NO GREATER LOVE

Alice

I lean over Crystal as the cars speed through the streets. She cuddles closer to me, her eyes open wide with fear. I hold her tight, my only form of comfort and assurance. Finally, the cars come to a stop after a full hour of moving. Metal grinds against stone as a heavy gate is pulled back and they are carefully driven in and packed inside. My heart hammers in my chest, afraid of the unknown. I hold my sister tighter as the cars come to a final stop.

The doors are pulled back and a pair of heavyset arms pry us apart and pull us out. My calmness shatters down completely, i scream and thrash, demanding to be let go, fear finally settling in. The men forcefully drag us towards a large brightly lit house, looming before us. The place, surrounded by dozens of highly armed men, makes the idea of escape an impossibility. Crystal suddenly collapses to the floor and passes out, her face pale. I try to pull myself towards her, but a rough jerk stops me mid action. The sudden movement sends me crashing to the floor, and flickering pain from my leg blinds my senses for a moment. A wave of dizziness washes over me, and everything digested during the course of the day comes flying out.

"Oh man! this isn't what we signed for." one burly man complains. They scrunch up their noses in disgust, their stares deadly. One roughly hoists me up in his arms, muttering curses under his breath as he climbs a flight of stairs. He kicks a door open to one of rooms and dumps me onto the floor, finally leaving without a word and pulling the door after him. I toss and turn around in agony, trying to massage my throbbing leg. Tears uncontrollably stream down my face. I pull myself across the floor towards the door, gritting my teeth to suppress my pain. Locked! I break down in despair, patiently awaiting my cruel fate.

I wake up to a warm cloth gently passing over my body. I force my eyes open and scan my surroundings. A frail middle aged woman is hunched over me, a thin piece of cloth held tightly in her fist. She wipes my chest, probably cleaning off my vomit. Her movements are quick, precise but gentle. I shout out in pain as she reaches my leg, almost shoving her off as it resumes it's throbbing. She takes the hint and backs off, retreating from the room moments later. I lift myself up in a sitting position and let out a yelp when i set eyes on my foot. It's double it's normal size, shimmering bright red.I try lifting it up, but the pain is unbearable and i give up. The lady comes in again at this moment, with a guy in tow. She sets the tray she's holding on a table at the center of the room, and both approach the bed i am sitting on.

"It really looks bad, but the boss hasn't given any instructions concerning this one yet. I am afraid there is nothing we can do unless we get an order from above." the man states as he examines my leg. "I don't think Mr. Donald will be thrilled when something happens to any of his property, regardless of its appearance just because you haven't been ordered to do anything yet," the lady replies sternly. The man looks uncomfortable, and looks everywhere but her face. "I am afraid i might lose my job if i do not follow orders," he mutters. "Well, i am sorry to say you will still lose it and face Don's wrath if anything happens to his cargo. Look at her condition," she points towards me, "she will lose her leg if treatment is delayed. She needs it now Blair please," she looks up in his face expectantly and he looks away, worry etched across his features. "I will see what i can do. Excuse me then, i have more important issues to attend to," he replies coldly and storms off. I stare at his retreating form, clearly in a hurry to escape.

"He really is something, isn't he?" the lady pipes up. I snap my attention back to her, just in time for her to set the tray in my lap. "Better have some food while it is still hot. I just pray Blair comes up with something very soon, your leg needs medical treatment," she states as she places some pills in my hand. "These will help suppress the pain and ease your sleep," she retreats to the only chair in the room and places herself down, her gaze holding mine. I take a few bites of the food before me, chasing it with a fork across the plate. Though hungry, i could barely put anything in my stomach. I wash down the pills with a huge gulp of water and set the tray aside.

"Where is my sister?" i finally ask my deepest concern. My voice comes out in a rasp, probably due to the many hours of silence. The lady gets up and takes the tray from the bed. "Unfortunately, i am in no position to answer that. When the time is right, you will get to know." she stares at the food untouched on the tray. " It is a pity that this food remains untouched on the plate. You need all the energy you can get in your current condition. Worrying isn't going to change anything," she adds. "Rest child, let your body heal, don't push yourself. If you need any help, just shout Alice." she finally retreats from the room, shutting the door behind her firmly. I lay back flat on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and unable to sleep. Tears slide down my face, making the pillow damp. In the silence of the room, i finally give it all out. I pull the pillow tighter to my chest as tears uncontrollably flood out.