Day 88
When the patrol officers at the Green Zone informed us the good news, I want no more than to rush out to greet them. Lucius had done preparing a place for the people in the Green Zone to stay. It was a huge apartment building. I was already at there, with the children and Malik. An hour ago, I had rushed to the Sirens, meeting Barbara and pleaded her to help Jim.
"You're becoming like him. You need to stop caring over other people," she remarked, smirking maliciously. Though there was something unreadable in her eyes. Perhaps… sadness?
"Jim is not just other people," I answered, not backing down. "The history between the both of you is… bizarre and painful for you. And I know you've just lost the most important person you have. But please. Help us get him back."
She agreed and it didn't even take that long to convince her. I guessed it must be my desperate pleas or maybe she still care for that captain. After that I returned to the hospital to take the children to the new housing. After all, they're going to have new friends. The new children might need other children to adapt in the new environment. I suspect that after what happened in the three months, they must have been afraid of adults.
I smiled as I saw Lucius waiting at the entrance as well. He was worried as well. Black trucks and vans arrived outside the gate. Officers as well as children exited the vehicles one by one and we welcomed them with open arms. Though this would mean that there more mouths to feed. I saw Hassan led a few children up the stairs.
"Look, Malik. Daddy's here," I spoke to my son. He saw him and raised his chubby hands towards my husband, babbling loudly. Hassan heard his rambles and waved at us, talking something to the children. Then they waved at us as well. Malik let out a cry in irk, trying to reach for his father.
Uh-oh, he must be jealous.
I shushed him gently, saying that his father loves him. But he won't stop crying. I didn't stop caressing his head, and bouncing my body to comfort him. "It's okay, little one. I know you're frustrated."
"What's wrong?" Hassan approached us once he heard Malik's wails.
"I believe he's jealous," I chuckled. "Here, hold him. He won't stop crying. He loves you more than me."
Hassan took Malik and cradled him in his arms. And then he immediately stopped crying. The nerves of this baby! My inner self ranted.
The children that was with Hassan, approached him to greet Malik. But Malik was being anti-social (which is very new to me) and refused to face the children. He just snuggled in Hassan neck. I shook my head amusingly at his actions.
"You made it," I heard Lucius said. I turned around and saw my friends returned, with Barbara not so far behind. He shook hands with Jim in relieved. "You had me worried. All sorts of chatter out about people hunting you down for Penguin's reward money."
"Well, they'll just have to try harder," Jim responded. Overconfidence, eh?
"He did have help from the unlikeliest of places. You're welcome," Barbara said. Then she shifted her gaze to me. "Actually, it was Sarah who begged me to help. She drove to Sirens alone."
"No, I..." I wanted to give a blunt lie but was cut off.
"What?" Hassan blurted out.
I could feel Hassan's stare at the side of my face. "The past is the past. You guys are safe. Now, let's move on. Come on," I said quickly. "Let's check inside, shall we?" I walked inside the gate in brisk.
I heard them followed me inside. Jim was complimenting the place. I won't deny that the apartment building was a very suitable place to accommodate the number of people in the Green Zone.
"250 apartments. Running water, hot and cold," Lucius explained. I'm glad that he found this place. I saw the children that I take care of talking with the children who had just arrived. "Gas. No electricity yet."
"Is there a bar?" Bullock asked. Of course, he would ask that question. Maybe he should visit Sirens once in a while to buy 'time'.
"Once the kids we liberated moved in, word got out pretty fast that there was a place to live in the city. Citizens are heading here in droves. This place will be full by sundown."
That's good news. It was wonderful to know that people trust the GCPD to help them. It was wonderful that we could show that there is goodness in this sick city island.
"Then we'll find another," Jim said. Then a family of three came approached him and expressed their gratitude to him and what he did for the citizens. I smiled with pride and satisfaction. We can do this. It's possible to rebuild the city.
"Seriously?" Barbara voiced out after the family walked away. She looked offended by the family, still harboring negative feelings to Jim. "I'll see you around, killer." She walked away, after giving a pointed look to him. "We have some unfinished business, you and I."
"Okay, kids. It's up to you if you wanna move here or stay with us," I said to the eleven children that I had taken under my wings. Then I turned to the Gate Street children. "You guys, too."
"Me staying with other a hundred plus individuals?" Troy exclaimed. "I prefer where I'm staying. The bed's comfy."
"I think that's for the better," I mumbled. We can't risk Troy trying to pick up fights everyday with the residents. "What about the rest?" I asked out loud.
"I want to move here. There are more friends… but I don't want to leave you, Sarah," Willow said.
I smiled at her cuteness. "I could always visit you, Willow."
"Really?"
"Of course. Why shouldn't I?"
"And read us stories?"
"And read you stories," I answered. They looked to be weighing their options carefully. "You can stay or move. It's your choice."
The next day, children decided to move except for the Gate Street kids. I passed their food rations to the Lucius since he's in charge of the living condition of the people in Haven. On the other hand, I felt relieved they have a safer place. At least, Haven is guarded. Our apartments have no guards.
Troy didn't even hide his happiness when the other children moved to Haven. He must have been irritated by their presence. He kept on singing, "no brats, no whining," by himself. And he also decided to nitpick me today, trying to get me angry. He was throwing the pebbles of fertilizer on my forehead. We were doing our scheduled plant time, as Hassan instructed us to do. He was crouching in front of me with a bed of soil between us. After a few seconds, I have had enough. So I grabbed his hair and shoved his face to the soil.
I could hear Rue gasped beside me. Troy slowly raised his head up. Anger was evident on his face. His fair skin face was now decorated with dirt. He spat out soil that had entered his mouth.
"Now, Troy. You should think of your actions next time, or there'll be consequences," I casually said, smirking slightly. Sean burst into fits of laughter that he had hold on.
"Shut up!" Troy bellowed at Sean, who immediately clamped his mouth. Troy wiped his face with his shirt which hung not so tightly anymore against his body. I used to joke at his choice of wardrobe because I know he was showing off his muscles. But now, since food supplies are low and we had to control our consumption, his muscles are not so prominent anymore. "Sarah, a fight. I want a fight."
"Why am I not surprised?" I rolled my eyes. "Sure." His face turned into pure joy at my answer. "You could have asked, instead of throwing me things. Rue, make sure Malik didn't see me and put on his favorite song for him please."
She stepped towards Malik's carriage and turned it to face the other way. She pressed the buttons at the Walkman and gave me thumbs-up.
"Ready, big guy?" I jeered at Troy.
"I don't think you are." All of a sudden, he flew over the soil bed and jumped on me. I was still crouching and unprepared, so I was knocked against the ground. My heart sped in anger at his lack of sportsmanship. His fist fast approaching my face but I managed to block it. He was sitting on my stomach so I instantly grabbed his left wrist with my only hand and tried to turn him over. But he jerked his hand away as quick as he can, causing him to fall closer to me, with both hands at the sides of my head.
Gathering my strength, I strike up from under his nose with my palm, causing him to groan. I didn't stop attacking, since I was in an unfortunate position. Then I held his left wrist with my left hand and used my severed hand to hit his left upper arm at the same time locking his left foot with my right foot and twisted around, causing me to be on top instead of him.
He lifted his hip, trying to get me to fall down. Then he managed to punch my face, causing a grunt escaped my lips. His smirk was gone as quickly as it arrived when I locked my arms around his neck in a deathly embrace. I tightened my grip, waiting for his surrender.
"Give up," I snarled. He was about to have difficulties in breathing. His face was becoming red. He still persisted, struggling against my grip.
"S-Stop." He finally patted my shoulders in urgent taps. I let him go and rolled away from him, feeling relieved that he surrendered.
"You cheat." I huffed in anger as I rose from the surface, stretching my back.
"Enemy won't wait for you to get ready."
I don't need your advice on that, my inner self spat.
I looked over his face. "I'm not fixing your nose because you cheat," I said bitterly.
"Whatever. I've had worse." He groaned when he sat up, wiping the blood on his nose with his shirt.
I rested my hand on my hips. "I'm going to the hospital again later with Malik. Take care of things while I'm gone."
"I'm sure they can take care of themselves," he grunted, subtly rolling his eyes.
Turning my head, I watched as Rue, Dee Dee and Sean continued on tending the plants, while Kid was sitting down, watching us intently with no emotion on her face.
"You know what I mean. Just keep an eye on them," I repeated.
I was kicked out of the room as Beth continued on screaming at me. That woman is just making me angrier, the more I talk to her. Doctors said that she is healing and encouraged me not to visit her anymore.
I was in a good mood at first because Selina is fine and she can walk. Although I don't know how. The doctor had no idea what happened as well. He mentioned that Bruce had given her something foreign to eat, causing her body to be in shock for a full minute but after that everything was stable. Her spinal cords are healed to the maximum. Though she went missing for some reason. Knowing Selina, she must have sneaked out because she can't stand just lying down doing nothing.
After the doctor left, I had asked Beth if she know of anything. Perhaps she saw what is the foreign thing that Bruce has given to Selina. However, the young woman just snapped at me, refused to tell me anything.
"I hope Bruce know where she is," I monologue, but it didn't escaped Beth's ears. She gritted her teeth. My tensed facial muscles relaxed when I finally realized it. "You're jealous. You saw how Bruce cares for Selina. You're hoping for Juan to do the same to you."
"Shut up!" she boomed. "Don't speak like you understand me!"
"It was obvious in your eyes."
"I'll strangle you if you don't shut up!"
"You're cuffed." I stated the obvious.
"You're a men-stealer!"
This bitch.
"I am not a men-stealer. If I am, I would have seduced those men at the mainland to save our fucking asses! Juan doesn't love you anymore."
"Lies. Lies. Lies! Get out of my face!"
Furious, I was about to march forward to slap her, but a nurse held me arm. Beth's loud voice must have made her ran here, because the nurse was breathless.
"Miss Sarah, please. She's a patient. It's not good to aggravate her like this," she advised. Her warm hand gently took me out of the room. Beth was still screaming and wailing in a wreck mess.
"I didn't. She needs to understand, or she can't move on."
The doctor came around in the hallway, grimacing at Beth's cries. "For the time being, I suggest you to refrain from visiting her," he said in a reprimanding manner. I let out a tired sigh. "Your son is at the lobby. Please leave as soon as possible."
"When is she released?"
"You don't have the right to know that. You're not her family."
"I have the right to know, because she's threatening my life! If she gets out of here and attacks me or my family…"
"Not this week," he cut off. "She can't eat solid food yet."
"I could help her to come to her sense. She hates me. I just need to gain her trust. I'll keep on coming every day," I begged. I can't just let her hate me like this.
He appeared not to like my idea. He clashed eyes with the nurse in hesitation. Before he said anything, I cut him off.
"I promise if she starts to get angry, I'll rush out of the room immediately."
The doctor was still contemplating my plan. As a doctor, I know he would want the best for his patients. "Fine. But with supervision. Inform me when you're here."
I smiled in relief at his permission. I turned to look at the woman cuffed on the bed. She was lying down with one arm covering her face, still wallowing. I had lost so many people to the dark side, so I'm going to make sure that she won't.
Day 94
"What in the world is wrong with you?" I snapped at Oswald.
"Jim is stealing my people. So I'm stealing his!" he roared, smacking his cane at the side of the table at each word of the latter sentence.
I closed my eyes to ease my anger and then turned to stare at the people behind me nonchalantly. There are some people I didn't know, but there's Hassan, Troy, Rue, Sean, Dee Dee and Kid. Malik was sleeping in the baby carrier, strapped against my front. In total, there nine people that has been 'kidnapped' by Oswald. We are the ones that lives in the same apartment building. Since our place doesn't have guards outside (unlike Haven), we are an easy target.
They took us when we were asleep. I was very tired that night that I didn't hear them coming. Troy and Kid managed to defeat a few of the men, but when the enemy pointed out their guns, they stopped fighting.
"They went to Haven by their own choice. Maybe you should question your way of dealing things. You've been the mayor before. Why haven't you learned your lessons?" I ranted angrily. I don't have time to get kidnap. I haven't got Beth to warm up with me..
"I will return you if Jim gives back my people!"
Oh my God, this lonely twerp! My inner self cursed.
"Well, the people in Haven were given nice homes with good facilities, so I hope we'll be given the same or better."
"You will get what you deserve," he retorted.
"What? Getting bullied?!" I hissed, causing Malik to stir in sleep. "We don't even stay at Haven."
"I have insufficient people, so I need you here." He sat down on his huge chair, without breaking eye contact with me. "Don't even try to escape. Or someone won't be able to chew food anymore," he threatened. I stared him down. With a flick of his wrist, his people shoved us out of his chambers. Troy fought back but I begged him not to. There are other lives here as well. We can't risk them.
We were brought to a living quarter. It wasn't so different with Haven, since it's an apartment building as well. But the place is empty. "Where's everyone?" Rue voiced out.
Mr. Penn walked skittishly in front of us. "T-They are at the factory, m-making bullets and breads," he answered.
"Ah, slavery," I said in a light sarcastic tone. I scanned the faces of the guards. They looked thin and tired. "That would include you guys too, isn't it? You're slaves under Oswald's rule."
Mr. Penn was fidgeting, clutching a huge folder in his hands tightly. "Mr. Cobblepot is doing his best as our leader. We have h-heaps amount of food and weaponry."
"I'm not sure if that's even qualified as bragging. You have plenty of food but you're tired and starving," I said. Then he went on to tell us the beds that we will be using, and explained the rules about using the washrooms and toilets. I stopped him when he talked about food rations. "Help us escape. Come with us."
His face imitated the look of a fish as he opened and closed his mouth hesitantly. He hugged his folder tightly. The guards were also eyeing each other warily.
"You guys can join us too. We still have more spaces in Haven. I know you've been wanting to escape. You just need… encouragement," I persuaded. "So, what do you think?"
I then smiled when I saw the look at Mr. Penn's face.
"Olga, come with us," I coaxed the old lady.
"I am no traitor." She held her head high. I rolled my eyes. If Oswald is in danger, he wouldn't hesitate to sell his people off.
"We just have to teach Oswald a few lessons. Again." My shoulders raised slightly in a shrug. My husband whispered in my ears that we have to go now. We were sneaking out with Mr. Penn and other ten plus people, who want to escape Oswald's tyrant rule. Then I saw Olga sleeping soundly at the bed near the door. So I woke her up a minute ago.
"No. Mr. Cobblepot has treated me well and I'm staying."
"Okay, then. Suit yourself. But the Green Zone is open if you want to join anytime." Then I turned around to the waiting people. "Okay, peeps. Let's go."
The bodyguards even prepared vans for us to use. I just hoped that we could maybe steal some of the bullets, but there is no time. We rushed to the vans and after a few minutes, we're on the road. Hassan sighed in exhaustion. I rested my head against his shoulder.
"You know, when I moved to Gotham, I had never expected this," he muttered. He seemed very tense and stressed out.
"Hang in there, buddy," I encouraged, rubbing his arm in a soothing manner. I wanted to let him know that I'm here for him.
"Penguin's going to be angry tomorrow morning."
I inwardly cursed Oswald again in my mind. "He should have seen this coming sooner or later."
"Aren't you scared of him?"
"No. I'm angry at him."
"How are we married again?" he asked although I could sense prank laced within the words.
"Hey." I smacked his arm. "That's not nice. You accepted my proposal."
"I don't like danger, but here I am, with you, running away from an angry bird."
I wrapped my arms around his torso, while being careful for Malik. "We're fighters, Hassan. We can do this."
When we arrived at the border of the Green Zone, I had to show myself so that they can let us in. The sunlight peaked at the horizon when we reached Haven. The cops had to check Oswald's men and women for hidden weapons before allowing them in.
I felt very exhausted and wanted to go home quickly. The cops offered to drive us back to our apartments using the van. The moment we reached our apartment I took off my hijab (which I managed to grab and wear when Oswald's men kidnapped us). After placing a sleeping Malik at his crib, I let myself sprawled on the bed and let sleep took over.
Day 95
Another day in No Man's Land. I want to go visit Beth as usual before going to the precinct. It's Hassan's turn to take care of Malik, while I helped the blue boys. I felt uneasy since we had escaped from Oswald this early morning but Jim had placed a few officers outside our apartment, just in case Oswald attacked us. My mood was further dampened when I bumped into Juan at the stairs. He was heading up.
"Good day, neighbor," he greeted.
I swallowed the insults I wanted to throw to him. "Good day," I sourly replied. I didn't fail to notice the folded chair, booze and book in his hold. "Sunbathing?"
"As I said, it's a good day."
Oh, how I wished to wipe those cheeky smile away.
"Well then. Enjoy tanning," I faked a smile, then stepped down the stairs, eager to leave him. I wondered if he knew we were kidnapped last night. Not all of the people who stayed in the apartment were taken. I halted my feet, looking up at him. "Where were you last night?"
"You mean instead of getting taken by the Penguin's men?" he jeered, causing me to narrow my eyes. "I have a safe room. Hidden. In my place. No one knows. Not even Beth. I was in there, when they came. Lucky me."
I wasn't sure if he was telling the whole thing because he tricked me before.
"Don't worry about me lying to your face. It's the truth. I was actually not surprised that you managed to return with the rest of the hostages unharmed."
My mind was telling me that he spoke the truth so I continued my steps, jogging down the stairs. I checked inside my bag for the stuff that I brought, making sure they are all there.
Radio transceiver? Check.
Gun? Check.
Pocket knife? Check.
Throwing daggers? All six of them? Check.
My water bottle? Check.
A bottle of hot chocolate for Beth? Check.
Okay. Everything is set. I had been saving chocolate drinks for rare occasions only, like when I felt really energy-drained or when I wanted to entertain the kids. I was only left with seven sachets of chocolate drink powder, hidden in my bedroom. I know Hassan wouldn't take it since he hates chocolate but the other kids might snatch them if I put them at the kitchen.
Entering the hospital, I went to the counter to ask a nurse to accompany me to Beth. As the doctor said, I can't visit Beth alone. The tiles on the floor made our footsteps louder and the fact that there are very few people here made the place quiet with the exceptions of our footsteps.
Beth was awake, sitting up against the bed frame, staring at her breakfast emptily. Here goes nothing.
"Good morning," I said, smiling warmly at her. Her blank expression immediately contorted into discontentment when she saw me. She didn't reply my greeting. "I brought you something." I took out the hot chocolate and placed it on the over-bed table. "It's hot chocolate." I opened the lid to let the smell out.
I sighed in content automatically and swallowed my saliva. I only have a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. The chocolate is not for you, Sarah. It's for Beth.
"Talk to me?" I asked. "Please?"
Again, no response. Just a glare.
I sighed. Then I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured the chocolate drink in the glass. She didn't even waver, eyes kept on me the whole time. She didn't even peek at the chocolate. Maybe she doesn't want the chocolate drink or maybe she thought I put something in it. I grabbed another glass, poured in the hot chocolate and chugged it down until the last drop.
"You need a friend, Beth," I said, holding a moan from the delicious drink. "Even the doctors and nurses said that you won't speak with them. At least, let me in?" I begged.
She still didn't speak but she was eyeing the other glass of hot chocolate. It didn't escape my notice that her throat moved, as if swallowing her saliva. I suppressed a smirk.
"I want to be your friend," I added. "Before all this Gotham off-limits shit started, what were you doing? I was a waitress, then a baker. I also did a part-time teaching for a few weeks in Falcone Orphanage, though I resigned because of the owner's homicidal intentions." I bit the insides of my cheeks as I gave out too much information. "What about you?"
A minute passed by with no replies. I tried not to sigh again and picked the book that I actually had given to Selina when she was still sick. I told Beth that I will be visiting her everyday for fifteen minutes and I want to keep my words.
Eleven minutes left.
I opened the book, remembering what page and paragraph I left it. I flipped the pages, finding the one I was looking for. There it is! Before reciting the book, I took a glance at Beth again. She was eating her soup.
"The wind that ripped across the airfield was biting, piercing through Indy. He bent his head and hurried toward the hangar, holding his old felt hat in place with one hand, the canvas bag in the other." I stopped and looked at her again. "You can drink the hot choco. It's yours," I reminded and then continued my reading.
Halfway through, I kept my eyes on the book as I sensed her took the glass and drank the liquid. My inner-self applaud at the new achievement. I continued on reading until the last minute. When I was done, the bottle was almost empty. She even has a chocolate stains on the corners of her lips. I placed the book back into the small cupboard beside the bed.
"Thank you the lovely time," I smiled, standing up slowly. I cursed when I felt pins and needles in my right foot. "Ugh… Sorry about that. See you tomorrow." I limped out of the room quickly, leaving her alone with the nurse, who was giggling at my antics.