Chapter Six

Bette was in excruciating pain. Henry had probably broken a rib when he had been repeatedly kicking her in side. A sharp shot of pain moved through her body when she tried to move on the pallet, tears stung her eyes. Everywhere and everything hurt, moaning she tried to find a comfortable position but found it was impossible to accomplish. After being beaten senseless by that bastard, he had ordered she be taken back to her cell without any food or water. With that her stomach grumbled reminding her how empty it was.

She thought of the blonde-haired woman, and the promise she’d made to visit her again. It was well into night Bette guessed since the sun had long set leaving darkness in its wake. The guard at the front of her cell was fast asleep, pain and wanting to stay awake kept Bette from passing out but she didn’t how much longer she would last. Her ribs were hurting so bad together with her head. Bette knew she needed to escape, no way were they going to let her go with that bastard Henry testifying against her. Her people were waiting for her to lead them to freedom, from discrimination and racism, she’d promise her father that on his deathbed, her mother was still alive and probably wondering what was taking her so long to return home.

“Bette” Came the sweet drawl. It was like water to a dying man.

She moaned in response since talking and breathing were too painful.

“Bette” the voice came again this time filled with concern.

She moaned again in response to Tina’s call.

The moonlight silhouetted Tina’s lithe and beautiful frame. Sucking up the pain Bette struggled to her feet and over to bars where Tina was on her knees, her hands held the bars tightly. Placing her face and hands between the bars, she touched Tina.

“My poor, baby,” said the blonde tears running down her face, she ran her hand over Bette’s bruised face. She then cupped Bette’s face in her hands.

Even though it pained Bette smiled at Tina, “You came” she whispered, leaning into Tina’s open palms.

Tina sat back on her heels as she inspected the brunette’s face. Her anger at that asshole grew as the moonlight and her fingers revealed more of Bette’s bruises and cuts on her face. One of her eyes and the right side of her jaw were swollen.