Inka of the Ice

Chapter Three

Three weeks passed in a flash for Inka and Sera. They looked forward to their chance to be out of the confinement of the Mistress's cramped apartment. Meanwhile, Bertha's condition only worsened. Her close-to-sprained ankle seemed to have weakened her entire immune system, and she was often ill in bed. She helped when she could, but that was rare. The Mistress refused to pay for a doctor's visit.

Since Bertha could not work, the Mistress was grumpy and irritable, which made the rest of the girls suffer. But no matter how hard they were pushed and beaten during the day, when they retired to bed with bruises and groans, they never blamed Bertha, who lay in bed, ill and restless.

On the day of Inka and Sera's departure, Inka and Sera were not sad to leave. The only thing that held them back was Bertha, feverish in bed, and the rest of the girls, all who congratulated them and greeted them with wistful smiles.

"I'm so sorry, Bertha," Inka murmured. She was sitting at her best friend's bedside.

"It's fine." Bertha's voice was weak, barely audible. "Go ahead. We'll find each other somehow."

"Yes. I'm coming back here when the expedition's over, anyways. I'll come back for you, you and the girls. I promise. I'll never forget you." Bertha's lids fluttered and she smiled.

"I'll never forget you, either," she breathed. Inka smoothed a strand of sweaty hair out of Bertha's face and left the darkened room, closing the door gently behind her.

The Mistress was waiting. Inka brushed the tears out of her eyes, sweeping them across her face. The Mistress handed Inka and Sera two dresses- light blue, with white collars, the same they'd worn for the Inspection. "You can't leave in those clothes," she sniffed. "What's happening here? Five girls can't do all the work in this house, and when I get a chance to send two away, they don't even ask me permission. Humph." She crossed her arms and marched away. Inka didn't mention that the Mistress wasn't her true guardian- the Inspector's organization was. Instead, she helped Sera dress and then dressed herself. She checked the clock- just past noon. The Inspector was picking them up in fifteen minutes. They were not to bring anything but a few sentimental objects- clothes, food, and other necessities would be provided.

Amy had taken over the job of mopping the floor. She splashed soapy water onto the ground and began to swish the mop around, picking her feet out of the mess. Inka smiled at her briefly and crossed to the mirror. She looked at her reflection- she was dirty and scarred. Her hands were long, bony, and had scratches lined with dried blood. Her hair was long, tangled, and unwashed. Inka was skinny, muddy, and full of wounds.

Amy caught Inka frowning at her reflection. Checking to make sure that the Mistress wasn't there, she laid a hand on Inka's bony shoulder.

"Wherever you are, you'll do great," she whispered. "Just don't forget us."

"I won't," Inka promised. The doorbell rang, and the Mistress appeared. Amy scurried out of the room.

"I can't stay," the man said before the Mistress could open her bulbous lips. "I need Inka and Sera Cresswell, quick."

Inka was ready. She took Sera's hand and presented herself, hoping that she didn't look very disheveled.

"Let's go, girls," the man said. He held the door open for them to exit through, but Inka stopped halfway.

"Wait!" She let go of Sera and ran into the bedroom. Pulling up a floorboard, she grabbed the chocolate box. She returned hugging the box with one arm and grabbed Sera's hand again. "Ready."