standing on his rib cage. He stares at me wide eyed and before he dies of a punctured heart I tell him one last thing to take into the afterlife, “she was an innocent. She had nothing to do with our world.” He coughs up blood and his head falls to the side. I hope that message haunts him forever. William Stuartson has now officially died.

The world feels like it’s stopped for a couple of seconds and suddenly it’s come back at double speed. Two doctors pick Helen up and put her on a trolley and start to wheel her off to surgery but she stops them before they move a step forward. “All the children in that ward are leaving right now with this man, don’t try to stop him. I know him and he can be trusted.” With that she faints due to the blood loss. I am so sorry Helen; this was never your fight.

I crouch down and rifle through the pockets of both people and find only a few small notes and a picture of me sitting in a cafe. Damn they were pro’s. As I look at the pictures another thought hits me, the hotel. If they knew I would be here, then they know the location of the hotel. I need to get there fast. I walk back into the ward and see all the children dressed and ready to go. I look at Sera, “time to go.” I make my way over to one of the beds and rip off a small piece of the chart paper and grab a pen and scribble the directions to the hotel on it. “Give this to Damon, it’s the directions you’ll need. I’ll be waiting for you there.”

“You’re going on ahead of us?” the concern on her face makes me wish I wasn’t.

“Things have changed, someone’s set a ball rolling and I want to try and stay ahead of it before it hits me.” If it does all hell will break lose. “C’mon kids, we’re taking you to a safe haven.” Claire walks forwards first and the rest follow her lead. They must see her as their leader since she has been with me since they were rescued.

I walk out the door and walk straight into a wall of hospital security. They’re standing there in a line, arms folded and trying to look menacing. I don’t have time for this. “The children are leaving with me. I don’t want to hurt you so please move out of my way.”

“Its okay, he’s signed the forms and was only acting in the defence of a colleague!” A man in a white coat walks through the ‘wall’, “I run this hospital, and if you still want your jobs tomorrow I suggest you leave him alone.” This is far too convenient, there has to be a catch. Surprisingly the security guards all walk away muttering under their breath. “I actually am the head of the hospital.” He catches me off guard as I was watching the guards walk away. “Helen is a valuable member of staff and she said they go with you so I say they will. Don’t prove her wrong about you.”

He turns around and walks away and I look behind me to see Sera and the kids all staring at me. They’re all either scared or seriously worried about what hey have just seen. “Its time for us to leave.” I lead the way out of the hospital and see Damon walking back over to us.

“Couldn’t get a mini bus at last minute but we have suitable transport for everyone.” I look past him and see what he calls ‘suitable transport’.

“Damon, that’s a police van.” I look harder and see it’s the kind they use on undercover raids.

He stares hard at me, like he’s trying to look through me, “what do you expect, we didn’t have a lot of time and only a couple of people could help without questions being asked.” Fair point.

We head over to the van and help the children into the back, which has been made to accommodate armed police in riot gear. Everyone seems scared about what’s going on but I don’t have time to explain, I need to be at the hotel now. We walk around to the front without saying a word to each other. I nod at them before running over to my bike, starting it up while I take the lock off my helmet, put it on, get on and race off. I look in my side mirrors and see the van trying to keep up, but as I hit the main road I start weaving between cars and ignoring the speed limit. I have to get there before anything else happens today.