Amanda and Nick flung open the cabin door, guns at the ready.
"Olivia." Nick shouted at the top of his voice. "Where are you?!"
No reply. Nick looked around helplessly until he noticed the open basement door.
"Down there." He pointed. "Come on."
They ran towards the door and down the stairs where they found Olivia cradling a lifeless Emmy.
"She's not breathing." Olivia sobbed.
Amanda carefully pulled Olivia off Emmy and Nick moved her away.
He took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Olivia, calm down. We need to stay calm for Emmy, okay?" He said, gently.
She nodded and took some deep breathes. Nick took his phone out and dialled 911.
Amanda kneeled over Emmy, giving her chest compressions.
"Come on sweetheart." She muttered to herself.
Amanda looked up at Nick and shook her head. She carried on even though she felt like it was hopeless. She was just about to stop when Emmy let out a gasp. Olivia fell to her knees.
"Hey, hey, hey." Amanda soothed, as Emmy tried to sit up. "Don't try to move."
"What happened?" Emmy cried, her voice as lifeless as her body was.
"You were attacked, but you're safe now. We're going to get you to a hospital. Olivia's here."
"Olivia."
Olivia ran to Emmy's side and took her hand.
"Sssh, you're safe now baby girl." Olivia cooed.
2 weeks later.
Emmy lay on the hospital bed, Olivia asleep in the chair next to her. Her tiny body lost in the white hospital sheets, machines beeping all around her.
Amanda stood at the door, her arms crossed. She didn't want to wake Olivia up, she looked so peaceful but she knew they needed to talk. She quietly crept over, been extra careful not to wake Emmy. She gently nudged Olivia's arm.
"Liv. It's me." Amanda whispered.
Olivia stirred and stretched her arms up.
"How long have I been asleep?" She asked, still groggy from sleep.
"About 13 hours."
"Shit, why didn't you wake me?!"
"You needed to sleep."
Olivia smiled and looked at Emmy, who was still fast asleep.
After the beating, Emmy nearly died. The paramedics arrived and needed to resuscitate her again. She spent 3 days in intensive care where they assessed her injuries. She had 7 broken ribs, a bleed on the brain and several internal injures that needed surgery. It was touch and go for a while but she was recovering well now.
"There's no news on Claire and Mark. I'm sorry, they might have left the country." Amanda said, after a while.
Olivia sighed. She was terrified they'd come back and finish the job.
"Look. Me and Nick were thinking. Have you thought about going into the Witness Protection Program?"
"No way!" Olivia shouted, obvious shock in her voice. "I'm not uprooting her, she's been through too much!"
"Liv, you might never feel safe!"
"We might never feel safe anyway! We'll get through it. I'll take some time off work to get her better."
Amanda sighed, she didn't agree with her decision but it was her choice.
Emmy stirred in her bed. Her eyes opening slowly.
"What's the big fuss about?" She muttered, sitting up.
"Nothing sweetheart." Olivia said, smiling at her child. "Me and Amanda were just talking."
The 3 girls were chatting when a large, burly man of around 40 years old plodded into the room. His doctors tag swinging around his neck.
"Emma, I have some good news." He said, smiling. Putting on a childlike voice for the benefit of Emmy. "Your latest test results came back good, so you can go home."
They all cheered and Olivia hugged Emmy, been extra careful of her stitches. Olivia felt elated, the time had finally come when she could take Emmy home and this time it was for good.
"No more trips back to the hospital, young lady. I don't want to see you back here again, okay?" The doctor said, waggling a stern finger. Emmy gave him a cheeky grin and nodded.
"Can I go home now, Mr Doctor?" Emmy asked, her longing eyes looking up at him.
"Sure thing. Just get your mom to sign the paperwork and you are free to go. Let me take that needle out of your hand." He pointed to the cannula that was still attached to Emmy's hand. She held out her hand while he carefully took it out, Emmy winced slightly. The doctor put the rubbish in the bin and left the room.
"Lets get you home, sweetheart." Olivia couldn't contain her excitement. She just wanted to go home now and cuddle up with Emmy. All her worries about Claire and Mark were put on the back burner for a while.
8 year old Emma Matthews was found by the NYPD Special Victims Unit in an old abandoned cabin. She was just clinging to life but managed to pull through. The suspects Claire and Mark Matthews are currently missing and are wanted in connection with child engagement, assault, child neglect and murder. They are to be approached with caution. Any sightings are to be reported to NYPD immediately.
"Have you read this?!" Claire Matthews spat, anger in her voice.
"Babe, chill. They won't find us out here." Mark said, lying back in his seat.
They were currently sat in an old pick up truck, taking a break from travelling. They were heading over to Canada, but this might change things.
"You said that about that cabin, didn't you?! And they found her." She started slapping his arm, rage evident in her face. "She was supposed to die there! Oh and lets not forget, how we were supposed to be out the god damn country by now! But were still here, you lazy asshole. Now, were never going to get out!"
"Calm the hell down, lady! You're crazy!" Mark opened his door and fell out, hitting the wooded floor with a bang. Claire got out and came round, holding a rock.
"Woah!" Mark shouted, holding his hands in the air. "Think about this baby. It was a mistake, I'll think of something, I promise."
"This is the last time, you fuck me over Mark!" Claire brought the rock down with such force she made a dent in Mark's head, blood spewed out everywhere. Claire didn't notice and she kept hitting him until she collapsed onto the floor with exhaustion.
A/N: Feedback would really be appreciated! I'm really stuck guys. I don't know whether to bring this story to a close now? I've kinda ran out of ideas! Any comments would be great!