Chapter 4

Astrid sat back against the couch, it felt odd being alone with just her daughter. At the house, she refused to call that place home, they were constantly supervised. The feeling of apprehension hadn't left her, but she felt a sense of peace? If she could call it that, it had now been over thirty-six hours since they had escaped. Thirty-six hours with no threats, no abuse, no fighting off drunken hands….. she really didn't know what to do with herself. They had struggled so long, fought so hard, that she was constantly in a state of panic. It hadn't always been like that, but it was a memory so far removed that it was hard to remember a time when they were anything but prisoners.

Astrid must have been lost in her thoughts for some time. Ally snuggled up to her chest, pulling the blanket over their legs. Astrid looked up and the credits were rolling on the tv. Astrid absentmindedly stroked Ally's hair.

"Mom?" Ally looked up to her mom.

"Yes honey?" Astrid continued stroking her hair.

"Can we stay with Henry? He's funny and doesn't smell weird like grandpa or uncle."

Astrid hugged her daughter. "Maybe honey. How about you pick out one more movie before bedtime?"

Ally was silent and then hugged her mother's arms. "I'd like that mom."

Astrid watched her daughter sort through the movies Henry had brought back from the store. He really seemed like a kind man, but what was the catch? What would he want from them? She couldn't really expect a young man to take in her and her daughter without wanting something in exchange. She would have to watch Ally and make sure she didn't get too attached. She will talk with Ruff tomorrow, maybe she could help.

Astrid woke with a start, her hand shot to her neck. She had woken with a crink in her neck. She looked around wondering where she was for a moment, the main screen on the movie still playing in the background. Her daughter whimpered in her lap, they must have fallen asleep on the couch. She stiffened and looked around. It didn't seem like Henry had gotten back yet. His spot for his boots and coat still empty by the door.

She rolled her shoulders and slid out from under her daughter. She popped her neck as she stood and carefully picked up her daughter and carried her to the bedroom. She slid her under the covers and kissed her forehead. Her little girl murmured in her sleep and rolled over.

Astrid headed to the kitchen and opened the cabinet to get some coffee ready. Yes some coffee would be a good start then she could work on sorting out her options.

"Ruff?" Astrid sat at the table blowing on her coffee, phone pressed against her ear.

"Yeah, hold on just one second. Dammit, I swear these kids! I'm still sorting through some clothes for you guys. Is Ally a four or a five? It's like every time I open a drawer you know what I find? More dirty laundry! Who shoves dirty clothes in a clean drawer?!" Ruff cried out.

"Easy there Ruff, Really? Oh, Ally's is still wearing fours. Are you still coming over today?" Astrid replied taking a sip of her coffee.

"Yes, just as soon as I gather these clothes. Astrid you should probably wash them, you don't even want to know what else I found in their drawer. Your lucky you had a girl. Boys are gross!" Ruff exclaimed.

"Ha! Thanks again, we will be over here waiting. Henry had to go into work last night and he still isn't back yet."

"Fish says the field guys work some pretty insane hours. I am just lucky he works in the office most of the time. Don't think I could handle three boys with him working all hours of the night. I will call you before heading over, shouldn't be too long. " Ruff said ending the call.

Astrid hung up the phone and took another sip of her coffee. She looked over at the kitchen, she hoped Henry didn't mind them eating some of his food. She opened the fridge and some of the cabinets. She took out some of the cereal and pulled the milk out of the fridge. She then headed to the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed lightly shaking her daughter awake. "Come on honey, let's get some breakfast and get a bath. Then we can play with some of your new toys. How does that sound?"

They spent the next few hours getting ready and spending time together. It was a nice feeling to just spend time with her daughter without having to constantly be on guard. She was hoping Ruff would have made it over sooner, but with three young boys, she understood how time could slip away.

Astrid and Ally were playing with her toys in the living room when the phone rang. Astrid wasn't sure if she should answer it, but hoped it was Ruff. "Hello?" Astrid said quietly.

"Hey girl, sorry it took so long. I am headed over now."

"Okay, knock four times on the door so I know it's you." Astrid asked.

"Yeah, got it. Be right over."

Henry slammed the truck bed at the shop. It had been a long day, after repairing the line and supports, they had to wait for the new transformer to be dropped off at the site. Once every thing was installed and tested it had been after nine o'clock. He headed over to the new install site and worked the rest of his normal shift. It was now two o'clock in the afternoon and he was ready to go home.

Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock. Astrid got up and opened the door. "Thank you again for borrowing us some clothes." Astrid took the bundle from Ruff.

"No problem, anything I can do to have less laundry." Ruff gave her friend a hug around the clothes.

"I bet, still can't believe your married with three kids already!" Astrid dropped the clothes by the table in the living room.

"I know! It was so much fun making the first one, that after Tyler we just couldn't stop." Ruff said sarcastically.

"I still think Fish was hoping for a girl. We may still try again. But for now three little ones is all we can handle. He knows twins run on both sides of our family. I just don't know if I can handle another set." Ruff said exasperated.

"So, how is everything going here? You holding up alright?" Ruff said letting go of her friend.

"Yeah, Henry's been very kind to us. I just can't help waiting for the other shoe to drop." Astrid headed over to the living room, watching Ally play with her toys.

"Hey in his defence not all guys are bad. Look at my Freddie. He is a good man. Just give him a chance." Ruff said sitting down on the couch.

"Ruff, I'm trying. I just don't have much to compare him too. We just can't afford to let our guard down. You know that."

"Astrid you can't compare every man to your father. I understand that you won't tell me everything that is going on, but you should consider the fact that maybe Henry's just trying to help."

"Ruff, I can't…I just can't. What happens if we wind up in the same situation or worse." Astrid whispered out.

"You know your always welcome at our place. It may be a bit chaotic but it's home." Ruff stated.

"I don't know Ruff. You already have a house full. We don't want to intrude. I'm not sure where we will go. We just got free, now I'm trying to figure out our options. There's always the women's shelter but then they are going to ask a lot of questions and I can't risk them taking Ally from me." Astrid replied frustrated.

"Astrid why would they take Ally from you? That doesn't make any sense." Ruff asked.

"Ruff…"

Bang, Bang, Bang. "Open up bitch! I know your in there!"

Astrid grabbed Ally into her arms. There was banging at the front and the back door. They had found her! Gods, what was she going to do!

"Fuck, Astrid what's going on?" Ruff said in a panic. Astrid had her daughter in her arms and both were trembling.

"I don't know Ruff. I don't know." Astrid replied rocking her daughter shaking in fear.

"Come on girl open up!" The screams echoed around the house.

"We saw your friend walking up here." Her brother said from the back door.

" I saw you open the door. You can't stay inside there forever." Her dad taunted from the front door.

"What, you expect me to let our little cash cow get away?!" Her dad jeered from the front door.

The banging continued. "Tell you what, if you open the door. I will let you keep that little cum stain." Her dad yelled.

"If I have to break this door down, your going to watch me sell her to the highest bidder!" Her dad continued to kick and beat at the door, rattling the hinges.

"Fuckin' cunt open the do….." His voice was cut off as Henry twisted his arm around his back and pressed his forearm to her father's throat.

"What the fuck do you think your doing?" Henry seethed out.

"Who the fuck are you?" Astrid's dad chocked out.

"This is my house asshole!" Henry raged as he threw her dad down off the porch. He hit the ground hard and rolled into the drive way. Henry turned as her brother charged from the side of the house. Henry jumped over the railing and tackled her brother. They both started rolling around the ground raining punches down on each other. Her dad stood up and limped over to them, pulling Henry off of his son. Henry headbutted her dad in the face and turned to the door.

"Astrid call Jake! His numbers on the wall. Tell him to get over here quick!" Henry huffed out as he engaged with her brother again.

Ruff turned to Astrid. She was frozen in fear, rocking her daughter. She ran to the phone and looked down the list tacked to the wall. She dialed the number listed for Jake.

"Jake? This is Rakel Ingerman. Henry told me to call you, there are two guys out front trying to break into his house. He is outside fighting them right now!" Ruff yelled out.

"Tell him I will be there in five!" He hung up just as Ruff heard sirens blaring. She ran back over to the couch and huddled near Astrid.

Outside Henry continued to fight the two men. Her brother had him pinned against the shed as they both landed hard blows to his back. One particular hard punch to the head had him falling to his knees. Her brother continued to wail down punches and kick him as her father headed for the front door.

Henry curled up into a ball to protect his ribs. He saw from the ground her dad heading for the front door. He rolled over and grabbed her brother's foot and pulled him down. He landed with an thud on top of him. Henry kicked his foot out and caught her brother in the throat. The man gurgled and clawed at his throat, rolling around the ground. Henry stood shakily and stomped his foot down on her brother's temple. He stopped struggling and laid there on the lawn, breathing heavily.

The front door exploded in. Astrid's dad stomped in thru the front door and grabbed Astrid by the hair. Astrid cried out and fought to get away. Her father dragged her out the room roughly and down the porch steps. On the way out Astrid tried to grab the frame and the railing to no avail. Her dad turned and swiftly kicked her arm. "Conner! Conner go get your sister!" He yelled.

Henry ran up and tackled her father, knocking them into the side of the house. Henry grabbed him by the back of the neck and started slamming his face into the house. The man screamed out in pain and let go of Astrid. Astrid scrambled up and sprinted back into the house.

Henry grabbed the man by his shoulder and turned him around, decking him, the man fell hard on his back. Henry limped towards him, grabbed him by the back of his shirt and kneed him hard in the face. The man slumped down in the driveway unconscious. Sirens could be heard up the street. A cop car pulled up in front of the house.

"Henry! What the hell is going on here!" The cop exclaimed, running up the driveway.

"Thanks for getting here Jake. I just pulled in from work and these two." He motioned to the men on the ground."Were trying to kick in the doors to my house!" Henry gasped out, leaning over trying to catch his breath.