Page 39 of A Broken Promise

“Freckles, time to go.” Priya motioned for me to start walking and I did.

“We are just going to leave him there like that?” I asked, peeking over my shoulder at his helpless bloodied carcass.

Royals might have closed their eyes on slavery but murdering a Royal Soldier was still punishable by death. “What if he recognizes us?”

Priya laughed, as if I said the most hilarious thing she had ever heard. I frowned, slightly unsure.

“What now?” I impatiently asked.

“You got attacked and that’s your first concern? Shouldn’t he be worried that you’d testify against him?”

I was not naïve enough to believe that law was equal for everyone. It definitely didn’t apply to those in power but it sure as hell applied to me though, a runaway slave.

“I am serious, Priya.Thisis serious.”

Priya cackled. “Look at you, so worried. Then go kill him yourself.”

I stopped in my tracks. My eyes met hers, asking if she was indeed serious.

I had never taken a life before.

But at that moment, I knew I would do it. Even if it haunted me for the rest of my life.

If that was the price I had to pay for my freedom, I would do it. Priya’s mouth stretched in a wide grin. Noting my growing unrest, she finally countered.

“Relax, Freckles, he has about thirty more seconds of life left in him before his heart completely stops from the poison.” At my concerned look she added, “I like to give them a little hope before the light goes out.” She loudly patted me on my back and led the way to the dock.

19

The large steam ship carried us well into the night. Priya was nicely settled on the bottom bunk of the small, though luxurious, chamber. She made an excuse about needing to pee every five minutes. I didn’t object, climbing onto the top one.

We stayed in silence for hours now. Words seemed trivial; thoughts lost in the abyss. The low humming of the engines blocked out the never-ending rustling of wrappers as Priya pillaged the stash of strongly packaged snacks.

Finally, resting on my elbows, I propped up my body.

“What is it about me that just screams I am an easy victim, Priya?” I finally had the courage to say out loud what had been ravaging my mind ever since the alley.

I needed to know. Why me?

What.Was.Wrong.With.Me?

Priya sat up in her bed, shaking off the crumbs on the floor.

“Because you have a vagina?” she said indifferently. “But also, it might be because you look pathetic and weak, who knows? Men are really not that picky; even dead you are not hundred percent safe.” She scratched her nose, still loudly chewing. “But if you want my opinion, your eyes are desperate for belonging and yet you’ve given up on it. Like a sad little kitten on the street that might puff up and hiss but in reality, completely harmless.” She went through her wrappers, trying to find any last hidden candy there. She squealed and chucked another treat in her mouth, smacking her lips obnoxiously. “Truthfully, you are the type of person that chooses forgiveness over justice and that really shows,” Priya added, taking a long sip of water.

Perhaps I was wrong to ask an important question to a stranger that I only met a little over two weeks ago. A stranger, that too, made some questionable choices.

But that rising annoyance and anger within me was a cover for hurt. Because everything she said was right and everything hurt.

Though, I couldn’t shake off the feeling as if she blamed me for it. As if I was at fault for the choices of the sailor. Resentment tinted my mind.

As if reading my thoughts, she continued.

“No, it wasn’t your fault. It’s never your fault, Freckles. Men are shit. It’s as simple as that.” Her voice softened. It was good she didn’t see my angry face. Priya threw a giant pile of wrappers on the floor. “Life is cruel and unfair. We don’t get to pick and choose what it throws at us. Humans are also nasty creatures. Monsters lurking underneath our skin, prettied up by nice conversations and good food, just waiting to come out.”

“But you saved me.” A simple truth.

“A nice convenience, not going to lie. I have enjoyed my fresh laundry in the past weeks. Good thing too. It would have been such a hassle trying to find another half drowned, runaway slave.”

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