Page 44 of Amnesty

Her crying quieted until the only sounds were her heavy breathing. She wiped her face over my sleeve again and again, but I only held her tighter.

I knew I should drag her off this hellhole island, but at the same time, I felt like she needed to sit here and cry.

Her sudden gasp was so violent and unexpected I jerked back, looking down at her, alarmed.

“Amnesia?”

Blindly, she reached out, squeezing my wrist with strength I really didn’t know she possessed.

“They searched everything here?” she asked again.

I wanted to groan. “Yes, baby. Everywhere.”

“Down there?” she whispered and pointed at the ground.

I frowned. “The ground?”

She shook her head impatiently. “Beneath it.”

“What do you mean?” My heart started pounding.

“He’s here,” she intoned. Her fingers scratched at the dirt we sat on. “Underground. Beneath us.”

“Help me look,” I said, scrambling to my feet and dashing away the wetness on my cheeks.

“For what?” Eddie asked.

“A door!” I exclaimed. “An opening! Something!”

I didn’t wait for him, but began searching the ground for signs of something. I knew it was here. I was sure of it.

“Baby,” he said, almost as if he felt sorry for me.

Something inside me snapped. I jerked upright, staring him straight in the eye. My body was vibrating it shook so badly.

“Don’t you baby me,” I half growled. “I’m telling you something is here. Believe me.” A lone tear trailed over my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. Tears would get me nowhere.

He blinked. Nodded firmly. “Of course, I believe you.”

We said nothing more after that. Instead, we worked, faces downturned toward the ground.

Flashes of the memories I had before haunted me. The sound of chains rattling, the way everything was always dark. Always cold. The almost crude wall and floor, as if it were made of jagged concrete… or rock.

The feeling that when dim light shone down into the space, it was like heaven looking down upon hell.

Maybe I hadn’t been kept on the island.

Maybe I wasin it. Under it. Hidden somewhere no one would expect.

“Holy fucking shit.” Eddie’s voice broke into my thoughts. I glanced up.

He was staring down at a patch of grass, body stock still, tension radiating off his every limb.

“Eddie?” I asked.

He glanced up, eyes partially disbelieving, partially angry. He didn’t say anything, just held out his hand to me. I went to him quickly, taking his hand, which was much warmer than mine.

“Look,” he said, drawing me into his side, putting his arm around my middle.

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