Chapter 39
For the second time in a few weeks, I wake up in the hospital. The pain is harsher this time. The whole left side of my arm is throbbing from very deep inside. I climb in and out of consciousness.
What is strange during the few lucid moments I wake up is that no one has visited me. Not one person. Even Miguel hasn't come.
"You're outta here," the Doctor Eckhold tells me one day. I'm still throbbing and in pain but he tells me I have to go to the destiny-bride shack. "We can't have you lazy and taking up room around here. There you will do some light chores as you're convalescing."
As Nurse Greta helps me dress, I take a good look at my arm. It's red, puckered and ugly. She looks sympathetically at me. "I'm sorry," she says.
"It's not your fault I got burned."
"I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you," she mumbles, he eyes watery.
"What do you mean?"
"Plastic surgery can't help you."
As I'm finishing dressing, it hits me. I can no longer be a destiny-bride. That's why no one had visited me. I no longer matter to anyone. And as for Miguel, he can only visit me if the Mister orders him to.
The Mister!
I no longer have to marry him!
But the happiness lasts me only a short time when I realize that I'm not useful to a Master anymore. They'll kill me for sure. They'll put me to sleep. They had left me in the doctor's care because they liked a relatively healthy body to sacrifice in the church.
Nurse Greta helps me to my feet. My legs are a little shaky with having been in the hospital for days and days. As I start slowly moving outside, people stop and gawk at me. I can see the pity in their eyes.
I stop my sight from scampering about and concentrate on taking one step at a time. When I finally make it to the slave quarters, Helga rushes to the door where she puts her arms around me and takes me to my bunk. The place is empty except for us.
"If I would've known that they were letting you out today, I would've gone to the hospital for you."
"They would've allowed that?" I ask.
"They might've not allowed for me to see you, but they would've allowed for me to help you here."
"They would've?" I inquire with curiosity.
She stares intently at me. "A lot has happened, Monica."
"Like what?"
"Well," she says delicately, "you're not marrying Master Barstowe after all."
"I had already guessed that."
The front door swings open as I'm about to question Helga on what else has happened. A panting Miguel rushes in.
"I've got some work to do outside. Miguel, can you stay with her while I finish?" asks Helga.
"Y-y-yes."
She throws him a smile as she leaves the shack. Miguel puts his left arm around me as he tries to get his breath back. His right half limb stays on his side. I feel strange with his embrace. No guy had ever been allowed in Paradise Village to touch me, much less hug me.
"I'm so sorry, Monica! I couldn't see you because they wouldn't let me. Someone just told me they saw you out, and I ran over here as fast as I could!"
"I'm okay, Miguel."
He looks at my horrifying arm and his eyes grow moist. "Betsey really did it to you," he states.
"She hates me."
"She hated you."
"She doesn't hate me anymore?" I ask with a slight chuckle. "I can't believe that."
He solemnly stares at me with a grim face. "She can't hate you anymore because she's dead."
The smile vanishes from my lips. "What?"
"She's dead," he repeats.
I'm flabbergasted. "How . . . Why . . ."
"Master Barstowe."
"He killed her?"
"He threw her against the wall when she burned you."
"I remember that happening before I passed out."
"Betsey hit her head. She died in the middle of the violence she created."
"Poor Betsey."
His eyebrows come together. "You can say that after what she did to you?"
"Maybe under different circumstances she would've been different," I murmur.
"Maybe."
"Miguel, if I ask you something, would you tell me the truth."
"Okay," he says, his eyes curious as to what I'm going to ask him.
"Are the Elders going to kill me?" I blurt, taking in a breath.
"They wanted to but . . ."
"But what?"
"Master Barstowe wouldn't let them."
"I don't understand," I say, my voice puzzled. "I thought our marriage was off."
"It is."
"Then?"
"He still doesn't want you dead even though you won't be his wife. You're his Little Bird, remember?" Miguel says, chuckling.
I roll my eyes. "I always hated what he called me."
"You'll probably never hear it again."
"Good!"
"The poor guy was so shaken over what happened to you that he left Paradise Village for a while."
"He's not here?"
"No."
I could hardly believe my ears. I don't have to marry the smelly creep and he's gone.
"What a relief!" I gush.
"The Elders recommended he be away for a time--to get his bearings back."
"They might kill me while he's gone," I say dryly.
"Not likely. They'll never go against his wishes."
I nod. "I suppose you're right."
"I'm right," he asserts with confidence.
"What'll happen to me now?"
"You'll be in Helga's charge. You won't be a destiny-bride anymore but a servant-girl."
I'm so excited by what he said that I kiss him on the check. He gazes sheepishly at me. I want to shout with joy! I want to stand up and dance with happiness. I want to sob with overwhelming bliss.
"A servant-girl," I murmur.
"Yep."
"Not a destiny-bride—not ever."
"Nope."
Thank you, Betsey, I tell her in my head. May you rest in peace.
Check out other young adult novels by Mia Rodriguez including the sequel to Paradise Abductions. Paradise Escape is now available.
Paradise Escape
Supernova
Paradise Abductions Page 39
