The Protective One

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Over the last year she’d decided to go into her own battle. She’d saved money. Signed up for a sewing class. Developed a plan. Bided her time, even though there had been many days when she’d wanted to simply give up

  She could do this. If she survived, she could.

  Realizing that Alan was probably at the fairground’s entrance now and scanning the area, Marta felt dizzy again. She felt herself sway.

  “Ma’am?” the police officer said as she hurried to Marta’s side. “Ma’am, are you all right?”

  Marta blinked. Once again, she’d been lost in her thoughts. The teenagers who were still standing nearby looked her way and giggled before walking away.

  Now was the time she had to fight the hardest. She had to do this. Going backward wasn’t possible. No, it would kill her.

  “I’m sorry, but no,” she said at last. “No, I’m not all right.”

  The officer looked her over. “What is wrong?” Concern flared in her brown eyes. “Are you ill?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not ill, but I need help.” She looked at the woman beseechingly. “Please. I need help right now.”

  The officer stepped closer. “What’s wrong? Are you lost?”

  “I’m not lost.” Grabbing a firm hold on herself, she said, “I need to get to a safe place as soon as possible.”

  “Because?”

  The noise around her ceased to exist. She ignored the teenagers standing close, the squeals of excitement from the children on the rides. “Because if my husband discovers I’m trying to leave him, he’s going to kill me.”

  The officer’s whole stance changed. An alertness filled her expression. After looking around the area, she motioned with her hand. “Come stand over here. We need to talk about this.”

  No, she didn’t need to talk about anything—she needed to get out of here. To hide. Bile stung her throat as a dozen frightening scenarios filled her head. She swallowed and told herself to remain calm.

  “All right.” She followed the officer to the side of a building under an overhang.

  “Now, tell me again, ma’am?” She paused, looking irritated with herself. “I’m sorry. What is your name?”

  “Marta …”

  “Marta what?”

  “I … can’t. Not yet.”

  “All right,” she said slowly, like Marta was a small child. “Marta, just to be sure I understand … Do you really believe your husband will kill you if you leave him?”

  “Yes.” Marta started feeling frustrated. She’d been naive to assume that as soon as she told someone in a uniform that she needed help her troubles would be over.

  But now things were even worse. Her bright yellow dress and floral backpack stood out. She was a bigger target than before. Desperate, she did the only thing she could think of to spur some action. She unbuttoned the cuff on her left sleeve and slowly rolled up the fabric to reveal swollen skin and a dark set of bruises.

  The officer flinched.

  “This was from last night,” she said, taking care to speak slowly and carefully. The officer had to understand what had been happening to her. “My husband pulled me down a set of stairs because he didn’t think the kitchen floor was clean enough.”

  The other woman looked shaken and muttered something under her breath.

  She looked into the officer’s eyes. “If I undressed, I could show you the matching set on my left shoulder and a welt on my thigh. Please. I need your help right now.”

  Her expression full of compassion, she nodded. “Yes, you do, ma’am.” She plucked at the radio that was attached to a utility belt at her hip. “Let me call for some reinforcements. I can’t leave this area without getting coverage.”

  “Can’t we hurry? My husband’s going to realize I’ve left and try to find me.”

  “I’m hurrying, Marta. And don’t worry, even if he does approach you, I’ll stop him.”

  Marta nodded, but she didn’t feel any better. The officer was wearing a uniform, but she didn’t look that much stronger than Marta. Alan was a big man, over two hundred pounds. If he found them, Alan could hurt the officer and pull her away.

  Standing against the wall of the building, Marta felt goose bumps rise on her skin as she heard the officer mumble into her radio to call for reinforcements. Seconds later, she put it back into her belt.

  “Two deputies from the sheriff’s office are nearby. They’ll be here within ten minutes and then take you to their offices. There, you can fill out some paperwork and decide your next step.”

  Ten minutes? Her next steps? The policewoman was talking like she was trying to get rid of a parking ticket. Though she guessed the officer thought this made perfect sense, Marta was so panicked, she didn’t want to wait another second to get out of sight. “Ma’am, I really need to go someplace where he can’t find me,” said Marta. “As soon as possible.”

  “To do this right, we need to follow protocol.” When Marta was about to argue, the officer said gently, “I promise. These steps are in place for a reason.”

  “Yes.” She exhaled. “All right.”

  Now that she was calmer, the officer looked relieved. “I know you’re afraid, but I think you are being very brave. Hang in there.”

  “I will. Thank you.” Marta smiled, feeling some of that same relief. She’d done it, she reminded herself. She’d actually walked away, sought help, and admitted out loud what had been happening to her in private. She wouldn’t have been able to do any of those things two years ago. She really had been brave.

  “So, this is what’s going to happen next,” the officer said. “When Deputies Consuelo and Japphet arrive, one will take my place, then you, me, and the other officer will be on our way.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  “Piece of cake.” Just as the officer smiled at Marta, another woman about Marta’s age came running up to her, a baby in her arms.

  “We need an ambulance! My baby has a peanut allergy. I gave him a Benadryl but he’s not doing well. I’m really scared!”

  Without a backward glance, the officer got on the radio, calling for medical assistance and an ambulance.

  The mother started to cry as the child visibly struggled to breathe.

  The officer looked torn. But when the child looked to be having a seizure and his mother screamed, the officer rushed to help them. “Someone will be here in five!” she called out.

  The next thing Marta knew, she was standing by herself again.

  And looking into Alan’s face as he strode over to her from thirty yards away.

  She did the only thing she could—she started praying. She’d been as brave as she could on her own. Now she needed the Lord’s help and His strength, too.

  THIRTY−THREE

  “After a few minutes, knowing one of my parents was sure to come down to check on us, I walked over to John and Marie. You know, to say that they better come sit with the rest of us. And that’s when I overheard what John said to her.”

  “E.A., I canna believe you just screeched so loudly,” Will teased. “Are you really that scared?”

  “I can’t help but be afraid. We’re really high right now!” E.A. exclaimed as the ancient Ferris wheel came to a jerky, swaying stop.

  While she wasn’t truly scared—just a little nervous—she was still glad to have him to hold on to. She scooted closer.

  Will laughed as he covered her shoulders with his arm. “Elizabeth Anne, you never cease to surprise me. I didn’t think you could be so skittish.”

  “In my defense, I didn’t know I was afraid of heights until now,” she grumbled.

  “But you’ve flown before.”

  “Yes, but that was different. I was in a sturdy plane being flown by a pilot. And I was buckled in my seat. I wasn’t swaying in the open air in a metal box operated by a teenager.”

  Will chuckled. “You may have a point.”

  “I know I do!” She sucked in a deep breath as the wheel began moving again, this time making almost a whole comp
lete circle before they jerked to a stop near the top so another pair could get off and a pair of children could get on. “This ride is never gonna end.”

  Will chuckled again. “Your problem is that you need to relax and enjoy it.”

  “Enjoy swaying in the sky?”

  “Nee.” Pointing below them, to an older woman leading an Appaloosa whose mane and tail were beribboned with blue satin bows, he said, “You should look around at everything that’s going on. Why, there are all kinds of things going on down there. This is the perfect spot to people watch.”

  E.A. did enjoy people watching, that was true. But people watching also meant looking down. “I’m trying …”

  He lowered his voice. “Of course, if you don’t want to enjoy the sights, we could always do what Marie and John B. are doing …”

  “What?” Sitting up straighter, she craned her neck so she could see their cart just above them. Then she really wished she hadn’t. “Will, they’re kissing.” Actually, they were practically making out.

  “Indeed they are. They look like they are having a really good time, too.” He grinned. “So, what do you say? Do you want to kiss me? It will not only stop you from being so scared, but it also seems like an excellent way to pass the time.”

  “Stop. You know I like our kisses, but I’m not ready to be quite so public with our affection.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “For some reason, I thought you might say that.”

  Grinning to herself, she glanced down at all the people below, trying to look for the beautiful Appaloosa. Then she saw an ambulance parked just to the left of the horses. “Uh-oh. Someone must have gotten hurt.”

  “Jah.” Will’s voice was more somber. “I can’t tell who it is, but there’s no telling, ain’t so? It’s hot, there’s lots of people, animals. Anything could happen, I reckon.”

  “I hope the person who is hurt will be okay,” E.A. murmured. Just as their cart jerked upward again, a flash of yellow caught her eye. She gasped. “Will!”

  “Hold on to me, E.A. I won’t let you fall,” he murmured.

  “No, it’s not that. I saw Marta down there.”

  “Your sewing friend? Hey, didn’t you see her earlier, too?” Before she could interrupt, he continued, “I bet we’re going to be able to see lots of people we know from up here.” He leaned forward to point. “Hey, that guy kind of looks like Evan from work. I ought to try to call out to him. Do you think he could hear us from—”

  “Will, listen to me. This is important. Marta—” She craned her neck and gasped. Marta’s husband was yelling as he walked over to her. Then, he grabbed her arm and yanked her to his side. Marta tried to pull away but stumbled.

  Feeling helpless, E.A. moaned. “Oh my word, Will. Marta is in trouble. Her husband is next to her and he’s being so mean.”

  “Hmm?” He looked to where she pointed. She knew the moment he, too, spied what was going on because his whole body stiffened. “My Lord. He’s practically twisting her arm. I think she’s crying, but no one is paying her any mind because of the ambulance.”

  Unable to look away, E.A. winced. “She’s really struggling now.” Marta’s husband was still gripping her arm but Marta was shaking her head and protesting. Scanning the crowd, E.A. waited for someone else to get involved, but no one seemed inclined to do anything but watch.

  The Ferris wheel started moving again, this time bringing them to a stop near the ground. E.A. lost sight of Marta and her husband as they got closer to the ground. E.A. felt sick. “As soon as we get off, we have to do something.”

  Will’s expression tightened as he nodded. “Jah. We do. I don’t know what— Oh. Good. John and Marie just got off.” Looking down, he exhaled. “John! Hey, John!”

  John and Marie looked up at them. “Hey, you two,” Marie called out with a sunny smile. “Don’t worry. We won’t leave. We’ll—”

  “Nee. Listen! There’s a woman over by the ambulance in a yellow dress,” Will called out. “She’s a friend of E.A.’s and she’s in trouble. You need to find the police.”

  “Please hurry!” E.A. yelled as the wheel stopped yet again. Both Marie and John stared up at them in confusion.

  “Say again?” John said as they climbed higher.

  “We’re not kidding,” Will called down. “Someone is hurting her!”

  E.A. watched John pulled out his phone. “I think they’re calling for help.”

  “At last.” Will looked down into the crowd. “I’m trying to find Marta, E.A. She couldn’t have gone far.”

  “I know.” Worry suffused her. Each second that passed felt like an eternity.

  Then, at last, the Ferris wheel brought Elizabeth Anne and Will to the ground. E.A. could barely sit still while the worker slowly unlocked the bar holding them in. “Did you have a good time?” he asked.

  Ignoring him completely, Will grabbed E.A.’s hand.

  She held on tightly as they took off across the fairgrounds, John and Marie behind them. All together, they ran toward the last place E.A. and Will had seen Marta.

  Men, women, and children all scattered around them as they ran, trying to get out of their way. A couple of people yelled at them to slow down, but E.A. paid them no attention.

  Only one thing mattered to E.A.: getting to Marta’s side and helping her.

  E.A. hoped and prayed that they would get there quickly. And that when they did, it wasn’t too late.

  THIRTY−FOUR

  “John said that he would always be there for Marie. And for all of us. That no matter what happened in the future, we would all be there for each other.”

  Will’s father was one of the best men he knew. He was calm and patient and faithful. From the time Will was a little boy, his father had tried to teach him to be an upstanding man—and one who took their religion seriously. Because of that, Will knew that turning the other cheek was the best way to behave. He also knew that violence was never the answer to solving problems.

  But as Will rushed through the crowd toward Marta and her husband, he knew he had no choice in the matter.

  He couldn’t stand aside.

  As they charged forward, he heard E.A. call out to John and Marie, “We need your help!”

  Thank the Lord, neither of their friends protested about getting involved, though he probably would’ve been shocked if they had. Though none of the Eight was perfect, each was a good person, and they trusted each other implicitly. If one of them asked for help, the others joined in automatically, even for someone outside of their tight group.

  As they continued to walk quickly around a cart selling lemonade, he spied Marta’s bright dress. Just as he was about to tell E.A., she inhaled sharply.

  “Oh, thank goodness, I see them!” E.A. called out. “They’re right over there. She dropped Will’s hand and charged forward.

  “E.A., wait!” he called out.

  But she either didn’t hear him or was ignoring his call. He weaved in and out of the crowd. “E.A.!”

  When she turned around, obviously exasperated, he reached for her hand. “You can’t just charge over there. We need a plan.”

  Looking obstinate, she shook her head. “Nee, we need to stop this, Will. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I am sure the Lord put me in Marta’s life for this very moment. I have to help her. I have no choice.”

  “Of course, but—”

  Marie, having caught up, stepped in. “Will, you, John, and E.A. go talk to them. I’ll go speak to that sheriff and get him to join us.”

  Just as Will and E.A. stepped forward, John hesitated. “Are you sure you want to speak to him alone, Marie? I could stay with you.”

  “No, you go ahead,” Marie replied. “I’ll be fine. I promise. Since I’ve worked in the bank all these years, I’ve had a lot more experience speaking with law enforcement officers than you have.”

  “Come on, Will,” E.A. said urgently.

  After giving Marie a thumbs-up, Will turned to E.A.’s side. “Hey, Elizab
eth Anne, I know you’re anxious, but don’t forget that we can’t chance making things worse.”

  “I know.”

  “Okay …” Just as Will was about to caution E.A. to be careful, he saw Marta’s husband pull her by his side and start walking. If they hesitated a moment longer, they were going to lose them in the crowd. “Hey! Stop!” he yelled.

  “Oh no.” E.A. moaned. She took off, running directly toward Marta and her husband.

  Will inhaled sharply as he and John took off behind her. As they ran he began praying as fervently as he could. He asked for His strength. Asked for His protection for Marta and E.A. Even asked the Lord to help him not make things worse.

  “Almost there,” John muttered by his side.

  Just as they reached them, E.A. shouted, “Marta!” Her tone was loud and shrill. Loud enough for several people around them to stop suddenly and stare.

  Marta turned her head and stared at E.A. Her husband pulled back his hand, obviously about to hit her.

  Will knew then he couldn’t just pray. He had to act. “Nee!” he yelled. “Let go!”

  “Someone help us,” John said to the growing crowd of people watching them and pointing at Marta and her husband. “That man is hurting her.”

  “Hey, now,” a big, burly man said. “You ain’t got no call to get involved—”

  Marta cried out and stumbled as Alan yanked her arm.

  Several people around them gasped.

  E.A. was at Marta’s side now. “Marta, are you okay?” Will heard her ask. “We’re getting help. I promise.”

  “Get away from her,” Marta’s husband yelled. “This is none of your business.”

  “No. You stop!” Marta called out.

  Before anyone could do anything, her husband kicked her.

  That action seemed to be all the proof that the crowd needed to at last rush to help. Just as Will was about to pull E.A. toward him so she wouldn’t get hurt, the burly man and several other men from the crowd grabbed Marta’s husband’s arms. On his heels, two other men, one of whom was John, practically wrestled him to the ground.