Well, school's back in session, but I'll try to keep the story up. Sorry if I'm slow getting the chapters out.
Emily was meditating on the floor when she heard her jailer approaching her cell door. As it opened, she squinted and raised her hand against the piercing light pouring into the darkness she had grown accustomed to. She could make out the man's outline against the brightness behind him. In his hands was a tray with her dinner. He slammed it onto her bed. "Eat." She quickly stood up and moved to sit next to the tray. Cautiously, she examined its contents. There was a bowl with a stew of some sort, a hunk of fairly fresh bread, and a cup of water. Her stomach growled at the sight of her first meal in days. She carefully took a whiff. Smells all right, she thought. She couldn't take it anymore. She tore into the food ravenously.
As she ate, she felt the burly man's gaze rove over her body. What was he called? Juan? Oh, no you don't. She thought. She stood abruptly, catching him off guard. "I need to go to the bathroom." She said authoritatively. Glowering, he silently walked out the room as she followed. There was a hallway, at the end of which was a staircase leading upstairs. He went the opposite way. She briefly considered making a run for it, but quickly decided against it. There would no doubt be guards out there. She could take them easily, but she preferred not to make a mess of it. She was quite fond of that shirt. She turned and walked quickly to catch up with the man. He stopped outside a small bathroom and stood beside the door. She tilted her chin ever so slightly as she walked past him into the room. The best way to handle him was intimidation without overt insubordination.
There was a small window at the top of the wall of the tiny powder room. She stood on the toilet to peek out. There wasn't much to see, just a surrounding cluster of small huts. She wasn't able to tell the exact time, but it appeared to be late morning. She jumped down and finished up. When she walked out, she breezed past Juan without even looking back and headed right for her cell. She glanced to the staircase longingly before peaceably reentering. The man came in, gruffly seized the tray, cast one last leer in her direction and stormed out, locking the door behind him.
When he was gone, Emily repositioned herself on the floor. She began to tremble slightly. The thoughts this man had, they were frightening. His fantasies, sick. Bruce would have killed him for less. She should have killed him. He was like a snake, waiting for her to weaken so he could devour her. The only thing that had stopped her was how her village might be punished for her actions. She shook her head and straightened her back, visualizing her tension draining out of her and into the earth. She felt her muscles relax and the trembling cease. Oh, God, please take me away from this dreadful place, She prayed.
Steve had woken up early to the sound of movement outside. He quickly but silently got up and made for the door, his military training taking over. He cautiously stuck his head out the door, only to see two children with Victor. Steve instantly recognized the little girl from yesterday. Victor turned to look at the soldier.
"Ah! Buenos dias, amigo! I trust you slept well? I was only preparing for our journey today, when these two came out to help their old papi. Are your friends awake yet?" Steve shook his head. "No, I expected not. Well, no matter. You are awake, so I will tell you what I know. Rosa, toma poca Carlos para ver si tu madre tiene listo el desayuno. (Rosa, take little Carlos and go see if your mother has breakfast ready.) Rosa scooped up her little brother, (who was almost her size) and hurried off to see her mother. Victor smiled after his young ones. He turned back to Steve. "So, what do you need to know first?"