A/N: Okay, guys, this here is chapter thirteen. Just as a note, I'm going to stop apologizing for how long it takes me to put out a chapter. I am sorry, but it just gets annoying repeating myself. I've got a whole list of excuses but I won't bore you with them. I've come to accept that my chapters are going to come when they come. You just have to keep being patient with me. Another note, I've stopped numbering footnotes. If I think you won't recognize/understand something, just check the end, it'll probably be there. The numbers just started to annoy me. Oh and I've revised prior chapters, you might want to take a peek.
Some important dates that have happened recently:
May 25: The one year anniversary of the day I started collaborating with Tari J. Deiter. Hooray! I can't believe it's been a year already. We've got a lot of exciting stuff planned for our collaboration, so keep tuned!
June 8 (Today): Echo's birthday. Happy birthday, Echo!
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS NOT ONLY THE USUAL ABUSE, BUT SEXUAL REFERENCES AS WELL. THE REFERENCES ARE SLIGHT AND AS TONED DOWN AS POSSIBLE. THEY AREN'T THAT BAD, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Picking Up the Broken Glass
Kawaii Stella
Chapter Thirteen
Stoned
Marbles' mind continued to process the information that Echo had entrusted him with. It was hard to picture Echo with a cigarette in her mouth. The two objects just didn't look right together. Marbles supposed it didn't really matter now. Echo had kicked that habit and gone on with her life. The thing that really bothered Marbles was the thing Echo wouldn't tell him about. Whatever it was, it was traumatizing enough to make her panic at just the thought of having to talk about it. The horrors of her past were bright in her eyes as she panicked. This worried Marbles. Just what was this thing haunting Echo so?
Multiple possibilities flitted through his mind as he walked through the doors of his preferred hardware store. After leaving the orphanage Marbles had found a friendly reminder from Ada in his voicemail to pick up a couple gallons of ivory pain to use as a basecoat in Echo's room. Ada had told him go ahead and start painting right when he got home and she would join him when she was finished with the routine maintenance checks on Motherboard.
Upon returning home, Marbles was quick to get set up in Echo's room. He decided that he would start on the wall with the windows, and quickly got to work placing blue painter's tape on the molding around the room. Popping open the first can, Marbles was greeted by the pungent aroma of the basecoat. After finishing that first wall Marbles decided that it was a bit too quiet for his liking, so before starting on the next section of wall he brought a little radio into the room and set it on a random station.
Several songs played that Marbles wasn't familiar with. Because they weren't familiar, they faded into the background while he painted. However, on the third of the five walls, a song came on that did catch his attention.
Home- Phillip Phillips
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
As the song faded away, Marbles smiled. That song reminded him so much of Echo.
"Echo I am going to make this place your home." He said softly.
"What's that?"
Marbles spun around to find Ada standing in the doorway.
"I was just talking to myself." Marbles told her, stepping down from the ladder. "How was your day?"
"Much more uneventful than yours, I'm sure. I only had to do the routine maintenance. I did have to call in for more cryoxide, though."
Marbles nodded. "She burns through more each week."
"So . . .," Ada urged. "Tell me how your day went. Uh-oh. What's with that face? What happened?"
"I can't wait to get her out of there, Ada. Those other kids are so terrible to her."
"You actually witnessed her being bullied!?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, I didn't get there in time to stop the worst of it."
"What did they do to her?"
"This one boy broke into her room and dragged her into the supply closet where he cut out the stitches on her side with a box cutter."
"That's terrible! I would have given that boy a piece of my mind!"
"Oh believe me, I did. I ended up pulling his arm out of socket as I threw him out of the room. I won't have it, Ada, I won't. I won't stand there and let him call Echo a-a 'Stupid little whore' and 'a dumb bitch'."
"That's despicable!"
"You're telling me! Echo's so scared of those kids, especially that Ledge boy. If I hadn't been there, I fear what other things he would have done to her."
Ada rubbed her hand up and down Marbles' back.
"Soon enough she'll be here with us, safe and sound." She reminded him.
Marbles gave her a small smile. "That's very true." He agreed.
"You've really gotten a good start on this room. Over halfway done already! Why don't you let me help you finish the other two walls?"
"You don't have to do that. You've done plenty today. You should kick back and relax."
"Nonsense! Echo is going to be my daughter too, Marbles. I'm going to go change and then I'll be right back to help you finish!"
"Oh alight, have it your way." Marbles conceded. He sat down the paint brush he'd been holding by the bristles and pulled Ada to him, kissing her on the forehead.
With a smirk Ada exited the room to go change clothes. Marbles too had a smirk on his face as he watched her go, proudly noticing his handiwork.
While Ada was out of the room, Marbles poured some more paint into the pan before pulling the bed away from the wall. Just as he began rolling on a new layer of paint onto the fourth wall, Ada came bursting into the room.
"Marbles!"
"Hm? What is it?" Marbles continued to focus on the paint, not wanting to risk fiving himself away.
"You left a handprint on my pants!"
"You must be mistaken, love. I did no such thing."
"You did too!" Ada pulled the roller brush out of his hands.
Marbles tried to hide his right hand, but Ada caught it and forced him to open his hand, revealing the dried coat of ivory paint.
"Ah-ha! Ada exclaimed.
"Oh alright, you caught me." Marbles conceded. "I couldn't help myself! The opportunity presented itself flawlessly!"
Ada rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Marbles on the cheek.
"Oh you!" She giggled. "Let's get this room done."
Ad Marbles got Ada out a brush of her own, Ada quickly snatched up the roller brush that he had been using. She wrapped her hand around the roller and then quickly slapped Marbles across the bum.
"There. Now we're even."
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Echo had felt consistently uneasy since Marbles left. She wasn't safe anymore. Now that she was alone, anything could happen to her and no one would protect her. She felt safest in her little bathroom where she could lock the door from the inside. Echo spent quite a bit of time in that bathroom; especially since it was the only place she could eat in peace. She was unbelievably grateful to Marbles for leaving the duffle bag of food.
Shifting through the contents of the bag, it became a challenge for Echo to pick what to cook. At last she decided to just grab a packet at random and make it. Closing her eyes and reaching in, Echo pulled out a packet labeled "SpagBol".
Though the name was a bit off putting, Echo was going to go through with her choice. She put the indicated amount of water into the hydrator and waited for the little light to turn green. When the green light came on, Echo ripped open the SpagBol packet, pulling out what looked like a golf ball sized clump of tangled dried yarn and a quarter sized red disc. She put the disc into the right slot and dropped the clump into the water which started to burble at it boiled. The light turned red and Echo shut the lit to let whatever it was cook. While the hydrator worked its magic, Echo pulled out a bottle of water and a fork. Hopefully she could eat this stuff with a fork.
At last the little light went back to green from red. Tentatively Echo unlatched the little door on the front of the device to retrieve her meal and to discover what her meal actually was. With much relief Echo found that her meal didn't look bizarre at all! Echo pulled out the bowl and twirled some of the noodles covered in red sauce onto her fork and took a bite. She tasted the tang of the tomatoes, the savory and buttery flavor of the noodles, and a bite of something else. She could tell that the white slivers were parmesan cheese, but what was that last flavor? Then it hit her. It was a mildly spiced sausage. With all the flavors identified, Echo realized what she was eating, what this SpagBol actually was. It was spaghetti Bolognese! Echo figured it should have been obvious, but she didn't really mind. The Bolognese sauce was nearly flawless and she was going to savor every bite.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
At last Marbles and Ada had finished painting Echo's room. Finishing the last two walls had hardly taken any time at all with both working together. After a simple dinner both planned to retire early. Ada absolutely insisted Marbles shower first (though she never would explain why). He did so, and while Ada took her shower, Marbles remembered what Echo had said.
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.
Ada had left her phone on the top of the dresser. Marbles was quick to retrieve it and his laptop before returning to the bed with both. Hooking the phone up to the computer, he accessed the video files. There was only one video clip from the day before, and it was rather long, so it had to be the one. He imported a copy of the video to save onto the hard drive. Opening the video with the media player, Marbles kicked back to enjoy the show. And boy did he enjoy it!
Within seconds of the video starting, Marbles had a grin firmly plastered on his face. As Ada stepped from the shower she heard Marbles laugh and some other, quieter, voices.
He must've turned on the television. Ada thought to herself. But then the voices increased in clarity and familiarity until she realized one of the voices was her own.
"You're right. Ladies don't start fights. We finish them!"
Ada came bursting out of the bathroom.
"Marbles!" Ada shrieked. "How did you-? Where did you find that!?"
"It's recorded on your phone, love."
"Who recorded it?"
"Calm down, Ada! It was Echo who recorded it. A wise decision on her part. She was right. You do have the best comebacks. Watching you take down Abigail like that, it was better than Earth Rumble Six!"
"But I was being so brutish!"
"You were not. You stood up for Echo and for yourself. Abigail deserved every hit and you fought gracefully."
Ada allowed herself a little bit of a smile as she sat daintily on the bed besides her companion. She fiddled with the belt of her robe as Marbles gently moved her wet hair to rest over her other shoulder so he could kiss her neck.
"That Abigail! She's such a cruel woman." Ada grumbled. "She doesn't care at all about those children, only about her own selfish desires!"
"All true," Marbles agreed. "I do have to say, I particularly like your sumo sized ass remark."
"Of course you would," Ada said, playfully nudging Marbles in the ribs. "What really burns me is that she really believes that she deserves you."
"There is only one woman in the world for me, and that, my dear, is you." Marbles told her.
Ada blushed and wrapped her arms around Marbles' waist, bringing her head to rest on his shoulder. Marbles held Ada to him, enjoying immensely being able to hold her so close. They never had enough moments like this.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Like usual, Echo had an extremely rough time getting to sleep. She was sore despite her painkillers and paranoid as hell knowing that Ledge could now easily let himself in her room whenever he pleased. Already bundled up in her grey sweatshirt, Echo pulled her quilt up around her, keeping her eyes on the Plexiglas window.
Hopefully Ledge wouldn't come back tonight. Hopefully. What she wouldn't give to have Ivan back at her side. He always protected her. Echo let out a long sigh. She wondered what Ivan was doing at this moment. Probably at Spetz training with the rest of their comrades. Echo knew if she ever got to go back, she'd have to face a lot of hell for missing training without word or warning. Echo always liked training. Despite the grueling regimens and sometimes frigid nights, it was often a blast because everyone liked each other and knew how to keep the mood light. Plus the results of the strength training were quite impressive. Echo guessed it very well didn't matter now. She wasn't at training and her body knew it was missing something. As much as she missed training, she missed Ivan much more.
A smile graced Echo's lips as she remembered how they had met. It was at the Highland Games, five years ago.
Five Years Ago:
P.A.: Up next: Men's Caber Toss!
"This is how they separate the men from the boys!" A Russian visitor told his friends.
"Hey, look at that!" Another exclaimed in his heavily accented English. "It's a chick! Do you think she's lost? This is the men's category!"
P.A.: Next up! Representing Clan Glasgow, Echo Glasgow!
"They've got to be joking! A girl can't compete in the men's category! What do you think about this, Braginski?"
The one called Braginski didn't speak. Instead he watched the Glasgow girl step up to the line, tightening her leather gloves as she went. He certainly did not miss how her kilt swayed with the movements of her hips. Echo took her stance, hefted the caber, and then threw. Like always, her toss made it and took the lead.
P.A: A spectacular toss my Miss Glasgow! Hold it! I'm receiving word that this could be a new world record! And it is! Echo Glasgow is now the Guinness World Record holder for farthest successful caber toss! Let's give her a big hand!
The spectators roared with applause.
"Braginski, you okay? You've been staring at her for a while now."
"Huh? I don't know, but I do know that one day, that woman will become my wife."
"Then go talk to her!" Braginski's friend egged him on.
"Da," you know what? I think I will!"
The tall Russian made his way through the crowd to speak with the young Scotswoman.
"H-hello. I saw your toss. It was amazing. Congratulations on the record."
"Thank you." Echo said quietly, a bit awestruck by this handsome man's presence. "My name's Echo Glasgow. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is completely mine. I'm Ivan Braginski."
"I'm on my way to my next event, but you're more than welcome to join me."
"I would love to!" The excitement of being able to go with Echo sparkled in Ivan's amethyst colored eyes. "What is your next event?"
"Archery." Echo told him. "So, where are you from, Ivan?"
"I'm from Russia."
"Oh! Nravyatsya li Vam Vashe vremya v Shotlandii?"
It took a minute for Ivan to absorb what Echo had just said. She had just asked him if he was enjoying his time in Scotland, in fluent Russian!
"Yes, very much so!" Ivan responded in English. "It is nice here, very beautiful. You speak Russian very fluently! That is a big surprise. How did you learn?"
"When I was five, my brothers told me if I hadn't gotten smart enough by the end of the school year, they were going to pack me in a box to ship me off to live in Siberia. I figured better be safe than sorry. So I started learning everything I could about Russia, including the language."
"That's very amazing! Your language skills are superb!"
Echo blushed. "Thank you. I hate to cut our conversation short, but I need to get my bow checked in. It was great meeting you, Ivan."
"Likewise. Listen, Echo, do you think you'd like to have dinner with me tomorrow evening? I hear that by tomorrow there will be more restaurant tents set up, and I'd love to get to know you better. I'll even wear a kilt for you!"
"Sure! I'd love that! My last event tomorrow is shot put. I'll change after that and meet you on the dining field. Is that okay with you?"
"It's a date! Good luck at the archery!" Ivan grinned.
Echo went through her events on cloud nine. She had a date! Usually summers were her least favorite time of the year, especially with one of her two current occupations and the person she lived with. But wild horses could pull her off this high. The next evening Echo put on a nice ankle-length skirt and an elbow length cream blouse. She decided to forgo her normal braid, electing to let her red hair fall free down her shoulder blades. Echo kept her hair back with a brown headband that matched her skirt. One last time Echo combed through her hair with her fingers before slipping her tartan sash over her shoulders. Then she was out the door on her way to her very first date.
Echo found Ivan in the nicest restaurant tent. He waved her over to a nice little table for two by a window. As Echo approached her date, she found that true to his word, Ivan was indeed wearing a kilt! Ivan held a chair out for Echo and pushed her in like a gentleman.
"You look very beautiful tonight." Ivan said as he took his seat.
Echo blushed. "Thank you. You look quite dashing in that kilt."
It was now Ivan's turn to blush. "Spasibo. Do you know what you'd like to order? I hear they serve haggis."
"Blech! I may be a Scot, but I hat haggis. I could go the rest of my life without even glancing at the stuff."
"You have to eat it often?"
"No, but I have to make it a lot. Sometimes every week in the summer."
"If you don't like it, why do you make it?"
"For my dad."
"Oh. Is he the man I saw you with earlier?"
"Average build with dark hair?"
Ivan nodded.
"Yeah, that's David-my dad."
"You seemed scared of him. He isn't mean to you, is he?"
"He gets a little rough after he's had a pint too many." Echo admitted. "Let's stop bringing down the mood and let's enjoy our date. Looks like the serve Italian too. Do you like pasta?"
"Da, pasta is good." Ivan agreed. He knew Echo was covering up something, but he let her change the subject. He didn't want to upset her on their first date.
Ivan placed their orders and as they waited the chatted about various things. Echo asked about Russia and ended up enchanted by the stories Ivan told her. Just as Ivan was finishing up telling Echo about the ensemble he traveled with, the Red Army Choir, a waiter brought them their food.
Echo and Ivan had a delightful time together that early summer night. These two, who had been smitten at first sight, were obviously in love. They stayed together until nearly midnight. They walked around hand in hand, enjoying each other's company.
"I really hate that I'm not going to be able to stay here for the entire Games." Ivan admitted.
"You aren't staying?" Echo's heart sunk.
"We're leaving early the morning after next. Tomorrow is my last day here. I'll still be cheering you on all the way though."
"I hate for this to be such short lived." Echo said sadly.
"It doesn't have to be. We can still write each other."
"I'd love that." Echo smiled. "See me tomorrow and I'll give you my addresses."
"Addresses? You have more than one?"
"I live with my father in the summer and the rest of the year with my mum."
"Oh! That is making the sense! Echo don't let him bully you. You deserve better."
Echo looked up at Ivan. "I think that's why I met you."
Ivan's face turned red in his deepest blush of the night. When Ivan had returned Echo to where she was staying, he bent down to kiss her on the lips.
"Sleep well, moi liubila."
The moment Echo had returned to the sanctuary of her bedroom she broke out in a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
"Moi liubila," Echo murmured into her pillow. "My love. Oh Ivan! I miss you, my love."
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Around down the next morning, a large storm system began to push its way towards Sensible Flats. Echo awoke to dark gray skies and rumbling in the distance. The sound was kind of soothing.
Quite leisurely Echo rose from bed and rummaged through the duffel bag for breakfast. After eating she swallowed her medicine and went about choosing her apparel for the day. Echo had just pulled on an aqua waffle long sleeve shirt and tied her tennis shoes when Abigail burst into the room.
"Wonderful! You're up and ready to go! Your visitor is waiting for you in the visitor's yard."
Immediately Echo got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. If her visitor was waiting in the visitor's yard, then her visitor was not Dr. Marbles or Miss Ada. They always came to her room. Echo feverently hoped she was wrong, but she knew deep down that it was Solomon Quinn waiting for her.
The slick businessman was dressed in a charcoal grey suit with a silver necktie, his black hair coifed, slicked back with a shiny gel. He plastered a platinum smile on his face as Echo approached.
"Good morning, Echo! Isn't this a most splendiferous day?"
"I guess," Echo mumbled as she tried not to make eye contact.
"There's no need to be shy! I know my enhanced vocabulary is more voluptuous than most, but you should not let that intimidate you! Come! Let's take a walk, shall we?"
Quinn took a firm hold of Echo's arm and began to pull her away. Echo's heart was beating as fast as it could as he led her around the courtyard. As they walked Quinn rambled on and on about meaningless things all the while the sky above continued to get darker and darker. A clap of thunder pealed across the sky.
"T-The thunder is really getting loud. Maybe it's best we go back inside now." Echo said, wanting to get away from her visitor.
"Nonsense! Don't you know that for every second between claps of thunder the storm is ten miles away? The storm's at least seventy miles away from us right now! We won't let these gray skies ruin our quality time together!"
Echo said nothing even though she knew he was wrong.
"Come down here with me, young lady, so we can have some privacy."
Quinn pulled Echo down the alleyway where Ledge had proposed that she be his queen. This situation was eerily similar. Quinn cornered Echo, preventing her escape.
Quinn looked down at the young woman. She was slender and lean with a hint of muscle, meaning that she would wear easily. Her eyes were wide and so very innocent. Her petite curves were nice too. Quinn looked at Echo like a prized toy before he caressed her face.
"You're such a prey thing. You don't have to live in that sparse solitary, you know. I'm a very rich and powerful man. With me you'd be living poshly in pleasure. Wouldn't that be fantastic?"
Quinn rested both hands below Echo's collarbone but above her diaphragm and gave a series of squeezes there. Echo whimpered in discomfort and fear which Quinn found intoxicating. He moved in closer while moving one hand south. Another set of movements had Quinn's entire body pressed completely against Echo's tiny frame. Echo suddenly felt an obtrusive object touch her and she was sure she was done for.
Lightning streaked across the sky followed by a deafening blast of thunder. Large pellets of rain began to fall from the sky.
"Solomon!"
Both Solomon's and Echo's heads whipped towards the head of the alley to see Abigail standing there, hands on her hips. She scurried down the way and pulled Quinn away from Echo.
"Solomon! Don't you think it's kind of early for this? Why don't you and I step inside the shed for a nice talk?" Abigail raised her eyebrows and ran her hands down the man's chest.
"Yeah . . . alright." Solomon agreed in a sultry tone.
Before following her man friend into the garden shed, Abigail gave Echo a stern look and said,
"You stay right there and don't go anywhere!"
When the shed door had been shut tight, Echo sunk down to the wet ground and hugged herself. She was already thoroughly soaked to the bone. Echo shook as she heard the constant booms of thunder along with a lot of moaning and groaning. At one point Abigail poked her head out and screamed for Echo to go back to her cell. Echo did not hesitate, running as fast as she could to the room marked solitary.
For several minutes Echo just stood against the back of her door, scared and in shock. When the cold set in her wits came back and told her to dress in something warm. Echo made haste in dressing in some baggy pajama pants and a heather grey crew neck fleece sweatshirt. It was probably lunchtime but Echo didn't have an appetite. So instead of eating Echo hung up her wet clothes to dry in her shower. Just after she had put her now dry clothes in the laundry bin, the cell door come open with a bang almost as loud as the thunder outside.
In the doorway stood Ledge's goons. Even without Ledge they outnumbered Echo four to one. They approached fast. Out of desperation Echo dove underneath her bed. This proved to do little good as the boys grabbed Echo by the ankles and pulled her out. Clawing at the concrete did nothing, and soon enough she was drawn back into the light, and pain.
The next day was just as terrible. Yesterday had Echo so shaken up. The desperation had come back so strongly that, for the first time ever since her arrival on Sensible Flats, Echo didn't bother to change her clothes. She spent the day weighed down by misery, occasionally holing up in the bathroom to eat. Echo ate several more food packets than she normally did. She knew she'd be smart to ration her food supply, but she couldn't help it. She had to eat.
The first time she went into the bathroom she cooked PadThai. The second time she made SpagBol. The third time around it was VegiRice. Echo assured herself that it was OK to eat like this because of the weather. The massive storm had stick around for day two. Before Echo could make a fourth meal her door crashed open again. Echo wondered if anybody was bothering to lock the door anymore of if it was only locked to her.
In stormed Samantha, Dior, Alice, and Emma. Each was dressed in a brightly colored raincoat and matching rubber rain boots.
"Hey, slut, we heard what happened yesterday." Emma smirked.
"You tried to hook up with that businessman, you whore!" Dior remarked.
"Of course we know nothing happened. Ms. Truehart was the one who actually did it with that guy. But since it was almost you that makes you one very slutty whore. I bet you were begging him to take you!" Alice teased.
Echo turned red in the face.
"She's blushing because she knows it's true!" Samantha laughed. "You know what they used to do to whores in the old days, right? They stoned them. Since you are a whore, you will be punished as such. It is time for your stoning! Grab her, girls!"
Emma, Dior, and Alice subdued Echo and dragged her out into the pouring rain. Lighting cut across the sky strike after strike after strike. It was obvious that this had been thought out. Almost every orphan was in attendance, even some of the little ones, five and six years old. The girls tethered Echo to a wooden pole, hands behind her back.
Samantha and her crew threw the first stones then called forth the other kids to participate in the punishment. Hundreds of stones were thrown, many hitting at least some part of their mark. Some of the rocks thrown were not even rocks at all. They were chunks of concrete from the crumbling perimeter wall.
Eventually the other children lost interest and went inside, leaving Echo tied to the pole. Echo was left alone, trapped in the rain, until one little girl came back outside. This little girl had bright blue eyes and dark blonde hair. She held a small pair of craft scissors in her hands.
"I'm going to cut the rope away, okay?" The little girl said quietly.
"Thank you very much." Echo managed to smile at the little girl. "What's your name, kid?"
"Molly."
"That's a very pretty name. It's a popular name where I came from. I'm. . ."
"Echo. I know who you are. Where are you from?"
"I'm from Scotland. It's at the top of the United Kingdom on Earth."
"That's really far away."
"Yeah, it is. How old are you, Molly?"
"I'm four years old."
"You're really smart for a four year old. That's great."
Molly smiled, and then frowned. "This rope is really tough."
"See how the rope is several little sections together? Tackle one section at the time."
Molly did and found it a lot easier.
"Why are you helping me, Molly?"
"'Cause I know you aren't like how the other big kids say you are. You're nice. And you color really pretty pictures too."
"You've seen my art?"
"I found one of your pictures in the play yard. I keep it in my teddy bear. I can give it back if you want."
"You can keep it."
"You really mean that?" Thanks!" Molly was obviously delighted by this.
At last the sturdy rope fell apart and Echo rubbed her wrists.
"Whaddya say we go dry off, eh, Molly?"
Echo held out her hand to the little girl and she took it, delighted that a big kid was paying attention to her. They went to Echo's cell where Echo brought out some dry towels from the bathroom. Molly mentioned that Truehart hadn't been around at all today. Echo knew then that Abigail had gone out to celebrate her success from yesterday. Echo picked up Molly and sat her on the table and dried the little girl off with one of the black towels.
"How come your towels are black, Echo? The towels we use aren't black."
"I don't know why, Sweetie." Echo answered honestly.
"How long have you been drawing for?"
"Oh, quite a long time, since I was your age, I guess."
"Could you draw something for me right now?"
Echo couldn't refuse those sparkling blue eyes. "Sure. Why not? What do you want me to draw?"
"Flowers!"
Echo dug out her sketchpad and pencils and sat down on her bed. Molly curled up into Echo's left side and watched Echo draw. Echo drew several pages of all kinds of flowers. She carefully tore out each page so Molly could take them with her to color. Watching Echo draw was soothing to Molly, and soon it began lulling her to sleep.
"Molly?" Echo said softly. "What room are you in?"
"B. As in butterfly."
"Okay, honey. Are you ready for a nap?"
Molly nodded. Echo handed her the sketches before picking the toddler up. Molly wrapped her legs around Echo's waist and wrapped her little arms around her neck. Echo quietly carried the little girl to her room where she tucked her into bed and let her sleep in peace.
Echo returned to her cell and collapsed onto her bed. She finally let the pain come through. She felt like she had been run over by a truck. It hurt to move. It hurt to breathe. And the words in her head hurt her feelings. Her stomach growled and she forced herself to hobble into the bathroom where she cooked a package of SwedeBalls. In the course of eating that first bowl, one of Echo's memories from her childhood came back and slapped her in the face. It had been a Friday, and she had been in the first grade. One of her classmates came up to her as she was stuffing her backpack to go home.
"Hey, Echo, are you excited for the Daddy-Daughter dance tomorrow night?"
"I'm not going," Echo had replied softly.
"Oh yeah, that's right, you don't have a daddy."
"I do too have a daddy! He's just . . . not around."
"Hmph. Whatever."
"She was right." Echo said around a bite of meatball. Her voice cracked. "I don't have a daddy. Not one that cares."
Echo did not resist her emotions as they rushed towards her. She also didn't resist a second bowl of SwedeBalls.
The next morning Echo was woken up by a gentle shake to the shoulder. Echo's eyes squeezed tightly together before finally opening. She looked over her shoulder to find Dr. Marbles sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Good morning." He said with a smile.
"Good morning! You're here really early!" Echo said, sitting up quickly.
"Not really. It's nine-thirty."
"What! I can't believe I slept so late."
"A rainy day is a good day to sleep in." Marbles assured her.
Echo looked out the little barred window to see that it was, in fact, still raining. Marbles saw a large bump and gash on Echo's temple and gently brushed his fingers over it, causing Echo to wince.
"Got thrown to the wolves again, didn't you?"
Instead of answering Echo laid back down and curled up, her back towards Marbles. Her eyes started to gloss over and she tugged up her quilt. That was answer enough for Marbles.
"What happened, sweetheart?"
"I'm not a whore! Slut, slut, slut, they kept calling me a slut! I'm not a slut! I'm married! I've always been faithful! I've never cheated on him! I love him! I'm not a slut!" Echo cried.
"I know you're not." Marbles said gently. "You're a good girl." He pulled Echo upright and nestled her safely into his side. "Who picked on you this time, Echo?"
"The girls I roomed with when I first got here. They kept calling me a slut and a whore over and over. They got the other kids to call me that too. It's not true but it still hurts."
"Of course it hurts. How'd you get all these bumps, cuts, and bruises?"
"They said I was a whore and I got stoned for it!"
"Stoned?"
"Not stoned as in high on drugs, but stoned in the biblical sense. They tied me to a pole and threw rocks and concrete at me."
Marbles held Echo tighter. She held onto him for dear life. This was unbelievable. Things were getting way too far out of hand.
"I know this is a long shot," Marbles began. "But did Abigail say or do anything at all?"
Echo shook her head. "She wasn't here at all yesterday."
"Figures." Marbles sighed.
Marbles spent the rest of the day reminding Echo that she was a good girl and that she was cared about. He worked hard trying to get her spirits up from the gutter they were in. He'd tell her stories about different things he thought she'd like to keep her mind off of her pain. Echo remained at his side nearly the entire visit. She felt safest this way. Before he left for the day Marbles restocked Echo's food supply. After reminding her again that he cared about her and things would get better soon, he left for home, but not before checking the progress of the adoption papers.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
A week passed and Echo didn't see Dr. Marbles again. She didn't see Ada either. Echo began to grow worried as more time passed and she didn't see her friends. Echo quickly began to worry that they didn't care anymore and that she had yet again been abandoned. What had she done to make them angry? Why weren't they coming to see her anymore? Echo just didn't understand.
At Control Central, Ada and Marbles had been busy getting things situated for Echo. They had been putting furniture in her bedroom as well as putting some things into the room that would become her art studio. The couple had become very secretive and had not let anyone else in on their plans to become parents. Their secretiveness and their busy bee attitudes had sparked curiosity in others around them.
As days passed the two became more and more anxious. Any time the telephone rang their adrenaline would rush and their hearts would pound in excitement, hoping that the call would contain the good news they had been waiting so long for.
One afternoon Marbles was fixing the rusting cap on Motherboard's cryoxide tank while Ada read a book. Digit was assisting Marbles when his cell phone rang. Marbles and Ada were again met by the rush of excitement as they rushed from the room to answer the call in privacy.
"Hello? This is Dr. Marbles." Marbles answered.
"Marbles, its Judge Trudy. I've got some good news for you."
A grin spread across Marbles' face. "Yes?"
"The adoption papers have gone through. They're all authorized and ready to go."
"That's wonderful!" Marbles exclaimed and Ada grabbed his arm. "When can we get her?"
"You can come and get her tomorrow morning. Pick her up from the orphanage and then come down to the courthouse. There we'll finalize it."
"Alright, thank you! We'll be there!"
Marbles hung up and picked Ada up in a giant hug.
"Well, Dr. Marbles, Lady Ada, are you going to tell us what's been going on?" Motherboard asked as Marbles and Ada re-entered the Control Room.
Marbles and Ada looked at each other and nodded.
Marbles wrapped an arm around Ada's waist and smiled. "Tomorrow Ada and I are becoming parents."
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Finally. This was his chance! She was actually asleep! Ledge didn't get why Echo continued to lock the door when she knew he could pick it. As silently as possible Ledge picked the lock and heard the tumblers click into place. In the dark of the night Ledge let himself into the cell, making a bee-line straight for Echo's bed.
Echo had continued her habit sleeping at the other end of the bed nearer to the bathroom so when she was awake she could see who was coming for her. Unlike most nights, Echo was soundly asleep and hadn't a clue what was coming for her. Ledge crawled over top of Echo, bending down to kiss her on the lips.
Echo woke with a start from one nightmare only to enter into another. She found Ledge kissing her and her emerald colored eyes instantly dilated with fear as she realized he was straddled over her.
"Hey baby," Ledge said with a smirk, leaning away from her face.
Echo bolted upright, trapped against the cold concrete wall. Curling up into a ball, Echo tried to find an escape as Ledge crawled closer to her.
"You are all mine now," Ledge said with a grin. As he got a little closer to Echo, she decided to try the same move she had already used on Abigail Truehart's face. Using both feet, Echo was able to kick Ledge right in the face, stunning him and forcing him back far enough to scramble off of the bed into the safety of the bathroom.
Echo spent the rest of the night sleeping in her shower on a makeshift bed she had created out of wadded up towels. Far too early for her liking Echo heard her name being called from her room. Cautiously Echo opened the door to find Ms. Truehart standing there nicely dressed in a blue dress with peach colored accents.
"Why aren't you dressed yet? Hurry up and get dressed! This is a big, big, day! You're getting adopted today!"
Unfamiliar Terms:
SpagBol – Spaghetti Bolognese
PadThai – Pad Thai
VegiRice – Veggies and Rice
SwedeBalls – Swedish Meatballs
(All four foods from the book "Uglies" by Scott Westerfield)
Earth Rumble Six – Underground Earthbending Tournament in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Da – Russian for "yes"
Нравятся ли ВамВаше времяв Шотландии? – Are you enjoying your time in Scotland?
Spasibo – Thank you
Moi Liubila – My love