Pushing the Envelope: A Prequel from "The Barter System" World by Shayne McClendon Page A

Tawny arrived in record law-breaking time and talked the girl out of the bathroom she’d locked herself inside. 
    She said they could call her May.
    She looked around fourteen or fifteen and she was clearly pregnant.  Driving her to the nearest safe house, Tawny tried to get information but May was exhausted and severely dehydrated. 
    Hollow arrived the following morning but the young girl was too afraid to think clearly. 
    Crouching in front of the chair where she sat, he gave her a gentle smile.  “My name is Hollow.  I hear your name is May, is that right?”
    The girl nodded and her fingers curled around the seat of her chair until the knuckles were white. 
    “I know you might not believe me right now but no one here is going to hurt you.  I imagine all of this can seem overwhelming.  I don’t want you to be afraid.”
    “It’s big here.  Everything is so open.”
    “Were you in a place that was small?”
    “And dark.  Small and dark.  The world is much bigger and even brighter than I knew.”
    Tawny met Hollow’s eyes and both of them drew the same conclusion.  May had been raised in captivity. 
    “How did you get to the gas station, May?  Do you remember where you came from?”
    “Somewhere cold.  I rode in a box in someone’s truck.  Water filled the bottom and I drank it.  It was made from wood.”  She held up her dirty hand.  “I have splinters.” 
    Hollow glanced down and his eyes went wide.  Softly, he murmured, “Get a medic.”
    “I don’t want needles.  I don’t want to be tied up.”  She started to shake and then wet herself.  “Please…please.”
    “No one is going to put needles in you or tie you up, May.  You’re safe.  I think I know someone who would put you at ease in a way that is really important right now.  You need to get well and keep your baby safe.  Will you give it a try?”
    “It is a lady?”
    “Yes.  She’s very gentle and kind.  I think she’s the kind of person you need for a little while.  Once you feel strong and you have your baby, I’ll help you get wherever you need to go.”
    “It needs a family.”
    “Your baby?”  She nodded.  “You don’t want to keep your baby, May?”
    “He’ll kill it.  If he finds out, he’ll kill it.  It needs to be safe.  It will never be safe with me.”
    “You’re going to be safe, too.  Let’s take one thing at a time.  Tawny is going to drive you to a shelter and you’re to ask for a woman named Elizabeth.  Will you remember?”  May nodded slowly. 
    “I can’t tell them my name.  There can’t be police.” 
    “I understand.  No police.  Just a safe place for you and your baby.”
    “Until you find it a family.”
    “If that’s what you want then we will find a safe home for your baby.  Let’s get you cleaned up.  You need food and water.”
    
    Tawny thought back on the image of Elizabeth Clayton walking away from the shelter beside May hours after her rescue.  Everything about the woman had seemed soothing, even from a distance. 
    A few months later, May gave birth to her baby, placed it for adoption, and disappeared off the grid with the money their organization provided.  Hollow had never been able to locate her until now.
    “You found her, Hollow?”
    “I found her.  Our girl learned a lot since the last time we saw her, Tawny.  Someone gave her training.”  There was a pause.  “She’s been hunting the man I believe was her captor and popped up on my radar three days ago.”
    “How?”
    “She shot him as he exited the main courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale.”
    “Holy fuck.  Is he dead?”
    “Wounded but it wasn’t a kill shot.  She got away using the sewer system and contacted me yesterday.  Refused to come in at first but the search is heating up and she’s afraid.  She asked for you.”
    “Where is she?”
    He gave her a series of directions and she jogged to her car.  “She’s safe for now but I’d like you to keep an