Fleeting Moments(65)

I was right.

Heath was right.

They were all right.

Vomit rises in my throat and tears burn my eyelids and run down my cheeks as I raise the camera, recording what is the most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever seen. Rape in its most horrific form. I record for only a few minutes before I can’t stand the sight of it any longer. I shove the recorder into my pocket and place a hand over my mouth to stop the broken sob leaving my throat.

I rush back towards the trees, falling to my knees in the darkness and crying. Those poor girls. Those poor, innocent, beautiful girls.

I get myself together and push to my feet, needing to get out of this place and praying I got enough evidence. As I’m moving back past the first cluster of tents, I hear a sob. It’s so quiet I wonder if it’s my own for a second, or if maybe I’m imagining it, but when it rings out again in the silent night air, I know it isn’t mine. I move towards the tents, following the sound.

The tent right at the back is where it’s coming from and I slowly move to the front tent flap, gently pushing aside. These tents are huge, big white triangle-shaped spaces that easily hold king-sized beds and couches, just like the one I’ve seen so far. So much for living off the land. I squint into the darkness because this tent has no light, and whisper, “Hello?”

The sob comes again.

I feel around until I find a small lamp, and I carefully turn it on.

I gasp at what I see.

Lying on the bed on her stomach is Hayley. There is dried blood all around her and her back is exposed, revealing very similar markings to what Heath has on his, only hers are raw and bleeding. My tears flow again as I rush over, gently moving her hair from her face. “Hayley, hey, it’s Lucy. You’re okay.”

She looks up at me, her eyes red and swollen. “Lucy?” she croaks.

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Let me help you.”

“Help me,” she sobs. “Please help me. I’m sorry.”

I stroke her sweat-dampened hair. “Don’t be sorry. Can you walk?”

“No,” she sobs. “It hurts too much.”

Dammit. I can’t just walk her out of here, but I’m terrified to leave her again.

I may not have a choice. “Hayley, do you trust me?”

Her eyes find mine, so broken. “I don’t . . . I don’t know.”

“I need you to, okay? I’m going to get you out of here, I promise you that. I just need you to stay here and pretend you never saw me, and I swear to you I’ll be back in a matter of hours. Do you believe me?”

Her eyes are so broken, so scared, yet she nods.

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I’m coming for you. Be strong, sweetheart.”

I turn and rush out, hurrying back to the trees. Josh says he’ll let me out of here, but I don’t believe he’ll do it easily. I rack my brain as I run to try and figure out a way to get out of here without raising alarm. I glance into the dark trees—I can’t climb the fence again, not with a broken wrist. Can I get close enough to call out to whoever is waiting on the outside for me, or do I attempt to ask Josh to leave?

I don’t know.

God.

I don’t know.

I move back to the camp and quietly join the group that has gathered around the fire pit. Josh doesn’t seem to notice me come back, and I’m thankful for that. His gaze finds mine about five minutes later, and he smiles. I want to rip his eyes out and stab him in the face, but instead I force a smile and a small wave, then disappear back into the people. If I just walk to the front gates, will I be able to get out?

No. They’ll be locked.

Heath said he’d have someone outside the compound at all times. I think that’s my only chance. I move back into the trees and go as deep as I can until I run into the perimeter fence, then I use one hand to guide myself around the front, following it until I’m far enough away from the music and dancing that I know I’m nearing the back. I keep moving, my fingers grazing the wire. I see a small light about fifteen feet ahead, and I pray it’s them.

“Hello?” I call as loudly as I can, but it isn’t very loud.

They’re too far away and can’t hear me.

Dammit.

“What’re you doing?”

I flinch and spin around to see Josh behind me. I didn’t hear him approach. He has a flashlight, but it’s so dim I can hardly see it. Dammit. Shit.

“I was looking for a way out . . .”

“What for?” he asks, stepping closer.

My heart pounds. This is not good. “I . . . want to go home.”

“It’s the middle of the night.”

“I just . . . I’m tired and—”

His eyes move past me and he squints into the distance. “Are they out there? Is this some sort of trap?”

“What?” I cry. “No.”

“What’s that light in the distance then?” he growls.

Oh no.

No.

I reach for the camera in my pocket and curl my fingers around it. I’m can’t let him know I’ve got it. I have to think quickly. I’m wearing a thick bracelet around my wrist that’s made up of leather and cotton and a few intertwined chains. I carefully shuffle it off by moving my hand behind my back and rolling it down over myself until it rolls off and is in my hand.