Discrete Discreet

Chapter 3.

“I am sorry, Amber.” The words tumbling out of Francis’ mouth were slurred. He had drunk a lot last night and hadn’t recovered from it. His one hand moved to massage his head and the other supporting his body. The night-robe that Francis wore, stunk of vomit and alcohol. Amber couldn’t help but scrunch her nose, several times.

Francis looked and his wife could see trails of vomit on his chin. Now she would have to change the sheets. She did it just yesterday. Francis looked at Amber, an unknown feeling in his eyes. “You know that I love you A-A-Amber, right? This… this is never going to happen again.”  Amber gulped, feeling a whole lot better. She sighed in relief. “It’s o… okay.” Even though she had forgiven Francis, her voice was shaky, with uncertain fear.

“No, it’s not okay. We…” Francis looked around the room, his eyes searching for something. “We will have dinner right here.” He said, glancing back at Amber. She nodded. “You just sit back and relax.” There was a hint of a smile on his face.

“Looks like we have to stay the night.” The familiar voice hauled Amber out of her memories. Her husband was the only person on her mind. She wasn’t missing him but she couldn’t help but think of Francis. Amber had been blindly following Adam, periodically stopping for food and water. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other. Amber was too scared to talk to him.

Adam reminded her of Francis.

She shuddered. It was night already and even darker. Adam was already collecting dry woods, perhaps to light up a fire. Feeling cold Amber decided to sit down. She coughed twice making the hunter lookup. “Can I sit?” She was proud that there was no stutter in her voice. Adam looked confused first, satisfied then.

“Yes.” He grunted. Amber sat down under a tree, hugging her knees and wrapping her arms around her legs. She wanted to cry but she couldn’t. Not in front of this man. She was scared. All Amber wanted right now was to get to the Headquarters and escape from this horrific place. She wanted to start a new life as soon as she could. She wanted to get decriminalized.

Amber knew Francis. He was an official, having power. As soon as he would’ve found out that his wife had left, he would’ve called all the guards and they would’ve been subjected to a lot of brutal words- Amber felt bad for them-, then Francis would’ve informed all his seniors and friends and juniors. Francis would’ve applied all his workforce into getting Amber back.

After eleven years of knowing Francis, Amber was sure that he would’ve told everyone that she had left with some possessions so nobody questioned him. She would be accused of crimes she never committed. Francis had a perfect image and he intended to keep it that way. He would do anything to keep himself in the positive light, he would do anything, blame anyone. Francis was starving for power.

Adam made food for both of them and Amber felt ashamed. She had been no help to Adam and all the work was being done by him. “I… I am sorry. I am no help what-so-ever.” Adam chuckled. “It’s okay. You look tensed. Besides, I don’t mind.” The hunter didn’t look that bad while he was smiling. He might qualify as good looking. “Thank you,” Amber muttered.

“You know what’s funny?” The hunter mused, looking up.

 “What?”

“I still don’t know your name.”

Name. Amber tensed upon it. Should she tell her name to Adam? It was only fair considering she knew his name. He was also helping her without asking for anything in return. He didn’t even know that his life could be in danger just for helping a woman he found in the woods. Yes, he was rude but, he was also helpful. Amber couldn’t make this far if Adam hadn’t helped her.

“I am Amy.”

***

Amber could not sleep. It was just too… hard. Not hard to fall asleep, Amber was dying to sleep; but the surface was hard. Over the years, she had gotten used to her soft mattress and silk sheets which often gave comfort to her in bruised times.

She kept tossing and turning around. Amber couldn’t help but think of the possible consequences. She could have to go back to Francis, she could end up behind the bars or she could die. Amber dreaded each of these almost equally. Francis being mad was what his wife feared the most. He stopped talking to her, came home late and they would fall asleep on different beds.

Amber thought and thought about Francis when suddenly, a loud voice boomed. She sat up with a start and she knew that Adam was up too. She still couldn’t see very clearly but her eyes had settled in the dark. It was a lot better now. Within seconds, Amber could feel herself to be in motion with Adam’s grip on her wrist and him leading the way.

Loud sirens were blaring in the woods now. Men with arms and torches filled the areas. Fear filled Amber as she gasped for breath. She could hear her name being used periodically. “Mrs. Venezuela if you are here, please come out.” The deep voice repeated to say this twice but those idiots never bothered to look up towards the branches of the trees. That is where Amber had been hanging on Adam for her life.

Every time the men said Venezuela, Adam grunted with disgust and with every sound that he created, she felt more and more ashamed of herself. She did not know why Adam hated Francis but she knew she had to find out. Slowly and slowly the police proceeded to go inside the woods and Amber started to feel safer and safer, even though the awkward feeling she had for clinging to Adam increased.

“I think it’s safe to get down now.” Coughed Adam and Amber climbed down the tree with several difficulties. Adam got down as if he was a monkey and trees were his natural habitat. Once they stood on the ground, he brushed himself. “I think we should start our journey for today, Ms. Venezuela.”