Only after Marybeth walked out the front door, did she think that she should’ve looked in those bathrooms and around the office for Christy and whoever helped her. But now was not the time for backtracking. She needed to find somewhere safe to hide. And it couldn’t be anywhere near where she was at that moment. The guards were on her trail now, and all those office women had seen what she looked like. She glanced around, taking note of how the girls were dressed and decided she had something in her go bag that might help her blend in with them.
She crossed to the store and hid in the back corner. She changed in a few minutes flat. She put a different wig on too, then walked behind and between the houses. One of the houses had been overrun with guards—that must be House Seven, where Christy had been assigned. Jeremy was nowhere to be seen.
She kept moving at a leisurely pace until she finally came out at the edge of the nine houses and walked into the middle courtyard.
She sat on the grass close enough to a few girls to look like she was there with them, but not near enough that they would wonder about who she was. Besides a couple of times that she and Christy were running from the terrorists when she was younger, her heart had never pounded so fast. She had to hold back the heavy breath that desperately wanted out of her lungs. Carefully and calmly, she let her breath escape. She took note of everything that was going on around her. If someone had helped Christy out of that box, where did they go? Was there somewhere a weak spot in the security—A point where they could go to escape? She searched for it, but couldn’t find it.
The guards exited House Seven empty-handed. Jeremy had escaped. It would be harder for him to blend in, though. This was a girl’s prison. But then she noticed the guards on the walls and standing attention against the walls. Jeremy would be a guard. He was most likely frantic, desperately wanting to find Christy now that she wasn’t in either of the two places she was supposed to be.
It didn’t appear to her unpracticed eyes that the guards in the stands and on the ground were on alert mode. However, there were two groups of guards canvassing the area, and when two guards separated slightly, she saw Alvarez behind them. He was headed straight for the infirmary. She needed to find Jeremy now more than ever.
Even though her hair was a different color, her face was the same. He knew her face and could easily get a picture of her to share with the guards. She kept her head down in case they’d already been shown a picture. A bell rang, and the girls who had been lying down, sat up. They looked at each other and shared murmurs about it not being time for morning snack. That it was too early. But then they must’ve decided that the bell meant they were to return to the house whether it was for morning snack or not.
The two groups of guards stood on the porch of the infirmary, the senator standing in front of them, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out over the area. She stood with the girls near her and walked in the same direction they were going. Her eyes darted here and there and she tried to figure out somewhere to go. Once she hit the second row of houses, she realized there was only one place for her, and it wasn’t even a good hiding spot. An irrigation ditch. She had no choice. She climbed in and lay flat. If they were guards were of any caliber, she would be found.
* * *
CHRISTY
Tammy led her around the outer edge of the compound wall until they hit a group of large trash bins. They slipped in around them. Carrie stood behind the trash cans and gave Christy a sad grin before rushing to her and hugging her. She tried not to cry out in pain. Sweat trickled down her back with the effort.
“I was so scared. I wasn’t sure we’d find you. I was so afraid we’d get caught, but Tammy…she’s amazing. She knows this place.” Tammy beamed with pride. It was like they were standing on a podium getting first place in a huge competition, when in reality, they were trapped inside a baby making factory behind stinky trash bins.
“Well, you guys better fill me in, because seeing you two is the best thing ever.” The pain got to her, and she leaned against the cinderblock wall behind the bins. “I was hoping, however, that you were on the other side of the wall.”
“You’re in pain,” Carrie said.
She moaned. “It’s okay. I’ll be okay. Tell me what happened. Why didn’t you guys escape?”
Tammy sighed. “That door in the infirmary didn’t lead out. We went the wrong way.”
“Yeah. The guards came through another door. That was the door out,” Carrie added.
“Yes. But I did get us outside. And from my travels, I knew some good hiding places, including this area right here. I’ve been here a myriad of times, and it’s a good place.” Christy opened her mouth to speak, but Tammy held up her hand. “Let me tell you everything, and if you still have questions after that, then have at it.
Christy nodded.
“We hid here until it was dark and then we headed to a little place I found by accident: House One. It’s intake and outtake. I didn’t know it, but everybody goes there first. They’re given their new identities and everything there. Their clothes are cleaned and sorted and they’re given their new clothes. I grabbed you some new clothes. I didn’t think it would be smart to give you the clothes you arrived in since you are so recently arrived. One of the guards or somebody who helped with your intake might notice that. There are a lot of good hiding places inside that house. We haven’t found a way out of this place yet, though. But I’m pretty sure with you, me, and Carrie, we’ll be able to figure it out. Nowhere is impregnable.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“You’re sweating,” Carried pointed out. “You need to rest.” She helped Christy sit down while Tammy spoke.
“I was caught once. Sneaking around. That’s where they took me. I stayed in that box for three days. No food. No water. It’s supposed to make you compliant. It made me more rebellious. From then on, I rarely remained at home at night. I hoped they didn’t just exterminate you or make you disappear. When I found you in there, it was like the best thing ever.”
“Thank you for coming for me. I’m sorry you’re still stuck within the walls.” Christy sat with her legs outstretched. The idea of getting crouched up like that again was awful.
“We’ll want to make a break to House One when they call for morning snack break. There will be so much movement, we won’t be noticed. We’ll be safe there until we come up with a plan to get out.”
Christy nodded and pulled up her pants to examine her leg. The incision was an angry red with a bit of yellow puss coming out from the wound. The stitches were stretched as the skin puffed out. Tammy looked down at it. “We can most likely find some antibiotics at House One. You need them. What you really need is an injection of antibiotics, but that’s not going to happen. We’re going to have to get you out of here ASAP to get you to a real hospital. Have you had chills?”
“I may have, but I wouldn’t know. It was so hot and awful inside the box, I thought it was my claustrophobia setting in.”
“Hopefully, we’ll be out of here before it gets too bad,” Carrie said.
“I’m crossing my fingers.”
Tammy peered out one side of the huge bins and Christy peered out the other. She gasped. Walking across the lawn toward House Seven was Jeremy. He had come for her. She started to get up, but groaned in pain.
“What are you doing?” Carrie asked, holding her back.
“Jeremy’s here.”
“What?” she said. “Who’s Jeremy?”
“He’s come to save me—us.”
“How do you know that?” Tammy asked.
“He’s my—friend. He was coming from the infirmary and now he’s headed toward House Seven. He’s trying to find where they took me.” She furrowed her brow. If he was wandering around the compound searching her out, that probably meant he was there on his own. If he had Division support, they would have surrounded this place and forced a surrender already. Her heart sank—Jeremy had come on his own, it was the only explanation that made
sense.
She watched as he entered the house and bit her lip to keep from calling out to him. If she brought the guards’ attention to him, she’d get them all caught. She racked her brain, trying to think of a way she could get to Jeremy that would keep them all safe.
As she stared into the courtyard, guards moved into the space in groups of two. There were at least ten of them.
“Something’s wrong.” Her eyes followed the guards as they converged on the courtyard. “Did someone discover I was missing from the box?”
“They shouldn’t have. They don’t check on you that entire time. It’s awful.” Tammy looked out again and cursed when she saw the flood of guards.
Christy tried again to stand, but Carrie pressed her down.
“They’re headed straight for seven.” Tammy said. Had they seen Jeremy?
“We need to go and warn Jeremy.”
“You’re in no shape to warn anyone. Besides, it’s too late.” The guards were already moving on House Seven.
“He can’t take down ten trained soldiers,” Christy said, panic rising in her chest.
“He’s going to have to if he wants to get out of there. I’ll go watch and see what I can see.” Tammy slid around the garbage bins. Christy waited, every moment torture. What if…?
“Thank you,” Carrie said, and Christy looked up at her, startled.
“Don’t thank me. We haven’t gotten out of here yet.”
“This is going to sound strange, but to me, it doesn’t even matter if we do.”
Christy stared at her.
“No, I mean, I want to get out. Believe me. But—” she hesitated, smiling shyly at Christy. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt like anyone cared about me. You came for me. You found me in that container, and again in the intake house. You could have just ignored me, left me to fend for myself. Everyone else in my life always has. But you didn’t. And that…” she bit her lip for a moment before continuing. “That means a lot to me. So thanks. That’s all I wanted to say.”
Christy squeezed Carrie’s hand. “I’m sorry your life has been like that. When we get out of here, I hope you find people in your life who will treat you how you deserve.”
Just then, Tammy slinked back around the garbage cans. Her face was flushed and she breathed hard. “He made it out.”
“Are you sure?” Christy demanded. She wanted more than anything to believe it.
“He climbed out the kitchen window.”
Christy closed her eyes in silent thanks.
“Where did he go?” Carrie asked.
“He slid under the house. Clever.” Tammy grinned. “I like this guy, but I guess he triggered some kind of alarm.” Christy frowned. That didn’t seem like Jeremy. Still, anyone could make a mistake.
“They’re going to count the girls,” Tammy continued. “I’m wondering why they would do that, though. It’s a male they’re looking for.”
A second group of guards went into House Seven and another searched the perimeter, shining flashlights underneath the building. Jeremy must have found the perfect spot under there, because no one found him. All the girls and the matrons in the various houses came out and stood on their porches. A guard went from house to house and wrote down the number of girls reported. Alvarez was standing on the porch still with a few guards behind him.
Tammy gasped and pointed. A set of guards was coming their way. “Stand behind the wheels, guys. Christy, you’re going to have to lift your booted foot or it will show.”
Tammy and Carrie stood and helped her to her feet. She braced herself with her back on the bin and lifted her foot. Sweat dripped down the sides of her face as they waited for the guards to pass. To the right of them, a flashlight flooded the crevice with light. It slid along the bottom beneath the bins and bounced off the back wall.
Christy’s legs shook. She wouldn’t be able to hold it much longer. She was afraid if she shifted, the metal might bang in some way. She clenched her teeth and braced herself. Time slowed, and she thought she would die right there.
Finally, the light moved away, and the guards retreated back into the courtyard. Before she knew it, Tammy had come to her and lowered her to the ground. “We have got to get you some antibiotics. You’re so hot.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Are you okay?” Carrie asked.
She bit her lip and nodded.
“I think I should go get those antibiotics,” Carrie said.
“No. You could get caught. This is going to be over soon, I just know it.” Christy hoped with all her heart the words were true.
“I’m going to look around,” Tammy said, slipping out again.
A few minutes later, she returned. “Your guy just took out one of the patrol guards and took his clothes before gagging and tying up the guard and putting him under the house. Is that what you can do when you’re not sick? Are you some kind of kick butt spy?”
“Some might say that,” she whispered, feeling very tired. “Is there a way you can signal him?”
“No. There are too many guards around. Too many guards searching for him. He was fast.”
“Yes. He is fast.” Memories of the awesome things that he’d done flashed through her mind. “If only you knew.”
She kept praying that an answer would come. The answers she needed. They needed a distraction. “Is Alvarez still on the porch?”
“Yes.”
“Take me back to the infirmary. I’m going to take him out.” She tried to stand, but it was impossible.
“No. Not in the condition you’re in. I’m sorry. You’re going to have to wait until Jeremy does it himself.”
“If you two help me, I can do it. It’s the only way.” She stared at them, trying hard to make them believe she was strong. She pressed against the cinderblock wall, readying to stand.
Carrie looked out around the trash bins at the courtyard. “Oh no.” She covered her mouth.
“What?”
“They have someone in custody.”
“Jeremy?” Christy’s heart wrenched.
“I don’t know. I can’t see. There are too many guards around the person,” Tammy said.
“Tell me it isn’t Jeremy.” Christy felt sick.
“I don’t know. They’re going to have to come closer. But I doubt it’s him. I mean he’s fast, but they’re bringing this person clear from the other side of the compound. Wait. It’s a girl. Nothing for us to pay attention to. She probably broke a rule or something. She’s probably going to the boxes. They’re headed for the infirmary.”
“A girl? What does she look like?” Christy wasn’t sure why she asked, but the hair on her neck was standing up.
“I don’t know, a girl. She has brown hair, a skirt and white top.”
“Look at her face. Can you see her face?”
“No. I can’t. She’s too far away.”
“Is she wearing or carrying a backpack?”
“No, but a guard is.”
Christy breathed a sigh of relief. So Jeremy wasn’t alone and Division was here. Everything would be okay. It must be part of the plan to get Marybeth caught. “It’s Marybeth. Another one of my colleagues. It has to be.”
“Great.”
Her relief turned to dismay as she thought about it. Jeremy would never send someone so green into this situation; he would never use Marybeth as bait. That meant she had to have been caught for real. She wouldn’t have the skills she needed to escape. “She’s new,” Christy said, her voice somber. “She’s going to need help. You’ve got to get me to that infirmary.”
“Are you sure?” Carrie asked, her face a mask of worry.
“We need to get in there and get a hold of that backpack.” Christy grimaced. “It will have a gun in it. Then we’ll have a chance.”
“Well, if all you want me to do is get a backpack, I can do that.” Tammy started out.
Christy reached out to her. “No. Take me with you.”
“You want to gua
rantee we’ll be seen?” She scoffed and peered out, one hand on the cinderblock wall and one on the dirty blue trash bin.
“If you get me over there, I can tell you what to do. You need me there.” And so does Marybeth.
Tammy shook her head.
“The three of us can do this. It will take all three of us to take them down.” If she was going to save Marybeth and Jeremy, she’d need to be there.
“And I thought getting you out of the infirmary would be hard. Now you want me to get you back in?”
“Take us back the way we came. I promise to do my best to keep myself upright. I’ll tell you how to overpower these men and get us out of here.” Saying the words didn’t make it seem more possible, but she hoped it was true. She hoped a way would present itself when they got there.
Tammy clenched her jaw. “Fine,” she hissed. She helped Christy up and pulled her arm over her shoulder. “Carrie, grab her other arm.”
Christy grinned. They could do this.
There was a gap between the garbage and the general store. The courtyard had emptied. The girls were probably under lockdown until the intruders were found. The guards had cleared the courtyard and had moved on to searching other areas. Christy prayed they wouldn’t find Jeremy.
“Okay, let’s go,” Carrie said, her head glancing in all directions.
“Same rules apply, Tammy. If it’s between me and you two, you go.”
“I got it.”
“Carrie?”
“Got it.”
“All right. Let’s do this.”
Chapter 26
CHRISTY
They made it to the infirmary with no incident, and reached the window they’d used for her escape earlier. It was still unlocked.
Tammy went in first so she could help Christy down. Part of her, a very large part of her, wanted to grab Tammy and tell her not to go in there, but she couldn't. She ignored the shudder that went from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes. Like her body knew what lay beyond that window and was sending out a warning against doing an extremely silly thing. Tammy had helped her out not that long ago, and now they were heading back in willingly. She shut her eyes against the panic welling in her chest.
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