Chapter 17— LOCKED UP

Frank wouldn't let me go so easily. David's plan was a good one, we had to involve the authorities, it wasn't going to be an easy task.

I spent two days with David. I knew by now, Becky and Abigail would be so worried about me. It was all over the news that Frank's wife, Mrs. Hemsworth, had been missing for two days now. I had to inform them that I was okay.

"Hey girls! I'm doing fine, I'm here in Callington, please no one else must know about my whereabouts, I'll see you guys soon", I used the telephone in the cabin.

"Okay Susan, you got us so worried", Becky sounded relieved.

"Please be safe okay? Do you plan on running away?", Abigail inquired.

"I really don't know for sure, I'll keep you guys updated, thanks guys! Bye!", I hung up the phone, it felt good to here their voices again.

I was to return to Frank's house the next morning. Once again to be separated from David, but he strengthened me and this time, with proof!

"Susan, will you be my wife?" David proposed to me on his knees with a beautiful ring.

I was stunned but I summoned up the courage to say "Yes!" He slid the finger on my left-hand finger. We were both happy.

David dropped me off, close enough to Frank's mansion but out of sight. I entered the old man's house of torture once again, on a Tuesday morning in May. He was boiling like a volcano, I just walked past him silently to my room. The workers came to see me, Martha, Emilia, the driver and all the others. They came to show their love, they were happy that I was alive and well. We got into a group hug and then they left. The girls came around too, we drank hot chocolate as usual, I explained to them everything that happened that day. Of course they reacted angrily at me for taking a risk with my life, but they held me close as friends.

"Don't let go ever again Susan, you hear that?", Becky strictly warned me.

"Yes madam", I replied.

"You know we love you, okay? We will always support you, even in court", Abigail added. They were more than friends to me, they were my sisters and I loved them! I now realized that there was so much love and laughter around me, I wasn't alone, I never really was.

"But Susan, what if Frank sees this engagement ring on your finger?"

"I think it's best if you keep it hidden for now love" Becky advised.

"Guess I'd to have to", I agreed.

***************

TEARS

I thought about my Father, this time, I went to see him, he was happy to see me. I was surprised to see him in tears after he heard my story.

"I know it's all my fault, I was selfish and I still am, but the truth is I love you, I know what Frank does to you but I too had to endure. I know as a Father I'm supposed to protect you from harm, rather, I pushed you into harm. Susan, could you ever forgive me my child?".

He knelt down asking for my forgiveness. Right there, that day, he was my Father again. My 'attempted suicide', made him realize his mistakes.

I helped him up on his feet and looked deeply into his eyes, "I could forgive you Father, I will, but you still would have to pay for your mistakes".

He was surprised at my words, but he hugged me with all sincerity and I held on to him, as my Father.

**********

I managed to return to Frank that evening, I was ready to endure whatever would come my way.

As soon as I walked into the house, Frank seized me by my hair and in a few seconds, I was on the floor, he pounced on me, I became a punching bag. I screamed and screamed, it hurt so bad! To my surprise, the workers, all rushed down to my aid, they weren't going to allow Frank kill me that day. They grabbed on firmly to him and pulled him away from me, he was thrown down to the floor. They were my heroes! But Frank's bodyguards rushed in like soldiers with guns, they helped him up from the floor.

"Seize them!" He thundered, "Seize them now! You hear me!"

Frank ordered his whole lot of guards to lock up the workers and I in a dark room beneath the house. We were helpless and threatened! The wicked old man, kept us all there in that room for 3 days without food nor water. There was no way out! All means to escape the room was a failure. All we could do was have hope.

Finally help came. Frank was arrested at his house on a Wednesday morning and was charged with violence, abduction and rape. Some how, David and the police, discovered our prison and we were freed. We were all taken to a nearby local hospital where we were fed and kept safe.

The case was handled in Sydney city at the High Court, by an honest lawyer Mr. Fred Boseman. He knew his defense well.

An honorable judge, his Honour Alfred Geoffrey, diligently and wisely judged the tough case, his Gavel supported his every decision each time he tapped it on a wooden surface.

Frank paid for a good lawyer, but I had enough witnesses who stood by me. My friends took their turns in the court stand. Each swore to tell only the truth and nothing but the truth. They testified to how Frank tortured me with his beatings, the rape, locking me up without food nor water, all the bruises on my face, the restricted movements and his threats.

It was also confirmed that Frank kidnapped David and threatened to kill him, it was confirmed that he locked up his workers and his wife three days before his arrest, we were found in a dark, locked up room. Frank neglected the law as regards to his duty as a citizen and as a husband; he took away the human rights of his wife.

Frank had a lot on him, there was no one on his side, all his money couldn't save him from this.

The case lasted in court for about two weeks. Finally, his Honour, Alfred Geoffrey, sentenced Frank to a 10 years imprisonment and our divorce, was granted! I was no longer married to old uncle Frank Hemsworth, I was just Susan Philip!

David and I, moved to Sydney city in June 10, 2005.