Amanda seemed to think about it and Emma held her breath. She could not leave these children here to fend for themselves. They would take the children regardless of what Amanda said, it would just be easier if the two girls agreed.
“I think that would be a good idea. There are some scary men around and we’ve been hiding a long time. I got Lisa from them.” Amanda whispered in confidence. Emma felt her blood begin to rise with rage, but she tamped it down. She needed to stay calm. She could feel fury burn off of Paadi and she looked over. Paadi’s dark brown eyes were burning with an inner blue flame.
“Well, you’ll be safe with us. We’ll make sure no one hurts you, ever again. If you help us, we’re going to get cake mix and I’m going to try to make a cake. If you want, you two can pick out what you like. How does that sound?” Paadi asked, a stiff smile on her face. She was trying hard not to show the rage that bubbled below the surface.
Both girls nodded and smiled tentatively. Reaching out a hand, Emma took each of the girl’s dirty hands. Paadi took Lisa’s small hand and Emma took Amanda’s. They didn’t want the girls to change their mind and bolt. They made their way back to the cake aisle and the girls picked out chocolate cake and strawberry cake. Emma figured they’d come back later and pick up more supplies. For now, she wanted to get the girls back to the camp.
All four left the store and Emma helped the girls up into the truck. Looking back over her shoulder, she smiled at the two.
“How about we stop and find you two a bed to sleep in? Also, do you guys like chickens? We have chickens.” She grinned. Lisa’s eyes went wide and a small smile creased her dirty face.
“I’d like a bed to sleep on.” Amanda said softly, her hand holding the younger girl’s small hand.
“Okay, we’ll head over and pick you each a bed and then we’ll head home. We’ll introduce you to Cooper and also to Daisy and Buddy. They’re nice dogs. They protect us.” Emma said, starting up the truck. She pulled away from the store and began to drive to the mattress store. Her mind was reeling from what Amanda had said. She’d tell Brian about the men. It was disturbing. She was sure that Paadi would shoot them on sight. Her face pulsed with rage, she wanted to kill those men herself. How could they do that to a child? She felt her eyes prickle with tears and she tamped down on the sorrow. The girls needed a strong woman, not a weeping one.
She pulled into the mattress store and she and Paadi got out.
“Did you girls want to come in to choose?” Paadi asked. At their nods, Paadi opened the door and helped the girls out. They’d have to get clothing for the girls, a lot of clothing. That could wait for another day, or perhaps she or Paadi could head back out and pick some up. Her biggest priority was to get these girls home. Safe.
Half an hour later, the girls were helping with the mattresses, box springs and bedframes. They put the new beds into the trailer, it was a tight fit and they had to rearrange some of the supplies, they swung the doors and shut it tight.
“Well, well, look what we got here.” A man said, his voice mocking. Both Emma and Paadi whirled around, and Paadi’s weapon was out and pointed at the man.
“Whoa, whoa! We mean no harm ladies.” A man, dressed in a torn T-shirt, said. He had filthy jeans and unlaced boots. He had dirty blond hair and a large gap in his front teeth, as he grinned nervously. His face was covered with heavy freckles. The other man, thin, with dark brown hair and rat like eyes, beady and constantly moving. He stood behind the blond man.
Emma pulled her weapon as well and she looked down when she heard Lisa whimpering. She saw that the little girl had wet herself. Paadi saw it as well, and her eyes blazed.
“Are these the men who hurt you?” She asked Lisa softly.
“They are.” Amanda said in a dead voice. Before Emma could respond, she jerked as four shots rang out. Her eyes flew to the men and then to Paadi, who’d just shot both men. Emma’s mouth hung open in shock and she looked back at Paadi, who walked over to the downed men. She stood over them and Emma pulled both girls to her, holding them tight.
“You fuckers are done.” Paadi hissed in a low voice and spit on each man. Both men still moved and twitched, but that was just the brain dying. After a minute, both moved no more. Paadi turned around and looked at both girls.
“Those bastards won’t ever hurt you again. You never have to worry that they’ll find you. You understand Lisa, you never have to worry again. Aunti Paadi took’em out. You’re safe now, honey.” Paadi said softly, her hand petting the child’s tangled hair.
“I’m Hailey, not Lisa.” Hailey said in a tiny voice. Paadi picked the little girl up and hugged her tightly to her. Her brown eyes filled with tears and she rocked the girl in her arms. Emma looked down at Amanda and saw the girl crying as
