Between the Pages Chapter 8

Elianna watched diligently out the window, determined to memorize every turn. She had to keep track of her location so she could get back to Rose. Despite her great efforts the concoctions soon forced her into unconsciousness. When she came to again she could see the sky had turned pitch dark. Her belly ached like never before and burned all the way up to her mouth. Her tongue felt swollen and too large for her mouth yet  hot and prickly.
Her father leaned in close to her ear.
“You stay quiet. No funny business. If they find that package strapped to your chest we all go to jail. One peep and I blow
your brains out.”

Elianna remained frozen, terrified by the current situation. She risked a peek, and saw a uniformed officer approaching the vehicle.
She considered yelling for help, but fear of the possible consequences kept her silent. All that could be seen  was the top of her head and eyes.  Her father pulled the blanket a little lower to reveal her now pale feverish face.

“Good evening sir. We are seeking medical care for my niece. We must hurry, please let us through.”
The officer moved the beam to her face.
“How long has the child been in this state?”
“24 hours. We must get medical help now!”
The officer nodded an agreement.
“The hospital is 20 Miles North.”
The officer backed away and signaled their car on through. Her father signed with relief. Elianna lost consciousness again.


Rose arrived at the hospital over an hour late. She felt horrible, she was always right on time to pick Elianna up. When she noticed her bag strewn across the steps her worries only grew. She went inside to speak with Nurse Jackie but she said Elianna had left that evening at the same time she always dId. Rose voiced her concerns and told her to be on the lookout. Rose went home with worry stealing her peace. She didn’t make dinner, she didn’t go to bed. She just sat there allowing every possible scenario to play through her mind.

The next morning she returned to the hospital but there had been no sign of Elianna. Pure terror soon overtook worry as yet another day came and went. Where could she be? What happened? Was she hurt? Rose endured a second sleepless night as she prayed for the child’s safety.







Elianna finally woke up from her deep sleep to find herself in her childhood home. Precisely the living room. No couch or other furniture occupied the room like once before. No pictures hung on the wall or home decor to bring it to life. Nothing but sadness, neglect and filth had filled the walls since her mother’s passing. The view was almost haunting compared to what her memories say it once was.

Flashback of good times crept in, buried by memories of all the bad. Bad times…. Then recent memories flooded her brain. Being grabbed at the hospital steps. Forced into a vehicle. The tube strapped to her chest. The Police officer and sick, she was so sick. Panic hijacked her system. Her father poisoned her and forced her to run drugs. Where is he now? Is he home? Can she still escape?

Elianna hopped to her feet and forced the feeling of dizziness and nausea away. She had to be clear headed. She had to get away. She tried to open the front door but it was bolted shut from the outside. The same for the back. She looked around for a window but they too had been boarded up and secured. He had finally found her. Finally trapped her. Not that he had found a use for her, he didn’t want to let her go. Fear bubbled inside of her causing her to shake. WHAT TO DO. WHAT TO DO. Her mother’s voices echoed loudly in her mind.
“Center yourself baby girl. Panic will get you killed.”
The internal monologue of her mother’s voice gave her the comfort she needed. A pin hole of light catches her attention. It was coming from a boarded up window on the backside of the house. With all of her strength she kicked the board over and over again but to no avail. It wouldn’t budge. She looked around for something to use but the trap house proved empty of anything useful.
She started to explore the house looking for any other lack of structure integrity. She scrutinized every wall, door and window looking for any hope to escape. Finally she saw her shot. The bathroom window had been left uncovered, presumably because an average adult would be far too large to fit through. After many failed attempts Elianna finally lifted herself to the window and opened it. She climbed through and droped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. For a moment she lied there, shocked by the fall. Fear of being seen caused her to scramble to her feet and hurry away. She had to hide. She didn’t have her wig and her father had eyes everywhere.

Two hours later she finally made it to Rose’s house. She knocked on the door with what strength she had left and collapsed right there on the porch.  Rose opened the door and gasped. She picked Elianna up and brought her inside, glancing around to see if anyone else was present. She locked the door firmly behind her. Elianna began to cry into Rose’s shoulder. Rose did not say a word, just held the girl until her crying subsided. A short time later Elianna began by apologizing but Rose stopped her mid sentence. Elianna then told her everything that happened.

Fury burned hot in Rose’s chest as the little girl recounted the recent events. How could her own father be so cruel and heartless? To make a perfectly healthy child sick just to get by with carrying drugs is sick and evil to say the least. Rose wasn’t sure what to do, but something had to be done. She prepared a bath for Elianna and made her a hot meal. Afterwards she was looking a lot better and happier. That night Rose held Eliamna while she slept, promising herself that one day, she would not have to worry about such things. 

The next morning Rose stayed home with Elianna. The two stayed entangled into each other arms most of the day enjoying the calm and peace. Elianna was still sore and exhausted from the poison. Her whole body felt inflamed and irritated. She tried to eat but food laid heavy in her belly and only made her feel worse. She still wasn’t sure what her father gave her but she prayed it passed through her system quickly. How great it was to be with Rose and to feel her soft comfy bed again. At least she still had Rose.

Later that night while Elianna slept, Rose wrote a letter.

I want to purchase your daughter. I will give you $500,000 for all rights and full custody. Meet me at the intersection of Main St and Washington St, Monday 7:00AM. I will bring the papers and the cash.

Rose doubted this would work, but it was worth a shot. She drove to Eliannas home and observed her surroundings.  No movement could be seen. When she was sure no one would see her she pushed the letter under the door. She then drove back home and said a prayer as she crawled into bed with Elianna. She feared she had just placed a target on her head and jeopardized Eliannas safety.