by Sasha Cain
After the hunters had left, Guarros’s assistant approached Isela. “He wants to see you,” he said turning on his heel. “Now.”
“Of course now,” Isela muttered, following the thin-lipped, greasy-haired man. Isela had always found him repulsive. He walked hunched, with his palms flat against his thighs, cold and robot-like.
He knocked on Guarros’s door, opening it when he was ordered to enter. Isela hurried by him into the warden’s office. The door closed behind her. The stench of his cigar filled the room.
“Yes, Warden? You summoned?”
“I’d watch the sarcasm, little lady.” He held up an envelope and shook it at her. “Or maybe I won’t give you this.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Oh God, was it from Brendan? Had Guarros somehow intercepted a note from him? Did he know? She willed herself to breathe evenly and maintain eye contact.
“It’s a letter,” he said tauntingly.
Isela held her breath. Guarros smiled.
“It’s from your friend, Jerric. The hunter wisely gave it to me instead of trying to deliver it to you personally. I must say, that surprised me. He seems to have an eye for you.”
Isela shook her head, prepared to deny any kind of correspondence with the hunter. Guarros waved his hand.
“Anyway, he asked me to give it to you. Naturally, I read it first to make sure it didn’t contain material that was inappropriate, but it appears to be of a harmless nature.”
He held it out to her. “Well come get it, Isela. I’m certainly not getting up to present it to you.”
She tiptoed over to his desk, reaching for the letter. Before she could take it, he snatched it away.
“Remember this kindness I’m giving you, Isela. Think of it as a gesture of harmony between us.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
He handed her the letter, caressing her forearm as she took it. She tried not to shudder with revulsion. She turned and started out of the room when Guarros’s voice stopped her.
“Uh uh, read it here,” he ordered.
“But I wanted to share it with Mae, too.”
“You can tell her about it. I don’t want the other residents thinking I’m giving you special favors. How would that look?”
Isela clenched her jaw, but said nothing. She pulled the letter from the envelope, shaking it open. She read slowly, savoring every word.
Dearest Isela and Mae,
Working here at the farm is the best. I can’t thank Warden Guarros enough for this opportunity.
Isela had to work at keeping a straight face and not snort at Jerric’s obvious sarcasm. She continued reading.
The work is hard, but Mr. Derosa and Mr. Wilson are good men, fair too. They believe in doing the right thing...always. It’s rewarding to know at the end of the day, you’ve done something that will help people you care about. I miss you both very much. Know that you’re in my thoughts.
Yours,
Jerric
Isela read it again, and then four more times, committing every word to memory. There was a hidden message here. She just had to figure out what it was.
Setting the letter on the warden’s desk, Isela looked up. He was staring at her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.
“Thank you, sir, for letting me read that. Am I allowed to write back?”
He smiled, standing up. “Perhaps we can negotiate the terms of that, my dear.”
Before he could maneuver his fat, sweaty body around his desk, Isela thanked him again and dodged out of the room. She didn’t stop running until she was safely behind her door. She ran to her trunk, dropping to her knees in front of it. Throwing the lid open, she searched for her ink, pen, and paper.
While she still remembered them, Isela wrote down the details of Jerric’s letter. As soon as she finished, she slipped out of her room and made her way to Mae’s. Mae opened the door rubbing her eyes. She yawned. Isela burst through the door shaking the paper in her hand.
“We got a letter from Jerric. He’s trying to send us a message.”
Mae snatched the paper from Isela’s hand. She read it then read it again. “I’m not seeing any message,” she said.
“The part about the hunters...doing what’s right and helping those you care about. He’s done something...to help us. Do you think he’s asked the hunters to help us escape?” Isela asked excitedly.
Mae sighed. “Isela, please don’t get yourself all worked up. It’s just a letter. There’s no message. Please, I’m begging you, don’t read more into this than there is. We’re not escaping.”
Isela crumpled the paper in her hand, suddenly angry.
Glaring at Mae, she took a deep breath. “You always give up too easily. I don’t understand why you do that, Mae. We have to fight. If we’re going to survive, we need to fight. I refuse to accept this as my life. And I won’t let you accept it either. We will get out of here. If you won’t help me, Brendan will.”
Mae stared at the floor, shaking her head. “I’m afraid, Isela. This is the only life I’ve ever known. I don’t know how to live any other way.”
Isela hugged her friend. “Oh, Mae, I promise. There’s something better. Please...trust me.”
Mae’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Isela. She nodded and mouthed the word, “Okay.”
Chapter Fourteen
As soon as they got past the Midland-Inland border where they could speak freely, Darrios shook open the letter Brendan had given him. “He says he’s okay,” Darrios said as he skimmed the letter. “Guarros is up to all kinds of no good. Brendan just has to get some hard evidence. He still hasn’t made contact with Bashua, but he’s trying.” Darrios chuckled. “He says not to worry. He got roughed up for defending a woman, of course, but he’s all right. He wants a weapon, though, maybe a knife.”
“I don’t know how we’re gonna pull that off. Guarros’s men search us every time we come,” Evan said as he harnessed the hoodlas.
“I think I can slip something by them. None of them seem to have an overabundance of wits about them.”
Evan snickered. “So true.”
They climbed aboard the wagon and waved goodbye to Burgess. “How long do you think this will take, Ev? Maggie’s getting restless.”
“He’s only been there a few weeks. He’s gotta acclimate, let them get used to him, before he can make a move.”
“Yeah, you’re right...but try telling that to my wife.”
“Nope, that’s all you, buddy.” Evan snapped the reins, urging the hoodlas to trot faster.
****
Isela sat at the tiny table in her room, illuminated only by candlelight, trying to compose a reply to Jerric. She wanted to let him know she got his message, but needed a bit of clarification. The problem was figuring out how to put that into words Guarros wouldn’t catch. She read what she’d written out loud to Mae, sitting on Isela’s bed.
“ ‘Dear Jerric, Thank you for the lovely letter. It was wonderful to hear from you. You can’t imagine how thrilled Mae and I are for you. Knowing you’re working for such good, caring men willing to help others just because it’s the right thing to do sets our minds at ease. I understand how fulfilling that is for you. We can’t wait to see you again. We hope it will be soon.
All the best,
Isela and Mae’ ”
Isela looked up at Mae. “Well what do you think?”
“I think it’s fine.”
“Do you think he’ll understand?”
Mae looked up. “Understand what?”
“That we get it. That we know he’s trying to help us.”
Mae rolled her eyes and stood up. “Yeah, sure, he’ll get it.”
Isela narrowed her eyes. “I don’t appreciate your attitude. I’m doing this for us.”
Mae sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you want me to be excited like you, but I can’t. I’m not you.” She made a sweeping gesture with her arms. “This is all I’ve ever known as far as I can remember. It hasn’t been perfect
, but it could’ve been a lot worse.”
“And this is all you want your life to be? This?”
Mae looked down, wringing her hands. “I guess I’m afraid to let myself believe we can do this. Because what if we can’t?”
Isela turned to Mae. “Look at me.” Mae met Isela’s gaze. “I am completely serious right now. I am leaving this place, and I’m never coming back. If you don’t come with me, you’ll be alone here. Have you thought of that? I will try my damndest to kill Guarros before I go, but if I don’t, he’ll be in a rage I don’t even want to think about. And you’ll be here alone, without me.”
Tears swam in Mae’s eyes. She tried blinking them back, but a couple escaped, rolling down her plump cheek. She shook her head
“I don’t wanna be here without you. I’d never make it.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re on board with this and when the time comes...no looking back, right?”
Mae nodded and smiled weakly. “Yeah.”
Isela hugged her friend, hard. “It’s gonna be okay, Mae. I promise.”
Isela released Mae, stood up, and smoothed her clothing. “Now comes the fun part,” she muttered. “I’m taking the letter to Guarros for his approval. Just the thought of being anywhere near his stinky, sweaty ass makes me want to puke.”
“Do you want me to do it?” Mae asked with false bravado.
“Nah, he’ll see right through that and then take it out on me later, somehow. I’ll go. Might as well get it over with.”
****
From his position repairing the parlor wall, Brendan could see the entire room. He watched as Isela marched through toward Guarros’s office. Why would she be going there? She seemed to be in a hurry; so much so, she hadn’t even noticed him as she walked by. What was she up to? He waited until she was a short distance ahead of him.
“Hey Pete, watch my stuff. I gotta take a bathroom break,” he hollered to the man next to him. Pete nodded without looking up.
Isela stood outside the warden’s office, inhaling and exhaling deeply for courage. Finally she straightened her shoulders and knocked. Guarros barked for her to enter. She slowly opened the door.
“I brought the letter for Jerric, sir, for your approval,” Isela said submissively. Strange, Brendan thought. That wasn’t like her, especially where Guarros was concerned. As the office door closed, he crept closer so he could listen.
Jerric, Jerric. Brendan knew that name. Jealousy flared through him as he recalled the young man from the farm. Were he and Isela...no, she’d have told him. Still...Guarros’s voice snapped him back to attention.
“So you wrote a letter to Jerric. May I see it?”
There was a rustling of paper then a pause.
“What do you mean here, this part about seeing him again?” Guarros asked in a gruff tone. “How do plan on managing that?”
In an almost syrupy-sweet voice, Isela said, “I only meant when he comes back. Surely you’ll have him, as well as the others, come back from time to time, won’t you, Warden?”
Calming, he replied, “That hasn’t been negotiated yet. Don’t concern yourself.”
Another pause. Brendan leaned in closer, trying to hear. His hackles went up when Guarros’s tone changed again, into something Brendan supposed, Guarros thought was alluring.
“So, my sweet Isela, what have you come to offer me in exchange for me allowing this letter to be sent?”
Bile rose in Brendan’s throat. That scumbag.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, Warden. I thought you wanted to approve it. Now that you have, can’t it be sent the next time the hunters come?”
Brendan tensed as he heard Guarros’s chair slide back.
“Now, Isela, let’s not be coy. You know what I want, now don’t you dear?”
“I’m afraid I don’t, sir. After all, it would be highly inappropriate for you to suggest I give you something in exchange for a request as small as sending a letter.”
“Are you threatening me, Isela?” Guarros asked icily.
“Not at all. I guess I misunderstood your statement earlier.”
“I guess you did...but if you ever do decide to threaten me, you realize the consequences would be severe.” He lowered his voice. “And no one would believe you. You’d be labeled as crazy...just like your mother.”
A small cry slipped out of Isela’s mouth, piercing Brendan’s heart. He wanted to burst through Guarros’s door and beat him senseless. The man had no soul.
“You know, it would be a shame for you to suffer the same fate as your mother.”
Isela said nothing. Brendan imagined Guarros looming over her, in her face, smiling smugly.
Fisting his hands at his sides, it took every bit of self-control Brendan had not to make good on his previous thoughts. He had to get something on this evil bastard...soon. Otherwise he might kill him.
“Can I go?” Isela asked, her voice trembling.
“Of course, my dear,” Guarros answered innocently.
Nausea swirled around Brendan’s gut. He slipped away before Isela discovered him lurking outside the door.
Back at his post, Brendan watched with an aching heart as Isela shuffled back through the parlor toward her room, her shoulders slumped, defeated. She didn’t even stop to check the duty roster.
Brendan stared after her. “Hey Pete, watch my stuff. I gotta hit the head again.”
Pete stopped sanding and glared. “Dude, you just got back.”
“I know, man. I guess breakfast didn’t agree with me.”
“Lightweight,” Pete muttered under his breath.
Brendan bounded down Isela’s hallway. Stopping outside her door, he raised his hand to knock, hesitating when he heard her muffled crying from inside. He started to walk away, but then changed his mind. He wanted to be there for her, to comfort her. He knocked softly. Silence. He knocked again. “Isela, it’s me. Please open the door.”
“Just a sec,” she sang out.
Minutes later, the door opened, Isela peering out. She smiled despite her red-rimmed eyes. She glanced down one side of the hall then the other to be sure no prying eyes were watching. Isela opened the door wide, inviting Brendan in.
He entered, taking in the stark feel of the room. Nothing hung on the walls, not even a rug on the floor. Isela must’ve noticed him looking.
“I don’t want to make it look lived in. I don’t consider this my home, so I am definitely not going to lift one finger to make it seem homey.”
Brendan nodded, understanding, but embarrassed she felt the need to explain. “I saw you come through the parlor. You seemed upset. Are you all right?
Isela sighed. She motioned for him to sit. He sat down on her bed but she remained standing, wringing her hands.
“It’s Guarros. I hate him so much, sometimes it scares me.”
“What did he do?” Brendan asked.
Isela waved her hand. “It was stupid. I shouldn’t have provoked him. The hunters who bring the food took on a few inmates as trustees to work their farm. My friend Jerric was one of them. He wrote Mae and me a letter and we wrote a response. I took it to Guarros for his approval so he’d send it with the hunters the next time they came.”
“He didn’t approve?”
“No, he did...but he wanted something in return. Wanna guess what that something was?”
A flash of rage blurred Brendan’s vision. Guarros was going to pay for the way he’d treated Isela. Brendan would make sure of it...one way or another.
She continued. “I guess I should be used to it by now—”
“No,” Brendan said, interrupting her. “You should never have to get used to someone treating you like that. He’s an animal, Isela, and he will be dealt with.”
He stood up and stepped forward, taking her in his arms. She relaxed against him, sighing. He rested his cheek on the top of her head.
“He thinks he owns me because of my mother.” She looked up into Brendan’s eyes, tears welling up in her
own. “Did you know that I’d sworn off men because of him?”
Brendan wrinkled his brow. “Sworn off men?”
“Yes. I promised myself I’d never let myself care about a man, that I’d never let any man touch me, or control me. All because of my mother and the vile things I witnessed him do to her...” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “And I stuck to it...until now...until you.”
Brendan’s heart soared. He knew it had been hard for her to admit that, but the fact that she had only made him more determined to rescue her from this hell. He pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers.
When their lips parted he held her to him, vowing, “I swear to you, we will get out of here and live our lives. And then I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”
She pulled away, keeping him at arm’s length, smiling warmly at him. “Brendan, you already do. Before you came along, I was an empty shell, merely going through the motions. Now I actually have something to look forward to when I get up in the morning.”
He couldn’t swallow due to the lump in his throat. He smiled back at her, pushing the stray hairs off of her beautiful face.
An urgent knock at the door caused them both to jump.
“Isela, it’s me,” Mae said in hushed tones.
Isela motioned for Brendan to get out of sight as she crept toward the door. Brendan crouched down on the other side of Isela’s bed. Satisfied he couldn’t be seen from the hallway, Isela opened the door.
“Where have you been? Why didn’t you show up for chores?” Mae asked, concern lacing her voice.
Isela guided Mae into the room, shutting the door behind her.
“I’m sorry, Mae. I had a run-in with Guarros, and I guess I just needed a minute to pull myself together.”
Mae took Isela’s hand. “Did he hit you again?”
Brendan stood up. Mae shrieked. Isela shushed her.
“Mae, it’s okay.”
“He hits you?” Brendan demanded. “I mean I know about that one day, but that’s a regular thing?”
Isela looked from Brendan to Mae then back to Brendan, chewing her lip.
“Yes, he hits her, a lot,” Mae offered.
Brendan started for the door. “I’m gonna kill that mother—”
