I have seen criminals imprisoned in the pillory before — mostly pickpockets and drunks. It is used to publicly punish and humiliate people. It’s built with hinged wooden boards with holes for the head and arms to be inserted through and locked into place. Lem looks both exhausted and uncomfortable.
We slowly walk up to the platform.
“Hey, Lem,” Amon says. He is the only one to greet my brother.
Lem looks surprised. He does not take his eyes off of me. His lips begin to tremble. He breaks out into tears.
“Get out of here, Rose” he sobs.
Amon asks, “What did they catch you for Lem?”
“Stealing,” Lem whispers, ashamed.
“Where are your scavenger friends?” Cinn asks, looking around. Then, we all look around, readying ourselves to flee just in case we see the scavengers.
“Get her out of here. Go, Rose,” Lem pleads.
“Let’s go,” I command.
There was a time when I was desperate to find Lem. But now that I see him alive … Well, I feel utterly rejected.
“Rose,” Lem cries. His eyes search for forgiveness.
I wipe away a tear of anger.
“Rose! I’m sorry.”
“You left me,” I yell. I bend down, pick up a stone, and throw it at him. It hits the board above his head with a smack. I pick up another stone and another; throwing them like bullets at him. Lem, being locked in the pillory can do nothing in defense.
“How could you?” I scream.
Cal grabs me from behind and holds my arms down so that I am helpless.
“Rose, stop,” he says.
I swiftly pull myself away from Cal and march back in the direction of our bridge. I do not look back.
Amon and Clove catch up with me. Amon is holding Clove’s hand, with Dodger trotting along beside them. Cinn and Cal aren’t with them.
“Where are the others?” I ask Amon.
“Talking with Lem,” he replies, nodding in the direction of the pillory. “You okay?”
“Fine,” I respond looking at the river.
“Who was that?” Clove asks.
“That was my brother,” I say.
“Why was he imprisoned?” she asks.
“Because he’s a thief,” I reply with disgust.
I ignore the fact that I am a thief too. So are Cal and Cinn. Instead, I throw rocks in the river to vent my feelings. Clove and Amon join me in throwing every stone we can set eyes on. We all seem to have feelings to vent. Maybe Amon is thinking about his mother. Perhaps Clove is missing Elizabeth.
Time goes by.
Then, Dodger runs up the hill barking. Cinn, Cal, and my brother Lem walk down the hill.
I clench my teeth and pick up a rock to throw at Lem.
“Easy,” Cal says to calm me. “We need to talk.”
“Go away!” I yell. My anger reawakens.
Clove stands behind me. I feel her little hand take mine. I look at her and she squeezes my hand in solidarity. I am not alone.
“Go away,” I say more quietly. “This is our home.”
Lem finally speaks.
“I couldn’t come back — I had to keep you safe,” he explains. “I am so sorry. But you are in danger.”