A/N: Okay, okay, I know. It took WAY too long for me to post this. It's not that I didn't have ideas. I just had some problems getting it to paper. College, stress, life, emotions, everything likes to get in the way of my writing. I was going to post this yesterday, but I decided that there were parts I wasn't satisfied with. But now I'm satisfied, here it is, and now I'm going to work on Help Wanted for a while. Charlotte needs my attention. Sorry it took so long and I hope it was worth the wait.
Disclaimer: I don't own Cyberchase, just Echo.
Picking Up the Broken Glass
Kawaii Stella
Chapter Twelve
Bloody Hell
Marbles started dinner the moment he and Ada returned to the housing sector. Marbles had pretty much worked through lunch, which meant eating was at the very top of his to do list. He decided to make a ginger pork stir fry which was quick and easy to make, especially with the ingredients pre-prepared.
"How was Echo today?" Marbles asked as he brought out a wok.
"She's okay, all things considered. She just wasn't having a good day today." Ada answered.
"What do you mean she wasn't having a good day?" Marbles' expression had turned almost frantic in the matter of a split second.
"Calm down, Marbles. She just didn't have a lot of strength or energy. Echo spent most of the day napping off and on. That's not unusual seeing that she doesn't sleep well, she's recovering from surgery, and had her bones realigned just yesterday."
"I suppose you're right. I just don't like the thought of her having a 'bad day.' She's had enough of those. I just want things to go good for her. How did you two spend the day apart from napping?"
"I know. Well, the morning started with a bath. That's a little off base. I just washed her hair, actually."
Marbles looked at Ada questioningly.
"It's hard for her to wash her hair with her chest still so sore." Ada explained, her tone implying that it should have been quite obvious.
"Oh-kay." Marbles said. He was sort of glad that he hadn't been able to go today. Things could've gotten awkward.
"Then I styled her hair until she was ready to go back to sleep."
"Echo's hair is already wavy. What more could you do to it?"
"I French braided it." Ada said matter of factly.
"I'm sorry. I'm not a woman. Therefore I don't understand these things." Marbles said in his own defense.
"You better start learning then." Ada teased.
"There is no text book on women. Trust me. The male population has been searching a long time for it."
Ada laughed. Marbles had an older sister and a handful of younger sisters, but the majority of his siblings were boys. Ada wondered how much having a daughter would change his outlook on life, especially regarding the more feminine things.
"I feel so bad for her. She doesn't sleep because she has so many nightmares."
"Is that why she hasn't been sleeping? I knew Echo had said she hadn't been sleeping, but she did not elaborate as to why. I don't think she had a nightmare when she fell asleep in the cybercoop with me yesterday."
Ada nodded. "Echo told me that she was scared to sleep. I had hoped she would sleep peacefully since I rubbed her back until she fell asleep. But she woke up and cried she was so afraid."
Marbles gave Ada an incredulous stare.
"She let you rub her back?"
"She was tense about it at first but she loosened up."
"She really trusts you, Ada. That makes me happy."
Marbles served the stir fry which put off a very tantalizing aroma. While the two ate Ada had the opportunity to ask Marbles about his day.
"How was your day, dear?"
"Long. I don't think that much equipment has simultaneously malfunctioned before. At least it's fixed now. The reboot will take most of the night, but Motherboard will be up and running again by morning. I really spent most of the day worrying about you."
"What reason would you have to worry?" Ada inquired.
"I can't really pinpoint it. I just worried… about you and Echo and everything else. I was worried Echo would have a relapse. I worried she'd throw a fit at you or that she'd gotten beat up again. I was very worried that Abigail would give you a terrible time. I know she sees you as a threat because you're much more beautiful and sweet than she is."
"Oh Marbles! That's sweet of you to worry! I can assure you that there weren't any major problems." Ada said, choosing to omit the brawl in the hall.
Marbles smiled with his fears now put to rest. Ada helped him load the dishwasher and put on a pot of coffee.
"I picked out a room for Echo last night." Marbles mentioned as he took two mugs down from the cupboard.
"You did!" The excitement in Ada's voice was impossible to contain.
"Yes, just four rooms down from our suite. It's the room with the large window seat and private bath."
"That room will be perfect for her! What color should we paint it? What type of curtains would she prefer? Do you think she would want sconces?"
"Whoa! Ada, Ada, slow down! Don't you think it would be best to let Echo decide on those things? It is her room, after all. I figure a plain ivory base coat will suffice until she decides on a color scheme."
"Oh I suppose so." Ada conceded. "I just want to get a jump on things. I want Echo to have a cozy and safe environment."
"She will have a cozy and safe environment. My point is that Echo is a very creative person. I think that she'll feel more at home here if she gets to personalize her room herself. It will help her get used to having a permanent place where she belongs."
"That's a good point. I think she'll have fun decorating her room."
"I do too. I'd also rather she get a color she likes instead of us choosing one she hates. Despite knowing her nearly two months, there is much I still don't know about her."
"Maybe we should look closer at her files. They may hold some of the answers that we seek."
"Good idea. Why don't we head to the living room and begin I'll get the paperwork and meet you there."
Trekking to his office, Marbles grabbed the stack of files off of his desk. But before he returned to the living room, he stopped a moment to look at a framed photograph of Ada and himself. They had been at a holiday charity gala when the photograph had been taken.
Marbles would never forget that night. While he had adorned a basic tuxedo, Ada had outshined them all in that strapless red floor length number. With her hair piled in gold spirals atop her head, and make-up flawless, she looked like she had stepped straight out of an issue of Vogue. No matter where they went Ada turned heads, male and female alike. Marbles was unbelievably proud to have this gorgeous creature, his best friend since he was six, hanging on his arm. As the night went on, the couple went through the standard motions that accompanied these events. They danced the occasional waltz between conversations with various couples. Many of these couples loved to brag about their young children. At last the couple escaped the chatter and made their way outside to a garden.
The night was cold so Marbles slipped his jacket over Ada's shoulders. Ada remained silent, looking up at the quickly clouding sky.
"What troubles you, my dear?" Marbles asked.
"Hearing about the others' children made me wonder what it'll be like when we start a family of our own. It's both an exciting and terrifying thought. We'll have little ones who look up to us and rely on us for everything. That's a lot of pressure! I don't know how we'll do it. That's not to say we can't do it. I just fear I'll end up falling though on our children. Just like my father did."
"That won't happen. You're completely different from your father, Ada. My parents say that when you have kids, everything changes. You see things from a new perspective. Everything will be different and new. Out entire worlds will shift onto a new axis, one that revolves totally around our precious children. It gives us the strength to love them, to nurture them, to fight for them. I believe that. I also believe we'll do just fine when we become parents."
Ada smiled. "I believe that too. Thank you, Marbles, for making me see things this way. It's a much happier picture. I wonder what our children will be like."
"They'll be amazing and unique, each one of them."
Then, a pure, white, snowflake landed on Ada's nose. Her nose twitched, much like a rabbit's, in response to this sudden nip of ice.
"It's snowing! It's the first snow of the year." Ada said rather whimsically. "It's so beautiful and pristine and mystical. Just like life…and children."
"It really does change everything." Marbles murmured to himself, snapping out of his recollection. Echo had effectively become the center of his and Ada's world. They would do anything for her. Without a doubt Marbles knew that his parents had spoken the truth. A child did change everything.
"What took you so long?" Ada asked as Marbles walked in with the paperwork and a couple of clipboards.
"Sorry. I was reminiscing."
"About what?"
"That night at the gala when you began contemplating motherhood."
"You still have that picture on your desk, don't you?"
"Of course I do! I love that picture because you're in it."
Ada blushed. She just couldn't help it. Marbles had always had that effect on her. Modestly, she said,
"You flatter me too much, Marbles."
"On the contrary, my dear, I don't flatter you enough." Marbles argued.
Ada knew it would do her no good to argue. Instead she shortly returned to the original subject of Marbles' reminiscing.
"What got you so wrapped up in that particular memory?"
"Hm? Oh, well, that night we found ourselves talking about how our lives would be completely changed when we had children, as well as wondering what our own children would be like. Back then it all seemed so far away."
"Yet here we are." Ada finished for him. "You were right, you know."
"About what?"
"I believe, in response to my musing over our future children, you said, 'They'll be amazing and unique, each one of them.' You were right on all levels. Echo certainly fits that description."
Marbles grinned.
"Let's start, shall we? There are things to sign and answers we seek."
"I hope we find more answers than dotted lines. We've already signed so many times!"
Picking up from exactly where they had left off, Marbles and Ada worked their way through dozens of pages. They both read each page carefully, signing, initialing, and checking boxes wherever necessary. Two piles were made, one for the papers they could keep, the other for the papers to be turned in for filing. At last the final dotted line had been signed and dated.
"Ada? I'm ready for the next page," Marbles said, eyes still on the current page on his clipboard.
"There are no more. That was the last one. We're done, with the paperwork, at least."
A smile overtook Marbles' face.
"Wonderful! Now we need to see what we can learn from these files about Echo." He said before reaching for his half-full coffee mug, which had been refilled thrice already. Marbles was running on fumes, the coffee was about the only thing keeping him awake. But that was okay. He would do whatever he had to in order to get things done, meaning, in this case, to bring Echo home.
"Did you bring the part of the file with Echo's background information with you?"
Marbles nodded, swallowing another large swig of coffee.
"This is all they gave me," Marbles said, picking up a semi thick pile of paper held together by black paper clamps. He un-clipped both clamps.
Ada scooted closer to Marbles so that she sat against his left side. Marbles quickly skimmed over several pages, hoping that something important would pop out at him. However, nothing did. A slight frown appeared on Marbles' face at this revelation.
"What's troubling you, my dear?" Ada asked.
"There isn't as much information here as I hoped there would be."
"Let's make the best of what information we do have here. The rest we'll just have to learn from Echo herself."
"Somehow, I think that sounds easier than it actually will be."
"Maybe so, but if I can get her to tell me about her boyfriend, I bet she'd tell you about her past. Oh, now Marbles! What's with that face?"
"I'm not making a face." Marbles denied.
"You are too! What in Cyberspace has gotten into you?"
"I glanced through Echo's will. . . If that document is correct, then that boy is not her boyfriend."
"Then who is he to Echo?"
"Her husband."
"Her husband!?"
"According to Echo's will, he is."
"I never would have guessed that Echo was married! She's still so young!"
"Which is precisely the reason why I don't like it. Echo's much too young to be in those types of relationships."
"How old is Echo, exactly?"
"I actually don't know. I don't believe she ever mentioned her age."
"Let's find out, then." Ada said, taking the papers from Marbles' hands. Ada did not have to look far, as Echo's birth date was listed on the first page. "Here, Echo was born on June 8th, 1995. She just turned seventeen a couple weeks ago."
"What a way to spend a birthday!"
"What do you mean?"
"Echo spent her birthday on the operating table."
"Oh how awful! After she gets settled in, we need to give her a proper birthday."
"Agreed. What else does that page say?"
"She was born at three-twelve in the afternoon at Glenbroch Medical Center, weighing in at five pounds, seven ounces. The birth certificate is signed by a Helena Glasgow and a David MacIntosh. I assume her parents never married, because Echo carries her mother's maiden name."
"Probably."
"Oh! Look, Marbles! Look at her tiny footprints!"
"She was a tiny baby." Marbles chuckled, seeing the itsy handprints as well.
Throughout the rest of the pages, they found a little more information about Echo's past. The results of an early learning aptitude test were listed, marking Echo as exceptionally bright for a five year old. Other grade cards and aptitude tests followed suit. For many of her early elementary years Echo was listed at the top of her class, despite a rather random period of time where she switched schools a handful of times, eventually ending up back at the school she had started out at. Then came a shocking drop in Echo's grades which lasted for about two years. For those two years her grades remained far below average, some barely at the passing mark.
"Look at these comments from her teachers," Ada said, her voice holding a slight level of shock. "'Severe lack of participation… Withdrawn… Shows little initiative and effort.' Oh, look at this one! 'Echo's been acting completely unlike herself this term. Her attitude and behavior contradicts what we have seen of her in previous years. Her current aloof and withdrawn behavior is very concerning. I'd like to see her go back to her normal behavior, even if it means enrolling her in sessions with the school counselor.' What in the world happened to her?"
"I don't have the faintest idea. I don't think she went to a counselor either. Or, if she did, it didn't help. These grades and comments go on for six more quarters."
"And then they pick up again, almost as if nothing had happened." Ada noticed as she looked at the next year's set of report cards.
"But something did happen. This just doesn't make any sense! When Echo's given a task, she does it to the absolute best of her ability. Judge Trudy testified as much."
"Maybe that's how she is now. Maybe she wasn't like that back then."
"I don't think so. She was always at the top of her class up until that point. To stay at that level takes a lot of effort."
"That is true. It seems that we've got another mystery on our hands. A mystery that only Echo can unravel for us. I'm sure she'll open up to us about it in due time."
"I'm sure you're right," Marbles said, giving Ada's hand a gentle squeeze. "Until then, what else is in there?"
"Not too much, it seems as if there's a lot of information missing. What's in here seems awfully vague."
"That's odd. There should be more than this. I wonder why so much information has been left out…" Marbles trailed off as he was glancing over some of the medical papers.
"What is it?"
"It seems Echo is supposed to be wearing glasses."
"I've never seen her glasses."
"Neither have I, but she should have them. The prescription is listed right here."
The information of Echo's glasses was about the last bit of knowledge Marbles and Ada gained from the stack of papers. After Marbles had jotted down the information on Echo's glasses on a scrap piece of paper, he and Ada returned to his office. There Marbles began organizing the papers he was allowed to keep. Bringing out a number of file folders, Marbles separated everything into neat, organized groups. Each group was also arranged in chronological order. The first file was solely for Echo's identity information-her birth certificate, passport information, copies of her Young Scots Card, special privileges driver's licenses, and other general IDs. The second file was for her heath history. This file was relatively empty for now. It would be filled when Echo was adopted and all of her heath information was handed over to Marbles. The third file was arranged with multiple subfolders for her school papers.
"You even had the filing planned out already." Ada chuckled.
"It doesn't hurt to be prepared. I figure that we'll receive all of the missing files when we get Echo. By then I should also have the records from her stay at New Hope." Marbles said, taking the new files and depositing them in the third drawer of a four drawer, black filing cabinet.
"No, it doesn't hurt to be prepared." Ada heartily agreed. "Speaking of being prepared… Here," Ada produced a list and handed it to Marbles. "I made a basic list of things I think we should get before Echo gets here."
Marbles accepted the list and looked at it, expecting it to be rather short. However, the list turned out to be rather extensive.
"How in Cyberspace would you know that Echo needed all of these things?" Marbles asked, exasperated by the sheer length of the list.
"I had a little spare time while she napped so I took a look around."
"You snooped through Echo's belongings!"
"I did not snoop, Marbles. I simply took inventory."
"You snooped." Marbles insisted. "This list is a little bit too extravagant to be called basic, don't you think?"
"It doesn't hurt to be prepared."
Marbles sighed as his own logic was used against him.
"I agree with several of the items on this list. She'll definitely need the toiletries and such. But the majority of this list is clothing. I don't think it would be a good idea to but everything just yet."
"Why not? She really doesn't have a lot of clothes!"
"I know. Which is why you should pick out a few things for her. After she gets here the two of you can go shopping to fill up her closet. It's not that you wouldn't do a great job picking out clothes for Echo-you would-but I'm more concerned with making sure she knows she has the freedom to wear what she wants."
"Point taken. We've been working longer than I thought. You must be exhausted."
"I'm managing. Why don't you stay here with me tonight?"
"I'd love to. I never get to spend enough time with you."
Marbles grinned and took Ada's hand.
"Then let's to bed. It's been a long day."
The couple exchanged their day clothes for much comfier pajamas. Marbles' body rejoiced as he relaxed into the softness of his bed. He relished the warm, comforting company of the woman beside him. With her back to his chest, Marbles put his arm across Ada's to hold her to him. Moments later they were both soundly sleeping.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
It had taken a very long time for Echo to fall back asleep after Truehart's nasty visit in the night. Echo did not know what time she had fallen back to sleep, but when she woke up at dawn she knew she hadn't slept long. Lying still as could be, Echo took a few deep breaths before starting her day.
Crawling out from beneath the covers, Echo stood tall on the tips of her toes to stretch her calves. Her commander wouldn't be too pleased with her if he knew how badly she had abandoned her regular regimen.
"I used to never miss a day. But I was strong then. Now I'm weak." Echo sighed as she stepped into the shower and pulled down the detachable shower head.
Echo was glad that Ada had washed her hair for her. Echo wouldn't have to deal with the discomfort that came along with washing her hair today. After staying under the hot water for as long as she could, Echo shut off the water, stepped into a black towel and dried off. The hot water had caused her scars to turn a furious shade of cherry red. Echo hated seeing her body this way and was quick to put on her blue jeans, white cotton socks, an ivory camisole, and a navy t-shirt to remedy the situation. She had left her grey pullover sweatshirt on her bed. After she pulled the sweatshirt down over her head and slipped her arms through the sleeves, Echo brushed her hand over the plait on her skull, finding it still very much intact albeit messy from sleep. Echo tightened the elastic tie holding her braid together and fluffed the tuft of heir where the braid ended, just inches above the nape of her neck.
Echo began to make her bed, not hearing the tumblers on the lock click open. The door slammed open with a loud bang. Echo whipped around with a start, finding none other than Ledge letting himself in.
"It's good to see you again," Ledge said with a smirk, his pale, ice blue eyes shining with an evil glee.
Echo's heart pounded in her chest, an action that proved to be rather painful. She tried to run for the sanctity of the bathroom.
"Oh no you don't! Ledge growled. "We are going to spend some quality time tighter today. Just you and me. You won't be needing this sweatshirt, sweetheart," he said, peeling away her first layer.
Echo struggled, but there wasn't much she could so as Ledge used his right arm to put her in a chokehold. Echo could not break free as Ledge dragged her into the same supply closet where he had caught her hair in the fan. Keeping Echo pinned firmly to his chest, Ledge grabbed a box cutter off the top a stack of dinged up cardboard boxes filled with junk. With the box cutter in one hand and Echo in his other arm, Ledge now had to somehow immobilize her on the floor. Otherwise, he could not proceed.
A wicked grin unfolded on Ledge's face as he tightly clinched his fist around the box cutter. In a swift and powerful movement, he took that fist and delivered a hard blow smack dab to the center of Echo's sternum. Echo fell to the floor with a thud, completely frozen in pain. A few moments later the initial shock of the pain subsided and broken squeaks and sobs began to emanate from Echo's crumpled form.
"Oh, don't cry you little whiner. That couldn't have hurt that bad." Ledge scolded. He sat himself on Echo's legs, just above her knees, keeping her from even attempting to flee. "Today we are going to play 'doctor.' Of course I am the doctor and you are my patient. I think today I'm going to remove some of your stitches. A fairly common procedure, so it should be simple."
Ledge triggered the switch that unsheathed the blade of the box cutter. The brass blade was shiny new, probably not having ever been used before this moment. Ledge stared at the blade in a twisted awe. Echo's heart sped in worry at what could be going through his head.
"Hey, Glasgow. You've heard of the Glasgow Smile before, right?"
Echo instantly did not like where this was headed.
"Of course you have. It was invented in your native Scotland. Yeah, I know you've heard of it. Your heart sped up a lot when I mentioned it. I can feel your heartbeat pulsate through your veins. It's an interesting thing, that Glasgow Smile. I wonder how one would look on you…"
Ledge lightly trailed the blade from the back of one jaw, across her lips, to the back of the other jaw. Echo trembled beneath him, truly terrified that he would cut through her face. Echo was tremendously relieved when he moved the box cutter away from her face. But she wasn't out of the woods yet. Ledge began to peel back Echo's t-shirt and camisole which revealed the unhealed wound above her small intestine.
"Nah… that wouldn't be right. I'm a doctor, I can't do that. You need your face to be intact. It's too pretty to waste, especially since you are to be my queen. All right, my little patient, let's return to the task at hand, shall we?"
Slowly Ledge put the blade to the top stitch, putting it between the separated skins that had not yet fused back together. The thin, sharp edge came up under the super strong thread. Ledge tested the thread's resistance, giving it a few light tugs. Then he swiftly, and harshly, yanked the blade upwards, cutting the stitch in two. The portion of skin that the stitch had been holding together began to spread apart like flower petals. Echo gave a little screech of pain while Ledge moved on to the other stitches. After giving two more the same treatment as the first, blood had begun to well up and pool. Becoming bored, Ledge haphazardly tore through the rest, causing quite the mess in blood. Ledge had never expected this to get so bloody. Figuring Echo was in too much pain to run, Ledge got up to get a rag to mop up the mess. By the moment he had picked up the rag, Echo had scampered away.
"Stupid little bitch!" Ledge hissed.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
When Marbles awoke in the morning he felt wonderfully refreshed and alert. He felt ready to face anything sent his way.
"I take it you slept well?" Ada said as she snuggled into Marbles' chest.
"Very well." Marbles said, running his fingers through Ada's hair. "I think it may have something to do with the person sharing my bed with me."
"I can't argue with that. But…I hope working yourself into exhaustion won't be a common thing."
"I hope not as well, but why would you say that?"
"When you fall asleep after working yourself past your healthy limit, you snore."
"I do not snore."
"Oh, believe me, my dear, you do. Quite loudly at times."
Marbles looked at Ada in shock. Never before had she said anything about him snoring. He never even suspected that he had snored at all.
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't badly disturb you last night."
"Of course not. I was too comfortable in your arms to be disturbed."
Smiling, Marbles rolled onto his back and pulled Ada on top of him. She kissed the bridge of his nose before nuzzling her cheek against his.
"I hate that I have to get ready for work." Marbles mumbled while rubbing Ada's back.
"Actually, you don't."
"I think I do. It isn't the weekend."
"No you don't. I'm giving you the day off. I'll take care of Motherboard so you can do what you please with the day."
"Ada! This is so nice of you!" Marbles was completely surprised.
Ada giggled.
"So, go on and shower, get dressed, and head on out to Sensible Flats. Oh don't look at me like that! I knew that's exactly what you'd do with a spare day. She'll be happy to see you. Don't forget to say hello for me!"
Thanks to Ada's generous surprise, Marbles had a spring in his step when he arrived on Sensible Flats, especially after dropping off the adoption paperwork. Ada knew just what to do to put a smile on his face and Marbles loved her more for it. Inside the orphanage Abigail sat sullenly at the front desk. She had her chin in her hand and almost didn't notice Marbles walk in. Almost. When she had realized that Marbles had walked in, Abigail sprang to her feet.
"You're back sooner than I thought you'd be! What brings you here today, Dr. Marbles?"
Abigail's voice sounded a little off. Seconds later Marbles realized that it was because of her nose. It was swollen and discolored, even under the thick layer of makeup.
"I'm here to see Echo, as always."
"Oh. Well, if you get bored with it, you know where to find me!" Abigail said with a wink.
Marbles worked hard not to roll his eyes as he began down the hall. Abigail certainly was full of herself. As he reached the end of the hall, Marbles was a bit surprised to find Echo's door open. It always remained closed. This was a solitary confinement cell. The main room was empty. The bathroom door was open just a crack and Marbles suddenly felt his nightmares come to life. He softly rapped on the bathroom door before pushing it open. When he found it empty, he released a breath he hadn't known he was holding and went back into the main room. Marbles was becoming very worried when Echo sprinted into the room. Her hair had begun to fall from its braid in several waves around her face. She looked much like a wounded rabbit running from hungry foxes.
The moment Echo spotted Marbles she ducked behind him for protection. Echo lightly grabbed hold of Marbles' jacket as she continued to hide behind his back. Just then a taller boy, around Echo's age, appeared at the door. With a squeak Echo practically leaped backwards onto her bed, trying to run away from this boy. Marbles immediately realized that this boy must be one of her abusers. The boy didn't seem very happy to find Marbles in the room.
"Hey, man, you think you could, oh, I don't know, scram!?" the boy said angrily. "I have some unfinished business with her."
I don't think so. I'm not going anywhere. Marbles thought. He had to defend Echo from this menace. "Why don't you just run along?" Marbles said, trying to stay calm.
The boy's face flushed red. "OH COME ON! What could you even want with the stupid little whore!? She's just a dumb bitch!"
Marbles wasn't so calm anymore. Usually, Marbles wasn't one to be violent, but he wasn't going to have this. Echo was going to be his daughter and his instinct dictated that he protect her. Swiftly Marbles grabbed the boy by the neck and started to guide him from the room.
"You stay the hell away from her!" Marbles growled. "If I even suspect that you've come near Echo again, it won't be pretty. I promise you that."
"You've got it all wrong, old man. I'll do whatever I please with her!" Ledge said, jerking out of Marbles' grip and attempting to head for Echo.
Marbles was quick to grab hold of Ledge's arm and pin it behind his back. When Ledge tried to break free again, a swift, harsh, yank was all it took for Marbles to dislocate Ledge's arm from its socket. A jumbled mix of growls and curse words began to spew from Ledge's mouth. Silence came only when Marbles forcefully shoved Ledge from the room. So forcefully in fact, that Ledge slammed face first into the hallway wall before crumpling onto the floor.
"I told you it wouldn't be pretty." Marbles said before pushing the door shut and locking it before taking a deep breath. Turning his attention back to Echo, he asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Echo's eyes were wide, still trying to process the scene which had just unfolded in front of her. In response to Marbles' question, Echo pulled her hands away from her side and held them out to Marbles, palms up. From her fingertips to the base of her palms, Echo's hands were completely coated in blood. Her side was still oozing the sticky red substance.
Marbles was quick to close the distance between him and Echo. Sitting on the bed he began to see the extent of the damage done by Ledge and his box cutter.
"He tore out all of your stitches." Marbles said in disgust. He suddenly found himself wishing that he had done more to punish the youth. "It's going to be okay, don't worry. I'll re-stitch the incision."
"You will?" Echo asked, sounding very much like a scared child.
The tone shocked Marbles a little, but he realized that even after all she had been through, Echo was still a child.
"Of course I will." He said softly. From his pocket he pulled what almost looked like a small radio that one could clip to a belt loop on their pants. But it wasn't a radio. It was a storage device. Not for digital information that could be held on a flash drive, but for actual physical items including first aid kits. Marbles scrolled a little wheel on the device's side and from a small projected screen chose the first aid kit that contained all that he would need to take care of Echo. Setting the kit on the floor, Marbles unhooked the lid for access to its contents.
"Just lay back and relax, Echo. I'll be done before you know it. My professors in medical school always commented on how quickly I could suture a cut."
Echo eased down onto her back. "I thought you said you were a computer technician."
"I am now. But I went to medical school before I got my doctorate in computer technologies."
"Oh."
Marbles started to wipe away the blood to see the extent of the damage done. He found that some of the original thread remained in the skin. Marbles would have to remove all of the old stitching before he could fix it. To get the blood flow to slow, Marbles smeared some antibiotic gel over the broken blood vessels. The green gel stung and a hiss escaped between Echo's lips.
"I'm sorry. I know it stings." Marbles apologized as he sat a thick tissue on the bed to collect the old stitches on.
"Thank you, for throwing Ledge out. If you hadn't have been here to protect me… Things would have been so much worse."
"He had no right to treat you that way. Or to say what he said, for that matter. That boy has a lot of gall to pull something like this." Marbles said as he continued to remove the old stitching.
"It doesn't matter. He does it anyway. It wasn't the first time he's gotten hold of me and I'm sure it won't be the last. I'm just glad you were here. I don't want to think of what else he would've done to me if you hadn't been here today. It's just…he's just…so horrible!" Echo choked out.
"He is horrible. He's got a twisted mind to treat you this way. I'm sorry you have to put up with him."
"Twisted doesn't even begin to cover it! Do you know what he said to me? He put that box cutter on my face and asked me if I knew what the Glasgow Smile was! He trailed that blade from jaw to jaw. I was scared to death that he was going to cut open the skin. Then before he started cutting out my stitches he said, 'I wonder what it would be like, to carve my name into your flesh, marking you as mine for now and forever.'"
Marbles stared at Echo in pure shock. This boy was a thousand times more twisted that Marbles had originally thought.
"Oh Echo, I'm so, so, sorry. You don't deserve that. No one does."
Echo sniffled while Marbles removed the last of the old sutures.
"I'm almost done. Just hold tight." But before Marbles could even put the new thread into her skin, Echo's body convulsed in serious pain. "Echo? Is there something you aren't telling me? If you're in any kind of pain at all, you have to tell me. Don't leave anything out. I can't properly treat you if there's something I'm missing."
"He punched me really hard in the breastbone. Now my entire body hurts so bad." Echo admitted.
"I'm going to give you a strong painkiller after I'm done, okay? It has a light sedative in it, but the rest will do you some good."
Echo nodded as Marbles swiftly sutured the incision shut again and taped gauze over it for added protection.
"Here, take this," Marbles said as he put a pill into Echo's hand.
"What is it?"
"It's a mixture of Valium and the light sedative. It's going to take the pain away."
Echo popped the pill without even taking a swallow of water. It didn't take long for the medicine to kick in. Within a couple minutes Echo's eyes were starting to glaze over and a silly smile began working its way onto her lips.
Echo giggled. "Y'know what's a funny word?"
"What?"
"Turnip."
"Turnip?"
"Yeah! It's just silly! Turnip. Tur-nip. Tur-nup. Tuuuurnip. Turnip."
Marbles couldn't help but chuckle at Echo's Valium induced interest in the word "turnip." The silly smile brought some life into Echo's features. Marbles was pleased when Echo let him playfully ruffle her hair, combing the remnants of the braid apart. Echo broke into a short fit of hysterical giggles before she calmed down. She tried to get comfortable by lying on her belly, but the pinging sensation in her sternum was not something she enjoyed.
"I can't lie on my belly!" Echo complained with her lips forming a pout.
"Let's see if you can't get comfortable some other way."
Echo ended up lying on her left side with her pillow stretched lengthwise beneath her, cradling not only her head but her bruised ribs as well. Within moments of getting comfortable, Echo's eyes had drifted shut and the sedative had taken full effect. With Echo sleeping soundly, Marbles made sure the blankets were snugly around her. With that being done Marbles sat down on the floor, resting his side against the bed. Echo's left hand was curled up near her face, her right hand lying flat on the mattress. Marbles laid his hand next to Echo's, close, but not touching. Yet, even in sleep, Echo somehow sensed that Marbles' hand was near her own. Echo's took Marbles' index finger into her fist and didn't let go.
Marbles was amazed that Echo was holding his hand. He had never before realized how small Echo's hands were. She looked so at peace. Loving how it felt having Echo hold his hand, Marbles wasn't about to destroy the moment by pulling away. He was going to stay right in that spot and enjoy the moment for as long as it lasted. He never wanted the moment to end. Echo's eyes began to dart around beneath their lids, signaling that she was beginning to dream. Marbles couldn't help but wonder what Echo was dreaming about. Her face showed no emotion, so Marbles could only hope that she wasn't trapped in some torturous nightmare. Marbles sat there for a long while before Echo finally surrendered his finger. She rolled onto her back, her right hand curling up next to her head. Marbles figured it would still be a few minutes still before Echo actually woke up. He busied himself by discarding of the bloodied medical tools he had used, including the old stitching. He took a few wet wipes and gently scrubbed the dried blood off of Echo's hands and stomach. Then he sat out the containers with the lunch he had made for the two of them earlier this morning. While waiting for Echo to wake up, Marbles went ahead and ate so he would have more time to ask Echo about herself.
At last, Echo's brow furrowed and her eyes fluttered open. For a moment she just started at the ceiling, recalling what had happened. While she was giving a little stretch Marbles asked,
"Sleep well?"
Echo jumped a bit. She had forgotten that he was there. "Yeah I slept okay." Echo sat up against the wall and stuffed her pillow behind her back. "My whole body's really stiff."
"Your muscles will relax as you wake up. Did anyone bring you breakfast this morning?"
Echo shook her head.
"I didn't think so. Here, have some lunch. A filling meal will help you feel better."
Echo gratefully accepted the Tupperware container and pried off the lid. Her eyes rolled back some behind her eyelids from the miraculous smell. It took a large effort for her not to loudly moan in pleasure. In the container was a large serving of slow cooked beef, shimmering in its own broth with large chunks of potato, carrots, and a pile of egg noodles.
"Did you cook this?"
"Yes."
"It's really good. You're a great cook."
"Thank you. I'm glad you like it." Marbles said smiling.
Echo was going to town. She hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. Marbles' grandmother had always told him, "The sound of silence at the table is the sign of a meal well made {1}." If Echo's actions were of any indication, he had done well. Of course, the recipe had come from his grandmother, so partial credit went to her.
"Echo, do mind if I ask you a few questions?"
With her mouth still full, Echo shook her head.
"So, are you from Glasgow?"
Echo swallowed and a small, amused smile appeared on Echo's lips.
"No," she said, "but good assumption. My ancestors did found Glasgow. Some of my family got tired of the city life, so many clan members moved back to the village in the glen we came from, some several hours away. I was born there, in Rosemyth."
"I've never heard of Rosemyth."
"Not many from outside the area have. It's on the west side of Loch Mhor. I lived not too far from Loch Ness."
"That I've heard of."
"I figured you would have." Echo said, spearing several noodles onto her fork.
"I'm sure this sounds silly and you've probably heard it a thousand times, but have you ever seen Nessie?"
Echo almost choked on her food when she tried not to laugh. She wasn't laughing at Marbles' question, but at the sheepish look on his face. Clearing her throat, Echo finally answered.
"Yes. I've seen Nessie before."
"You've seen the Loch Ness Monster!"
"Yes. Those in the loop just usually call her Momma Ness. We call the baby Nessie. She's so cute. Fits right in your lap, she does. What? You don't believe me?"
"No, no. I believe you. It's just that I never really expected you to say yes."
"Aye, she's real. Scoff at Momma Ness and she'll swallow ye whole, cough ye up, then toss ye clear across the Loch."
While Marbles took a few moments to process this new information, Echo returned to finishing her meal.
"I hope I'm not crossing a line here, but, have you ever done something in the past that you aren't necessarily proud of now?"
Echo's face went dark. Slowly she finished chewing the last piece of beef.
"Echo?"
Echo swallowed and Marbles took the empty Tupperware from her hands.
"Echo, please talk to me."
Echo looked down at her lap. "I…I used to smoke." She dared a peek at Marbles, who, to her relief, did not look angry or upset. His understanding expression encouraged Echo to continue. "It was a few years ago. I was under a lot of stress at the time, and I needed a crutch. So I turned to cigarettes. Even though I was underage it was easy to go out and get a pack of smokes. Anytime I needed to calm down I'd just go outside and light up. I smoked for three months. At the end of the third month I realized I didn't want to continue on like that, having to rely on something so unhealthy. So I quit. I don't think I ever smoked more than five packs over those three months."
"How long did it take you to quit?"
"It didn't take any time to quit. I was two cigarettes into the fifth pack when I decided I didn't want to do it anymore. Once I had decided I wanted to quit I just threw the rest of the pack into a trashcan and walked away to meet a few friends at the coffee house. I hope this doesn't change what you think about me."
"Actually, it does."
"Oh." Echo looked upset.
"But not in a bad way."
"Huh?"
"I knew you were strong, but this just shows me that you're stronger than what I thought. It isn't easy to give up something as addicting as smoking. It can take a very long time for some people to quit. But you quit in that single moment. That takes a lot of strength and you have my respect for it."
A soft blush spread on Echo's cheeks.
"Is that the only thing?"
The blush vanished and the dark shroud of shame reappeared around Echo.
"It isn't, is it?"
"N-n-no."
"Will you tell me about it?"
"It isn't that simple! Hell, I quit smoking, but so what? It was years ago and tons of people quit every single day! It's not that big of a deal! But this…I..I just can't! It's just…I just…"
"Echo, Echo. Stop. I'm sorry I've made you upset. Forget I said anything. I don't want to upset you. And don't say that you quitting isn't that big of a deal. It is. I've very proud of you for it."
Echo calmed down and her face returned to its normal color.
"Are you okay?" Marbles asked, patting Echo's knee.
"Yeah. Thanks for dropping the subject."
"I don't want to make you upset. I was just curious about your past."
"I know. It's okay."
"Allow me to change the subject. Did you have a nice time with Ada yesterday?"
"Yeah, I really like her. She's so nice, just like you. When I woke up scared from a nightmare she was right there. And she hugged me until I calmed down."
"She hugged you?" Marbles was suddenly anxious. He knew how much Echo had fussed the first time he had hugged her, so he feared the worst.
"It was nice. It reminded me of how my mum used to hug me when I was little, before she started running around. I liked having that warm safe feeling again."
Marbles smiled at this revelation. It was clear that Echo had easily accepted Ada into her life.
"Come here, I have something to show you."
Marbles led Echo into the bathroom where he pointed to the top of the towel cabinet.
"In that duffle bag is about a week's worth of food. Most of the food is dehydrated but there is a hydrator in the bag as well. You won't have to go without a warm meal any longer."
"Wow! Thanks! Um… I've never heard of a hydrator for food before."
"They're commonly used by campers so they have a better variety of food."
"I've been camping wrong this whole time." Echo shook her head in disbelief. "Y'know, you're going to have me spoiled if they ever start to feed me here again. But, also, if they find out you've been feeding me, it won't be pretty."
"No one else normally goes in there, right?"
"Just me."
"Then you won't be found out."
"I hope Truehart doesn't go in there and find it. She can be mean."
"Speaking of Abigail, what happened to her nose?"
"Ada didn't tell you?!"
"No. What happened?"
"It's better if you see it. Check the videos on Ada's phone. I recorded it. All I'll say is that Ada has the best comebacks."
They exited the bathroom and Echo sat back on the edge of her bed.
"It's almost evening…" Echo said sadly as she glanced out the window.
"You're right. I have to be going." Marbles said, just as sad as Echo that he had to leave. He began to walk to the door, but stopped. "Wait. Before I go, I'd like to try something."
"What?"
"I want you to show me you trust me."
"I do trust you!"
"I know you do. But I'd like to start trying to get you out of your shell."
"I don't have a shell. A shell implies I have somewhere where I feel safe. I don't."
"Then let me rephrase that. I want to pull you out of your reluctant, standoffish stance."
A look crossed Echo's face. She wasn't too sure where this was going.
"What are you wanting me to do, exactly?" Echo asked nervously.
Marbles held his arms out. "Just come to me."
A little reluctantly Echo stood up and walked to where Marbles was standing. He continued to hold open his arms, encouraging Echo to come closer. Finally Echo came up to him. Marbles enveloped her in a hug and Echo lightly curled her fingers into his jacket.
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Marbles felt Echo shake her head no.
Marbles continued to hold her, knowing the affection would be good for her.
"Things are going to get better soon, I'm sure of it."
"I hope so. I really hope so."
Footnotes:
{1}- "The sound of silence at the table is the sign of a meal well made." – Quote seen in several of the Murder She Baked series by Joanne Fluke.