Chapter 10

Abel runs and runs, somehow avoiding any pedestrians and traffic despite not watching where he's going. The whirlwind in his head spins faster at an increasing rate no matter how he tries to stop it. 'I'm doing this to protect them', he tells himself, 'It's too much of a risk'. Cold wind rams against his face and brings more tears into his eyes.

Once he's out of breath he stops and leans against the nearest wall. He takes a deep breath, wipes his eyes and looks around. He recognizes the area he's in thanks to the walks he takes around the city every week. 'I still have an hour', he thinks to himself as he checks the time on his watch, 'I guess I can get a cup of hot coffee since it's only a fifteen-minute walk from here'. He stretches his back and turns to the nearest street sign. 

'Ellen Street 31, that way. Right'. He takes the road to his right and starts jogging, checking every street number that he sees. After a couple of minutes of searching he presses the buzzer on the door with the number '31' on it and waits for a response. 

"Who's there?", he hears from the speaker.

"It's Abel, Sila", he responds, "please let me in". The speaker goes silent.

Abel stands in front of the door for what feels like an eternity. Right before he turns to leave he hears a click from the door.

"Fine. But you'd better have a damn good explanation to come here at this hour".

Sila sits on a platform next to the door as Abel walks in. She leans forward, resting her chin on her right hand, shaking what's left of her legs. She's angry and unwilling to hide it.

"So, what do you want? Hit me, cut me, take my arms too? Steal my children?".

"Sila, please. Calm down. I need your help".

"Bullshit", she curses, then walks down on her hands.

"Please. You have to believe me. I wasn't part of it, I never knew what they did to you. I only found out the day after you left".

She looks at him in disbelief. "You scientific bastards are all the same. Killing and torturing in the name of 'science'. Tell me one reason why I shouldn't just kill you now. I'd do the world a favor". She climbs on to a couch in the living room nearest to the door.

"I freed them, Sila, I freed your children. That's what I came here to tell you".

"Oh, really. Why should I believe you?".

"Because that's the truth. I'll meet them in an hour. I wanted to ask you to get them over the border".

"And you just 'forgot' to tell me beforehand?".

"I'm sorry".

She stares into Abel's eyes, trying to figure out whether he's lying or not. After a minute she finally breaks the silence. "Fine - I'll trust you. For now.".

Abel sighs and asks "May I?" as he points to an armchair next to him. He sits once Sila nods.

"So, what's your plan?", she asks, "Should we trust luck to go without being noticed?".

"I got these for the two of them, the train leaves tomorrow morning. I believe you look similar enough not to raise suspicion", Abel responds as he hands her two passports.

"Of course we look similar, I'm their mother".

"I didn't mean that. It's just that they're... mixed race. Most people from around here would notice that instantly".

"I can see why".

"But where you're from, no one's seen anyone like me or Kato. There, they'd pass for a little paler children".

"I guess you're right", Sila agrees, "but I'm not sure how long it'll last".

"Long enough", Abel assures her, "you'll be fine".

He checks his watch. "I should probably go and get them. We'll return soon".

"I want to come with you", Sila tells him. She practically jumps off the couch and runs to her prosthetic legs that are standing neatly next to the door.

"I'm not sure you should ---".

"I'm coming, want it or not. You can't stop me"

She grabs the legs and wraps them on as fast as she can.

Abel chuckles as he helps her. "Thirty-one and still this stubborn".

She groans as she attempts to stand up. After re-tying one of the legs she manages to stand straight and stable.

"Let's go!", she calls out as Abel opens the door for her.