are we?”
“Up the hill from the main street. The ranger’s house is hidden by the schoolhouse so the public can’t see it. It was designed that way to not alter the ambiance of stepping back in time. They didn’t want to see lights on or signs of life from the main area. You were walking toward the house when—”
“What are the chances of someone walking by that window?”
“Rare. And if someone does… it won’t end well.”
“Because of your father? He’ll kill them?”
“Yes, in the acid pits at the mill. You were lucky to not be dead.”
I nearly laugh. I am far from lucky right now.
“What about the key to my chain? Do you know where that is?”
She shakes her head and her body tenses against me. I may be pushing too far, but I need to try.
“What about a cell phone? A phone of any kind? Is there a way you can get to a phone once he lets you free?”
“We don’t have a phone. There’s a ranger’s radio, but Papa Rich keeps that with him.”
My mind runs wild with ways of escape now that I have Ember—even faintly—open to answering my questions.
“What about that man who was upstairs on the first day? You said he wouldn’t help, but who is he? Maybe he would.”
Ember shivers and I pull the blanket higher over her shoulder. “Scarecrow. He’s a bad man. He won’t help. Trust me.”
“Scarecrow? His name is Scarecrow?”
“He’s missing a leg. Instead of getting a fake one or just doing without, he stuffs his pant leg with straw. He lives further up in the hills by himself. A disgusting hermit who only comes to Hallelujah Junction to visit us. He’s vile. He stinks. He’s an awful, awful man. And he’s also Papa Rich’s best friend. If he had his way, he’d be marrying me instead of you. So, if anything, he’d just throw you in the pits himself so he can have you out of the way.”
“And you never see anyone?” I continue, not wanting to give up. There has to be someone. Some way…
“Just from afar. I watch the tourists down below. That’s it.”
“And you said that there are underground tunnels, right? Your father allows you to walk them from building to building?”
“Right.”
Okay… this will be a long game.
A fucking twisted and fucked up game.
I will have to play it. I will have to play along so I’m given that moment… the brief moment… to find my opportunity of escape. But it will happen. Not by force, but by wits.
“And when I marry you…” I say as I inhale the strawberry essence from her hair, “you believe your father will let us live freely as you once did?”
“I hope so. I know he has a plan, and I’m sure you and I being able to live a normal life as husband and wife will be part of it.” She inhales deeply and then lets it out slowly. “I really hope so.”
We lie in silence as I hold her and scan the room looking for anything to give me an idea of escape. I stare at the window and pray to see boots walking by. I eventually settle in and know I have to think bigger picture. The cat finally joins us and cuddles up against my leg for warmth. I can see my breath now, but I at least feel warm next to Ember.
She’s putting off heat in this cold hell.
“Thank you, Christopher,” she says as she presses her body even closer to mine. “I know you want to hate me. So, thank you for fighting that emotion off.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“But you have to fight for that. So, thank you.”
14
Ember
“Wake up. It’s your wedding day.” Papa Rich’s voice bellows off the cold, dank floor and walls.
I shoot up from the ground and stand as quickly as I can. I pray that Papa doesn’t consider my sleeping with Christopher under the blankets in such close proximity as a sin. But I had no choice. If it weren’t for Christopher’s kindness and sharing the blankets, I’m not sure I could have made it through the night. Even with the wool over me and the heat off of Christopher’s body, I still remained cold and uncomfortable for most of the night.
Christopher is much slower in getting off the ground, but he does reach out and grab my arm, no doubt refusing for me to be able to run toward Papa and be within his reach. Although I will gladly take