It all suddenly hits me how much I owe Josh. I owe him my life. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have gotten off that battlefield. I’d be pushing up the daisies instead.
“When can I get transferred home?”
Keir shuffles from foot to foot uneasily. “I’m afraid that won’t happen, Shay. Please believe me when I say I wish I could have left you to die out there, but my medical degree wouldn’t allow me to. I help people in need. I couldn’t let those soldiers kill you.”
He isn’t making any sense. Why can’t I be transferred home? What is this place?
“This camp, it’s despicable. It’s beyond your worst nightmares. You’ll see some sights here. Some that go against what we believe in, but if you agree to help them, they’ll let you live.”
“Help them? Help them how? It’s not like I’m well enough to do anything. I can hardly lift my head up without the room spinning.”
“Yet. You’re not well enough, yet. But, with my help, you will be. They need more medics here. I need more help to save these women and babies. There are too many for one doctor, Shay.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like what’s coming next?”
He shakes his head. “It’s not pretty. This camp has gone unnoticed for many years. It’s hiding a human trafficking ring. Girls of all ages are brought here. They’re here to be sold to the highest bidder. They’re here to breed. Babies get sold to childless couples on the black market.”
“Are you being serious? How did you end up here?”
“The same way you did. They found me, wounded and barely conscious. I’ve been here for three years. I have no way out. I’ve tried. How can you leave somewhere with no passport or money? They provide me with my meals and essentials, that’s it. This compound is made up of soldiers. They’re ruthless. They will put a bullet between your eyes, no matter who you are.” He shakes his head at the thought. “I’ve prayed that someone comes and helps us get out of here, but with the people running this place, it’s highly unlikely.”
“Where is Josh?”
“I think he’ll be getting trained to be one of their soldiers. At first, he’ll only be allowed around the compound. He’ll have to earn their respect. Again, a process that is long and cruel.”
The thought of Josh being tortured to help them is enough to turn my stomach. He’s a damn good soldier. It will take death to break him, to get him to work for the other side. He won’t go against what he believes in.
“And he knows all of this? He knows what he has to do?”
Keir nods. “I told him when I was dressing his wounds. He’ll do all he can to find a way out of this mess for you. He told me he made a promise to get you out of here alive.”
The stupid man will end up getting himself killed to get me out of here. I growl out my frustration and throw my head back against the pillow. I shouldn’t have done that because the harsh movement makes my head pound.
“Now what? What do I do now?”
“You relax. You get better. I’ve told them you’re a medic and you’ll be placed in my care. When you’re well enough, I’ll show you the ropes, or you can show me your skills. Whatever. I don’t know. I’m hoping that the army doesn’t give up on you and your boss, and one day they’ll come looking for you.”
I laugh. “You clearly don’t know the army. The only people who would fight for me are here or at home.” I shrug weakly. “I think you need to keep looking for a way out of here, Keir.”
And as much as it kills me to say that, it kills me more to think about my family believing I’m dead or lost forever. Why did I have to give so much time to a job that has taken so much from my life? I’ve lost everything, and what for? To say that I’ve served nine extra years in the U.S. Army. Yeah, now who cares? I’m stuck in this Adolf Hitler-type camp, and I’m yet to see or hear how bad things are out there.
I need to close my eyes because they feel so heavy. Everything will still be here when I wake up again. I doubt anything will change any time soon.
Chapter 5
Clay
I had to go for a run at the butt crack of dawn because sleep wasn’t coming easy. After my chat with Carrick last night, I was running every scenario through my head. We’re trying to find a needle in a haystack, and I can’t see us ever finding Shay… dead or alive.
I tossed and turned, kicked the sheets off the bed, and I stomped through my bedroom and dressed for a run. The more I tossed and turned, the more pissed off and agitated I was becoming.
A run always settles me, or so I thought. I’ve pounded through the streets, sweat pouring from my brow, thoughts and memories bouncing around until I stopped at the bakery out of habit. Aria loved these bagels and muffins while she was pregnant. I can’t help but stop by and get breakfast. Aria and Caleb are facing parenthood for the first time, and I’ll do anything to help make things easier for them. It helps take my mind off my own problems when I’m helping others.
I use my key to open Caleb’s house door. Everything is so quiet and still. A soft glow is coming from the living room and I see him lazing on the couch with his daughter kicking away in his arms.
“Hey.” I hold up the bags. “I brought breakfast. I didn’t think you guys would be up yet.”
Caleb laughs. “I’ve just taken over from Aria. This little monster doesn’t seem to like her new sleeping arrangements. I’m getting ready to go and buy one of those little glass cribs she slept in at hospital.”
“Bad night, huh?” I put the bags down on the coffee table and take my niece from Caleb. “Hey, gorgeous girl. You should have come and kept me company. I’ve been awake all night too.”
“Sharlynn has an excuse. This is all new to her, and she’s like a milk monster. But what’s got you up all night?”
Caleb pulls a muffin from the bag and takes a bite. I sit down on the couch opposite him and rock Sharlynn in my arms. Holding a baby is soothing for the soul, or it is for me.
“I have a house guest.”
“Who? Don’t tell me it’s some random hook-up from a bar again. You better have washed your hands before you picked up my daughter.”
I shake my head. “I’m done with pointless hook-ups. I told you that. No, this house guest was unannounced. Carrick, Shay’s brother.”
Silence surrounds us. I keep watching Sharlynn as she slips in and out of sleep. Her carefree state is beautiful. If only we could all be as carefree as her.
“And are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“He wants us to go to Iraq and find Shay.”
Caleb laughs. I don’t. I wait until he stops, and he tilts his head to look at me. “You’re not serious, right?”
“I’m deadly serious. I don’t joke about serious shit. And, for what it’s worth, I think we do need to do something.”
Caleb jumps up from the couch and places the half-eaten muffin down on the coffee table. “Doing something is good but thinking of flying to Iraq is like a death wish. What good do you think is going to come of that? We’ll end up burying all of you!” Caleb whisper shouts, cautious of Sharlynn in my arms. “You won’t get anywhere near where Shay was blown up.”