Flee you fool

Chihuaha- Mexico

01:50 AM

Tuesday 28 July 2009

Savannah's heart is beating in her throat as she hurries across the dry grass and dead bushes of the rugged Mexican landscape in her low black sneakers. She continues to walk without looking back, not knowing where she is going. The moonlight is her only guide to show the path. Afraid that the Salamancas will follow her, she runs on a paved road between two hills. She pauses and looks around. Where the hell is she supposed to go? She has to find someone. Someone who can notify the police. She must find a safe shelter. And fast!

Hastily she crosses the road and runs further. A cactus pricks her ankle. Startled, she jumps up, causing the sandy surface to slide away from under her. "No" she shouts, but it's too late. She rolls down the hill, thumping. Her skin is chafing here and there, she's almost certain she can feel her ribs crack or bruise before she hits the ground with a hard thud. She lets out a loud cry of pain as a dry, sharp branch pierces through her side. Tears roll down her eyes from the pain as she looks at her injury. She bites her lip, gritting her teeth as she tries to escape from the wood that has pinned her down. Hastily she breathed heavily through her nose. She closes her eyes and looks at the stars. They are dancing in front of her eyes. She cries and tries to pull the thick piece of wood out of her body. Screaming and crying she drops her head again. The pain is too much. Come on Savannah, you cannot die like this she thinks bravely and puts her teeth on each other.

She screams while she removes the branch from her body. Trembling, she places her hand on the bleeding wound. "Come on Savannah", she growls to herself and tries to pull herself up again. She falls through her trembling legs. Slowly she tries to get up again and control her breath.

Birds chirp happily among the dry trees as the sun creeps over the hills. Savannah narrows her eyes to the bright light and observes Chihuahua's nature. Normally she would enjoy this. The view is breathtaking.

She walked the entire night. Her legs are hurting, she is exhausted, hungry, and in a lot of pain. But she can't give up. Not yet. Frightened, she ducks behind a hill when two voices break the silence. She peers across the dry grass at the two farmers stepping out of the pickup. She takes a sigh of relief and crawls up.

The farmers stop what they are doing and look at her. "Senorita," asks the little one. Savannah swallows. "Please, please help me. I have no idea where I am, or what I have to do and I have so much pain. And bad men are coming behind me. Please, I am so afraid. "Senorita, No puedo hablar English, espera un minute. Rodriguez!" A third person walks out of the pick-up truck.

-In Spanish- "Rodriguez, this lady showed up out of nowhere. She only speaks English. She seems afraid."Rodriguez nods. "It's okay sweetheart, you are safe now. Don't worry. I'll take you to the Federales." Savannah takes a relieved breath. "Thank you, thank you so much" she whispers. Rodriguez nods and opens the door for her. He waits till she sits before closing the door. He takes a deep sigh before closing his door and starting the car. Savannah rests her head against the window and swallows. She would be saved... after all this time... She could go home.

"Don't worry, it is not that far" he says. Savannah fakes a smile. Rodriguez respects her silence while he drives to the nearest police station. When he finally parks his car Savannah looks up. "I can't thank you enough," she says. Rodriguez nods. "I wish you well senorita. I really do." Savannah nods and leaves his car. Unsure she walks into the federal office and swallows. Her heart bounces in her troth. "Senorita" greets the young man. "I am... uh. I need to speak to an officer" she mumbles unsure. The federal nods. "Just a minute," he says and walks away. Savannah feels several eyes burning on her. It doesn't take long before an elder man, with a heavy black mustache and small brown eyes walks toward her. "Miss" he greets. "Right this way." Afraid Savannah follows him.

He leads her to a small bright interrogation room where he sits down across from her. "So miss?" "Savannah" she stumbles. "Savannah Esposito." The man looks up as if he heard that name before. "Tell me, why are you here?" Savannah takes a deep sigh and starts her story. She decides to tell everything. From the beginning till the end. Tears escape her eyes, she bites her lip now and then and has to swallow more as usual but the Federal lets her finish in peace.

When she is done he takes a deep sigh and puts a cigar between his lips. He lights the cigar and sighs. "Sounds like you've been through hell and back" he grumbles. "You know what, just stay here okay. I"m gonna make a phone call. I'll make sure that your folks can pick you up as soon as possible. Until then, you need something water, coffee?" "Water please," she says. The federal nods and leaves the room. It doesn't take long before he comes back with a sandwich with cheese and a bottle of water. Grateful Savannah nods and starts eating right away. God was she hungry.

"I'm gonna call your mother," he says before leaving the room. Thankful Savannah takes a zip of the water. It was over... Everything was just a bad memory.

Slowly the minutes tick away until it becomes an hour. An hour and a half, two hours... When would her mother and brother get here?Then in answer to her question, the Federal walks in. The smile is off his face. He pushes his back against the wall and his head down. Savannah looks up. She stands up suspiciously. Marco and Leonel walk in. He hadn't called her mother at all! He had called them! "No" she whispers. "Why, why you do this" she shouts but the Federale looks frozen in place. "No" she begs when Leonel grabs her. She tries to escape his big hands but he is too strong. Marco and Leonel lead her outside. All the Federales stand in the same position when they pass. Does the cartel own the Federales? But why... "No please don't do this" she begs but no one listens to her. "Get your hands off me" she orders angry when Leonel guides her towards Nacho his van. Nacho swallows and bites his lip. He opens one back door. Suddenly Marco pushes her back against the van. "Amigo," asks Nacho. Savannah looks away from his piercing eyes. He grabs her jaw and turns her head towards him. She bravely looks into his eyes, her heart beating in her troth. Marco wipes a tear away from her face. "Stop it" he orders calm and soft.

He turns her again and places his hand around her torso. But he immediately lifts it when he feels something warm and wet on his hand. He looks at the red palm of his hand. Marco and Leonel slowly look at each other before pushing her into the van. Savannah sobs softly. Her pain only gets worse. She just wished they killed her....

Both Marco and Leonel get inside the van with her. Afraid she shuffles backwards but Marco only slides closer. Her back bumps against the van. "No" she cries and tries to push his hands away. Savannah swallows and lets go of his wrists when suddenly her vision becomes blurry.

She wished to die but now... now she's honestly afraid that she will. Panic rises inside of her. Pain shoots through her bleeding body.

Marco grabs her hands while Leonel rips her dress.

They look at each other in silence. Then they both look at her again.

"Marco" she whispers before everything turns black.