Part 48 (1/2)
She knew what he meant. In order for her to free Cullen, she would have to be sent to the torture
chamber. By morning at the latest, though tonight might be better, but then she took the chance of being
tortured to the point of being useless.
”They like to torture at night,” the man advised. ”It would be best if you waited to be sent there tomorrow.”
”Tomorrow night is the escape.”
”I will be ready.”
She laughed along with the man, since how ready could he be?
”When you free me, I will walk on my own. I give you my word,” the man a.s.sured her.
”Do not worry. Regardless of whether you can walk or not, you will come with Cullen and me. I will not
leave you behind.”
”Bless you,” he said, and Storm caught the glisten of a tear in his eye.
She had a decision to make. Did she take a chance and be sent to the torture chamber tonight, giving her
time to see to Cullen's condition and to determine their escape? Or would tomorrow provide her with
enough time?
”Don't go tonight,” the man cautioned. ”Anger them tomorrow and they will take you and leave you there to think about your fate. It will give you the time you need and spare you the torture.”
”You are wise in their ways.”
”I have been here many months. I know their ways and how they think. Many of them like to gather at night to watch the tortures.”
”Which leaves the other guard posts empty,” she said, happy to learn that bit of information.
”The guards believe themselves safe since there are many guards that patrol the outside.”
”I need not worry about the outside.”
He nodded. ”You have help.”
”Plenty of it once we leave here,” she a.s.sured him.
”Then it's up to you, me, and that Cullen fellow.”
The night proved difficult for Storm. Sleep eluded her, her thoughts on Burke and her aches painful, not
to mention that the guards took great delight in coming into the cell throughout the night to deliver a few
more blows to her body.
She wasn't sure when morning came since the cell had no window, so there was perpetual darkness, but her fellow inmate alerted her to sunrise.
”It is the workings of the prison that keeps me informed of time. Wait a few hours and cause a commotion that will irritate them. They will remove you fast enough.”
”How do I determine nightfall?” she asked.
”The guards gather at sunset to fill themselves with food and drink before torture.”
Storm nodded. ”I will return for you.”
He nodded. ”Be careful. You are a wee wisp of a thing.”
”An observation that usually proves fatal to many,” she informed him with a smile and began to make a commotion.
It was spitting at the guards and calling them cowards that got her yanked from the cell, but not before