The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
Just as they were told, it took them three hours to make it back to the garrison.
The traffickers were ushered into holding cells once there. None of them said anything or tried to resist. They knew they were done for, now that they were in the middle of an ape garrison surrounded by armed police.
When they got in, Noelle saw all the women she was captive with there.
When they all saw her, they all rushed over to her.
"Noelle, are you alright?" Noomi asked.
"And how is it you managed to make it out of there alive?" Marielle inquires.
"You're not seriously injured, are you?" Lenna asks.
"How is it that the outpost went up in flames?" Cecily questioned.
Pretty much all of these questions were asked at once.
"I'm fine guys. I'm glad you all made it out safely and that the police found you." Noelle assured them.
Galen and Noelle went to sit down on a nearby bench. While the other women followed behind but gave them some space so not to overcrowd them.
"Still surprised that plan worked." Cecily said.
The others couldn't help but agree. But they were sure glad it did. Not only did they manage to escape unscathed, but they also helped Noelle bring the traffickers down by informing the police of their whereabouts.
Though in the end, they still knew everything was in large part because of Noelle. She did it all, and they were all eternally grateful to her for what she had done for them.
"What you did for us back there, we will always be ever grateful to you for, Noelle." Marielle told her.
They all nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, because of you, we get to return home and see our families again. Thank you." Lenna added.
"You're very welcome, guys. Glad to have been able to help." Noelle replied, with a small smile.
"Yes, you're all very brave. That's for sure." Galen told them all.
"Are you her master then?" Noomi inquired.
Galen and Noelle shared a small look with each other before turning their attention back to the small group of women.
"Actually, about that. We're really friends. Who happen to be travelling together. Not master and servant. Sorry, for lying. I only said it though, because I hear it's seen as odd to hear about apes and humans travelling together as friends or travel companions." Noelle admitted.
The women all looked around at each other briefly, before they looked back to the odd pair sitting before them.
"Well, we understand your hesitance. But it's really not all that outlandish. A couple of us here have ape friends at home in our villages. I have a couple ape friends. Like I said, one of them taught me how to ride a horse. It's how I was able to drive the cart and get everyone out of there." Marielle reminded her.
They all chatted a little more, before a couple of the troopers came over and addressed them.
"Alright, if you all are ready, we can start escorting you back to your settlements. We have a couple carriages here. We'll bring you all to one, and then drop you off one by one to your village." One of the troopers informed them.
The Womens' faces brightened upon hearing the news.
"Sounds great. We're ready." Cecily replied, with a big smile.
Before they did leave though, they all approached Noelle and took turns giving her a big hug and thank you.
"Thank you again, Noelle. Don't be a stranger. Come visit Fresco when you can. It's my village." Marielle told her.
"Same, feel free to visit anytime. I live in Botano Village." Lenna said.
"And I live in Holbrook Village." Noomi replied.
"Louse Village." Cecily stated.
"We'll definitely try to see you guys when we can." Noelle informed them.
Afterwards, the women all left with a couple of troopers.
Not a couple minutes later, Lieutenant Kaleb came over.
"If you two are ready. One of my men can lead you down the dirt road to Larchwood." He told the pair.
"That would be great, thank you." Galen replied.
"I have a question though." Noelle said.
"Yes?" Lieutenant Kaleb asks.
"What about the other girls they took? Will you question the traffickers and ask where they were taken and then find them?" Noelle inquires.
"Yes, we do plan to question them on their whereabouts. Names, places, the names of the buyers they were sold to. These females were kidnapped and illegally sold. Because of this, they need to be found and returned back to their settlements. We'll get them to talk." The Lieutenant assured her.
Noelle was silent for a moment, before speaking again.
"What if...they don't cooperate?" She asks.
"Oh, they will. Especially, since it means they are either looking at a very lengthy jail sentence or possibly death. They'll talk." Lieutenant Kaleb said, certain of himself.
This was a very serious offense and crime these apes did.
There was no way this will end lightly for any of them. They will all be tried and punished for their actions. None of them were looking at short sentences either. Odds are they had other illegal activities under their belts besides this one.
Though this illegal activity hit close to home for Lieutenant Kaleb. Seeing as he has a wife and three young daughters at home. He couldn't fathom how he would react any differently if any of his girls were taken the way these poor human girls were.
It's why he worked so diligently and hard these last few months trying to crack down on these guys and catch them.
Noelle could see that the Lieutenant was confident that he will get them to talk and find all the other missing girls. It gave her a lot of reassurance. Because no one deserves something like this to happen to them.
"Thank you." Noelle said.
"Welcome." The Lieutenant replied.
He then gestured for them to follow him out.
Lieutenant Kaleb led them out. On the way, he asked one of his troopers to escort the pair to Larchwood down the road and to ask that a healer be brought in for them.
Galen helped Noelle up onto the horse. Then they met up with the trooper who was patiently waiting for them.
"This way." The trooper said, while gesturing with his hand to follow.
They kicked the horses into gear and started to gallop down the road towards their location.
It didn't take long at all to get there. Only a few minutes if that. They slowed down when they reached the outskirts and then walked the horses the rest of the way in.
The village wasn't very big, but not tiny either.
There weren't too many people out and about right now because it was still dark. There were maybe a few gorilla guards idling about on night watch. Though when they saw the trooper come walking in with a couple others on horseback behind him, a couple guards approached them.
"Ravin. You're here awfully late. What brings you into Larchwood at this hour?" One of the gorilla guards asked the trooper.
"Just escorting these two travelers here. They will also need assistance from one of the healers and possibly a small hut to stay in for the night." The trooper known as Ravin informed the other two gorillas.
The two guards exchanged a look with each other.
"A healer you say? Were they injured on the road?" One of them asked.
Ravin didn't feel like going into the full story right now. It would just take too long, and it was late. After everything that has transpired, he knows that the two travelers with him were exhausted from the whole ordeal and needed rest.
"Yes. They are also exhausted as well. So, they will need to see a healer right away then get situated." Ravin stated.
The guards nodded, "We'll go inform healer Cali then. There are a couple vacant huts for travelers around the corner from here in the eastern section of the village."
While Galen wanted to tell them that seeing a healer right away wasn't necessary, at least not to check him out, Noelle still may need someone to look at her.
Ravin dismounted from his horse and started walking. Galen and Noelle decided to do the same. They dismounted off of Lola and started to walk the rest of the way through the quiet village.
They followed behind the two guards.
They made a couple turns around some corners and stopped at one hut and one of them proceeded to knock on the door. The group waited for just about a minute.
Then the door slowly opened, and they saw a female chimp poke her head out.
"Sorry to wake you Cali, but a couple of travelers came to town, and they are injured." Ravin informed her, in an apologetic tone.
He then gestured to the pair behind him.
The female chimp shifted her gaze from Ravin to the pair, which consisted of a male chimp and a human woman. A rather odd pair to be travelling together. But still, if they needed help, she'll help.
"Alright. Let me bring them to my clinic next door though. My husband and children are still fast asleep at this time. Don't want to wake any of them, especially, the baby." She says.
"Thank you. And again, we apologize for the unexpected late-night call." Ravin repeated.
Cali just waved it off.
"It's fine, I'm healer, emergencies like this are to be expected. Don't apologize for bringing someone who is clearly injured and needs help." She assured them.
Her gaze swept over again to the odd pair, and she gave them a sweet smile.
"Follow me, please." She requested.
Galen nodded and he and Noelle followed her the fifteen feet over to the clinic that was situated conveniently right next to her home.
"You two will be fine now. When healer Cali finishes tending to you, Soto and Ona here can take you to one of the vacant huts to rest." Ravin informed the pair.
"Thanks." Noelle said.
"Yes, thank you." Galen added.
The trooper nodded, then he turned around and jumped back onto his horse.
He then turned the horse around and started to walk it out of town. Before he led it into a gallop once he hit the main road to return back to the garrison for the night.
"We'll wait out here for you." The guard known as Soto informed the pair.
"Alright. Thank you." Galen said.
Cali went and opened the door to the clinic and led the two inside.
She went to one of the cabinets and reached inside to pull out some matches. Before she returned to one of the tables and lit a couple large candles. Then she gestured for them to take a seat.
"You may look at her first. My injury really isn't all that bad." Galen insisted.
The healer nodded, then turned back to inspect Noelle.
The first thing she noticed, were some of the angry red marks on the young woman's face. The healer leaned in and lightly grasped her chin and started to gently tilt her head back and to the side.
Cali furrowed her eye ridges in concern.
"Good grief, female. Who beat you up? Looks like someone clearly struck you." The healer said.
Noelle was silent for a moment. She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
"A group of gorillas surrounded me and started hitting me. They kidnapped me and brought me to a secret outpost and threw me in a cage with some other human women. Didn't take long to realize they were the traffickers that some others in another village warned us about. I helped the women escape, but I stayed behind to make sure they made it out. That's when they caught me, surrounded me and started hitting me." Noelle explained.
It was quite difficult to talk about. That had to be the most scared she has ever been in her life.
The female chimp's eyes widened in shock.
"My goodness, you're lucky to be alive." Cali gasped.
The healer knew what she was talking about. Because she too heard many rumors circulating about traffickers kidnapping human women and selling them to buyers. She also knew Lieutenant Kaleb and his men were working hard trying to track them down and catch them.
Cali closely examined Noelle's face.
She didn't see any blood, but the woman's face was a bit red, and the lower left side of her jaw appeared to be a little swollen. The healer won't be surprised if it turns into a bruise later on.
"Is there anywhere else they struck you that I should look at?" Healer Cali asked.
"Well, one of them nailed me in the back of the head good, then sucker punched me in the gut." Noelle informed her.
Cali nodded, "Can you please lift your shirt up, and lay on this table here, so I can see your abdomen?"
Noelle nodded and did just that.
Once she was situated on the table, Cali started to feel around her abdomen and lightly press down on it.
"Is there one spot in particular that feels very sore or uncomfortable?" The healer asks as she feels around.
"No, just feels...a little tender." Noelle replied.
Cali nodded, "That's normal. Nothing feels out of place. You'll just probably feel a little soreness there for a little while."
Afterwards, she requested Noelle sit up then she went about inspecting the back of her head where she was struck from behind.
"You definitely have a nice size bump here. But no bleeding. You may have a slight concussion though. So, it's best you take it easy." Cali instructed.
Noelle had an idea that she might have a concussion, she still had quite a headache from the hit.
"Well, good news is, none of these injuries look too serious. Though I require you do get plenty of rest. Rest and time are what will help you heal." Cali recommended.
"Thank you." Noelle said.
"Of course." Cali replied.
Then her gaze shifted to Galen.
She could easily see the bump and dried blood on the right side of his temples.
"Alright, you next. Sit down please." She says to him.
He nodded then sat in the chair by the table, Noelle was sitting up on.
Cali squinted her eyes, then told him to wait here a moment. Afterwards she turned around and went to her desk. She opened one of the draws and opened a small metal box. Then pulled something out of them.
As she walked over with it, they realized the item in question was a pair of tweezers.
She went back over to Galen and went in with the tweezers. He let out a small yelp when he felt a sharp pinch where the gash was. Then watched as she pulled the tweezers back that now seemed to be holding a very tiny rock fragment.
"You fall and hit your head on a rock? Or did someone hit you with one?" She inquires.
"I fell down a steep hill, trying to get to her when I saw the gorillas take her away on horseback. I hit my head then, and knocked myself out temporarily." He told her.
The gash started to bleed a little again, when she pulled out the tiny rock fragment.
So, she went and got some more supplies. The healer was very quick and efficient as she moved about the place, collecting the items she needed to treat Galen's head wound.
She came back with a small bowl filled with water, a clean cloth, a couple small vials, and what looked to be bandages.
Cali took one of the bottles, uncorked it and poured some of the contents in the small bowl of water, then used one of her fingers to mix it in with the water. Whatever it was, had a strong and potent smell to it, making Galen wrinkle his nose.
Then she dipped the cloth in the bowl, wetting it. She squeezed out some of the excess then brought it to the gash on his head.
"Gah! It stings!" He blurted out.
"Oh, come now, it's not that bad. Don't be a big baby like my husband. He reacts the same way when he gets an open wound." Cali retorts.
A small, amused grin appeared on Noelle's face. This healer was practically scolding him like a mom.
"But it feels like you just put acid on the cut." Galen replied.
Cali snorted, "Hardly. This is disinfectant. It will help clean out the wound and help prevent infection. Now, hold still."
Galen huffed and did as he was told.
He tensed up again as she dipped the cloth in the bowl a couple more times and applied more disinfectant to the gash. He was relieved when she finally stopped.
Then she used a dry cloth to dry the area and wipe away some of the blood.
The healer than took the second small vial and took the cap off of it. She held it upside down over two of her fingers and tapped it over them a few times until this pasty looking stuff came dribbling out.
The stuff was beige in color. To Noelle, it looked like beige colored lotion.
The healer used her fingers to carefully smear the stuff on his gash. Galen didn't flinch this time because unlike the disinfectant, this stuff didn't sting or hurt as she applied it.
Once she finished, she unraveled these white bandages and started to carefully wrap them around Galen's head. She only went around twice, before tucking them into the left side of his head.
"You can remove this in a couple days. Afterwards, keep it off and let air get to it." Cali instructed.
Galen nodded, "Thank you."
"Did you receive any other injuries from your fall?" Healer Cali asked.
"Not really, just feel a little bruised in some areas. But nothing serious or very painful." He replied.
She nodded, "Alright, if that is it then, I'd say you're both good to go."
"Thanks." Noelle said, then slowly lowered herself down from the table as she slid off.
"You're welcome. If anything does start really hurting or bothering you at some point tonight or tomorrow, don't hesitate to come to me." Cali told them.
"We will, and thanks again for your help." Galen said.
"Alright then, if we're finished, Soto and Ona will take you to one of the empty huts." Cali informed them.
The three of them headed out of the clinic afterwards. Cali made sure to blowout the candles on the way out.
They saw the gorilla guards, Soto and Ona standing not ten feet away, quietly exchanging some words. Though their gaze went to the three of them when they exited the clinic.
They came walking back over to them.
"Everything good?" Ona asks.
"Yes, they are good to go." Cali told them.
The guards nodded, then they shifted their gaze to Galen and Noelle.
"You can follow us now." Soto says.
Then the guards turned around to leave. As Galen and Noelle went to follow them, healer Cali walked back to her home, went inside and went back to bed.
Galen grabbed the reins to their horse before he and Noelle started to follow them and started to walk the horse with them.
They were all hardly walking for three to four minutes, before the guards came to a stop in front of one hut and shifted their gaze back to the pair when they got there.
"Here's one of the guest huts. Have a good rest of the night." Soto said.
"Thank you." Galen replied.
"Yeah, thanks." Noelle says.
The two guards walked off afterwards, to continue their night shift until sunrise.
There was one wooden post outside the door to the far left. Galen brought Lola over to it and lightly tied the reins to the post. Then he grabbed both his pack and Noelle's before heading back over to where Noelle stood by the door.
Galen opened the door for them, and they went inside. He then quietly closed the door behind them.
The place wasn't too big. To Noelle, it looked a little like a studio apartment. There was only one other door in there that seemed to lead to either a closet or another room. Possibly a bathroom.
There were only two windows in there, so, they couldn't see too much in there, except for wherever the moonlight touched.
There was one bed tucked away in the back right corner of the hut. Being as exhausted as they were, made it look even more inviting. So, the pair made their way over to it.
Galen set their packs down not far from the bed. Just as Noelle pulled the covers back.
She toed off her slip-on sneakers, before getting in. Galen got in right behind her and he pulled the covers up and over them. Despite it being somewhat warm outside, it was a bit chilly inside the hut.
The pair were facing each other with only a few inches separating them.
There was nothing but silence for quite some time. But neither of them has yet to close their eyes, despite how tired they were.
Galen could still see that Noelle was still troubled by these latest events. He has no doubt that what occurred not long ago most likely traumatized her. It made him very concerned for her.
"I'm sorry, that I couldn't get to you sooner, Noelle." Galen said, breaking the silence between them.
She let out a small sigh, "Don't be. I don't think either of us could've ever imagined something like that suddenly happening. Never would've expected to suddenly find myself surrounded by gorillas as I was filling the waterskins. Least of all in the middle of the night."
"Still, it's a time, I should've just gone with you." He says.
"Even if you did, Galen, I'm not sure the outcome would be any different. There was at least five of them when they caught me. And... there's a chance they...probably would've killed you." Noelle admitted.
She didn't want to even think about what would've happened if Galen did go with her to get more water. She wouldn't put it past those assholes to kill him.
That would've hurt her way more than what she just endured at the hands of those disgusting bastards.
Her eyes became glassy, and she closed them, trying to keep the tears at bay. That was all too close for her. Not only has she almost been killed but before Galen showed up, she had no doubt in her mind that those gorillas were planning to...gang rape her before killing her.
Noelle squeezed her eyes shut tighter. But in the end, it didn't stop the tears from escaping and rolling across the bridge of her nose and onto the pillow beneath her head.
Despite it being rather dark, Galen still saw the tears. It truly tugged at him, making him feel a dull ache in his chest.
He shuffled in closer and wrapped his arm around the petite woman and held her close. Noelle turned her head slightly and pressed her cheek to his front as the tears continued rolling down.
Galen felt her body shake a little with each silent sob that left her.
It made him tighten his hold on Noelle. He then tilted his head down a little and lightly pressed his lips to the top of her head. It scared him greatly too, especially, when he was afraid, he wouldn't make it there in time to save her.
He started to lightly sift his hand through her long hair.
Galen continued to hold her close, even after her silent sobs subsided and she finally fell into a deep sleep against his front. He stayed awake a little longer, staring straight ahead with her head tucked underneath his.
His last coherent thought before sleep finally took him was, that he would never let anything happen to her again.
They remained in each other's arms for the rest of the night as they slept. Hopefully, the start of a new day will be the start of putting all this behind them.
Until Next Time ;)