Then I raised my voice and shouted through the door and said, “Cassandra, it’s already late. Auntie and Uncle need to sleep. The director told us you’ve already been adopted. Legally, we’re not your guardians anymore so we’re not even allowed to take you in. What if your new parents accuse us of kidnapping? We’d be in huge trouble!”
Then I added, "You should go home. We’re sorry, but we can’t help. Ella has school tomorrow, so ... Please, stop shouting.”
Aaron's knitted his brow. He disagreed with my approach.
"Diana Campbell! Cassandra's just a kid! Aren't you being too vigilant towards her? Look at her! It’s impossible for her to walk because her legs are disabled! What terrible thing can she do?"
"After all, it's just for one night anyway. As soon as morning comes, I'll personally take her to the police station. If it fails, I'll find someone to adopt her or send her back to the orphanage."
When Aaron reached for the door again to open it, I pushed him back for two meters and snapped at him, "Think about it! If she really can’t walk, how did she find our apartment? How did she get all the way up to the fifteenth floor? There’s no wheelchair ramp downstairs!”
Aaron froze as my words hit him. He understood what it meant.
Outside the door, Cassandra's shout grew louder and louder and her voice made the neighbors take notice.
She even ripped her clothes and intently exposed bruises that covered her body from being abused. The neighbors were soon talking.
Cassandra ever the actress, whimpered, “I’m an orphan. Uncle and Auntie, you used to help me. However, my adoptive parents beat me. I had no one else to turn to.”
The neighbors started knocking on our door too to assist her.
“Aaron! The poor kid’s in trouble. Just let her in for one night, will you?”
"Come on now, it’s the middle of the night and it's hard for a small kid like her," a neighbour said. You both know her and helped her before, so what’s one more time?"
"After all, adopting an orphan won't cost you a few dollars. Quick! Open the door and let her in already. Stop disturbing people at night."
Realizing I couldn’t avoid it any longer, I slowly opened the door.
Cassandra collapsed at my feet. Her body was smeared with blood.
The moment she saw me, she dragged herself forward and clung to my leg with a death grip.
"Auntie, I finally found you! Please, save Cassie!" she sobbed.