Genesis Girl (Blank Slate #1) - Jennifer Bardsley Page 0,71

better. So you can take care of yourself. We both need to be strong so we can both leave.”

I’m a survivor, I’ve got good instincts, and I can think for myself.

Beau takes deep breaths, gasping for air, like he’s breathing for the first time. “Blanca, I … ” But he can’t finish his sentence.

“I need to go now, but I’ll return tomorrow.” I enclose Beau in my arms and rest his head on my shoulder. “I’ll take care of you. I promise.”

Beau doesn’t say anything. But he hugs me back.

Right before I open the door to leave, I pause. “Remember, Beau,” I say, turning to look at him. “Remember that you are loved.”

Chapter Nineteen

Opening a door is easy. Opening a mind is hard. That’s the only excuse I can give for what happens today at the villa. It’s the only excuse I have for my own deadly stupidity.

It starts when the well won’t work, and there’s no water to clean up the breakfast dishes.

“The generator must be out.” Barbelo throws his dirty gardening gloves on the clean kitchen counter. “Damn it, Lydia! Turn off the sink before the pipes break.”

“Yes, Barbelo,” she says. “Of course, Barbelo.”

But Lydia’s not quick enough. Barbelo knocks her in the jaw with his fist. She sits down at the kitchen table, holding her chin, not saying anything until he leaves.

I get some ice from the freezer and wrap it in a little cloth. Then I press it gently to Lydia’s face.

“Why do you let him do that?” I ask her. “Why?”

Lydia doesn’t answer. She rocks back and forth in her seat, holding the compress to her chin.

“Back in California, you were so powerful.” I picture her standing up to Headmaster Russell. “What happens here, when you get to Nevada?”

“I’m sorry, Blanca,” Lydia says. “I’m sorry. You don’t know. All the years. My sister.” Lydia isn’t making sense. She’s rambles. Then she reaches in her pocket and takes out the key. “This is a good time,” she says. “I saved some figs for him in the bowl over there.” I think she means for me to go see Beau.

“Keep the ice on that,” I advise.

Lydia nods and rises from the chair, one joint at a time. I follow her out of the kitchen.

It’s been five days now of helping Beau get better. He’s in his right mind again and gaining some weight. Each day he’s growing stronger. I know it.

And I’m getting stronger too. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been. I’m a survivor, I’ve got good instincts, and I can think for myself.

I feel the heat press into me as we walk down the hallway to Beau’s cell. Whatever stopped the well from pumping must also have affected the cooling system.

The temperature is becoming unbearable.

Lydia unlocks the door for me and then sits down on the tiles, her back against the wall. She’s still holding the ice on her chin. I kiss her on the forehead to say thank you, and a tear rolls down her cheek.

“You’re here again.” Beau smiles as I enter his cell.

“Of course. I said I would keep coming. Didn’t you believe me?”

“You also said we would escape.” Beau eyes the food plate and twitches.

“We will escape.” I hand him the tray. “I promise.”

“Do you have a plan yet?”

“Almost. I need to figure out how to get keys for all of the locks.”

Beau nods, understanding me. “There’re a lot of locks,” he says.

But it’s not only that. It’s something else too. I’ve been ready to fight Barbelo for a long time. But I’m still not sure what to do about Lydia. I don’t know if I could attack her. I don’t know if I still want to.

I’d rather Lydia come with us. I’d rather she choose to come with us. If she does want to come, then that’s how we can get out. That’s how we undo the locks.

I’ve had enough of being locked up.

“I’ll come back for you,” I say. “I promise.” I’m not sure if Beau believes me or not.

By the time Barbelo returns from the outside, I’m already in the hallway, scrubbing down Spanish tile. That’s when I see my mistake. That’s when I realize how stupid I’ve been.

When Barbelo walks through the front door, I realize that the door isn’t even locked. It’s been unlocked, perhaps this whole time.

The only thing keeping me in this villa is me.

The air is thick with heat. The cooling system has definitely stopped working, probably a couple of hours ago. Down