The Arms of an Angel

Chapter 5:

No more having to fuss and fight

~ Ashanti, Unfoolish

" It was a mistake for us to come here," Phoebe said lifting her suitcase.

" No it wasn't," Arnold said, " I just wish we could help her."

" There's nothing we can do until she gets out of that house," Gerald noted, " Come on we're gonna miss our flight."

****

" Trent…Jenna wake up." Helga whispered.

" Momma? What's wrong?" Trent asked sleepily.

" Come on sweetie we're leaving. Jenna wake up."

" Where are we going?"

" I don't have time to explain that right now. Please get up and pack some cloths and help your sister. Can you do that for me Trent?"

He nodded, " thanks son."

He smiled and reached up to hug her but stopped when his hand touched something wet. She tousled his hair then left the room. He turned on the light and looked at his hand. "What's wrong Trent?"

" It was mom," He said quietly, " she…she was bleeding." he stared at the red liquid on his fingers.

****

Shauna whistled loudly and a large dog with shaggy grey fur bounded around the corner.

" Calm down Charlie. Here's dinner," she said glancing at the clock. It read 5:30. " Well it's an early breakfast," she said shrugging her shoulders. She wasn't quite sure why she wasn't able to sleep. She had been tossing and turning all night long. Maybe it was because she was worried about Helga, who was still locked in the house of hell. She had known Chad had a temper but Helga was such a persuasive person so she thought with her help Chad would change. But she was wrong and now it was her fault that Helga was suffering. Shauna turned to the sound of someone knocking on the door. " Who is that knocking on my door this early in the morning?"

" Shauna it's me. Open the door."

She open the door, " what are you doing here?"

" I'll tell you later. I don't want to be out in the open, Chad might be looking for us."

" Oh what's wrong with me? Come on in."

She led them in, " why don't I take them into the guestroom for you."

" Thanks."

"Okay come on kids," she whispered, leading them into the room down the hall. Helga leaned weakly against a nearby wall. She ran her fingers along the cut on her neck. Shauna returned and saw her leaning against the wall, " you okay?"

" I don't think so. He tried to cut my throat but missed and got the side of my neck instead. It's been bleeding for a while. It won't stop. I feel so…" with those words Helga's eyes rolled back and she fell to the floor. " HELGA! Are you all right?"

****

When Helga finally opened her eyes she realized that she was in a hospital bed, her twins were clinging to Shauna, and the doctor was talking about her. " She was very fortunate to get here when she did. If she had of lost another ounce of blood she would have died. We're giving her fluid to get her blood back up and we put about 12 stitches in her neck. But in all she'll just fine."

" Thank you so much." Shauna said sighing with relief.

The doctor nodded and started walking away but Jenna pulled his jacket tail. " What is it little guy?"

" I saw it…"

" You saw what?"

" I saw what my dad did to my mom."

" You did?"

Jenna nodded slowly, " Tell me what happened?"

" They were fighting and he was hitting her."

" That would explain those bruises."

" She tried to crawl away but he grabbed her hair and then got a knife and he cut her."

" Your dad did this?"

She nodded again tears gathering in her eyes. Trent pulled her closer, " when did you go out there?"

" After you fell asleep. I was thirsty but mommy and daddy were still fighting."

" Then why didn't you come back to our room?"

" I was too scared to move. I had never watched them fight before. It scared me."

" That's why I don't want you out there." He pulled her into a hug.

" This is terrible. I'm afraid I'll have to put you two in protective custody."

" NO you can't." Shauna said jumping up.

" I have to this is child endangerment."

" She was leaving him. I swear."

" Are you sure?"

" Yes I swear."

He looked at her suspiciously, "All right."

" Can we go see her?"

He nodded, " Just don't stay too long."

Shauna walked them into the room. Helga was sitting up with a mirror looking at her neck.

" How do you feel?"

" Like crap…hey my babies."

" Momma we're not going back are we? I don't want daddy to hurt you anymore."

" I don't either. Don't worry Jenna. We're not going home. You don't have to worry about daddy and me fighting anymore."