Page 16 of Sanctuary

“Come on, lean on me,” she told Paige, who stumbled slightly and clasped her hand on Misty’s arm.

They left the dining hall and thankfully the smell. Misty doubted she would eat what was left of her food. She hadn’t been hungry anyway.

Paige’s weight against her lessened, and Misty stopped.

“I’m not sick,” Paige whispered. “I put my finger down my throat when no one was watching. It’s part of the plan. I’m sorry you will have kitchen duty alone. I have things to do.”

Misty couldn’t believe it. She’d fallen for Paige’s play-acting.

“I thought you were really sick,” Misty complained.

“That’s what you were supposed to think. I just feel bad that Sarah had to clean the mess. Tell her to wait in her room calmly and not to do anything stupid like get into trouble. I’ll come get you both around midnight.”

“What about the locked doors?” Misty asked.

“I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry about anything. Once we're out of here, we’ll be running, and that’s when the real fun starts.”

Misty didn’t feel good about the real fun. She had to trust Paige, though, or the only way she would get out of here was by agreeing to marry the old man. She left Paige at her room and returned to the dining hall.

She moved the food on her plate around without eating.

“You will be punished for not finishing the food on your plate,” Mrs. Sanders said from behind her.

“I’m not feeling well,” Misty complained and placed her hand on her stomach.

“Sarah can help you in the kitchen. Whatever Paige has must have passed to you. We can’t afford for the entire school to get sick.”

“Yes, Mrs. Sanders,” Misty said.

When dinner was over, Sarah helped her clear the table, and then they began the long process of scrubbing dishes. It usually took two hours. Misty told Sarah what Paige said.

“She faked that perfectly. I had no idea,” Sarah said with a laugh.

“She felt bad that you had to clean it.”

“Yeah, that was gross, but if it helps the cause, I’m good.”

Misty knew very little about Sarah. “How old are you?” she asked.

“Eleven. I’ll be twelve in a few months.”

“Eleven?” Misty thought her small for her age and had no idea Sarah was so young. “What did you do to get sent here?”

“My mom got remarried. My stepfather is very strict, and I have a smart mouth. My mother thinks I try to make him angry but believe me, it’s him. My mom is weak and she can’t survive without a man telling her what to do and how to do it. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had enough to keep going. The church arranged her marriage. Now she’s pregnant, and my stepfather sent me here to improve my behavior before the baby is born.” Sarah gave Misty a steady look. “What did you do?”

Misty lifted a plate from the sink and scrubbed the stuck on food. “I won’t marry the old pastor from our church. He’s as gross as the vomit.”

Sarah laughed. They spent the remainder of cleanup time getting to know each other, and Misty decided Sarah was pretty cool, and she was happy to have her with them.

“She said midnight,” Misty whispered before they went their separate ways.

“I’ll be waiting,” Sarah replied. This late at night was the only time they weren’t escorted through the school.

Both girls smiled.

Chapter Twelve

Savage Sanctuary Island, Simon

---