The sheriff was still waiting for an answer from Nadja. For a moment the woman felt almost out of temper and wanted to take a shortcut. Her senses came back quickly and Nadja finally covered her face, starting to cry.
"Relax… we didn't mean any harm!" cried the Sheriff, suddenly sympathetic. His partner, who turned out to be a fairly mature woman, came out.
"What's the matter, Bill?!" cried the woman from afar.
"I think this woman needs our help!" said the sheriff whose name was Bill. The female officer also approached and joined them.
"Hello, is everything alright?" she asked softly. Nadja opened her hands covering her face.
"I ran away from my husband and we didn't have time to take anything but our wallets and a few clothes. He hit me as well as my daughter. Please don't arrest us," Nadja cried pitifully.
"Oh my God, your daughter has bruises on her forehead and cheeks. Have you been to the doctor or the hospital?" asked the female officer again in a worried tone. Nadja shook her head.
"We didn't have time, only had time to clean up at the nearest motel, you can ask the motel owner. Or call my best friend, Ben, who helps us and lends us his car," Nadja answered with a bit of a stutter.
"Ben who?" asked the disbelieving male officer.
"Ben is the owner of the Meat My Pie restaurant. The only best restaurant in the International Pass," replied Nadja sadly. The sheriff started checking his small cell phone.
"I just came from Serbia, after my husband took our daughter away. I refused to divorce and he started hitting us both," Nadja cried, half lamenting.
The officer immediately walked away and made a call to Ben. Apparently he had enough information regarding the area.
After a while, the man came back.
"Luckily, Ben is still awake and confirming all your statements. I think we should get this kid to the hospital right away. After that, you can continue your journey," said the Sheriff. Nadja nodded and thanked him. The two cars drove to the hospital side by side.
"Thank God, we will know if you have a problem with your head or not," said Nadja, wiping her tears in disgust. Gabriel was silent, without reacting.
"Ben looks like has backing you up to kidnap me." Finally Abigail spoke up.
"I didn't kidnap you! Why should I kidnap a poor kid like you?" Nadja pouted without feeling. "No one will redeem or pay for your life. Your whole family is dead! Did you forget about that?" said Nadja.
Gabriel gasped and thought back to her grandparents who had been killed, then her mother who was trying to protect her and died. Gabriel's tears fell one by one. She didn't expect this to happen to her entire family. So far they have lived in isolation and have never had problems with other people, why suddenly a group of people want to kill their family? Are they robbers? Isn't their house unfit to be a target for robbery?
"I don't like you!!" shouted Gabriel and snuggled into the back seat. Her cries are still heard. Nadja doesn't care.
They arrived at the hospital and the nurse immediately greeted the two.
"What is your name, beautiful girl?" asked the nurse kindly. Gabriel turned to Nadja.
"My daughter is mute and cannot use sign language. Her name is Gabriel," Nadja answered quietly.
"Oh, we're sorry. It's okay, we'll see a doctor soon, okay?"
Gabriel was led away in a wheelchair, while Nadja sat in the waiting room with the female sheriff's officer.
"Being a victim of domestic violence will never be forgotten. I had to spend five years of therapy to get rid of the trauma," said the woman sympathetically.
Nadja turned her head and was surprised how luck was on her side.
"Everything happened so fast and so unexpectedly. I hope you guys don't make a report about me and Gabriel. At least wait until we leave this town. My husband can do any horrible thing," Nadja pleaded. She looked frail and weak. The woman nodded quickly.
"Certainly! We will catch him as soon as possible. Ben, your friend, should be able to testify," said the officer sympathetically.
"How are you guys going to leave this town?" asked Bill, thinking about them. Nadja shook her head sadly. This time, she, herself, did not know the solution.
"I didn't have time to bring any documents with me, but if you want to check our DNA, go ahead. I have no problem at all," replied Nadja, daring to speculate. She hoped that her offer would actually discourage them from doing that.
"Oh, no need. Ben has been witness enough for us to support you. I'm Riley and you?"
"Nadja, Nadja Romanoff," said Nadja again, pretending to be moved. She swears that she might win an Oscar for her act this time.
"I might be able to help you get a ticket without ID or passport. But only one way. I know an officer who can make your journey easier!" cried Bill with a grin. He grabbed his phone and started looking for a number.
"Really? Do you want to help us? Oh God…bless you, Sir!" shouted Nadja happily.
This time her face shone with sincerity. Nadja hugged Riley forcefully and touched Bill's arm who was next to them. The two officers said the same thing. 'Glad to help'.
Nadja waited with a pounding heart. One more step and she would be free. Gabriel came out and the doctor met them. From the x-ray results, there were no internal injuries or fractures. So far the little girl is safe and they are ready to leave with the officers.
"There's a flight about five in the morning to New York," Bill said with a happy smile. Nadja immediately agreed. The two enthusiastically followed Bill and Riley to the airport.
As soon as they arrived at the airport, a friendly lady picked them up. After talking for a while with Bill and Riley, the woman looked concerned.
"There are a lot of jerks these days. Come with me. It's past four o'clock, you have to board immediately," the woman said gently and looked pitying. Nadja approached Bill and Riley.
"Could you give this car back to Ben? And send my regards to him. I am indebted to all of you," said Nadja with a grateful expression. Riley held Nadja's hand warmly.
"Be careful you two!" cried Riley and Bill waved worriedly.
"Hopefully her husband will never catch up with them," Riley hoped as he looked at Nadja and Gabriel who were drifting away.
"I'll break his neck if I get a chance," said Bill furiously.
Both of them felt very relieved and satisfied and left the airport with light steps.
While on the plane, Nadja kept pensive. What should they do next? It is possible that Gabriel's pursuers will catch up and find them.
If that continued, she would be on the run, while bearing the burden of the life of an annoying little girl!
The price of her freedom is not cheap!