A Game of Colours

Chapter 28: Ropes and other Misfortunes

"I was hoping we had at least another week..." she muses.

"For what, Lewis?" I repeat.

"Saving our skins, of course-if you get what I mean."

* * *

"No, I don't," I say, "you're the one who's been in here multiple times and you've never escaped. We can't just do it now because of some guy."

"Some guy?" she hisses in a hushed whisper, "have you seen your eyes, dear? They say what you can't put into words, and I sure as hell know he isn't some guy to you. Now shut up and hear me out."

I nod, mulling over what she just said.

Lewis darts her eyes quickly towards where the nearest guard is sitting. His eyes are closed and his breathing is raspy and faint.

He's asleep, I assume.

"I may not have escaped personally-but people have before. Preston is a business town in more than one way. The rail road runs through it."

"Yeah, we passed the tracks on the way here," I say obviously.

"No, no," she shakes her head, "the Rail Road."

My eyes widen, and I say,"Go on."

She sighs. "Listen, there's little to be spoken of. Especially here and now; with spring coming. It's peak time for trading slaves. Hard to notice a few extras passing through the town, is it not?"

I point to the bars in front of me. "Small problem with getting out of here and into town."

"When there's a will, there's a way, ay?"

"Yes..." I say slowly, waiting for an explanation.

"We've got people on the inside too, Alice. And they can get us outside."

Lewis turns around in her cell and I glare at her back in frustration, hoping it's enough to make her turn around.

"These people. Tell me more," I say eagerly.

She sighs and says, "Give me time to think," without another word.

I frown and return to my own thoughts. People on the inside? She couldn't mean inside the law itself-it's different when citizens help out the slaves, but I can't imagine an officer being able to-or wanting to-help. My faith is not that strong in the monster that sleeps next to my cage. Why he is outside it and I am here, I will never fathom.

I lean against the cool cell bars, staring out into the empty hallway of the jail. The lights are dimmed and give off a warm glow. The floating dust reflects through it, dancing in the musty air like a swarm of fireflies. I sigh and close my eyes, clearing my thoughts and lulling myself to sleep.

I wake up to almost complete darkness, save for one light at the end of the hall, giving the whole corridor an eerie glow. I hear voices down the hall, approaching me. I open my lids slightly to try and see what is going on. I make out two figures that stand facing the cell next to mine, talking in hushed tones.

"He's to hang for sure, then?"

"Can't do nothin' more, m'fraid. It's a right shame-could've made a fair penny selling him. I know you never pass off something for the black market, if you get my pun."

The first man grunts. "There are always more things to be done. Perhaps we could switch him with another one of these men, and by the time the change has been realized, I could-"