The Ocean’s City

I had no clue what I should do. I sat in the bed with the ropes on my wrists, laying over my head. I tried not to move too much on the bed because the rusty springs cried at every slight movement. After laying there a while, I felt stupid pretending to be tied up. I slowly loosened the noose-like tie, hesitantly moving my hands to my stomach and contemplating if I should leave before Dan helped me.

If I left now, I wouldn’t be putting myself in the wrong position with the people that live in this house. Who knows what they had in store for me when they said they wanted to “keep me,” but I didn’t even want to think about what that entailed. It made my stomach rot. Staying was not an option, but I wouldn’t know where to go if I left alone. I could potentially become an alligator bate or be eaten alive by who knows what. The idea scared me, but it scared me more than being trapped here for who knows how long. Potentially forever. If this was Dalton’s version of punishment, would he go so far as to let another man touch me?

My mind was busy contemplating the pros and cons of escaping on my own when a new sound mixed in with the croaks and chirps of the night. It had me instantly dropping all thoughts and freezing entirely still. At first, I thought it couldn’t be, but then I silently wished it was true.

I strained my ears to hear that Ma was snoring. My heart pounded with relief. This had to be my opportunity. I slowly sat up, inwardly cringing every time the mattress made the slightest noise. My bare feet touched the wooden floor, and I slowly crawled down to see through the cracks of the floorboard. If I squinted enough, I could see Ma sprawled on the couch, her head rolled back and her big mouth wide open. She was out like a light.

Now was a better chance than any to escape, and quickly but silently hurried to the ladder. My hands grasped the wooden bars, and I steadied my trembling feet, willing them to move down the ladder as quickly as possible without getting caught. I was halfway down when I heard the splashing of the boys’ boats returning. My heart thumped so hard in my ears it was hard to think. If I go down now, I could get caught, but if I don’t go now… who knows If I will ever get this opportunity again. I started to go up the ladder when I heard a “pssts”

I looked to see Dan at the backside of the house, peeking his head through a hole in the wall. “Com’ ear,” he waved silently, and I silently worked down the ladder to the hole. He had his hands out, ready to help me on the boat. “Broduh so dumb he dinks he’s fasta den me, eyes trick broduh.”

I smiled at Dan, understanding. “That was some smart thinking, Dan. Thank you,”

“We’re best to get going. sits down.” I complied and faithfully let Dan guide me back into the dark swamp. He hummed to himself most of the way. At the same time, I just tried to not pay attention to the alligators we would occasionally run into. Their hisses haunted the night, and the fireflies only added to the eerie feeling. I pulled my knees close to my chest and thought only of one thing. I am going to see Dannie!

…

I yawned for the millionth time and tried to rub the warmth back into my arms as he kept going through the swaps. A fearful thought in the back of my head got louder and louder each second, we still didn’t arrive at the fancy house. What if we are lost? What if he’s taking me somewhere else? What if…? I didn’t dare voice any of my doubts to Dan.

“We’re here, Silvie.” He finally spoke, but as I excitedly looked around, I saw nothing but more swamp. “Eyes no takes yuh to fansy house.” My heart plummeted at his words. Reality suddenly sank in, but before my mind could go down the rabbit hole too much, he explained. “Deys would shoot me uh. Yuhs calls dem. Deys come. Deys always help’in purdy girls.” I slowly nodded in understanding. “yuh nose worry. Eyes hides, no leaves till deys come. Waters deep eyes leave yuh next tuh tree.”

“Thank you, Dan.”

“Nuh thanks yuhs Dans, kiss muh cheek, is all da thank yuhs eyes need.” A wave of hope swarmed in my stomach as I gently placed my hands along his jaw and kissed him on both cheeks. He went instantly red.

“two uh kisses! Me a lucky man.” He practically sang as he gave me his arm and helped lower me into the swamp water. “goods luhck, Silvie.” He practically sang to me as he paddled away, leaving me in the darkness of the swamp. The water was much deeper than where I was wandering before. I started to worry about what else was swimming in the water with me and grabbed onto a tree branch, trying my best not to kick my legs.

Then, with fear in my voice, I began to scream. “Help! Help!” I stopped, trying to still my breathing to see if anyone had heard me. Then I called again. “Please!! Someone help me!” still, there was no sign that anyone had heard me.

I started getting more worried and wanted out of this deadly swamp water immediately. “Dan?” I called, but not nearly as loud as my screams for help. There was silence. How far did he go? I decided to call a bit louder, “Dan?” There was no response.