Recovery

Skye's POV

I hazily looked out the window at the beautiful that was before us. My eyes were red and puffy from crying through the night. Dr. Trent came up behind me. "Skye," he said softly, "Cleo was just released from surgery." A gleam of hope sparked in my soul. I turned to see his face, slightly worried. "Is she alright?" I asked, unsure. She's fine, and stable. She'll have to stay here for a week, though," his eyes hardened, "she's lucky, that one. The bullet barely missed her stomach, didn't injure any major arteries, either." I smiled lightly. She had always been strong when needed. "And the girls?" I asked, now hopeful. "They're okay, too. All cleaned up." I sighed, filled with relief. "Can I see them?" I asked, half-excited. "Sure, but one at a time." I thought for a moment. "Let me see Cleo," I said. She was the one in the most critical condition. He led me to her room. Her eyes were closed, and a bandaged was attached to her forehead. The doctor closed the door behind me, and I went to sit beside her. I swept a piece of hair behind her ear, and her eyes fluttered and squished, thinking the light was too bright. She opened her eyes after a second, and looked at me, smiling softly. "How are you feeling?" I asked, smiling back at her now that she was awake. "My stomach hurts… and so does my arm, but other than that, I'm okay," she said softly. "I'm surprised you aren't hurting anywhere else. Bullets hurt…" I sighed, but she stroked my arm. "What about the girls?" she asked, slightly worried. My eyes turned into stone. "Same thing happened to them that happened to you." I saw her eyes get bigger… greener. "Why didn't you tell me you were raped?" I asked, my voice rising. She stopped stroking my arm, and put it by her side. "I was scared..." she whispered, looking down. "You were scared!?" I yelled at her, "That's not a good excuse!! You should've told me! Dammit, Cleo!" I slammed my fists on her bedside table. I looked back at her. She seemed to be shrinking by the minute, her eyes glistening with tears. I stared, shocked at myself. "Cleo… I'm sorry. I don't even know how you feel. I'm just agitated, Cleo. I don't want you to be hurt." She smiled softly. "It's alright, I'm just glad you're okay. That's why I took the bullets. I wanted you and the girls to be safe." So that's why she put her life on the line. It was because she loved us so much. I nodded.

I stayed with Cleo for a while, then went to the girls' room while they explained to me what had happened. How they were never fed or given water, how they both lost their virginity, and how they were daily whipped and tortured. Each second seemed to go on for hours to them. I cringed when they explained it in detail. I stared with them for two more hours.

Cleo's POV

I looked around my room, taking in my surroundings. It happened. It can't be avoided anymore. Skye came in and sat by me again, patient. We were done now, though. No one will come after us. It's done. We will start again. After all, in life, every end is just a new beginning.

The End