Isela's Love by Sasha Cain

her. He hits her, too.”
    Darrios blew out a breath. “Why her?”
    Jerric met Bernie’s gaze and quietly said, “Because she says no.”
    Bernie leaned in closer to Jerric, trying to be as nonthreatening as he could. “Jerric, are you telling me Guarros has sex with the other girls...that they consent to it?”
    “Hmph,” he grunted, “What choice do they have? Most of them aren’t as strong as Isela. They see how he treats her. It’s a lot easier for them to give in than to fight him. They know they’re going to lose in the end anyway. Guarros always wins. Isela, she just won’t give in. Maybe it’s because of her mother, I don’t know.”
    “What can you tell me about Isela’s mother, Jerric? Were you there when she killed herself?”
    “No, but there’s a guy, Bashua. Everyone says he’s crazy, but I think he’s a lot sharper than anyone knows. He’s been an inmate forever. He’s the guy you should talk to.”
    “Thank you, Jerric. I promise you, Guarros will never know you talked to me.”
    “I don’t care if he does. I’m tired of watching my friends live in shame and fear. If you can stop him, I’ll do whatever I can to help, especially to save Isela.”
    Bernie needed to take a minute to compose himself after listening to Jerric’s testimony. He wouldn’t want to be in Guarros’ shoes if Darrios ever got a hold of him, once he heard what this kid had just told him.
    Leezil wasn’t as forthcoming with her answers, giving Bernie the distinct impression she was hiding something. If Jerric was right, he understood her reluctance to talk about it. She seemed very relieved when he told her she could go.
    Rone entered the room as if it was full of snakes, her eyes round as saucers, darting around the room, almost frantically. Bernie knew he needed to put her more at ease if was going to get any information out of her. Smiling warmly at her, he thanked her for coming in and agreeing to talk to him. He spoke slowly and softly to her.
    “I don’t really know anything,” she said, avoiding eye contact.
    “It’s okay, Rone,” Bernie said, patting her hand, “I know about the warden.”
    He heard her sharp intake of breath, even though she tried to hide it. Her head snapped up, tears in her eyes. Bernie decided to push a little.
    “I know he...touches you,” Bernie said barely above a whisper.
    Rone dropped her chin to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut tight. She covered her face with her hands and shook her head.
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she cried. Bernie jumped up. Dropping down to his knees next to her, he placed his arms around her. At first, she stiffened. When he spoke she relaxed in his arms.
    “Shhh, shhh, you have nothing to be sorry for. It isn’t your fault. It’s his. How old are you, Rone?”
    “Nine...nineteen,” she hiccupped between sobs.
    “Warden Guarros was wrong to touch you. He should have known better, but we’re going to make sure he never hurts you or any of the other girls again.”
    She gasped. “No, you can’t tell him what I told you!” she shrieked. “He’ll kill me.”
    “I’m not going to tell him anything...not until we’re sure you’re safe from him, but by you telling me this? That will help me stop him all that much sooner.”
    She nodded, calming some. Bernie sat back on his heels.
    “Rone, can you tell me anything else? I know this is difficult, but it really will help.”
    She wrung her hands, staring at her fingers as she did so. Without making eye contact, she whispered, “He usually only does it after Isela refuses him. Then he comes to one of us. He’s always so angry. I’ve seen him hit her...sometimes a lot, but she won’t give in to him. I heard her tell him the only way he’d ever have her is against her will...and then he’d have to kill her or she’d kill herself. She looked him right in the eye and said that...in front of everyone.”
    “What did he do?” Bernie asked, afraid of what the answer would