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My family hasn’t given up looking for me. It’s one thing hoping and praying every goddamn day that someone believes you’re still alive, but knowing it is another thing entirely. It gives me the biggest burst of encouragement.
I look over to the room guy number one went into. Bingo. It’s the office that’s always locked. Think, Shay. Think. I close my eyes and take in a deep breath.
I need a diversion. I look off to a few rooms and spot the one I need. The woman in room two speaks perfect English. She had her baby taken away from her on my first walk around. She’s still here after all this time because she’s not speaking and refusing to do anything the guards want. I’ve promised to do all I can to help her. Maybe this is the chance I’ve been looking for.
I hobble into her room and hold my finger over my lips to keep her quiet. I need her to listen if my plan is going to work. I know she can understand because I’m the only one she talks to.
“I need your help. Can you help me?”
She nods weakly; the look of fear on her face is heart-breaking. It kills me every day, seeing innocent women going through this shit. No woman should endure this pain and heartache at the hands of others. I try my hardest to connect with them, show them that I’m just like them in some way, but it doesn’t work.
“I need you to make a diversion. Do you understand? Make a noise. Loud enough to get a man in here so I can try to use the phone. Do you understand?”
“You get us help?”
I smile weakly. “I hope so.”
“Yes. When?”
“Wait for my nod.”
I limp back out of her room and take my place behind the pillar. I leave her door open so I can carry out my plan. I give her the nod and wait for her to do whatever she needs to do.
Suddenly, she starts screaming, banging her head and hands off the wall. She looks like a crazy woman. This stupid mission I’m embarking on could be a death trap, but I won’t know unless I try. I need to try.
As planned, the office door opens and gets left wide to the world. Keir comes running, and so does the man. When they’re in the woman’s room, I quickly make my way into the office and look around. The computer will take too long. I practically run to the phone and dial the one number I’ve never forgotten. I have no idea if it will work since I’m out of the States, but I’m hoping and praying with the right codes the number will connect without alerting anyone.
A few rings and I’m losing hope that anyone will answer.
“Come on,” I growl down the line.
“Hello.”
“Clay!” I whisper shout, watching the doorway closely.
Silence surrounds me and I think no one hears me.
“You need to hear me, Clay,” I cry.
Please hear me. Please answer me.
“Shay. Is that really you?”
“Yes. I have no time. I need your help. I’m locked up. I can’t get home. It’s bad,” I ramble, hoping he can piece together what I’m saying.
“Where are you, babe?”
“I’m still in Iraq. Please, Clay. I need you.”
“Give me anything you can, Shay. I will get you. I promise. We’ve been looking for you but hitting brick walls every time.”
“I don’t know anything. Josh, he’s here somewhere, but I haven’t seen him for months. I need to go; I shouldn’t be in this office.”
“Wait!” he yells. “Are you hurt?”
Hot tears roll down my cheeks and I wipe them away frantically. “I am, but I’ll live. Just…” a sob catches in my throat and I tighten my hand on the phone.
“Shay. I’ll get you out of there, babe. I love you.”
