Ch 12

Another day had come and gone. Lou sat alone in her tent. Two armed men stood right outside. She held her head in her hands as she cried. It seemed that was all she could do lately. Her ankles were starting to look better but she didn't feel any better. She did see Noah this morning. He looked like he was sick but was being treated better if you could say that. He just didn't look healthy. She wasn't allowed to speak to him. She hadn't seen Jimmy. She was going to take a chance. She was going to get over there tonight somehow. He was in the shape he was because of trying to help her. Now she had to do this to help him live. The tent flew open as Mr. Evans walked in with a package.

"Hello my love."

Lou didn't reply.

"Well then. I have something for you. You will be so happy."

He walked over and sat the box down next to her. She turned and looked away.

"Look at me and open it."

Lou turned to look at him.

"I need to see that he is alright."

"Who? If you mean him, you know I told you that you couldn't have anything to do with him. Now open the box."

"Is he alive?"

"Will you ever shut up about him!"

Lou stood and walked to the back of the tent.

"I'm sorry love. I was taught never to raise a voice to a lady. Open the box and let me see you smile. If you do, then I will let you see him for yourself."

The urge to see if Jimmy was ok overpowered everything that her mind was telling her. She opened the box and pulled out a long lacy white wedding dress. It was actually a very beautiful and well made dress but she felt sick looking at it.

"I need to see Noah, the black man, as well."

"Why him?"

"He was one of my closest friends. I would just like to have a friend close by. I feel alone."

"Well as for that one, I can do you better. I will make him your attendant. No more hard labor for him if you will smile and be happy."

"What about Jimmy?"

"Louise. You feel differently towards him than you do the other. I don't know. Let me think on him. He is trouble."

"He won't be. I promise."

"Marry me first then we shall talk about him."

"I will make sure that he stays in line if you let him out."

"I told you already, he isn't getting out until the wedding and only then will I consider it."

Lou looked down. She had been fighting this man. Maybe it was time to play the cards that she was dealt.

"May I ask you what is your first name?"

"Gerald."

"Thank you. If I am to marry a man, then I would need to be able to call him by his given name." Said Lou trying to clean up her speech.

She looked at the dress again and put on her prettiest smile. Gerald looked stunned.

"You are such a beautiful young lady. You shall have anything you want here."

Lou just kept smiling.

"Here my love, let me take you to see your friend. Just think, he could be out in just a few days."

Louise just about gagged but held onto her fake smile. She had to turn the tables. She could use this man, his affections, and hopefully get free range of the operation. She could then see Jimmy and try to plan their escape. She could do this. Her mind was whirling as they came upon the cages. She saw one man being pulled out and thrown in the back of a wagon. She turned her head. The poor man was dead. Her heart started beating out of her chest as they neared the one where they were keeping Jimmy. She didn't need to run to him or show her emotions. She could do this. He was propped up against the bars. His head hanging down, his arms limp at his sides.

"May I please be the one to inform him of our news?"

"Of course love."

Lou walked over while Gerald stood a short distance away. Jimmy didn't stir as she came up to the bars.

"Jimmy, it's Lou."

He painfully raised his head just enough to see her. Lou felt her eyes start to water. She forced them to stop. He was still black and blue. He still had dried crusty blood all over him. Some cuts appeared to look ok but some were red and swollen. He had rings under his eyes. He breathed harshly.

"Jimmy, I have come to inform you of my upcoming wedding to Mr. Evans."

Jimmy acted like he didn't notice her.

"Jimmy, please?"

"Louise." He whispered.

"I am planning to be married soon."

"Don't Lou. Don't do it."

Lou heard someone come up behind and speak to Gerald.

"I will be right back Lou darling, it's important."

Lou nodded as he walked a little farther away to talk to another man.

"Jimmy I told him that I would marry him in exchange for him to let you live. I will marry in a few days so you won't be in this thing much longer. I promise you."

"Don't. Don't do that Lou. I ain't worth it. Get yourself out now."

"You are worth it to me."

Jimmy tried to raise his head farther up to look in her face.

"Are they feeding you?"

"Of course I am feeding him love, that was our agreement. He just has been refusing it." Said Gerald coming up behind.

Jimmy gathered all the strength he had left. He fell forward and grabbed the bars.

"Don't let her ruin her life for me. Let her go please." Jimmy rasped out.

"Sir, I have treated Mrs. Louise horribly but she cannot leave here. She might tell others where we are. So she either becomes my wife, or I kill you. She chose wisely."

"Kill me and let her go. Don't hurt her."

"It's be my wife or let the men have her. I think this is the better option. Good day sir."

"You rich fucker. When I get out of here, I am going to kill you."

Gerald stopped while Louise closed her eyes.

"If you get out."

"You promised me!" Said Lou.

"That I did my dear, but you promised me that you could get him to act civilized."

"I can! I promise."

"We shall see. Let's leave him to himself. We have a wedding to plan."

Gerald escorted Lou away as she looked one last time at Jimmy. He was clinging to the bars for dear life, shaking all over. She had to get him out quick if she didn't, she feared that she couldn't save him.

Jimmy saw Lou walk away. At least they hadn't hurt her. He had to get out of here. Suddenly he felt sick, the floor shifted and he slumped to the floor. He looked up at the evening sky as the darkness took him over.

The next morning Noah wasn't taken to the hillside instead they chained him and took him to the tents. The guards took him into one and told him to clean up. They had fresh clothes in there for him. He washed and dressed. The men returned and pushed him to a larger tent. They pushed him inside and there was Lou. She was in a long dress with her hair fixed. He looked at her in confusion.

"Thank you, now you can go." She told the guards but they only went to stand outside.

"Lou?"

"Noah!" Lou said as she hugged him.

Noah started coughing.

"Noah you look sick. Are you ok?"

"I've been feeling sick a lot lately. Eric gave me these herbs. Told me to eat one a day. He said the men that work the mine get sick from all that junk you breathe down there."

"At least you are in one piece."

"Yeah I only managed to have a few spats. I've been looking for you. I've been worried sick."

"Mr. Evan's wants me to marry him. He says I can never leave anyway and he needs a wife."

"Lou, you can't be serious."

"I fought him every which way but then..."

"Then what Lou?

"He said he saw that I had feelings toward Jimmy. He said he would kill him if I didn't. I agreed Noah."

"You don't know if he will keep his word Lou. That's just too risky."

"He said he will keep him alive here but that I can't see him."

"You can't do this. Jimmy wouldn't want that. You got to think of how to get yourself out. Help the others find us."

"I got you here didn't I?"

"What's that all about anyway?"

"Told him I needed a friend here. That I wouldn't smile without you so he made you my attendant. No more mining for you."

"So you said you'd smile at him in order for me to be away from the mine."

"I did."

"I'm flattered Lou but please. Get yourself out. I will help you escape."

"I have to earn his trust Noah and fast. Have you seen Jimmy? I'm afraid he ain't going to make it." Lou started to tear up.

"I know it. I guess we will play along and make nice. See where it gets you."

"You mean us."

"No I mean you."

Just then the tent flew open and Gerald entered. He looked at Noah.

"Go get my food ready. Bring a table covering as well. I'll give you ten minutes."

Noah nodded and shuffled out, the chains still on his ankles.

"Happy my dear?"

Lou turned around with her biggest smile.

"I've been thinking, I want a house. I don't want to live in a tent. And, I want to be able to walk in the mornings and afternoons."

"A house is no problem. You will have to walk with a guard."

"Why? I'm not leaving my friends. The prisoners are chained and in cages. There are guards everywhere. Where would I go? I just want time to think by myself. Just a quick walk around."

She saw that he seemed to be thinking it over. She walked up to him and hugged him. She kissed his cheek.

"I don't see where that would be any problem at all. I will let the men know."

"Thank you Gerald." Said Lou still smiling.

He kissed her hand and went back outside. Lou shook her hand and went to wash it his kiss off. Noah was just coming in with her food. He sat the tray down. She pointed for him to sit across from her as she ate. She slipped him some of her food.

"Lou, are you sure you can do this?"

"I can and I will. Jimmy saved me now it's my turn to help him."

"We need to get you out Lou."

"He just agreed that I could walk twice a day alone. I will find us a way."

"You a way. If you get the chance to make a run for it, you are going. There are more people here than just us Lou. They need help."

Lou just stared at her food, thinking over what Noah had said.

Teaspoon and the family looked for tracks the next morning until nightfall. It was like they had vanished. Josiah was gone. Trevor was gone. Their hope was gone.