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Chapter 10
Shay
I sit down on top of a box of supplies and rub my aching leg. The wounds on my legs keep breaking down, and the pain is unbearable at times, especially when I won’t give in and stop working alongside Keir. I know if I stop, my mind and body will stop as well. My fears will escalate and that’s no good for anyone. Already I’m terrified of the deep tissue infection surrounding my shin. I’ve witnessed this many times with wounded soldiers, and the outcome isn’t pretty.
The whole situation is getting me down because I know I should rest, but I don’t trust anyone around here. I won’t be shut out for them to do God knows what. It’s bad enough that I can’t do anything to help these patients, mentally or emotionally, never mind being unaware of the goings on. I need to see and hear everything, even if I don’t understand everything they say.
“Shay.”
I hear Keir’s footsteps quicken as he closes the space between us. He kneels beside me and places his hand on my thigh. He tilts his head to get a closer look at my face. I’m exhausted. I don’t sleep. I can’t eat properly. I feel like I’m dying a slow and agonizing death. Everything here is unfamiliar. I’d do anything just to speak to someone I know. Anyone.
“Let me get you some pain meds?”
“No!” I straighten up and shake my head. I try to rein in my anger and speak softer. “I’m okay. I just needed five minutes to sit down. Besides, it’s too busy in here just for you to deal with on your own.”
I try to make any excuse I can not to stop, not to show weakness. I don’t like being doped up with medication because that makes me weaker. I won’t put myself in that position when I can suffer in silence.
“Are you forgetting that I was here a long time on my own? I’m not saying I don’t appreciate your help; I really do. It’s good to have someone…” he pauses and looks at his hand on my knee.
“What were you going to say?”
“I was going to say, it’s good to have someone on my side at last, but I wouldn’t wish this life on my worst enemy, Shay. If I could get you out of here, then I would.”
I nod. I know exactly what he means. This life that we’ve found ourselves thrust into is like something out of a movie. It’s not a situation you expect to find yourself a part of. It’s a living nightmare.
“I know what you mean. Look, I’ve got some notes to write up on a few patients. I’ll have a seat while doing it. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“It’s my job to worry about you, Shay. You’re still my patient, after all.”
“If you say so.”
I stand up and stagger a little until I get my bearings. It’s like learning to walk all over again. I have gotten stronger since being here, but I’m nowhere near my normal strength, and I doubt I ever will be now. Too much damage has been done to my leg and muscle, and I’m learning to accept my fate.
“I mean it, Shay. I know this isn’t the ideal situation, but I’m your doctor. I want what’s best for you.”
“Home. Home is the only thing that’s going to heal me, Keir.”
And with my final words spoken, I limp slowly away from probably the only person I do actually like around here. I want to trust Keir. He hasn’t done anything that makes me think he’s in on this ordeal, but he hasn’t done anything to make me think he’s in the same boat as me either. Every minute of every day, I’m trying to find a way to get out of here, or a way to contact Clay to tell him I need him. But the only telephone in here is locked up in the main office. An office me and Keir aren’t allowed into, but I won’t stop trying. I can’t. I need to get out of here.
There’s a sudden commotion up ahead and down another corridor. I creep up and hide behind a pillar to see what’s going on. It’s then I see two men arguing. The thing that captures my attention more is their American accents.
“It’s all a big fuck up! Her family is looking for her. This wasn’t supposed to happen. The boss is going to be so fucking angry when I tell him the one person they thought was dead is here, in this fucking camp!”
“Don’t tell him. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” guy number two replies.
“I’d rather take my chances now, as opposed to him finding out further down the line. We have enough going on without this shit. That shipment better go out smoothly on Sunday.”
“It’s all under control. You worry too much.”
“I…” Guy number one seethes and shakes his head. “I’m the only one thinking clearly. Human trafficking is one thing here. They’re all women with no lives, but stealing and selling babies is another. The boss has lost his fucking mind, and it only takes one wrong move and it all collapses around us, and we go down with him.”
“You need to get laid, bro.”
“Fuck you! I need to make a call. I’ll catch you up.”
I hide behind the pillar, trying my hardest not to breathe or move a muscle, because this is the closest I’ve ever come to connecting some of the dots. Everything is usually kept hush hush, and that drives me up the wall more than being locked up in this building.
A little rise of energy spikes within me at the thought of someone looking for me. He had to be talking about me. Who else could he be talking about?
