Chapter Five

Margo stepped out of her cabin and into the cold evening air as she got ready to see who needed to be rescued first from his cells. She had one week left before he sent a group of girls to the Island. With her hair pulled back into a ponytail she pulled a black baseball cap on top of her head. She slung a black backpack over her shoulder and then walked to  her car. 

After a thirty minute drive she parked on the side of a dirt road and then climbed out of her car. She locked it up and then after looking both ways crossed the street and into the woods. She stepped past a barbed wire fence and then made the two hour trek to Bernard’s compound. She hung back in the woods waiting for a shift change as the sun’s final rays descended into the darkness. 

Margo watched with bated breath as the men began to move. She knew the routine well and knew that it would be changed again in two days. She slipped between the shed and another outbuilding and paused as she listened for approaching footsteps. When she heard nothing she slipped into the shed where the hidden door for the cells were. She paused for a moment letting the darkness wash over her. The scent of human waste and blood assaulted her nostrils as she tried to push aside her memories of the horrible place. She silently walked down the hall between  the cells, looking inside as she snapped pictures of the people in the cells. She frowned when she saw the number of children in the cells. 

“Fuck off!” A voice growled when she looked  in the cells. 

 Margo chuckled when she heard those words. She figured that the young woman must be new to the place because very few people acted that way when they were there for more than a few days. She stared at the tall young woman who was glaring at her with hatred. Margo waved her over quietly as she stood there. 

“What the fuck  do you want?” She demanded from her position on the floor. 

“How long have you been here?” She asked, looking around. 

“A week.” She huffed. 

“Hang in there. I’m going to get you out of here.” She said quietly. 

“Yeah right. No one gets out of here.” She sighed. 

“I did.” Margo said. “I know what happens here. Being here is better than what they have planned for you next.”

“What?” She whispered wide eyed, crawling closer to the bars. 

“I was here for five years and I escaped. I’m going to do what I can to get as many people out of here.” Margo whispered. 

“You can get us out?” She asked, looking back at the little girl who shared her cell. 

“I’m going to do my best. Just hang in there for a bit longer.” She said softly. “I can’t stay much longer but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you…wait! What's your name?” She asked as she went to turn away. 

“Margo. Your’s?” Margo asked, looking back at her. 

“Maribell. Please... help us.” She whispered tearfully. 

“Is there anyone that would be looking for you?” Margo whispered. 

“No… I’m pretty sure that my mom sold me....” She whispered. 

“I’ll be back with help next time.” Margo said, running back to the front of the building even as her heart broke for the young woman.

Margo slipped out of the shed and back into the shadows just in time to avoid being spotted by the guards arriving for their shift. She leaned against the wall and caught her breath. Her hands and legs shook as she took in a breath of fresh air. She stepped away from the wall and began to make her way back to the woods. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her and was almost to the woods when she heard a guard approaching from her right. Her eyes widened as she realized that she was in danger of being spotted. She ducked down behind a low hedge trying to keep from falling forward. Margo crouched watching from her hiding spot as the guard peered into the darkness.

“I swear I thought I saw something over here.” He murmured, looking around as he moved his flashlight here and there. 

Margo held her breath as she watched him from where she was hunkered down praying that he wouldn’t find her. When his steps carried him away further from her hiding spot she leaned against the hedge and sighed softly. She peered back up clocking his steps and darted to her left. Once he was far enough away she sprinted towards the woods and ducked behind a large boulder seconds before he shined his light on her. Margo stayed low to the ground as she waited for him to pass.

Margo sagged against the boulder in relief when he walked away from where she was hiding. After calming her racing heart she stood up and slipped further into the woods and away from her prison. She walked back to her car and sighed leaning back against her seat. She pushed away the anger and tears before she pulled out her burner phone and turned it on. She dialed Kane’s number and waited for him to pick up. 

“Hey. What happened?” Kane  asked. 

“Hello to you too.” She murmured. “I know you didn’t want me to go there but I did and it’s a good thing I did.” 

“What did you find out?” Kane asked. 

“The cells are full to bursting. There’s so many children there, Kane. I also came across a young woman. She’s been there for about a week and if her attitude doesn't change and soon they’re going to do worse than they already have.” She sighed. 

“He’s keeping children there?” He asked. 

“Yeah. I saw five people sharing at least two of the cells.” Margo sighed. 

“Alright. I’ll talk to Machine.Did you want to be there for the meeting?” Kane asked. 

“I have no choice. I took pictures of the cells. They need to see how bad it really is.” Margo sighed. 

“Are you sure? You still haven’t told Joker or Jude that you’re alive.” Kane said. 

“I’ll meet up with them tonight.” She said, sighing. 

“I’ll let them know then.” Kane said relieved that he wouldn’t have to hide that he knew where she was anymore. 

“I’ll see you soon.” Margo said, hanging up the phone.