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.
