José settled Nora down on the floor. “Go get some water,” he told the guard.
Anthony watched Nora’s shallow breathing and noticed her pale complexion. He balled his hands into fists. She desperately needed food to raise her blood sugar levels.
Gordo returned, and Anthony pulled out his handkerchief. He dipped it in the cool water and dabbed Nora’s face with the damp material.
“Come on, Nora.”
Please, Lord, let her come to. His brow knit together with worry.
In one blessed moment, Nora’s eyelids fluttered open. Her eyes were clouded with confusion then cleared as she realized where she was.
“Anthony,” her voice was weak.
“I’m here.” He grasped her extended hand.
Thank goodness for a familiar face! “Help- me,” was her whispered plea.
His heart squeezed from her broken entreaty. It looked as if just breathing was a monumental effort.
Anthony looked over to José. “Can we get something for her to eat? She hasn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon. That’s why she fainted.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” José stood. He left, leaving Gordo to stand guard.
“José has gone to get some food.” Anthony brushed her tangled hair back from her pale face. “Hang in there.”
Nora’s lids were drooping. “Keep- talking.”
“What do you want me to talk about?” he asked.
“Why w-would you offer t-to stay?” She scrunched her forehead together, then it smoothed out as she relaxed.
“Jesus did the same thing when he died on the cross for us – His bride,” Anthony began to explain. “We are told to walk as He walked. By doing this, in a way, I’m following in His footsteps.”
“You have no obligation to me,” she protested.
“Neither did Jesus,” he pointed out softly, “but he did it anyway.”
José came back carrying a plate. “I found some beans and rice.”
Anthony helped Nora sit up, and José handed her the plate of food.
When she didn’t attempt to eat, Anthony encouraged, “Come on, Nora. You need to eat. You’re going to get worse if you don’t.”
Pleading eyes looked back at him. “I’m so tired.”
He scraped up a forkful of beans and placed it in her hand. Nora lifted the fork to her mouth, her hand shaking from weakness. She gave him a smile. Anthony refilled the fork, and she again lifted it to her lips. They did this a few times before Nora felt strong enough to do it on her own.
Once Nora had eaten, José came up to her. “I’m sorry, Señorita, but I must tie you up again.”
Without saying a word, she nodded, shifting so José could tie her hands behind her back.
“This time I tie you in front,” he said.
Relieved, Nora brought her hands in front of her and lifted them to be tied.
After tying both Nora and Anthony, José and Gordo moved towards the door.
“José,” Nora called. He looked back with a question in his eyes. “Thank you for the food.”
“De nada, Señorita.”
Nora shifted against the wall to face Anthony. “Thank you for helping me through that.” Her grateful eyes met his concerned gaze.
“You’re welcome.” He gave her a slight smile of encouragement.
“It’s been a long time since my blood sugar has been so low. I can normally control it, but under the circumstances…”
He furrowed his brow. “You had me scared there for a minute.”
“I’m sorry about that.” Nora gave a sheepish smile.
He returned the gesture. “Everything’s all right now, and that’s what matters.”
Her tone was serious as she said, “Anthony, we need to talk.”
“Okay,” he said congenially. “What about?”
“The offer of your freedom for mine.”
“What about it?”
Nora wrinkled her forehead. “I can’t go and leave you here.”
“You can, and you will,” Anthony replied. “I won’t allow you to stay in danger any longer than I can help it.”
“Why would you do that?” Her eyes showed her perplexity.
“I told you earlier.”
“I know, but this sacrifice isn’t required of you or necessary.” Nora looked down at her dress.
“I know it’s not required of me, but I do think it is necessary. You’re in danger, and I want to do this for you.”
Anthony saw the anguish flit across her face.
“How can I go and live my life like nothing’s wrong while I leave you to Rodriguez’s mercy or lack thereof?”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty,” he told her. “This is my decision.” Anthony caught her eye. “I know Rodriguez hasn’t agreed to it yet, but if he does, will you, please, allow me to have this honor?”
“Honor?” Her wide eyes showed her surprise. “How can you see this as an honor?”
“There’s no one here to protect you besides me. I want you out of here, and this is a way I can do it peacefully.” If his hands were untied, Anthony would have reached for hers. “I want you to do this.” His tone was earnest.
Nora nodded as she continued to meet his gaze. “All right. I’ll do it, but only because you insist.”
“I’d have it no other way.” Relief rolled off Anthony’s shoulders. Half of this battle was won. Now for Rodriguez’s answer.
The scripture from Proverbs, “The King’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth if whithersoever he will,” ran through Anthony’s mind.
Please, Lord, guide Rodriguez’s heart to let Nora go.
Gordo flung the door open and walked in. “The boss, he wants to see you.” He closed the distance between him and Nora. The guard reached out to touch her golden hair. She shrank back from him, making the soft strands slide through his rough fingers.
“Gordo!”
Nora jumped and jerked her head to see José standing in the doorway. “Just untie her.” Kneeling, he began to free Anthony.
Once again, they were led to Rodriguez. He clasped his hands behind his back when he saw Nora and Anthony. His stern gaze met them. “I have made my decision on your proposition. I will free the girl.”
Nora shot a look over at Anthony. The tense lines in his face relaxed with relief at Rodriguez’s answer.
“But before she leaves, she will get a taste of what will happen to her friend if she should break her word.” Rodriguez nodded to Gordo, who grabbed Anthony and shoved him to the ground.
Stepping forward with outstretched hands, Nora desperately cried, “No! I have no intention of breaking my word. Please, whatever you plan to do to him, I beg you, don’t!”
“Just the same, you will see what happens so you have a picture to carry with you as a reminder of what your friend will endure.” His face contorted into rage. “Never will you forget.”
“No!” was Nora’s bloodcurdling scream as they began to beat Anthony. Gordo kicked Anthony’s already sore ribs, then proceeded to deal blows to his face.
Nora moved to fling her body between Anthony’s bloodied body and Gordo to intercept the fists pounding into his body. Anthony tried to push her away but wasn’t able to move her before a fist impacted her face.
José grabbed her by the waist and dragged her away. Nora blocked her ears from hearing the impact of flesh hitting flesh. The whole time she begged for mercy for Anthony, but her pleas went unheeded. Gordo didn’t desist his blows until Rodriguez intervened, and the burly man was breathing heavily.
Running over to where Anthony lay sprawled on the ground, Nora cradled his head in her hands. His pain filled eyes met her tear streaked face. Nora’s eyes took in the sight of his split lip, swelling eye, bruised face, and a bloody, possibly broken, nose. Anthony’s arm was turned at an unnatural angle. She whispered, “I’m so sorry. I never would have agreed to this if I had known they would do this to you.”
Anthony wheezed. “Don’t-” He winced. “Don’t feel guilty.” His brow furrowed in pain. “It’s not- your fault.” “How can I leave you like this?” Her chin quivered.
“Take my keys.” His hand fumbled with his pocket. He felt his phone and grabbed it too. “My car – it’s right on the road.”
José saw Anthony hand Nora a set of keys and a cell phone. He noticed Anthony trying to hide the items by covering them with his hand, and quickly looked away.
When Nora realized what he had given her, her eyes widened and met his serious ones. Pain resonated from his warm, dark eyes. Her heart leaped to her throat.
To not raise Rodriguez’s suspicion, Anthony pulled her head down to his shoulder. He could feel her shaking. Her hair tickled his face. Nora could hear Anthony’s labored breathing on her cheek as he whispered, “If you need it, call for help.”
Nora pulled back. “Thank you.” She slipped the items into her skirt pocket.
Anthony took her hand, his eyes imploring. “Be careful.”
Fresh tears fell on his hand as Nora raised it to her cheek. “I will. I’ll pray for you.”
He raised his head with great effort and urged her away, “Go.”
“I can never thank you enough, Anthony,” Nora sobbed. “I’m deeply indebted to you. May the Lord bless you for your kindness.”
“Get her out of here.” Rodriguez’s harsh tone grated on her ears.
Nora turned her attention to Rodriguez, and her voice broke. “You didn’t have to do that.” As she spoke, she felt someone grasp her arm and pull her to her feet.
“Come, Señorita,” José said. “You can go free.”
Feeling overwhelmed at the gift Anthony had given her, Nora couldn’t leave without saying something more to him. “If God be for us, then who can be against us?”
Anthony nodded. “God be with you.”
José tugged Nora away and continued to hold on to her until they reached the ten-foot barbed wire fence. “If you know what’s good for you, you will leave and never come back.” He motioned up to the guard tower to open the gate, then turned his attention back to her. “Don’t worry about your friend.”
Once Nora was on the other side of the fence and the gate closed behind her, she began to run. She had to get away before Rodriguez changed his mind and Anthony’s suffering was in vain.
Nora followed the narrow gully out to the road. She stopped. Which way had Anthony told her to go?
“Right,” she mumbled breathlessly. Around the bend sat a little gray car.
With shaking hands, Nora stuck the key into the keyhole and pulled the door open. She slid into the seat and tucked in her skirt behind her.
A box of granola bars sat on the passenger seat. Those could last her until she found the nearest town.
Sitting in the car, Nora wiped her eyes. The tears would not be stopped. She was free!
Her heart plummeted when Nora thought of Anthony being forced to stay behind. What would make him want to trade his freedom for hers? Only he and God knew. Nora shook her head. Whatever the reason, she was thankful to him and the Lord.
