Chapter 2The Victim's Vengeance

Walking home, I stuck out my belly, which wasn't even showing much yet, and put on a big, happy smile.

After that day, my life in Cletus’s house got a little easier. They didn’t keep me locked up inside as much, the beatings lessened, and sometimes I could even wander around the hollow a bit. People started getting used to seeing me out and about.

"That's just how it is for women! Marry a man, he puts food on the table and clothes on your back. Gotta make the best of it," one neighbor told me.

"A man hitting his wife ain't the worst thing. Long as he provides, just gotta learn to humor him," another chimed in.

"Men are just like big kids, really. Spoil 'em a little, and they'll eat right out of your hand."

When the woman next door, Jenny, tried to run off again and got dragged back, I stood in the crowd watching.

"That’s your neighbor, ain't it?" A woman nudged me with her elbow, nodding towards the scene.

"Ma'am, careful! I'm carrying a boy, you know," I muttered, rolling my eyes inwardly and stepping away from her clumsy nudge. "Sure is," I finally answered. "Honestly, marryin' one man's same as marryin' another, right? Jed’s family, they’re better off than most around here. What's she got to complain about? Just doesn't appreciate what she has."

Standing there, watching Jenny tied up and beaten nearly senseless, a sick kind of superiority washed over me.

But the trail of blood dripping on the dirt path unnerved me. I clutched my belly and carefully backed out of the crowd. No, I gotta protect my son. Can't let anything happen to him.

The thought sent a chill down my spine, like someone was watching me. I looked around, left and right, but saw no one staring. Still, I felt like the other women were jealous. I hurried away from the crowd and ran back towards the cabin.

"Soon as that bitch pops out the boy, we sell her off quick to those idiot brothers down the holler. Then Ma’ll buy you a new wife, son." I hadn't even stepped inside when Mama Mae's venomous words froze me in my tracks. I thought having a son would make things better. Clutching the bag of groceries, I ducked behind the corner of the house to listen.

"Aw, Ma! Where we gonna get the money for that? Let her pop out a couple more boys first, then we'll talk," Cletus mumbled back.

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. Freezing cold. He was agreeing with her – sell me again, squeeze more money out of me.

In that instant, I saw my future clearer than ever, and it was worse than Jenny's. At least Jenny was still alive. If they sold me off again, especially to those two... I wouldn't last long.

"Mark my words, son. Once she has that baby, you will sell her." Mama Mae’s cryptic comment jolted me. I remembered something she’d vaguely asked me to help her with earlier, and my teeth clenched with hatred.

Those brothers she mentioned were born slow, dirt poor, strong as oxen, and meaner than snakes when they got riled. If I got sold to them, forced to take care of both... would I even survive?

"Ma! There's some commotion goin' on outside!" I called out, deliberately standing further away before walking into the yard with the groceries, head down. No way I'm letting that old hag sell me to those two. I can't die here. I have to find a way out. I made a silent promise to myself.