Desperate Escape. Lisa Harris

Once the epidemic was under control, she’d be disposable—all of them would be—just like Gavin.

      “But how do we get out of here?” Maddie asked. “If they’re guarding the airstrip and the only other way off this island is by water...”

      Grant looked around the camp. “We’re looking at a couple dozen armed men who are currently focused more on what they’re drinking than us at the moment.”

      “But if they catch us a second time,” Maddie said. “They’ll shoot first and ask questions later.”

      Her stomach knotted. She set down the plate of food beside her, knowing he was right. This was it. There would be no second reprieve.

      Someone slipped through the shadows behind them and sat down on the log next to Maddie. Jose’s mother. She was carrying an infant tied securely around her back with a piece of wide, colorful cloth. Sliding the baby around in front of her, the mother pulled her out of the makeshift sling and handed the baby to Maddie.

      Maddie took the infant and cradled her in her arms.

      “I think she might have the sickness.” She lowered her voice, her eyes on the guards who sat on the other side of the fire, and added, “You helped save my son. I’m going to help you escape.”

FOUR

      Maddie’s heart rate accelerated.

       She was offering to help them escape?

      Maddie moved aside a section of the colorful blue-and-orange cloth that was wrapped tightly around the baby, wondering if she’d understood the woman correctly. Because why would she want to help them escape? If Oumar found out, it could cost her her life.

      Big brown eyes stared up at her as Maddie pressed the back of her hand against the baby’s plump cheeks. She squirmed beneath her touch and cooed at Maddie. No fever. No signs of distress.

      “I don’t understand...” Maddie paused. She didn’t even know the woman’s name. “I’m sorry...what is your name?”

      “Silvia. And you are Dr. Gilbert.” She kept her gaze on Maddie, her voice loud enough to reach the guards. “I need you to make sure she is all right. I cannot lose another child.”

      “Okay.” Maddie glanced at Grant and stood up. The woman obviously needed to talk. “My medical bag is on the other side of the compound. It would be easier if I examined her there.”

      “Where do you think you’re going?” One of the guards set his empty plate of food beside him and walked over to them, grabbing Maddie. She tried to pull away from his grip, but his fingers dug deeper into her arm. “I said where are you going?”

      Maddie raised her chin, resisting the urge to say something she’d regret later. “I need to examine her baby.”

      “You heard Oumar.” Grant stood up beside her, ready to step in if needed. “She was brought here to stop this sickness from spreading. And I’m pretty sure that if his child were to die from this disease, he’d want to blame someone.”

      The guard hesitated.

      “Leave her alone.” One of the men laughed on the other side of the fire, clutching a bottle of alcohol. “They’re not going anywhere.”

      The guard lessened his grip and let her go before aiming his rifle toward Grant and Antonio. “The two of you will stay here.”

      Maddie pulled away and walked slowly beside the baby’s mother across the courtyard toward her makeshift clinic. She wished the conditions were more adequate, and hoped she could do something to put this mother’s mind at ease. But even more pressing at the moment was a hope that Silvia might have a way for them to escape.

      “I’ll be right back. My medical bag’s just inside.” Maddie handed the baby back to Silvia and pointed to one of two chairs she’d been using to examine patients. She grabbed her bag and sat down across from the woman before pulling out her stethoscope. The only medical supplies she had with her were the ones she’d been carrying the day they’d abducted her; barely more than a handful of painkillers, bandages and antibacterial creams. But at least she had what she needed to assess vital signs and perform a handful of basic emergency procedures.

      Maddie picked up the baby in order to examine her again. “Your husband was right to take your son to the capital.”

      “What happened to him is far too common. They say when the rain falls, the soil shifts. Footpaths that people have used for years suddenly become death traps.” Silvia reached up to slip a loose end of her headscarf back into place, her eyes filled with tears. “Do you think he will live?”

      Maggie hesitated. Facing one of the lowest life-expectancy rates in the world, death might be all too common in this country, but even that familiarity with loss could never erase the deep anguish these mothers faced. The loss of a child was profound no matter who you were.

      “I wish I could say he’ll make it, but I can’t make any promises. All we can do now is pray.”

      Silvia’s gaze dropped. “Then I hope God listens this time. I’ve lost three children. I cannot lose the two I have left.”

      Maddie pressed the stethoscope against the baby’s dark brown chest and listened to the steady heartbeat, wishing there was something she could say to ease the woman’s pain. But sometimes words weren’t enough. “Any diarrhea or vomiting?”

      Silvia shook her head.

      The baby squirmed in her arms and smiled. Maddie searched for any signs of sickness, but her heartbeat was regular. No loss of skin elasticity, or signs of lethargy.

      No sign of cholera.

      Maddie placed the stethoscope around her neck. “Your baby...she’s beautiful. And healthy.”

      “I know...” Silvia glanced over to where the guards were finishing up their dinner. “I needed an excuse to speak to you away from the fire.”

      “You said you’d help us escape?”

      She nodded and pressed something into Maddie’s hands before taking the baby.

      Maddie closed her fingers around a set of keys. “Why are you doing this for us? If they catch you...”

      Silvia cuddled the child against her chest. “Do you have children?”

      Maddie shook her head. “One day, perhaps.”

      “I told you I’ve lost three babies. It is something I have to accept. But I waited many years for Jose, and now I have Anita. Her name means cheerful, because she brings me joy. My children are all I have.” She looked back up at Maddie in the light of one of the lanterns and caught her gaze. “You helped save my son’s life. I want to repay you.”

      “You could leave with us...” Maddie started, not sure if she was crossing a line she shouldn’t.

      “Oumar would come after me and take my children. This is my life, and I accept that, but you...you don’t deserve to be here.”

      “But—”

      “Please. Go before it is too late for you.” Silvia stood up and quickly slid Anita on her back, nuzzled closely against her. She covered the baby’s bottom and back with her wide cloth, as she’d done a hundred times before, and then secured it tightly in front so it fit like a sling. “I know my husband. He needs you now, but as soon as this sickness is over, he has told the men he is going to kill you. The vehicle is the white Jeep parked on the south side of the camp, just outside the wall. Take it and get as far away from here as you can.”

      Maddie was still hesitant. “And if he finds out you have helped us?”

      “You don’t need to worry. I have made sure he won’t be able to trace it back to me. Wait until a couple hours before dawn. Most of the guards will be asleep or