I thought I might vomit, turning my head to the side for a breath of fresh air and a brief reprieve from the horrors inside the container.
“Lux.”
My head whipped around and my eyes searched the enclosed space, seeking the thready voice that had whispered my name. “Miri?”
“Here,” she called, drawing my gaze to the corner on my left. When I saw her I rushed forward, careful not to step on the limbs of the near-unconscious girls scattered on the floor around me. Hurling myself to the ground, I wrapped my arms around Miri in a light embrace as soon as I reached her side.
“You came for me,” she whispered, her eyes wide.
“You’re alive,” I breathed, relief evident in my tone.
“I’m so sorry, Lux, they made me call you.” Miri’s voice was trembling with remorse. “They threatened to kill me and my family.”
“Oh, Miri, no. It’s not your fault. I’m the one who’s sorry — I dragged you into all of this. But we can’t stay here. You have to come with me, right now. We’ll go get help for the rest of them.”
“I can’t,” she whispered, her sad eyes locked on mine. “I won’t leave her.”
Miri’s body turned slightly, revealing the still form of a young girl lying directly beside her. There was a dangerous rattle in the prostrate girl’s chest — each breath she drew was a struggle, and I feared she wouldn’t last long in this dark cage without medical treatment. I felt my eyes brim with tears as I recognized the once-lustrous chestnut hair, now brittle and tangled, and the dainty features on her beautiful, bruised face.
Vera.
I reached a shaking hand out to touch her arm, my cheeks wet with traces of grief. She was clammy with fever, her skin cool to the touch. Lifting my eyes to Miri’s, I wiped my face with my free hand.
“How long has she been like this?”
Miri shrugged. “Most of them are like this. They can’t walk, they don’t talk much,” she whispered. “I’m lucky. They didn’t drug me, and I haven’t been here long.”
“I have to go, Miri.” I told her, feeling my heart tear at the prospect of leaving her and Vera now that I’d finally found them. “I’ll get help. I’ll come back for you.”
Miri nodded. “I know you will, Lux. But… hurry.”
I wrapped my arms around her once more and this time she hugged me back.
“Stay strong, Miri. I’ll find you, again. I promise.”