MILA
The cellthey locked me in was stereotypical, with bars painted black, a metal bench and a steel toilet in the corner that lacked a seat. There was also a chipped porcelain sink no bigger than a fountain. I touched none of it except to perch myself on the edge of the bench. The entire space smelled like urine, bleach and anguish.
After they had put me in the van, I had watched as they loaded my uncle and aunt into separate vehicles, not even letting either of them get dressed. My aunt had been put in the back of the car with curlers in her hair and her housecoat on.
They had confiscated my phone from the dresser but, as promised, had left Bandit alone, barking nonstop from the closet.
I was so worried about him. Did they take him away too? Had they hurt him? No one would talk to me or tell me what was going on. When I repeatedly asked to make a phone call, they ignored my pleas. Axel hadn’t been at home when the police came in, but I imagine they had arrested him as well. He was asinvolved in this business as anyone, and for that alone he was probably in a cell somewhere in this building.
Even if they did give me a phone call, I didn’t know who I would call. Selena and Tanya were barely surviving themselves, and everyone else I knew was most likely locked up with me.
It was shortlyafter 3 p.m. when two female guards came to my cell and started to unlock it.
“Turn around and put your hands on the back wall,” one of them told me.
“Where are you taking me?” I could hear the fear in my voice, but I complied and put my hands against the back of the cold cell. Strong hands padded over my body, down my sides and then up between my legs.
“Hands behind your back,” she instructed.
I felt the cold metal of handcuffs tighten around my wrists. “Where am I going?”
“Follow us, please. Don’t speak or look at anyone.”
They led me down a long brick hallway before steering me into another sterile room. This room had two doors, one at each end.
“Face against the wall, please.”
I turned and felt the cuffs being removed. And then, without saying another word, they walked out and shut the door behind them with a resounding click of a lock.
There was a metal table and two metal chairs, but I was tired of sitting.
A moment later, a police officer in uniform opened the door. “Mila?”
“Yes.”
“Come with me, please.”
I followed her out of the room to another holding area. She walked me over to a counter that was protected by Plexiglas. “Mila?”
The officer behind the counter stood up, placed some items in a plastic bin and then shoved the bin under the Plexiglas. “We have one set of house keys and one phone.” They shoved a clipboard at me. “Sign here.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, as I signed the form without reading it.
“You’re being released.”
My heart sang. The only person who would come and rescue me was Axel. I couldn’t wait to see him.
“Please take your belongings and move through that gray door.”
I picked up my phone and keys with haste. Axel would know what to do now.
I burst through the door and looked around for him.
But the only person standing in the room was Giselle.
“Where’s Axel?” I blurted out.
“We’ll talk in the car,” she spoke in a low voice. “Come quick.”
