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Listening to the strange language around her, Annie tried to figure out exactly what they were saying, though she knew it was impossible. Only the subtle change in octaves gave her any indication that an argument was going on. She had been fed and given something sweet to drink but never allowed to explore her surroundings or call her husband.
A break in the conversation had Annie ask again for use of the phone. "Excuse me, but I hate to be a burden to you and your family. Please, if you would just let me use your phone, I can call my husband…"
"Shut up! You will be told when you can speak, woman. Until then, I suggest you keep your tongue still or I shall have to remove it for your safety," an angered male voice broke in.
Stunned by the tone and words of hate, Annie closed her mouth, contemplating her options and what was happening around her.
"I told you not to bring her here," the male voice continued, but not toward Annie.
"Please, she can understand us," a plea from the high soprano.
"It does not matter. The deal is for us to deliver her to this address and then we will no longer be in debt. Our family honor will be restored." The man's attitude turned to pride.
"Honor? You speak of honor when we intend to betray the mother of someone who has saved our son?"
A spit, followed by a slap to someone's face had Annie cringe.
"You dishonor me and your family," the soprano said, then small feet stormed from the room.
Heavy breathing came close to Annie. She closed her eyes, and felt her breathing speed up with fear.
Being blind was not a bonus at this moment in time. She didn't know where the exits were, or how many people were actually in the room, though she could only hear two distinct breathing patterns.
Attempting to keep her voice even, Annie forced herself to relax as much as possible. "Why are you doing this to me? Please, let me go and I won't tell anyone."
"And what is it you can tell them? My eye color? My height? Surely you could tell them of the scar I have on my cheek." Menace hung with the words, underlined with humor. It frightened her more.
Rubbing her stinging jaw, Lo Kaylia went to her room. Her husband had never struck her before, nor had he threatened another woman. Then to find that he was going to turn her over to kidnappers after having promised to protect her…she could not bear the shame, no matter if it meant her son would go to prison. "Maybe that is where he belongs."
A hidden stairway from their restaurant to the apartment next door had been very well concealed from the patrons. It was the only table that had been broken in the scuffle that she argued with their daughter about. The Feng Shui master would have to be brought back in to see how they could get more positive Chi from the loss. Maybe then, their house and business would prosper. "Not that it has done well after his last visit."
Bringing the blind woman up the steps and through the corridor had been slow her daughter had told her. She had also relayed the western woman's calm during the trek. Courage such as Mrs. Blaisdell's needed to be honored.
Looking out her second-story window, Kaylia thought of what she knew she should do. Her husband was no longer thinking about their future, only the money he had been promised and the dark mark on their family tree removed for the delivery of Mrs. Blaisdell. He didn't hear the mother's plea to see her son. Kaylia did.
Opening the window, she pulled herself up and onto the ledge, slowly making her way to the metal ladder that went up the apartment building. Reaching the roof, she took off her wedding ring and laid it on the cornerstone, leaving it and her world behind.