"Sadie?"
Andrew stared at the sobbing, tousled mess on the doorstep, for a moment speechless as he surveyed his sister-in-law's pitiful state. Then, as he realised she was hurt, he ushered her inside, calling for his wife from the kitchen and making sure the battered girl was safely seated on the settee. He sat down opposite her, casting her a frown.
"Hell, Sadie, what happened?"
Sadie's tears had long since become full blown hysterics and it was some time before she could get anything coherent out. Finally, however, she choked out one word, and at the sound of it, Andrew's face darkened.
"Neal?" he demanded. "That lowlife did this to you?"
Sadie could only nod and, as Alyssa emerged, exclaiming at her sister's condition, Andrew moved beside the scared girl, hugging her tightly.
"You're safe here." He told her firmly. "You stay with us tonight, okay? We won't let anything - or anyone - get to you."
"What happened to her?" Alyssa's eyes were wide with shock. "Sadie, honey, what happened?"
"Neal happened." Andrew said grimly, seeing that his sister-in-law was still beyond speech. "I don't know what the ins and outs of it are, Aly, but the girl's hurt - I think he attacked her and somehow she got away from him and fled here. Go get her a drink or something, huh? I think she needs it."
"I think there's still hot water in the kettle, I'll pour some tea." Alyssa nodded, retreating once more into the kitchen and re-emerging with a hot cupful which she held out to her sister. "Here, Sadie. Drink this, it'll help."
Sadie, now she realised she was safe, was beginning to calm down and she took the cup, drinking it's contents gingerly, then setting it down on the table as her sister handed her a tissue with which to dry her eyes. From the bruises already forming on her arms and around her throat, Alyssa knew that the younger girl had been lucky to escape with her life, and anger seared inside of her.
"How dare he." She muttered. "Sadie, I'm calling the police, this jerk has to be stopped."
"No!" Fear leapt into Sadie's blue eyes, and she shook her head. "No, Aly, no! I'm okay, I..I got away! If you call the police he'll be even madder...and he might take it out on you guys, too! I don't want anyone to get hurt on my account!"
"Alyssa is right. We don't want you hurt any more." Andrew told her quietly.
"Then don't call the police! Please!" Sadie begged. "I'll be okay...I swear. Let it go!"
Alyssa, seeing her sister was on the verge of more hysterics sighed, but gave in, sitting down on the girl's other side.
"You're bruised." She murmured. "And bleeding, too." As she noticed the scrapes on Sadie's elbows. "I suggest you go upstairs, take a nice hot bath and then I'll put something on those for you. Andrew's right, you can stay here tonight. The girls are in bed and they needn't know anything about this, but I don't want you going home if that maniac is on your tail. I'll look you out a nightie you can use. Tomorrow we'll discuss what we're going to do, but for now you're a mess and you'll feel better after a nice hot bath."
Sadie got to her feet obediently, though her heart still raced with fear in her chest and her head whirled from the shock of the experience. She stumbled slightly, and Andrew steadied her.
"No fainting." He chided. "You're safe."
"I...I'm all right. I'm just...shook up." Sadie responded quietly. Alyssa took her by the hand.
"Then let's get you cleaned up and tucked up safe in bed." She murmured, as if talking to one of her own daughters. "In the morning, we'll see whether you need a doctor or anything else, but for now, come with me. We'll soon see you all right."
Sadie followed her out of the room, her mind still numb. All right? Would she ever be all right again?
"And what will I do?" She murmured to herself. "Where can I go now? Where am I going to be safe from Neal?"