Page 105 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

Screams still echoed inside the walls. Hope and strength had been replaced with desolation and despair. I didn’t know what my purpose was here. My captors didn’t speak to me or acknowledge me in any way.

Other prisoners came and went. The new ones brought reports of torture or execution of the ones who’d left. The only positive story I’d heard was of Miguel. He’d been released to his government. I’d cried when I heard that. He was the lucky one.

Days didn’t matter much, but each time someone new arrived, we still asked. According to the one who arrived today, it was November 5th. That meant I’d been in captivity for almost five months. It also meant my baby was due to come into the world in less than six weeks. It tore my fucking heart out.

I didn’t pray much these days, but sitting there, slumped against the wall, I closed my eyes and asked for a miracle. Please let me make it home to see my baby. Both of them . . .

The new guy wept in the cell next to mine, his body huddled in the corner, arms wrapped around his knees as he rocked, repeating his mantra, over and over again. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.

Another prisoner, close to insanity from captivity, screamed, unable to cope with the despair. Just shut the fuck up!

Screwing my eyes shut tighter, I tried to block it all out, praying for my miracle.

The main door clunked open with a loud, grating bang. Everyone fell silent. Except for the new guy. He was too far gone.

The usual guards appeared, rifles in hand. Behind them, trailed the girl. Mali. I’d seen her a few times since the day she’d spoken to me, but not close enough to speak again.

I watched her as they let her into the empty cell on the other side of me. Until yesterday, it had been occupied by a Russian by the name of Anton Sokolov. He’d only been in here for forty-eight hours before being traded. During that time, he’d managed to spill a considerable amount of his own blood, which was likely why Mali was back again with her bucket.

Forcing myself to my feet, I stretched my body out. I didn’t do much exercise anymore. I didn’t receive enough sustenance for that. I barely got enough to keep my vital organs working.

One of the guards stood watch near the door. I knew if I approached Mali I would be asking for trouble. Mostly for her.

As she scrubbed the floor of the cell, I started walking the perimeter of my own. Twice, she met my gaze with an intense look. Something about it made my heart rate pick up.

With methodical movements, she worked, moving closer and closer to the bars that separated her from me. My legs shook, but I continued to walk. When she was almost done, and I thought I had missed any opportunity I might have had to talk to her, I saw her tuck a tiny piece of paper under the metal bars. If I hadn’t been watching her like a hawk, I would’ve missed it, she was that quick.

Two seconds later, the guard barked at her to finish up.

She stood, scooping up

the bucket as she went, giving me one last glance before being escorted out the door.

The guard remained, watching us all with sharp, hate-filled eyes. The paper taunted me, the corner only just visible from where I stood. Unable to wait a second longer, I carefully sank down to the ground, resuming my position of defeat. And with slow, cautious movements, I slid the paper toward me.

On it, in small, scribbled handwriting, were three words.

Help Is Come.

Chapter 57

Amy

Deployed time: 32 weeks

MIA: 22 weeks

From: Amy Benson [email protected]

To: Daniel Stephenson [email protected]

Date: Fri, November 18, 2016 at 8:07 PM

Subject: Home

Daniel,

I can’t believe it’s been 8 months since I said goodbye to you. Time is moving too fast. Mae is already 10 weeks old. The doctors say she can come home tomorrow. That’s a whole month before she was supposed to be born. She’s still only 4lbs. But she’s so strong. She’s just so beautiful Daniel. I wish you were here to see her. I wish you were here to see it all. It hurts so much to do this without you. You should be here.

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