Page 43 of Marks of Rebellion
When they are both inside, I swallow hard and turn to Hunter.
"Why didn't you tell me the guerrillas had you?" He quietly asks.
"I didn't think it was important."
His face is hard, and his eyes turn cold. It's the first time I've seen them like that, and a chill runs through my body. "I want to know what they did to you."
"They didn't do anything. Honestly. There was only one slap."
"Only one slap," he seethes.
I close my eyes and try to breathe through the racing of my heart.
He slides closer to me and softens his tone. "They are the ones who kept the shackles on you for eight months?"
I nod.
He puts his arms around my back. In a controlled voice he asks, "What else did they do?"
I open my eyes and tilt my head up. "Honestly, that's it. It was easier than being with Carlos."
He scans my face, as if he doesn't believe me.
"I'm telling the truth."
His golden eyes pin me. "Okay. What did Santiago do?"
"I had to shave, dress up, and have dinner with him."
"What do you mean shave?"
"He doesn't like hair."
"What did he do that you weren't allowed to have hair?" Fire ignites in his eyes and his face reddens.
I place my hand on his thigh. "Nothing. Please calm down. Nothing happened. I just had to tell him what I know."
"What's that?"
Silence.
"Please tell me, Flower." His voice and eyes plead with me, but I can't. It's too dangerous.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I want to, but I can't."
He looks up at the sky.
"Hunter."
He raises his eyebrows. "Hmm?"
"I... I can't stay in Belize. Am I allowed to leave the camp, or will your guys come after me?"
His eyes widen. "You aren't our prisoner. But if you leave, I will come after you."
I misunderstand what he's telling me. Tears fall so fast I can hardly catch my breath. "Please. Don't make me go back to him."
He cups my cheek. "That's not what I meant, Flower. You will never go back to him. I will make sure of it. And if you need to get out of Belize, I will get you out."
