“I told you to stay in your room. Go back to the house. Now.”

The woman’s soft whisper again. I have to strain to hear because she’s talking so quietly.

“There’s nothing for you to see here,” the man says. “Go.” He doesn’t raise his voice. It almost seems like he’s placating her. He’s using a different tone than the one he’s used with me the few times he’s spoken.

He’s back inside, and I hear the clang of the bucket. I had to use it last night even though I didn’t want to. It was either that or pee in a corner, though.

“What’s happening?” I ask again. “Please tell me what’s happening.”

Nothing. Then he’s close again. One arm wraps around my middle as he lifts me just a little, just enough to give the rope some slack so he can unhook my wrists. When he sets me down, he turns me to face him.

“Hold out your arms.”

I do. He’ll just make me if I don’t.

A few moments later, the rope is untied, and my wrists are freed. I scramble away as soon as he releases me, but I trip over the bucket, send it toppling and rolling noisily. I turn back to face him even though I’m still blind. I rub my raw wrists.

“Is it over?” I ask, and for one moment, I believe he’s going to set me free. Yet even as I think it, I realize it’s stupid.

He laughs. It’s a dark sort of unhappy chuckle.

“There’s a change of clothes. Soap and water. Make yourself presentable.”

“For what?”

“The Tribunal.”

“The what? What is that?” I ask slowly as something heavy settles in my belly at his ominous tone and words.

He snorts, and I can almost see him shaking his head. I hear him walk to the stairs.

“Wait!”

He stops.

And although I remember what happened the last time I asked, I can’t help but ask again.

“Is Santiago…is he…going to be okay?”

There’s a long moment of silence, then his feet on the stairs before the loud clanging of the door. It makes me jump, and my already racing heart feel like it will beat right out of my chest. And then I hear his steps and the crunching of branches and leaves. I hurry to push the blindfold up only to see his boot pass by the window, the edge of the black cloak just grazing the ground before I’m alone again. Left in complete silence in this underground chamber not meant for human habitation.

4

Ivy