BeforeI walked through the door, Deacon called out, "Have fun tonight new guy, youget your first job tomorrow."
I nodded myhead slowly, trying not to show any hatred or fear, just compliancy.
I walkedthrough the door to find Will had taken the girl to the end of the longcorridor full of doors on either side and she was pinned against the wall byhis body. They both talked in hurried whispers and I realized that Will wasn't pinning her, he was trying to support her. Igot closer and he stood up fully, pulling her up with him.
"Let'sgo," he said gruffly.
The girlled the way through another door and up some stairs. At the top of these stairswas another corridor that mirrored the one below. She led us about half waydown and opened up a room numbered 182 that looked like it used to be office.
One doublesleeping bag and two pillows were in the top right hand corner on a double blowup mattress on the floor. A small desk and chair were in the other corner witha long dead leafy plant.
"Youhave a bucket in the corner should you need to relieve yourselves but there aretoilets at the end of this corridor." Will pointed to a door further downthe corridor.
I nodded myhead and moved into the room. The girl sat in the chair. Will surprised me bycoming into the room and closing the door.
"I sawyou checking out the gate and looking for guards." Will took a menacingstep towards me.
"I,I.... Yeah I was. I need to get back home it's vital that I get back ASAP. Ineed to find my family and get them to safety, please don't tell Deacon,"I pleaded, not really wanting to lie anymore, and something in my gut told methat I could trust this guy.
"Youtold Deacon you didn't have a family? Listen, you seem like a goodguy...?" Will said leaving the end open for my name.
"George,my name is George and I lied to Deacon because I had a feeling that he was nota good person," I answered truthfully.
“Ok George,I won't say anything to Deacon but you have to do something for me. I need youto look after Nia here, she is family and I need her safe and NOT with Deacon.Could you do that for me?”
I nodded myeyes darting quickly to Nia and then to Will again.
Will turnedto Nia. “Have a good night I'll see you in the morning.” With that he left theroom.
CHAPTER 4: Makingfriends
Nia was on thefloor with her legs crossed. So I sat down opposite her. She had drunk about aquarter of a bottle of water and held it out to me.
I took thebottle from her, opened it and took a long drink. It felt quite refreshing eventhough it was now lukewarm.
"I'm gladyou picked me. I normally stay with Will, have been with him since I came here,but for some reason Deacon took a shine to me last week. This is what I get forfighting back." She pointed to her bandaged arm. “Is there anything I cando for you?”
“I choseyou because you reminded me of my daughter, I had this strange urge to protectyou, and also Will pointed to you. I really want to get out of here and back tothem, so what can you tell me about this place?"
Before shecould answer there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and stood therewas a young boy of about 18 or 19.
"Deacontold me to bring you this and said not to get used to it, tomorrow you willhave to eat in the hall." The boy seemed nervous and gave me a small smileafter his speech. "Enjoy," he said handing me a tray with two bowlsof porridge, an apple and a bottle of water.
"Thanks,it looks great, I’m so hungry, thanks…?" I didn’t know his name.
"William,but everyone calls me Billy," he replied smiling. "Oh, hey Nia."His smile got wider when he noticed her. “Are you ok?” he asked her then heeyed me suspiciously and stood up straighter, puffing out his chest as if tomake himself seem bigger and more menacing.
"HiBilly, I’m fine thanks." She gave him a little wave. Her cheeks turningpink.
I decided Iliked this kid. "Well, Billy, thanks for fetching me my food and tell themthat I look forward to sitting with them all tomorrow to eat breakfast, it willbe good to meet the others." I returned his smile.
He movedaway. "See you tomorrow."
"Yes,see you in the morning," I called to his back, closing the door with myfoot as my hands were occupied with the tray of food.
I sat downopposite Nia again, placing the tray between us. She picked up her bowl andbegan eating really quickly, I realized she must be starving. I started takingslow spoonful’s, aware that my stomach was still tender after chucking up itscontents by the gate earlier.
By the timeI was half way through my bowl Nia had finished hers and was eying up theapple. "You can have the apple," I told her.
"Yousure?" she asked already picking it up. "We, I mean the women, arenot normally allowed any fruit." She rolled her eyes.
"It’sok honestly, I don't want it and I would hate for it to go to waste. No onewill know." I reassured her with a smile.
"Thanks."She gave me a small smile, the pink returning to her cheeks.
"Rightthen, what can you tell me about this place."
Nia took abite of her apple and chewed it thinking about what to say next. "The women'sjobs are to cook, clean, wash the clothes etc., basically we are at the beckand call of the men. I work in the kitchen. We prepare meals and clean up afterthem. Meal times are at 8:30am, 1:30 and 6:00pm. Although there are small mealsavailable if for some reason you cannot make it at those times. At all times wehave two guards in the kitchen, one to watch over us and the other to visit thesupply room. Only Deacon’s most trusted men are allowed into the store room andthose who go on supply runs. None of the women or children are allowedinto the
