Page 63 of Milk
“I do,” I nodded.
“Brilliant, Tiff! I could kiss you!”
I didn’t comment on that. “Come on,” I guided him out of the stable.
As we crossed the small artificial grounds, I went left, deeper into the ranch. Jason halted, looking at the door nearby in the opposite direction.
“Tiff, where are you going?”
“My friend, Wren. We need to get her out of here.”
“Wren?” Jason stiffened. “This isn’t the time to rescue others. Let’s get out. We can bring help to save the rest later.”
“No, Jason,” I said, “Wren comes with me.”
“Tiffany,” he warned.
“Look,Ihave the card. You can try to get out without me or you can help me.”
He shifted uncomfortably and followed. I thought about Carter. He made me promise that whatever I decided to do, I had to bring Wren with me. Even though Wren was happy here with Susan, Carter insisted. He said it was important. I was going to make good on my promise.
I entered the house where Wren stayed, using the keycard to unlock the front door, then calling her from downstairs.
“Wren! It’s me, Tiff. Come here.”
Jason stood on the porch behind me, arms folded, his naked, grotesque form concealed in shadow. Maybe he didn’t want to spook Wren. That matched the Jason I used to know.
Wren descended the steps in a cow pattern nightgown that barely contained her bouncy breasts. Rubbing her eyes, she watched me with pure confusion. “Tiffany? What’s happening?”
“I- I need you to come with me,” I answered.
“Come with you? Where?”
“You can come back if you want. Just five minutes. It’s a vacation – that’s allowed, right?”
“At this time of night…” Wren raised her eyebrows.
“It’s complicated. Just come with me.” I reached for her hand.
“No. Tell me what’s going on, Tiff.” She pulled away hesitantly.
“Fine.” I paused for a second. “I’m getting out, Wren.”
“Getting out? But I thought… I don’t want to get out.”
“Look, it’s important. Just trust me, okay?”
Wren didn’t look sure, but she nodded. She put a jacket over her gown. “This is so weird, Tiffany.”
“Everything about this place is,” I grumbled.
All we had to do was follow the corridors to the main gate and we’d be home free. We walked out on the porch and Jason stepped behind us. Wren turned her head, drawn by the noise and his massive frame. She let out a terrified yelp.
I tried to soothe her. “Calm down, Wren, that’s-”
As she recognized Jason, she screamed, then tried to run into the house. Jason intercepted her and placed a hand over her mouth.
“Shush!You’re gonna give us away.”
