I never thanked Troy for his kindness, for having the courage to stand up for me on many occasions, mainly because I never see him alone. But today he’s alone so I smile and say, ‘Troy, thanks for …everything.’
He grunts and looks down, reminding me of Diablo. Troy is the only man here who resembles Diablo – same facial structure, hazel eyes, long hair.
Tongue walks in and catches me smiling at Troy. He sneaks up behind me and circles my waist. ‘I like your tits,’ he whispers.
I shove him off and dart out of the kitchen, revolted by his touch.
He laughs. ‘My room is at the top, bebe. Come visit me. Anytime! I leave my door open for you.’
Troy starts to bristle and puts his face in Tongue’s and they start to argue. I prefer not to have any encounters with Tongue because I know he and Christa are close, and right now, Christa is really pissed at me.
* * *
I’m almost asleep when I hear a woman scream. I jump out of bed and race to the window. Tongue is struggling with a young lady I’ve never seen before. She has to be from one of the villages and judging from her sheer nightdress, I think she’s been abducted from her bed and dragged here for Tongue’s sexual enjoyment.
I know exactly how she feels - the terror, the feelings of helplessness. But what can I do? I’m in exactly the same position, except I’m screaming inside.
Christa steps out of her room and puffs on a cigarettes as she watches Tongue wrestle with the young girl.
The girl sees Christa and says, ‘Senora, please help me!’
Christa’s smile is cynical as she throws down her cigarette, crushes it with her shoe and walks back into her room.
How could she do that? This is a young girl, for Christ’s sakes.
Tongue drags the girl inside and shuts the door.
Being part of Diablo’s gang affords his men a number of perks – they never paid for anything, they just took whatever they wanted. Nobody stopped them because nobody dared. One of their perks - women of all ages from the surrounding villages and tonight, Tongue was cashing in on his perk. Fucking pervert.
I can no longer sleep, so I just sit at the window and watch his room and wait. I wish I was brave enough to march up to Tongue’s door and yank the girl out of there but I’m ashamed to admit that I’m too chicken to do that.
Hours later, she’s running away from Tongues villa. Without thinking, I race outside and try to stop her. She turns, looks at me, then runs on, probably distrusting me after her encounter with Christa.
‘Wait!’ I hiss, but she continues running. It’s dark and I worry she will be snatched by one of the other men patrolling the ranch. I sprint after her and eventually catch up with her.
‘Let me help you, please!’ I beg. ‘English? You speak English?’
‘Si, Senorita,’ she says.
‘Thank God! Come with me.’
‘Exhausted and crying, she allows me to lead her to my room. I lock the door and offer her a shower, which she accepts. But she is terrified of Tongue finding her again, so we turn off the lights and creep around like clumsy burglars in the dark. Finally, she crawls into my bed and falls asleep.
When I wake up the next morning, she is wide awake, her eyes the size of saucers.
Her name is Anna and she is fourteen. Fourteen! Tongue the Motherfucker – he really deserves to die.
As soon as the men leave the ranch, I, with Maria and Rosa’s help, make plans to get Anna back home. I suggest she reports the rape to the police, but Maria and Rosa tells me that it’s not a good idea as the police are friendly with Diablo and Christa and, well, Tongue may exact revenge by hurting her family, maybe even killing them all to set an example.
I look helplessly at my ward, then give her a hug. But she gently pushes me away. At first I’m taken aback but then I think maybe she doesn’t want to be touched right now. I get it.
Anna speaks rapidly to me in Spanish.
I look to Maria for interpretation.
‘Eh, she say ... she eh, is grateful that I saved her and if ever I ever need help ... ’
I smile grimly at Anna. ‘I’ll remember that. Gracias.’
Over time, I see Tongue bring in a few more young girls, but I’m unable to help them. Anna was one who managed to get away. The others, he just kept until he grew tired of them then cut them loose.
Tongue deserves to die a horrific death. I hope one day I will be the one who kills him.