After a few more words of him expressing his worry about me, which I appreciated but dismissed, he rushed off.
Leaving the window open would be something that someone would notice, but for now, with the faint summer breeze easing into the cracked slit, I felt like I could breathe steadier.
I sat back down. And winced at the pain screaming in rage all over my body.
Then I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air.
Again. And again.
Dozing off seemed like a joke, but with the promise that Thomas would help me with my cousin, I felt calmer.
In the morning, that calm was disrupted.
My bogus alert text came through, and I knew the minute it did because my uncle’s yells and orders reached me through the little window opening. Guards ran and rushed to his orders. Then countless revs of engines filled the yard and driveway.
As they all rushed off to check on that warehouse, the EMT vehicle should have been on its way.
Please, please, please.
Go and be comfortable like you deserve, E.
And live life to the fullest for me, too. Until I can get out.
Listening for the sounds of Thomas outside, I paced in the cell and strained to pick up any noise that would indicate he was transporting Esmeralda. The teen was tall and gangly, but not with many muscles. Esmeralda was short and slight and had lost so much weight. He could carry her, right? He’d be able to hurry her out of here?
Men’s voices came through the window. I didn’t recognize them, but I caught the tone of Thomas’s young, slangy dialect.
Please.
Please.
Esmeralda, please get out of here…
Taps on the window startled me.
“Did you get her?” I asked, then held my breath.
“I did. I got her outta here, Sofia.”
I closed my eyes and smiled. “Thank you. Thank you, Thomas. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.”
“She was skin and bones, Sofia,” he said sadly.
I opened my eyes. “I know.” Surprisingly, no tears came. Because I knew this. I knew that she’d die soon. “I know.”
“The man who came to get her sounded confused. You sure your uncle’s paying for her to go?” He gasped. “Wait. He don’t know. Does he?”
“No. I’m paying for her to be there.”
“But… you’re… here.”
Not for long.
“Thank you, Thomas.”
“You’re welcome, Sofia. I’ll come back by, make sure you’re okay and see if you need anything.”
He took off, and I hoped he’d followedallmy instructions, such as remembering to remove the strip of dark tape off the cameras that would have captured him carrying my cousin outside.
