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“IF YOU’RE THINKING your eyes are going to adjust, they aren’t” Karla’s voice was soothing, which helped a little.
The other two had said nothing while Cassandra shouted for help, said nothing while she railed against her abductor, said nothing while she sobbed.
“No sense looking for a way out,” Karla said.
“We looked and feeled around everything in here,” Jacinta said. “There’s not even something to loose these bloody ropes with. Even the water bottle’s made of soft plastic.”
Cassandra wondered how they knew she was looking about.
“You’re the third woman that bastard’s had in here,” Karla said. “We been here a while. I’m used to what the noises mean. Melody a friend of yours?”
Cassandra nodded. When there was no response she said, “Yes.”
“I’m sorry.” Karla said.
“Did you know Geraldine?” Jacinta asked.
“Who?” Cassandra asked.
“Geraldine Huff,” Jacinta answered. “I liked her. We had a lot in common. More with Melody though. Did you know she learned ballet when she was little and wanted to become a ballerina?”
“No.” Cassandra sniffed. “I thought all she ever wanted was to find a man and raise kids.”
“No. All she ever wanted was to matter.” Jacinta sniffed. “Bit like...”
“She matters,” Cassandra said. “Although she’s not got family left she’s got friends who love her. Friends like me and Jenna Cage and Marie Schwartz... like me...”
“Who were those other two?” Karla asked.
“Marie was murdered Thursday night.” Cassandra sniffed. “Best friend I ever had.”
“Rough to lose friends like that,” Karla said.
“Yeah,” Cassandra said.
“I don’t like losing friends.” Jacinta sniffed and then coughed. “I wish he’d just take me next time. It’d be worth it to end this.”
“Why?” Cassandra asked.
“Because if he doesn’t it’s an even chance that I’ll lose another friend if he leaves me here. And if he takes his time about it, it’ll be a sure chance. If you’re anything like Melody, we’ll become friends and I won’t want to lose either of you.” She sniffed again. “It’s selfish of me, I know, but it’s what I feel.”
“He rapes them you know?” Cassandra asked, unsure of why she said it.
“Won’t matter,” Jacinta said. “Been raped before. Least this time the hurt of it’ll stop soon after.”
“Jacinta,” Karla whispered.
“No,” Jacinta said. “I’m trying real hard to not let this snap me. I got no more hope to spend on this. I want it over. I know them girls are... it’s over for them. Not the best way, but it’s over for them. I want it over for me.”
Cassandra had to wipe her face with her sleeve before she could speak. “Bastard rapes me it’s better he kills me,” she said. “If I get pregnant from it I’ll not know if it’s his or Michael’s. I’ll have it aborted just in case, and if I can’t get that, I’ll kill the little bastard as soon as its born. Smash its fucking head against a fucking wall.”
“You can’t mean that,” Karla said.
“It’ll be a French,” Cassandra seethed. “My family’s known for killing Frenches in this town, and I’ll make sure I deal with every single one of them before they drag me off to their fucking gallows to hang like me like they did to my father, and his...”
“By the Gods!” Jacinta said.
The inside of the container became lit. Cassandra turned to the door, thinking it was Stanley returning from whatever he did to Melody.
It wasn’t. It wasn’t where the light was from.
Cassandra’s head started spinning, like she’d had too much to drink again. She looked to where Karla and Jacinta were seated. She saw how pale and dirty they were, their clothes ripped, the red sores around the cords that bound their hands. Karla had her bound arms around Jacinta who was looking at another corner of the rust-coated, otherwise grey container.
“What’s wrong?” Cassandra asked.
“You look almost as pale as she does.” Karla’s voice wavered as she spoke.
Cassandra turned to the light. It emanated from around a blonde-haired, pale looking woman with the strangest make-up. Her head stopped spinning as she looked into the woman’s deep blue eyes. “I’ve seen you before,” she whispered.
The woman smiled and nodded. She looked like she was trying to say something but couldn’t.
A sense came over Cassandra that all would be alright. She couldn’t understand it, but she knew, even if she died, it would all be alright.
The woman disappeared.
“What the fuck was that?” Jacinta asked.
“I don’t know,” Cassandra answered. “It looked like she wanted to say something.”
“It was fucking scary!” Jacinta snapped.
“I’m untied,” Karla said.
“What?” Jacinta asked.
“I’m untied,” Karla said again. “The ropes are gone.”
“So’s mine,” Jacinta said.
Cassandra lifted her arms. She was also untied.
“What does this mean?” Jacinta asked.
“It means young Stanley French might be in for a surprise when he returns.” Cassandra felt her legs. The ropes about them were gone too. “Is there anything in here we can hit the bastard with when he comes back?”