The Enforcer's Bride

Chapter 1: Hannah

“Two croissants and a breakfast sandwich!” I called to the waiting customer and set their order on the counter. The chaotic morning rush for Bellise’s Bakery was in full swing and my co-worker, Tori, and I were running around busy as usual. I turned around and handed Tori two more orders. “Thanks Diane, you’re a lifesaver!” I smiled to myself about my latest name choice. 

For the past eight years I’ve had to move cities every few months and Roanoke, Virginia is the longest that I’ve stayed in one place. I can feel myself needing to pick up and move soon, but after being on the run for so long I was starting to crave routine. I brushed auburn strands of hair out of my face and turned to the next waiting customer. “What will you have this morning?” The older man paused in front of the pastry case. Dressed in black pants, a black button down and black loafers there was something oddly familiar about his outfit, but I shook off the feeling and told myself the man was on his way to work so I waited patiently for him to make a pastry selection. He looked up at me, a soft smile appearing under his salt and pepper handlebar mustache. “Black coffee and a croissant....Hannah,” he said making direct eye contact. 

My whole body went numb and my stomach dropped to the floor. My already pale face went white. Hannah is my real name, the name I was given at birth at The Province. Now I realized why his outfit choice looked so familiar, it was the typical uniform of the Enforcers, the men who impose order in the community. An Enforcer showing up to my workplace isn’t an accident, the only time they leave The Province is to recruit new initiates and no one is allowed to leave The Province except the Enforcers. Until I escaped eight years ago.

 “I’m sorry you must be mistaken,” I told the Enforcer as soon as I caught my breath.I turned around to prepare the coffee and pastry. As I worked I did a quick scan of the room, Enforcers work in groups so he can’t be alone. I smoothed my flour dusted apron over my  slender hips, took a deep breath, then plated the croissant and poured the coffee. I moved methodically, my heart starting to race, calculating an exit strategy. I handed the pastry and coffee to Tori. “Could you please deliver these to the gentleman sitting at the table by the window?” I think I’m going to take my break.” The Enforcer had taken a seat at one of our cafe tables and was watching my every move. “Sure thing, are you feeling okay? You don’t look very good.” Worry lines creased her young forehead. 

Just then our front door bell rang as another customer entered calling out; “Special delivery for a Miss Diane Smith!” I rolled my eyes towards the door at Andrew, a regular customer that I’d gone on a few dates with. He’d come into the bakery everyday for a month asking me out on a date until finally I said yes. I had to admire his persistence, and moving so frequently I couldn’t put down roots or have personal ties but it felt good to be a normal 24 year old girl with a normal life, even if it is just pretending. 

“Hi Andrew!” Tori called out, smiling. She raised her eyebrows at me and took the food to the waiting Enforcer, her tiny frame moving pixie like through the bakery. Andrew stood by the register, his curly brown hair sticking out under a baseball cap, clutching a large flower bouquet. “Hi beautiful,” he smiled and leaned down to kiss me. I jerked away and Andrew was immediately taken aback. “Sorry, I just don’t feel well and I don’t want to get you sick in time for your big court case next week,” I hastily explained, silently feeling the Enforcer’s glare on me. Andrew is a defense lawyer for a local law firm and on his days off will often drop by to see me at work. 

“These are gorgeous, but now isn’t the best time, can I grab these from you later?” I pushed the flower bouquet back towards Andrew as I took off my apron and headed toward the back storage room, “I have some things to take care of, I’ll call you later!” I called back to him, a shocked expression frozen on his face. Back in the storage room I quickly started shuffling though my belongings making sure I had the necessaries: disposable phone, pocket knife, pepper spray, Fake ID and emergency money. I jumped up on the stool and moved a ceiling panel, reaching up inside the insulation for my emergency get out bag.

 Ever since I first escaped The Province, I always had one packed and hidden near me at all times in case I had to suddenly leave. My mind was racing a mile a minute, how did they find me? I shouldn’t have stayed for so long, I got comfortable and careless. What would happen if I was caught? Would I be hanged in the square or worse? And Jude. My stomach dropped realizing I may have to finally face him, the reason I ran. I took a deep breath, brushed dust off my leggings and tightened my red keds, I had a feeling I’d need to run quickly, my head start was completely blown. It was now or I’d never see freedom again. I looped my backpack over my shoulder and started out the bakery back door. I took two steps down the alley when all of a sudden two sets of large hands grabbed me on either side, slamming me on the concrete. A bag was securely pulled over my head and I could feel ropes winding around my ankles and wrists. 

“You can’t do this! You can’t take me back there!” I started screaming, but was quickly silenced by a cold jab of a needle in my arm then darkness.