CHAPTER 19- Desperate Measures
Mr. Fredrick and I froze in our places as we looked at the two policemen. They stepped away from their vehicle, and watched us.
"I asked a question." The one policeman said sternly, "and I EXPECT AN ANSWER."
Mr. Fredrick composed himself, and looked at them.
"Officers, its good you're here! This punk has been attempting to cause trouble! He attacked me for no reason!" he said to them.
"LIAR!" I snapped at him, still holding my fists up, ready to fight again.
"Lie? Me?" He looked at the policemen. "Officers look at him; he is ready to attack me. He's already tried to hurt this poor defenseless child here." He pointed at Ember, who stayed kneeling on the grass.
"You LIE!" I yelled angrily. "Is it YOU that have hurt her!"
"Whoah, whoah, calm down." The policeman snapped. He looked at Ember. "Little girl, tell us, have either of these men touched you?" I watched the policeman carefully, but also kept an eye on Mr. Fredrick. Ember looked back and forth between us all, and Mr. Fredrick glared at her. She shivered, and began to cry. The officer watched her. "It's okay lil miss, just tell us… nothing will happen to you."
"Ember, tell him the truth." Mr. Fredrick snapped dangerously.
"Yes Ember, tell him the truth, you know it in your heart." I said, calming myself. She remained silent for a moment, before speaking.
"M..mr…Fredrick.. he.. it was an ..Accident…" she whimpered.
"Accident?" the second policeman asked. Ember gulped and began to cry more.
"You see? She is too scared to speak! He threatened to hurt her!" Mr. Fredrick pointed at me. I looked at Ember.
"Speak Ember… speak the truth…" I said calmly. "I promised you I would protect you, no more harm will come to you, as I promised you." She looked at me, and then looked at Mr. Fredrick quickly.
"He… he hurted me.." she cried, tears falling form her eyes. Mr. Fredrick looked stunned for a moment. "He… he hurt me! He grabbed me and did bad things and said if I told he'd make Ecco go away!" she wailed. The policeman looked at each other, then at her.
"Sir, you are under ar…" one policeman began, walking towards Mr. Fredrick. Suddenly, Mr. Fredrick lunged sideways, and grabbed Ember, picking her up and holding his arm around her throat. He took a small silver blade from his pocket, and held it to her throat. She cried out loudly, until he silenced her by beginning to strangle her. The policeman jumped back, and both drew their guns.
"DON'T!" Mr. Fredrick snapped, holding Ember in front of him. "Make a move, and I'll kill her!" He looked around at us all. I recognized his expression; it was like a desperate animal, with nothing left to lose. The policemen held their positions, but kept their guns aimed at Mr. Fredrick. Ember whimpered in terror, barely breathing.
"RELEASE HER! DO IT NOW!" I roared. He held the blade closer to her throat.
"Alright buddy you don't wanna do this! Release the girl!" The policeman yelled.
"NO!" he yelled, and glared at me. "YOU… it's YOUR fault BOY!" Mr. Fredrick roared at me. "I had everything I wanted… until YOU came and started causing trouble! This little brat belongs to me now!" he held Ember tightly, and she sobbed, gasping for breath.
"No…" I growled. "I will not allow anymore harm to come to her! NO MORE!" I lunged forward, and grabbed his arm, pulling the blade back with it. He yelled angrily, and pulled against me. Ember cried out, and I used my free hand to punch Mr. Fredrick in the face. This caused his grip to loosen on her. The two policemen rushed to us, and one pulled Ember away, while the other grabbed Mr. Fredrick. He yelled in rage, and struggled. He managed to pull his arm free from me, and swung the blade at the policeman. The policeman yelled out and stumbled back as the blade pierced the flesh on his throat. He stumbled, and then fell to the ground. I swung my fist as hard as I could, connecting with the side of Mr. Fredrick's head. The strike caused him to lose his grip on the blade and it fell from his hand. I punched him again, and this time sent him down to the ground. I quickly slammed my knee down upon his back, pinning him down to the ground.
"It is OVER Mr. Fredrick. STAY DOWN!" I yelled. I pushed him down more, but he had ceased to move or resist. I looked down at him, and saw a pool of blood forming beneath him. The policeman came over quickly.
"Get off!" He ordered. I complied and backed away. The policeman pushed Mr. Fredrick, and rolled him onto his back. He gasped as we saw that the blade that Mr. Fredrick had dropped had pierced his chest. The policeman quickly placed his hand upon Mr. Fredrick's throat, and held it there, before slowly pulling away. "He's dead…"