Disappearance: A broken Wing

Surprise

 Three months. That's how long I've been stuck here. Three months of pain, fear, and hopelessness. Yet somehow, in that time, Baxton and I had grown closer. He gave me information whenever he could—small details about the guards, the routines, the land. Every time we spoke, I felt my heart betray me a little more. Was I falling for him? Maybe. But if I was going to escape, I needed to make sure I had Sally with me. I hadn't seen her in days, and I prayed she was still alive.

Leo and Lucas still treated me like dirt, raping me whenever they felt like it. At this point, I was numb to it. I stopped crying a long time ago. Hito, on the other hand, had been angrier lately, and I tried to stay out of his way. I was on my hands and knees in the kitchen, scraping the floor until it shone, when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, gorgeous."

My body tensed automatically—that word always meant I was about to be hurt. But when I turned and saw Baxton, I let out a breath of relief.

"Hey," I whispered.

"Leo and Lucas are in the barn feeding the women. That gives us ten minutes. Follow me."

Before I could respond, Baxton grabbed my hand and dragged me down the hall.

"Where are we going?" I whispered.

"Quiet."

He pulled me into a private room and handed me a folded piece of paper.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Your escape plan."

My breath caught. "Escape... tonight?"

"Yes," Baxton said firmly. "Sally will be in the barn at eleven. I'll sneak you the key and start a kitchen fire as a distraction. When everyone's focused on that, you slip out the back of the barn with Sally. There will be a jeep waiting at the end of the road. Drive it as far as you can, then dump it. The nearest town is about forty miles away. You'll be safe there."

My eyes filled with tears I hadn't shed in months. "What about you?"

"Don't worry about me," he said softly. "The birthday girl deserves a happy ending."

"My birthday isn't until tomorrow."

"I know. But hopefully, I won't see you tomorrow." He smiled faintly. "Don't tell anyone. You should get back before Leo or Lucas come back."

"Wait—how are you starting a fire?" I asked.

He smirked. "Everyone knows I can't cook. It won't be suspicious."

I laughed—a real laugh, one I hadn't heard from myself in so long. "You're insane. But... thank you, Baxton. Thank you for giving me a little hope."

"Take the map with you," he said.

"No, you keep it. I don't want to risk getting caught."

Baxton gave me a quick nod, and I left the room with my heart pounding. Could this really be happening? Could I actually be free tonight?

Later, I was outside finishing my chores with Leo and Lucas watching me like hawks. Then, out of nowhere, Baxton slammed me against the wall.

"Sorry," he whispered in my ear, "I didn't mean to do that so hard."

My chest tightened in fear and confusion. He couldn't possibly be... No. Not him. Not now.

"How about you and I have some fun?" he said, tracing his fingers up my arm.

My stomach turned cold. My heart started racing. Was he like all the others after all?

He took my hand and pulled me into a private room. I didn't fight. I didn't scream. The one person I trusted—he was about to break me too.