Kelly opened her eyes to see a white room. Eyes really meant one eye. Her face was half covered with bandages. Her entire body was sore. There were people all around her. A doctor was standing over her. "Kelly, can you hear me?"
She looked toward him but couldn't move her head to respond. "Y..yes."
"We're going to let you let you sleep for a while." He gave her a shot and she faded away.
The next time she opened her eyes, the bandages around her face were gone. She could see out of both eyes. She looked around. She was in a hospital room. Her body didn't hurt like last time. She saw Falla sitting beside her."
"It's about time you wake up You think we have this time to wait on you?" Falla laughed. "You know how long you've been out?" Kelly shook her head. "You've been asleep for six weeks. They kept you under to help your body heal. You were really broken up badly."
The doctor came in. "Kelly, I am glad to see you more alert this time. How do you feel?"
Kelly smiled a little, "A lot better than last time."
"I am not surprised. That was two weeks ago. You are much further along on your recovery now."
"What was wrong with me?" Kelly didn't remember anything after struggling with Abraham.
"You had a fracture of the eye socket, a broken leg, cracked ribs, and internal bleeding. It was touch and go for a while. Now, I can say you will have a full recovery. It will be a long time before that leg walks normally again, but you will be able to walk."
Falla interjected. "See, I told you. You were gone a long time."
"How long have you been here, Falla?"
"We took turns. When you have a fraternity of 40 wives, there were plenty of volunteers. There has been someone sitting here for six weeks. Mistress knows you are awake, and she is on the way."
Mistress was there within the hour. "You scared us very badly. Master made the doctors send him a progress report every day. He is so relieved you are awake. As soon as the doctor says it is okay, you will be taken to the residence. We will take care of you."
"Where is Abraham?" Mistress and Falla exchanged looks.
"You are safe from him. We will talk about what happened when you are stronger. Just rest, for now." Mistress bent down and kissed Kelly on the forehead and left. Kelly went back to sleep.
She was moved to the residence within a week. It felt good to get in a wheelchair and see sunshine and fresh air. She could not yet walk, but she was getting stronger every day.
A week after she arrived at the residence, Master called for her. The little servant girl she had saved from Abraham was her attendant. She pushed her in a wheelchair into the master's sitting room.
When master walked in, the servant girl bowed. Kelly tried but couldn't get up. "Kelly, sit still. I will come to you." He dismissed the little girl and sat down on the couch.
"Kelly, I know you need to know what happened. I am going to tell you the events and we can talk about them once you know what happened. What is the last thing you remember?"
"I remember telling the servant girl to unlock the door, run and get help. She let the maids out while I was struggling with Abraham. He hit me several times, and that is the last thing I remember."
Master sat quietly for a few minutes, looking at Kelly.
"I had someone in his compound watching his behavior. When he came home drunk, they sent a boy to warn me. I had Mohammed take my security men to see what was happening. As they entered the house, they heard you screaming. They disabled his security team and burst into the room. You were unconscious, and he continued to beat you. Mohammed ordered him to stop, but he did not. Mohammed moved toward him. Abraham stopped and pulled a gun on Mohammed. Mohammed shot him dead on the spot. By the time that happened, the ambulance had arrived. All the servants were gathered up and taken to the hospital with you. They operated on you for several hours until they had you stabilized. They kept you under sedation while your body healed the worst of it. The rest you know. I will let you take all that in before we talk."
Kelly was staring at him like he was telling a fairy tale. After several minutes, she finally spoke. "Master, I am so sorry that I caused the death of your son. I will take whatever punishment you deem appropriate."
"My child. You misunderstand. None of this was your fault. Abraham was a sick and twisted young man. He only took you to punish me. He wanted to twist the knife by hurting you. You bear no responsibility for what happened."
"He did tell me that he took me to make you leave him alone." Kelly started crying. After all this time, keeping her emotions bottled up in order to survive, she let everything go. Master let her cry without saying anything. After a several minutes, she settled down.