Chapter 11

Hours later, when the bell rang, Joe rubbed his eyes and looked at the hall through the bars. The reading had made him sick.

Dubois was standing in his spot, biting his nails. “I really don’t want to go out there again,” he said, not looking at Joe. “Those men…they’ll be there. They’ll find a way to corner me.”

Joe stood and went to wait by the bars.

Dubois was watching the hall with wide, haunted eyes. “I don’t think I can take it.’’ He clutched the bars. “Here they come. We’re going to be let out.” He looked at Joe, imploringly. “Please. Please, Joe. I can’t. I can’t go through that―”

“Shut up.” Joe checked the hall, adrenaline coursing through him. He couldn’t let those men dirty Dubois in that way.

“Joe…Joe, please, please, don’t let them―’’

Joe grabbed Dubois by the throat and shoved him into the wall.

“What are you doing!” Dubois cried, choking, fighting him off.