"Howlong have you been here?"
"Um,about four months, I think. But I never give up hope that one day we will getout of here and be free to live where we want to. Plus, I still want to takeDeacon down for what he has done to others and for what he has done to me, Ineed my revenge.” Her eyes got watery and she got that far off look onher face.
“I promiseto try to help you get your revenge and get out of here,” I said holding herhand for support.
Feelingawkward at not knowing what else to say or do to comfort her, I took off myshoes, and t-shirt, leaving on my black jeans, I got under the sleeping bagleaving it unzipped for her to get in too.
"It'sbeen such a long day for me I think I'll go to sleep now. Goodnight Nia."I let out a big yawn, and lay my head on the pillow. Her eyes widened a littleas they took in all of the tattoos on my arms, chest and stomach.
Just as Iwas drifting off to sleep, I felt Nia get in beside me, it felt strange to havea woman that I didn’t know get into bed with me, but we were both tired andcold and that was that, for the next day I would do what I needed to, tosurvive.
CHAPTER5
I didn't sleepwell throughout the night, I was worried sick about Kelly and the kids and wasanxious to get started on a plan to get out of this place. I knew first I wouldneed to gain the trust of Deacon or at least get a little friendlier with him.
I got up at7:00am, trying not to wake Nia, I slipped out of the sleeping bag and drank alittle water.
“Morning,”Nia said and gave a huge yawn.
“Morning,”I replied. “Sorry if I woke you I couldn't stay there any longer.”
“Noworries, I have to be getting to the kitchen to get breakfast ready anyway.Don't forget Breakfast is at 8:30. Try to talk to Deacon this morning andconvince him to take you on a supply run, get the scope of the land and checkout his guards. Good luck.” She stood up and pulled a grey v neck jumper overher head. She tied her long jet black hair into a pony tail.
Taking meby surprise she walked up to me and gave me a quick hug. “We will get you backto your family ASAP.” She gave me small smile and slipped out through the door.
I used the bathroomat the end of the hallway and was surprised to see how clean they were. Thegrey walls and floor made the whole room look dark but the toilets and sinkareas were spotless. I used the toilet and afterwards, as I washed my hands Ilooked at myself in the small round mirror above the sink. Tired eyes lookedback at me. I splashed water on my face to wake me up a little and then wipedit with a paper towel.
As I mademy way through the door, Will was coming up thecorridor.
“Nia justrealized that she had not told you how to get to the food hall so she sent meup for you,” he said as way of hello.
“MorningWill, thanks I think I would have gotten lost with all these doors.”
“This way,”he said turning back the way he came from. “Listen, before we get downstairs, Ijust wanted to say thanks for looking after Nia last night.”
We walkeddown the stairs to the corridor below.
“I didn'tdo anything, we just talked for a bit and then we went to sleep,” I answeredhim honestly.
“Yes that'sexactly what I meant when I said thank you. But can you lay it on a bitfor Deacon, about how you enjoyed her but want a bit more? Maybe then hewill let you keep her a bit longer. I'll explain more after breakfast.”
We stoppedoutside another closed door, I could hear lots of voices coming from the roomand the clanging of plates and cutlery. The door was the same as all the restapart from the writing on it. ‘Canteen’ it said. How could I have missed thislast night? I wondered.
“Uh yeah ofcourse,” I said not quite understanding what he meant.
We slippedin through the door to what looked like a typical canteen area. The room waslarge, the walls were plain white and there were eight or nine long tablesscattered around. A few of them had small groups of men sat at them eating whatlooked like scrambled eggs and talking loudly. The noise was deafening.
“Come on,”Will said leading the way to a serving window. I saw that Nia’s job that daywas to serve the food and that a guy in front was not happy at the small amountshe had given him and was causing a fuss. I also noticed Deacon was watchingthe exchange, so I made eyes to Will, who understood and got a quick glance atDeacon also. He gave me permission for whatever I was planning with theslightest of head nods.
“Hey lady,just give him some more eggs, God damn it,” I said with as much vehemence as Icould muster, slamming my hand against the wall for effect.
Nia’s headsnapped up, her eyes wide, I'm not sure if it was fear or shock in them but a tidalwave of guilt washed over me.
Nia quicklyregained her composure and gave the man three extra scoops. Satisfied he turnedto me and smiled a smug smile. I forced myself to smile back. When it was myturn she gave me three scoops of eggs without meeting my eyes, her hands shookas she put the eggs onto my plate.
“I'msorry,” I whispered.
“I know,”she whispered before walking away out of sight and another woman took over theserving.
I seemed toget Deacon’s approval as he asked me to sit at his table for breakfast. Willsat next to me.
“No supplyrun today Will, the weather
