She stares at me. Blinks back tears, the nods submissively. Takes a tentative step forward. Another. Not looking at me, shaking like a leaf, her chin tucked against her chest, eyes downcast, she rushes past me toward the car. Getting away from my presence as quickly as possible.
She opens the door gingerly, folding herself into the seat—it’s obvious each movement causes her pain. Once seated, she folds her hands on her lap and waits. Head down. Eyes down.
God, what did they do to this girl?
I close her door, taking care to do so gently, moving slowly. She still jumps when the door thunks closed. I slide behind the wheel, put it in gear, release the brake, and drive away. She watches in the side view mirror, rapt. Waiting.
I glance at her. “Hey. You’re safe now.”
She shakes her head. “He won’t let me go.”
“Your husband?”
She shakes her head but doesn’t answer.
I drive in silence for a while and then glance at her. “I’m Silas.”
She doesn’t look at me. “Naomi.”
I chew on a million questions but only ask one. “Got anywhere to go?”
A slight shake of her head, eyes downcast.
“Can you look at me?”
She turns her head slightly toward me and meets my eyes. “Yes sir?”
The “sir” bugs the shit out of me, but I’ve gotta take this fucked up situation one step at a time. Right now, that’s the least of my worries.
I reach out a hand, slowly. “I’m gonna see if you’ve got a broken nose. Okay?” She pulls away, a sharp, abrupt movement, and I drop my hand. “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
She lifts her shoulders, turtling. “It’s not broken. I’m okay.”
I bark a huff of laughter. “Darlin’, you’re far from okay. But if you say it ain’t broken, I’ll believe you.” I glance at her midsection. “The ribs?”
Another shake of her head. “Fine.”
“Not fine.” I frown in her direction. “Take a deep breath.”
She glances at me, as if assessing me, and then I sense resignation in her. She sucks in a breath, but can’t fill her lungs all the way before her breath hitches, and she breaks off the inhalation with a soft cry of pain.
“Cracked, at least,” I say.
“No doctors. No hospital. Please.” Her voice is soft but desperate.
“Why?”
A roll of her shoulders, a shake of her head.
I growl in annoyance. “I’ve got no problem avoiding a hospital, but I gotta know why.”
“They’ll take me away. Put me in jail.”
I frown. “What? Why? What’d you do?”
She looks at me in confusion. “They’re filled with sinful men of the world. They’ll take advantage of me. Take me away.”
I growl again. “That’s horse shit, Naomi. Lies they told you to keep you prisoner.” I glance at her. “Whoevertheyare.”
