Page 33 of The Great and Terrible

“An experience I don’t recommend. One star,” Earl quipped with enough dry humor to draw an unexpected bark of laughter from me.

Embarrassment heated my cheeks. “My humblest apologies. I shouldn’t make light of your misery.”

“There’s no need for apologies. Better we joke than sob.” Determination etched the old man’s features. “These cannibals are a superstitious folk. They perform certain rituals for each stage of the, uh, baking process. Soon, Tommy will return for you. To prepare you, as he claimed. But I don’t want you to worry none, Moriah. I’ve had a ton of time here and nothing to do but think. I’ve come up with a surefire plan for escape. All I’ve needed is a pair of hands. Yours, to be exact. You do what I say, and we can get home.”

CHAPTER 9

DINNER INTERRUPTED

Earl’s plan played on repeat inside my head for the rest of the day, all night and throughout the morning. I waited on edge for Tommy’s return. Finally, as the sunlight filtering through cracks in the tent reached peek brightness, he entered the hut.

My breath hitched, a single word blasting through my head.Showtime.

As usual, his keys jingled. A sound I would despise for the rest of my life. He wasn’t smiling, and he hadn’t come alone. The two burly guards accompanied him. He held a length of chain.

No one spared the sleeping Earl a glance as Tommy freed my chain from the stake, then yanked me to my sore, cut feet. A surge of adrenaline dulled the other aches and pains that flared in overworked, abused muscles.

A guard tied my wrists together with rope. Nugget remained on the bed and slept as well. Only difference was, Earl faked it. At least, I prayed he faked it. He had a part to play.

“Afraid to face me alone?” I taunted. “Had to bringreinforcements?”

“You all think you’re tough in the beginning.” Tommy motioned to the canteen with a tilt of his chin.

The second guard swiped it up and checked the inside. “Empty.”

That’s right. Not a drop remained. I’d had some, yes, to build up my strength as the hours passed, but I’d continued to share with Nugget, who seemed to have doubled in size. Amazing what nourishment and love could do. And so quickly, too. The little darling had inched closer and closer to me throughout the night, until finally snuggling in at my side. His presence had comforted me when I needed it most.

“Good girl,” Tommy said, leading me via the chain outside.Clink, clink, clink.Metal key beat against metal key, and I ground my teeth. The guards flanked my rear.

Apprehension prickled my nape as sunlight highlighted a crowd of men, women, and children. They formed walls at both my sides, creating a pathway. No one spoke a word or moved as they observed my forward procession. My heart provided an ominous drumbeat that kept time with my footsteps. If any facet of the plan went wrong—nothing would go wrong. This would work. Because it must.

Tommy led me toward a type of public square within the camp, heading for a wooden pole close to a rectangular table littered with what must be the “seasonings.” Glass vials filled with cleaning soaps and scrubs, oils and spices, exactly as Earl had described.

Step one: Get to the table.

Panic attempted to hijack my good sense when the pathway ended mere feet away from the pole. Too far from the table! I’d have to do something.

Icoulddo something. Before Tommy could tie me to the pole, I threw my weight into his body, knocking him down. As he fell, creating slack in the chain, I darted past him and purposely crashed into the table. It toppled, along with thevials. Nothing broke or spilled, dang it, everything capped. Behind me, shocked, horrified gasps abounded.

Step two: Get my hands on something sharp.

I worked fast, grabbing a vial and slamming it against another. The two shattered. I managed to stuff a shard under my tongue and swipe up a second before Tommy jerked, dragging me to his feet. Twisting, I swiped at him with the piece I held, hoping he and the others believed it was the only weapon I’d obtained. A distraction tactic.

Scowling, he caught my wrist and rammed my hand against the pole. Pain opened my grip, the fragment tinkling to the ground.

“You’ll pay dearly for disrupting this sacred ritual.” His scowl darkened as he secured my bound wrists to the pole and removed the length of chain. He left the collar in place. Meanwhile, villagers rushed over to clean the mess and right the table.

Step three: Send a signal to Earl as soon as I completed step two.

I threw back my head and screamed until Tommy slapped me. Stars flashed before my eyes, but I didn’t care.

Step four: Await Earl’s distraction.

I had no idea what the old man intended to do or how he hoped to do it, but he’d evinced only confidence when he’d outlined my phases.

“Enough of this nonsense.” Eyes slitted, Tommy withdrew a dagger and set the blade’s tip at the neckline of my shirt. “Nothing can stop what’s to happen. You will be stripped, cleaned and covered with a special blend of spices. We will leave you here overnight, and you will marinate. In the morning, I’ll remove one of your legs. If you scream again, I’ll take your tongue as an appetizer.”

My heart thudded against my ribs, which threatened to crack.Please, Earl. Come through!

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