Deliver Us from Evil by Robin Caroll

Author:Robin Caroll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Published: 2010-01-06T05:00:00+00:00

Saturday, 5:10 p.m.

Suburb South of Townsend, Tennessee

MAI SHOVED THE CAN of diet soda as hard as she could into the hole of the mattress. It hit against tin, refusing to go in any farther—the end of it poked out of the fabric. She pulled the can free and stuck her hand in the hole. With all her might, Mai pushed the existing can farther into the hole, garnering an inch or so of play. She shoved the last can inside, then replaced the tattered sheet before standing.

The door creaked open, causing her to jump and spin around.

Kanya slipped into the room and handed Mai a disposable lighter and a crushed candy bar. “Here.”

Taking the items, she stared into her friend’s face. Tears streaked down Kanya’s made-up face. Did it really matter to the men who visited what they looked like? Mai could not help but think not. All the men cared about was . . . well, she refused to think about that. She touched Kanya’s arm and spoke in Thai. “Are you okay?”

“I hate America.” Kanya sniffed, her eyes puffy and bloodshot from all the crying she had been doing. She had to stop—Madam Nancy would have one of her boys come teach Kanya a lesson if she continued. It had happened to another girl last night.

“Not much longer.” Mai could barely keep the excitement from her voice as she counted their stolen bounty. “We need to tear another hole in the other side of the mattress—this one is full.”

“Knowing we will escape is the only thing that makes life here bearable.”

Kanya’s depressed tone concerned Mai. Deeply. Tossing her friend an understanding look, Mai moved to the opposite side of the mattress. “Keep watch and make sure nobody comes in.”

Mai removed the barrette from her hair, pried it open, and knelt. Using the rough edge of the hairpiece, she gnawed at the soft edge, ripping a hole. Once the opening was made, she stuck her hand inside and yanked out stuffing, hollowing it out as best she could.

“Someone is coming!” Kanya leaned against the door, her ear pressed close to the wood. “Hurry.”

Heart pounding, Mai shoved the lighter and candy into the hole, jerked the sheet tight, and jumped to her feet. She pushed the barrette into her hair and clicked it closed.

Kanya scrambled away from the door just as it swung open, hitting the thin wall. The resounding clatter echoed in the room.

Madam Nancy stood in the threshold, her hands planted on her ample hips. “What are you doing hiding in here?” She grabbed Kanya’s arm, shaking her. “I have customers lined up and waiting. Get yor bottom out there.”

Kanya stumbled as she crossed the doorway. Mai moved forward, only to have Madam Nancy grab her upper arm and jerk her backward. Her pudgy fingers dug into the bony flesh, squeezing until Mai winced. “What were you girls doing in here?”

“W-w-we had to wash up.”

Madam Nancy narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you lie to me, or you will regret it.

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