Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

Sage wiped rainwater from her face with her hand. The rain came harder as she stacked loads and loads of wood. Her skirt and blouse became drenched, sticking to her thin frame.

Another woman stood outside near her, equally soaked. “Prisoner 203!” A male voice barked. Sage straightened and peered though the sheets of rain coming down. A male officer marched up to her.

“Yes, sir?” She pushed her wet hair away from her face.

The man stood erect in front of her. “Your work is done here. Move on to raking the garden rows.”

“In the mud?” She asked wearily.

The guard’s eyes glowered at her and he raised his hand in front of her face. “You dare question my orders?”

Sage flinched. “I apologize, sir.” She whispered.

“You better be sorry.” He lowered his hand and marched close to her. He looked her in the eye. “You watch what you say and how you say it here.” His voice warned. “Now, get to work!”

Sage hurried away, rain pouring all around her. She walked through the thick, gooey mud and made her way to the gardening rows. When she arrived a rake sat in the mud, dirty and wet. She picked it up and slowly raked through the muddy rows.

Finally, after about twenty minutes, Sage finished. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle and the sun peeked out from behind the dark clouds. Ashton had started walking her direction, his hood shielded his face from the sprinkling rain.

“Sage,” he called softly.

Sage walked over, her clothes were still wet from the earlier downpour. “Ashton,” her voice cracked. “I’ve been working nonstop, and I’m exhausted.” She whispered.

“I know.” His eyes softened. “Listen, I have news.” He glanced around and grabbed her arm, leading her away.

“What news?” Her eyes brightened for a moment. “You connected with my family? I can get out of here?”

Ashton glanced at a soldier passing by, and masked a scowl onto his face. His hand raised in front of Sage’s face and she flinched. The other soldier passed by and Ashton dropped his hand. “I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“It’s okay.” Tears clouded Sage’s vision. “What was the news?” Her heart raced.

“Maverick sent word for you.” He searched her eyes. “You’re going to be transferred for about two days.” Ashton touched her arm. “You’re going to see your mother.”

Sage’s eyes grew wide. “M-my mother?”

“Yes.” He glanced around. “But listen; there is a plot behind it. I don’t know what it is.. yet.” His eyes grew serious. “Please, be careful Sage.”

Sage nodded. “I will.” Her wet hair blew into her eyes. “Ashton.. thank you.” She whispered.

He nodded and turned away, sorrow tugged at his heart.“I gotta go.”

“Okay. I’ll see you.” Sage turned and slogged through the wet grass. She had seen the tortured look on Ashton’s face.

Ashton turned and headed back to the main building. He walked up to the gate. “Well, well. Seems we have another traitor on our hands.” A sickening laugh erupted behind him.

He whirled around and looked at one of the soldiers, “Cole!” He hissed and grabbed the man’s shirt collar in his hand. “You won’t speak a word about this; you hear me?” He growled.

“Why?” Cole smirked. “Don’t want to get in trouble?”

Ashton groaned inwardly. “Cole, don’t you dare speak a word.” His voice grew threatening. “Or I’ll spill some of your secrets.”

His face turned pale. “Fine, fine!” He threw his hands up. “I never saw you and the prisoner.” He smarted and took off.

Ashton breathed a sigh of relief. He had to be more careful; one wrong move and he was doomed. He watched as Cole walked away, a swagger marking his step. Ashton shook his head slowly and went inside.

~*~

Sage sat on her cot, her bare feet sat on the concrete ground. An image of her mother flashed to her mind. Tears flooded Sage’s eyes as she thought of her family. A soldier’s footsteps were heard marching nearby. “Prisoner 203!” A gruff voice barked.

Jumping to her feet she wiped her eyes with a dirty sleeve. She stepped outside and faced a male officer. His blonde hair was neatly smoothed under his cap and his sharp blue eyes studied her. “Yes, sir.” She replied meekly.

“I have orders to transfer you.” He barked in her face. “Get moving!” He turned and motioned for her to get in front.

She walked at a steady pace, reaching a shining black car. A gun pressed against her back as they got close to the car. “I saw you talking.” The man smirked. “You should know better, girl.”

Sage gulped, her heart raced. “I was discussing my orders with my charge.” She spoke in a steady voice. “It was simply guard to prisoner.” She slowly turned, the barrel shifted to pointing at her chest. Her hands raised in defense. “I’m simply a prisoner at the camp.”

Cole laughed and cocked the gun, making it click. “People like you are trouble.” A sickening laugh erupted from his throat. “Nothing but trouble; you and Ashton both.”

Sage gulped. “I promise you, nothing happened.” She looked him in the eye, pleading. “Please, don’t do something you’ll regret.” She whispered.

Cole smirked and de-cocked his gun, holstering it. “I’d never shoot a prisoner without orders.” He shoved her in the back with his hand. “Get in. You’re being transferred for the next few days.” A mock tone took over his voice. “Though I’m sure your boyfriend already told you.”

Sage bit back a reply and slid into the car. Cole sat in the driver seat and pulled out of the camp. After a long bumpy ride, they pulled onto a gated road. Rolling down his window, he talked to the guard at the gate. “Reporting Prisoner 203; Sage Bennett in for transfer.” He barked.

“Head down to the end, park by the prison, and Maverick will be waiting inside. Another guard will be there to escort her.” He replied, shifting his weapon. “Move on!”

Cole pulled forward as instructed and parked down by the prison. A tall, bulky guard walked up to the car and opened her door. “Sage Bennett?” He peeked into the car and looked at her.

“Yes, sir.” She replied.

“Get out.” He moved. “Come on.” He towered over Sage, like a giant, as she walked in front of him.

The door to the building opened and Sage heard a car pull away. She assumed it was Cole who was driving off. The guard walked her down a hall. Enclosed jail cells stood on either side of her. A light bulb dimly lit each cell, and Sage could see prisoners inside.

They stopped at a door and the guard nudged her leg with his boot. “Go in.” He growled under his breath.

Sage opened the door and slipped inside the room. A light dangled from the ceiling giving an eerie glow. A man sat behind a desk, his shiny black boots on top of it. “Sage, I presume?” He smirked.

“Yes, sir.” She whispered. Her heart thumped loudly as she heard the guard shuffling outside the door. She had never been alone in a room with a chief.

His feet slid down from the desk. “Have a seat.” He waved his hand toward the chair across from him. Sage hesitated, Maverick tapped his foot impatiently. “Well, have a sit, Miss Bennett.” He coaxed.

Sage slowly lowered her body into the cushioned chair. Her eyes darted nervously around the room and landed on Maverick’s icy cold stare. His teeth flashed at her, sending a tingle through her spine.

“You’re probably wondering why you’re here.” He leaned closer to her. A pause. “Aren’t you?”

Sage nodded, unable to speak. Her hands sat folded in her lap and she took in quiet, shallow breaths.

Maverick pressed a button on his desk, a buzz sounded and moments later the door to his office opened. A guard shoved a middle aged woman into the room. Her hair was a mess and her blue-green eyes had circles under them. “M-Mama?” Sage squeaked.

Kinsley’s eyes widened and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “Sage?” She slowly walked forward.

She now stood and walked into her mother’s embrace. Kinsley wrapped her arms around her daughter, a few tears fell to her hair. “Oh, my dear daughter!” She whispered.

Sage allowed herself to melt in her mother’s embrace. “Ahem.” Maverick interrupted. “Sorry to interrupt your reunion.” He snapped a finger and nodded at the guard. “But we have business to take care of.” Sarcasm laced his voice.

The guard grabbed Sage’s shoulders and pulled her back. She struggled against his iron grip and wiggled. He hissed, “Sit still, girl!” A holster on his hip dug into Sage’s waist as he held her tightly.

“Let her go.” Kinsley spoke firmly.

Maverick laughed again. “Only after I get what I want.” His hands rubbed briskly together and his eyes glimmered. “Which may take some persuading, it seems.” He gave a subtle nod to the guard holding Sage, who then yanked out a gun from his holster and pressed it against her back.

Sage squirmed, but the gun barrel dug into her back. “Sit still!” The guard hissed angrily.

Maverick laughed and waved his hand at the guard, “You can put away the gun, Harlen.”

The guard re-holstered his gun, the handle once again pushed its blunt end into Sage’s waist. Kinsley glared at Maverick. “What will you do if I don’t tell you anything?”

A sickening laugh erupted from him again, “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The guard holding Sage switched to wrapping an arm around her throat. The crook of his arm tightened around her throat, choking her. She gagged and coughed, struggling.

“Don’t hurt her!” Her mother screeched, lunging towards the guard.

Maverick yanked Kinsley back, forcing her to stand still. “She won’t get hurt, if you cooperate!” She glared angrily at the guard and rubbed her arm.

“Mama, don’t tell them.” Sage called out, tears streamed down her face. The guard holding her jerked her straight, pinning her against his muscular chest.

“Shut up!” He yanked out his knife and whipped the edge of the blade to her neck.

“Harlen,” Maverick crooned. “Put the knife away, no need for it now.” The guard hesitated, hate contorted his face. “Harlen. The knife. Away. Now.” Maverick spoke with more force.

Harlen obeyed and slipped the knife into the holster on his belt. Sage breathed a sigh of relief but it was quickly swept away when the guard’s breath fell on her neck. "You won't get away that easily, girl." His hiss sent shivers down her spine.