Chapter Ten #2
“It’s not about waiting,” Rebecca admitted. “If an opportunity presents itself, we take it. I have no doubt people are searching for me, but I’m far from being the damsel in distress. If I can rescue myself, I’m taking my chances.”
“Then let’s get some rest. They’re moving us tomorrow,” Ebony told her.
“Go to sleep. I’m waiting on Kara,” Rebecca said firmly.
“You’ll make a great mother someday,” Ebony said, lying on the mattress.
“Thanks,” she murmured as she stroked Megan’s hair.
Having Ebony as a partner renewed her spirit.
The organization liked to make them feel alone, isolated, and distrustful of others.
After hearing Ebony’s story, she thought about the others and their stories.
Kara acted tough and carried an attitude, but something told her the teen used it to hide her fear.
She picked Megan up, wrapping the blanket around her and setting her down beside her in the corner. At dawn, two men dragged Kara back into the cage and dropped her onto the mattress. She returned with a split lip and black eye.
Rebecca moved to her side as Kara curled up into a ball. When she touched her arm, Kara jerked away, whimpering.
“It’s all right, Kara. I’m checking to see how badly you’re hurt. I’ll demand they take you to Dr. Reese,” she said, attempting to comfort her.
Kara turned on her back, and tears dripped from the edges of her eyes.
“We’re moving this morning. Dr. Reese didn’t give me a birth control shot.
They sold me to a couple who want to have kids.
I resemble the man’s wife. He inspected me last night.
Once he pays the fee, they’re selling me to him,” she whispered, terrified.
Rebecca picked her up and held her tightly. “Shhh,” she soothed. “We’ll figure out something.”
“We can’t do anything,” she exclaimed. “They’re selling Ebony, too.”
Rebecca closed her eyes. Things seemed to go from shitty to downright hell in the blink of an eye.
“Did the men touch you?” she asked gently.
Kara shook her head. “They got off on me. Jim showed the man how obedient I am. Do you know how much I wanted to grab one of the guns and end it all? I can’t take any more of this.”
Hillary sat up. “Oh, you’re not so tough anymore. What happened to the attitude?”
“Stop it,” Rebecca commanded. “We all have moments of weakness. Instead of fighting each other, try supporting one another instead.”
“For what?” Hillary laughed. “Take a gander at where you’re at, lady. This ain’t the Ritz. Nobody’s coming to save us. The world has forgotten all about us. We’re nothing more than a statistic on the news.”
“You’re a human being with feelings and people who love you. They haven’t forgotten you. I bet they’re still searching for you and praying you’ll return home,” Rebecca reminded her.
“We’re nothing more than dogs,” Hillary cried out. “I’d rather die than submit to another man.”
Jim’s heavy footsteps sounded in the hall. His eyes zeroed in on the cage searching for the woman, who seemed to have lost all rational thought.
“They check us for diseases, but do you think they check the men? I hope their dicks rot off,” she carried on. “I hate them, I hate them, I hate them,” she screamed.
Rebecca tried to calm her, but Hillary fought as Jim’s keys rattled in the lock and the door flung open. He grabbed Hillary by the neck and dragged her from the cell, kicking and fighting.
“Nobody offered to buy you, you’re a waste of flesh, and I’m tired of you taking up space,” Jim said as he threw her against the wall. Hillary’s eyes widened in terror as she turned and dropped onto her knees, begging for her life.
“Please, please,” she sobbed.
Jim took out his gun and aimed at her. Bam, bam. The sound of the gun made all of them jump. They watched in horror as Hillary slid down the wall and held her stomach. Blood seeped through her fingers and onto the floor. Her mouth widened as she realized the wound meant her death.
Jim turned and walked away, leaving the poor woman to die alone with no comforting human touch to ease her passing. Hillary’s head turned toward the women. Her eyes pleaded for help. “I don’t want to die,” she cried.
Rebecca knelt on the floor. Megan stood behind her, trembling and crying. The other women muffled their sobs, not wanting to draw Jim’s attention again. Ebony bowed her head and gazed at Rebecca, as if to say, “This might happen to them.”
“Listen to me, Hillary. Jim won’t let you die. He’s probably getting Dr. Reese right now,” Rebecca assured the dying woman. “Can you press down on the wound?”
“It hurts,” Hillary panted.
“I know. When Dr. Reese gets here, she’ll give you something for the pain. In the meantime, tell me about your family. I’ll try to convince them to leave you somewhere. When I do, I’ll want to reach them,” Rebecca said softly.
“I ran away from them. They didn’t allow me to spend time with my boyfriend. A month later, he dumped me on the side of the road and took all my money,” she whimpered, holding her stomach.
“Where did you live?” she asked.
“I’m from Indiana. My dad owns Druggers Dairy, a dairy farm right outside Indianapolis. They’ve probably given up on me,” she cried.
“No. Parents never forget their children. I’m sure they’re searching for you,” Rebecca murmured, wiping away her own tears.
“Will you do me a favor? If you get out of here, will you give them a message for me?” Hillary asked, coughing. Blood dribbled from her mouth. Rebecca turned Megan away from the gruesome, sad sight.
“What do you want me to tell them?” she asked.
“Tell my mom I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I didn’t want to come home because of pride. Tell her I loved her very much.” She coughed again. “Tell my dad, he’s the best father ever and I always think about milking the cows with him. Tell him to kiss Daisy for me. She’s mine. Best milk producer ever.”
“I’ll be sure to tell them, but I’m counting on you to hang on,” Rebecca encouraged her, knowing it was useless.
“I want to go home,” Hillary whispered.
“Tell me about the farm,” Rebecca insisted. “Describe it to me.”
“We own ninety-two acres of prime land. The grass feels like silk under your feet. I miss running barefoot through it. In the mornings, my mom cooked breakfast while I helped Dad and my brother Jimmy milk the cows. When we returned, my mom made the fluffiest buttermilk pancakes and crispy bacon. The whole house smelled like maple syrup,” she said slowly.
“It sounds beautiful,” Rebecca said gently. “Tell me about Daisy.”
“My dad gave her to me to raise when her mom died. She has the sweetest brown eyes and a pure white coat with black dots on her sides. Did I mention her eyes?” Hillary’s voice faltered.
“Did you have any other pets?” Rebecca redirected her.
Hillary’s smile appeared lopsided as she glanced at Rebecca. “I’m feeling a bit better now. Maybe I’m not as hurt as I thought. It must be getting colder in here.”
Ebony grabbed Hillary’s blanket and tossed it through the bars.
“Thank you,” she said, dragging the thin material over her. Her movements appeared slow and staggered.
Rebecca pressed her forehead against the metal bars, feeling completely helpless as she watched the young woman fade away. “Why don’t you close your eyes and rest? I’ll be sure to have Dr. Reese check on you when she arrives.”
“Yeah. I’m feeling tired. My stomach doesn’t hurt anymore. He must’ve missed me. I have to go. I see my mom calling from the porch. She’s searching for me…” her voice drifted off, and her hand went limp.
Rebecca sobbed into her hand as she turned and held Megan away from the gruesome scene. Kara’s hand trembled as she covered her mouth and cried. Rebecca reached out, hoping to console her.
“I shouldn’t have fought with her. It’s my fault,” Kara hiccuped.
“No. Jim did this. He’s responsible for it, not anyone else,” Rebecca reminded her firmly.
“I’m sorry, Rebecca. What you did…for Hillary.
You care about us. It’s only fair I tell you I overheard them talking about you.
They’re waiting for someone’s cousin to arrive.
A man named Warren Harrison flew to Afghanistan.
He’s upset about a SEAL team. They’re making things harder for him.
I didn’t understand. They said to wait for Hassan to arrive, and you’ll travel with them. They’re taking you out of the country.”
Rebecca’s heart leapt in her throat. Her stomach rolled. She counted on them keeping her hidden in the States. How would Julio find her?
Megan sniffled, causing Rebecca to turn toward the little girl. Her eyes filled with terror as she clung to Rebecca. “They shot her like they did my daddy.”
“Oh, honey,” Rebecca murmured, pulling her close.
“Will they shoot us, too?” she asked with tears in her eyes.
Rebecca cupped her bony little cheeks. “Listen to me. No one will shoot you. Do you understand? I won’t let them.”
Megan glanced at Kara doubtfully before nodding her head.
“Come sit with me and I’ll tell you a story. It’s about a magical place in the mountains. There’s a huge hill with tons of snow. The kids who live there and their parents love to go sledding. Have you ever gone sledding or built a snowman?” she asked, stroking her hair.
Megan shook her head. “I’ve never seen snow except for books.”
“Oh, you’re in for a treat. Someday, I’ll take you to see it,” Rebecca promised. “It appears soft and fluffy, but it’s cold and wet. We can build a snowman and a snowwoman. We can put carrots on them for noses.”
“They need a hat, too,” Megan added, giggling.
“Oh, definitely. Let’s not forget about a scarf. What color do you think they’d like?” Rebecca asked, feeling relieved, she distracted Megan.
Her forehead scrunched in concentration. “We need a green scarf for the snowman and a purple one for the snowwoman.”
“What about mittens?” Kara chimed in.
“Why don’t you pick out those colors?” Rebecca suggested.
“I think the man will wear blue ones and the woman can wear tie-dye pink and purple,” Kara said, smiling.