In Chains (18 page)

“She’s had a nasty shock and she’s injured,” he says to the officer. “She’s not thinking clearly. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

I know he’s just trying to protect me but I’m not going to let him do this. I’m not going to let them kill Kayden. “I know what I’m saying. I did it. It was self-defence.”

As the officer takes down my details and proceeds to read me my rights, I can hear Simon talking on his phone. The officer leads me towards the ambulance. “One of my officers will accompany you to the hospital. We’ll take you to the station when you’ve had your arm looked at.”

As I’m about to get in the ambulance, Simon runs over. “I’ve contacted my lawyer. Don’t say anything or sign anything until he gets there Savannah.” His shoulders are slumped and he looks so lost and alone. Christina puts her arms around him. He’ll be fine; he has her to love and care for him. I let everyone take my love from me.

I get into the ambulance and turn to the officer who’s coming with me. “I’ll sign a confession when they release the slave they just took.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Savannah

I’m grateful to Simon for hiring a good lawyer. I’ve explained my relationship with Kayden to him and I’ve made it clear how important it is to get him released. He probably doesn’t understand or care but if he doesn’t do his best to help, I’ll fire him.

“You’ll be charged with manslaughter,” the lawyer says, putting his notes into his briefcase. “The judge is likely to be lenient, given that it was self-defence.”

Picking up the polystyrene cup, I grimace as I sip the bitter coffee. “What about the slave? I’m not signing anything until they let him go.”

“I’ll speak with my colleague; slavery law is his area of expertise. You’ll have to pay for his services but I’m confident he can help your friend.” He snaps his briefcase closed and places it on the floor. “Getting you out of here is my primary concern right now.” He leans across the table towards me, “I strongly recommend you sign a confession and then they’ll release you on bail. My colleague will handle the slave issue.”

After a night in the cells I’m now sitting in a taxi on my way back to the farm. Simon is waiting at the door as I arrive. He wraps me in his arms. “Savannah, I was so worried about you. Are you okay? Did they treat you badly?”

I hug him. “No they were pleasant. The cell smelled nasty and the bed was uncomfortable but other than that I’m fine.”

He takes me inside and sits me down in the comfy chair beside the fire. “Do you want a coffee or something stronger?”

“I’ll stick with coffee. The lawyer will be here later and I want to keep a clear head.” He nods in agreement and returns from the kitchen a few minutes later holding a mug of my favourite vanilla coffee. He sits opposite me and I can’t help noticing how pale he looks. His face appears more lined somehow. “Simon I need to talk to you.” I take a deep breath before continuing, “I want to hire a second lawyer, one who’s an expert in slavery law.” He stares at me, not saying a word. “The lawyer you hired recommended him. They’re both coming today. Are you willing to pay for him? I give you my word I’ll pay you back every penny.”

He runs his hands over his face. “Why do you need him? How will he be able to help you?”

I reach for his hand, “He’ll help me by getting Kayden released. I love him Simon. One way or another I’m going to be with him. You love Christina don’t you?” He nods his head. “How would you feel, if I tried to keep you apart? How would you feel if I attacked her every time you went near her?”

He sighs and shakes his head. “I want the money back. I’m happy to pay for your lawyer but not for that ‘thing’, so you’ll need to pay me back for the slave lawyer.”

Getting up, I kiss him on the head. “Thank you. I’m going to lie down for a few hours; I didn’t get much sleep last night.” I set an alarm to wake me thirty minutes before the lawyers are due. My bed is warm, soft and comforting.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Kayden

I’m cold. I can’t feel my hands or my feet anymore. How long have I been here? It was dark when I got here but now the sun’s starting to come up. I turn my head and glance around. Looks like I’m the only one out here. It’s silent except for the birds singing.

I try to stretch my aching muscles. My arms are chained high above my head and I can’t move them much. I can feel the cuffs digging into my wrists. I look down at my feet. My ankles are spread apart and shackled to the cement floor.

I wonder what Savannah's doing. Is she thinking about me? She made me feel so good. I miss her. I never get to keep the people I love. She’ll be okay though. Her ex can’t hurt her anymore and her brother will look after her. I’m tired. Can I sleep standing up? I rest my head against my arm and close my eyes.

My baby’s here. She must have rescued me and taken me home. We’re in her warm, soft bed, wrapped up together in her duvet. I grin at her and kiss every inch of her beautiful face. She’s holding me tight and telling me over and over again how much she loves me. I’m so happy. What’s that tickling my face? I open my eyes to find my baby lying on top of me. We’re out in the field and she’s stroking a yellow flower across my face. She’s silly sometimes. I spin her around so that I’m lying on top of her but I’m careful not to crush her, I don’t want to hurt my baby. She’s laughing as I bury my head in her neck, she smells lemony. She’s pulling away from me. I look up. We’re in my caravan. She’s frowning at me, what have I done wrong? She’s moving farther away. I try to reach out for her but my arms won’t work. Why won’t my arms move? Ouch! She’s throwing handfuls of sharp little stones at me. Stop it! They’re hitting me in the face and they hurt. I try to cover my face but my arms still won’t move.

My eyes snap open. Hailstones! Oh c’mon, give me a break. I try to protect my face with my arm but I can only cover half of it. They sting as they strike my cheek and arms. I must have been asleep for a while, it’s dark again now. The wind has picked up; I can hear the trees rustling and an owl hooting.

I’m cold; I can’t stop my body shivering. My mouth is dry and gritty and my throat feels raw. I let my head hang down; I’m too tired to lift it up. How long does it take to die of thirst? I think it only takes a day or something like that. If I’m lucky I might die soon. I won’t miss my shitty life. Death can’t be any worse. I just want it to be over now. At least no one will be able to hurt me anymore. I don’t wanna hurt anymore. What happens when you die? Does everything just go black? Guess I’ll find out, hopefully soon. I’m gonna miss Savannah. I love her so much. I’ll never get to see her again. I hope she’ll be happy. My shoulders and my legs ache. I want to be able to lie down and go to sleep. I’m tired.

Slowly I open my eyes. I can feel bodies around me. It’s too dark to see. I’m falling. Ow! My body hits the concrete. I can feel hands grabbing me, lifting me up. They’re dragging me along. Do they think I’m dead? Am I dead? They must be taking my body to the furnace. It’ll all be over soon.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Savannah

It’s late evening and we’re all seated around the kitchen table. I feel refreshed after my sleep and I’m eager to get things sorted. “Did you get the slave released?” I hope this man is as much of an expert as my lawyer claims.

“I telephoned the Compound this morning. The police faxed them a copy of your confession. I was assured he’ll be released from the prison today.”

My muscles finally relax. “When can my brother collect him and bring him back here?”

“Ah,” the lawyer frowns, “I guess you weren’t informed.”

My muscles tense again. I stare at him. “What wasn’t I informed of?”

“The minute he was arrested for a crime he became the property of the government. Your brother had to sign away his rights to him.” He clears his throat before continuing, “You see, they can’t have slaves causing havoc. If they think the owner isn’t in control, they have the right to repossess the slave. Which they’ve done in this case.”

I look across at Simon. “So you don’t own him anymore?” He shakes his head and I turn back to the lawyer, “So he’s for sale? Can I buy him?” My spirits soar. There has to be some way I can get a loan, or maybe the government will let me make payments.

The lawyer clears his throat again. “He will eventually be put up for sale. However, because he was accused of a crime he has to undergo a year’s retraining before that can happen.”

My head is spinning. “But he’s been cleared of any crime, so he doesn’t need retraining, does he?”

The lawyer shakes his head. “That’s not how it works I’m afraid. Being accused of a crime is enough to warrant retraining, but he’ll live and that was your main concern as I understood it.”

I don’t think this particular lawyer can be of any more help but I’m glad that Kayden will at least live. An idea is beginning to form in my mind and I need to talk to my criminal lawyer in private. I hope what I have in mind is possible, it has to be. I keep my fingers crossed as I ask to speak to him alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Savannah

The van is parked around the back of the court. Simon and my lawyer are standing there as I come out. Simon looks as if he’s about to cry. I call out to him, “I love you. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you next year.”

It isn’t easy climbing into the back of the van with my wrists cuffed together but I manage. I sit by the little window so I can look out as the van pulls away. I’ll miss my brother but a year isn’t so long. My lawyer was right, the judge was lenient. It’s been a long month waiting to go to court but it gave my lawyer plenty of time to do some research. There was an archaic law. No one has requested it before, understandably, but as it is my legal right the judge wasn’t in a position to refuse.

A short time later the van comes to a stop at a security gate. I look out of the window at the place that will be my home for the next year. It’s a large, one-story, grey building surrounded by razor wire. The van pulls off again and backs up to the building’s entrance. The doors to the van are opened and I climb out. The guards accompany me through a heavy metal door that that slams shut behind me. They remove my cuffs and I have to walk through a metal detector.

I’m taken to the reception desk to be booked in. The man behind the desk looks at me oddly. “She’s not a slave,” he says to the guard standing beside me. “She’s human, why have they sent her here?”

The guard hands the man my paperwork. “I’ve no idea. I was just told to pick her up from the court.”

The man frowns at him. “What am I supposed to do with her?” He shakes his head as he flips through my paperwork and keys the information into his computer. “What skills do you have?” he barks at me.

“Erm…I’m okay with computers and writing.”

He frowns. “That’s not going to be any use in here. Have you done any farm work? Laundry? Sewing? Cleaning? Cooking?”

“I know how to clean and cook.”

“Start her off in the kitchen and on cleaning duties,” he says to the guard. “Next week try her on laundry. See what she’s best at.”

He tells me I can keep the clothes I’m wearing but no other possessions. I expected that and left all my possessions at home. I trust Simon to take care of my things. “Give me your right hand,” he orders. I hold out my hand and he slaps a metal cuff around my wrist and snaps it shut. There’s a number engraved on it along with a barcode strip. “That’s your number. That’s what you’ll be known as in here. Anyone calls out that number, they’re calling for you.”

I’m led through another heavy door that slams shut behind me and I’m now standing in a long grey hallway. As I’m lead along I pass two large rooms, one either side, neither of them have doors. They look stark. Grey cement floors and ceilings. There are a few mattresses and blankets on the floor but no people. I’m handed to another guard. A woman. She looks me up and down. “Whose she?” she asks the guard who brought me in.

“A prisoner. She’s serving her sentence here.”

“Why?” she asks.

“Beats me,” he replies.

“What am I supposed to do with her?”

“Start her in the kitchen and on cleaning this week. Laundry next week,” he says, before turning to leave.

The woman sighs and shakes her head. “The slaves here have been trained since they were children. Don’t expect us to make allowances for you. Have you got a good memory?”

“Erm…reasonably good.”

“Rules. Remember them. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to. Keep your head bowed when talking to us, don’t look us in the eye. When you’re given an order, obey it. Don’t touch us. When we speak to you, reply with ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘yes sir’. Break the rules, you’ll be punished.” Okay, I should be able to remember those. I need to find Kayden. He must still be alive, he has to be. “I said, when we speak to you, reply with ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘yes sir’.”

“Oh…sorry. Yes ma’am.”

She sighs and shakes her head again. “You’ll be fed three times a day. You can shower once a week. Mattresses and blankets are privileges; you’ll have to earn them.”