Ch 13
Lou took her morning walk to see how it would go. The guards didn't bother her and she did her own thing. She took another walk right before nightfall. Most of the guards were busy pushing the workers back into the holding area so Lou walked around and went straight on to Jimmy. He was laying on his side, curled up in the small cage.
"Jimmy?"
"Lou?"
"I can't stay long. Did you eat somethin?"
"I can't."
"Jimmy please eat. I am gonna git us out outta here soon."
"Get yourself out."
"I can't leave you, he will kill you."
"It'll be ok."
"Jimmy look at me please."
"I can't, it hurts."
"I am going to help us, help everyone here. I give you my word."
"Help the others, I can't move so leave me."
"I can't do that Jimmy."
"You can."
"I love you."
Jimmy got quiet.
"Don't kill yourself for me."
"Why you almost killed yourself to protect me?"
"Go for help."
"What if I go and he kills you?"
"It'll be ok."
"I don't won't to leave you."
Jimmy didn't answer. Lou touched his matted hair. He had passed out again. She felt him trembling. She had to move and fast. She left and went back to her tent to find Gerald waiting.
"My love, how was it?"
"Very calming. I so needed this time."
"I had your servant fill your tub. I sent for some new dresses for you. I laid them out for you to pick one to wear."
"Thank you Gerald, I've never had anything like this."
"It will get better for you. You will see."
"Thank you."
Gerald went to leave.
"Louise, my love. I know you went to him. Don't do it again for I would hate to cause you pain."
Lou's smile faded as he continued on out. Noah looked at her.
"You can't play with him Lou. There is something off in the head."
"I've thought it over. I'm leaving tonight Noah. You have to help me. I see where the horses are kept. If I can get there, then I can run for town."
"You will get there."
Once camp was settled and quiet, Noah and Lou eased their way toward the horses.
"If they hear anything, I'll make it out to be me trying to escape. You run Lou. Ride hard."
"They might hurt you Noah."
"There are more lives at stake than just mine."
Lou jumped onto a horse bareback while Noah tied a makeshift rope halter. She heard a horse whinny. There was a commotion.
"Go Lou!"
She kicked her horse and ran hell bent for town.
Noah saw Trevor coming his way. He ran and began untying horses. He tried to jump on one as Trevor grabbed him and hauled him to the ground. He kicked him until he couldn't move. More men surrounded him. They hauled him to his feet and began to drag him back into the camp. Once inside, Gerald stepped out of his tent.
"He was trying to leave. Stupid son of a bitch. The leg chains stopped him."
"Louise will be devastated in the morning when she hears the news. Put him in a cage, he can't be trusted. She thought he was her friend. I hate to let her know."
"You can't trust that woman, Gerald. She already wore man's clothing. She came from the outside, look what we put her through and her friends. She will try to save them."
"She will be my bride. She won't go against me."
"Are you so sure?"
"She won't. I have him."
"Is she worth risking it all? We should just kill her and them. End this now Gerald."
"She won't. You shall see."
Trevor didn't know how to win his argument so he hauled Noah personally to the cages. He dumped him inside, slammed the door, and locked it. Noah rolled around until he could sit up. He spit the blood from his mouth. He looked over. He was next to Jimmy.
"Jimmy? Hey Jimmy?"
Jimmy made no move to look at him. Noah heard a faint whisper in return.
"Noah."
"Hey man, look at me. She's out. She ran to town. You hear me, she's out."
Jimmy just lay on his side. Noah could see the steady shake of his body. He could see the sweat on him even though he appeared to be cold.
"Jimmy, she's out. Just hang on. They will be coming. Jimmy?"
Jimmy convulsed and then his body stopped moving.
"Jimmy, come on." Noah knew that he wasn't good. He could smell the blood and infection. He smelled of dirt and urine. He obviously hadn't moved in days.
Jimmy started shaking again.
"Help is coming Jimmy. Just a little longer."
Jimmy didn't respond anymore. Noah fell back against the bars. He hurt all over. He spit blood from his mouth again. Come on Lou, you can make it.