Illuminate

Chapter 17

"So when I said that you're going out in a cliché way, I was dead accurate. Luckily for you, we're going to make it so nobody will even notice your absence-except for us, of course.

"I see no reason to beat around the bush, so here goes: there's a supply truck that comes through each month. It happens to be making its rounds in four days, bright and early. Obviously, you can't just leave your barracks; that's not how it works. You'll have to sneak out the night before. You can sleep in the basement, where I'll have arrangements prior to your coming. The real challenge is how to get you outside without anyone noticing."

I pondered the plan for a moment. "Okay, I have two things to say." Dmitri gestured for me to continue. "First, I know a way to get outside. I have a few people in mind," I said, Rosalind, Matilda, and Aya's names immediately popping into my head.

"All right. And the second thing?" he questioned.

"How am I going to just disappear? Somebody's bound to notice. They're not stupid."

Dmitri grinned. "This is where I come in. Since I work close with Weiss, I can easily manipulate the paperwork. Imagine the number of employees dropping one and your name erased from the list. I've already typed a new one." He produced a paper from his coat and handed it to me.

My eyes scanned the names until I reached the Fs. Förstner, Ann was no longer existent. I felt my eyes become watery. "You did all this for me?" I whispered.

Dmitri nodded. "I like you, Veya."

•••

I gathered Rosalind, Matilda, and Aya in the basement during break to tell them my plan. They agreed to distract the guards and such while I escaped. Aya still looked down, so I held her after the others left to apologize. "But what will I do?" she wailed, tearing up. "You'll be back where you love, and I'll either be here or in my dungeon of a home!"

"Aya, you know I don't want to leave you, right?" Her head stayed immobile. "I won't let you stay here. As soon as I can, I'll do whatever possible to bring you away."

"Okay."

We returned to our breakroom.

•••

That night, I had trouble falling asleep because I was so anxious. However, I knew I had to get some sleep, so I forced myself to relax.

I woke up some hours later, when the first traces of daylight peeked over the horizon. Stretching, my body groaned. I was so stiff, and my neck was sore from sleeping at an odd angle.

To my right, Aya slumbered peacefully, the picture of innocence. I sighed. I really did feel awful leaving her when I knew how her life was, but it was so impractical. It would be difficult to smuggle one out, let alone two.

I fell backwards back onto my pillow. I closed my eyes and tried to fall back asleep, because I knew any small amount of rest would help.

The second I got comfortable, a memory clicked into my mind. I heard laughing.

"No, please! Stop!" I shriek. I hardly ever let loose anymore, with the stress and all, but here with the man I love, it seems easy.

He stops tickling me for a minute. "I had no idea you were so ticklish," he says, a devilish twinkle in his eye.

"Can we get married someday?" I blurt, but immediately cover my mouth. "I didn't mean to say that."

"I think you did," he smile. "Of course we can. When we're both ready."

I gasped. How did a memory of Roger seep through? A single tear slid down my face. Just one drop, and no more came. I figured I'd cried my fill of Roger.