The Gift

The journey was long and by the time we reached Philly, I was visibly pregnant. The thought of what Monroe might do to me and my unborn baby terrified me more than I'm willing to admit. Would he see killing me and my baby as his best chance to get back at Miles for his desertion? I knew he was a sick man and capable of unspeakable evils. Miles had told me that much. As we pulled into the gated off area surrounding Independence Hall, Monroe's home base, my heart was in my throat. I willed myself to calm down for the baby's sake. I was uncuffed from the wagon and dragged into a dark basement. There I saw cell after cell, some in use, some awaiting unlucky occupants. Not a word was said to me as I was pushed into an empty cell and the bars were slammed in my face. How ironic, I couldn't help thinking. A prison within Independence Hall!

Time passed, perhaps an hour or two, before two guards appeared at my cell. They opened the door and each took a hold of my upper arms. Together we walked up the basement stairs and into the Hall itself. They led me down several corridors before stopping in front of a closed door guarded by two more men. I was escorted inside and my heart began to race again. Was this Monroe's office? But the room was void of life. The guards unhanded me then backed out of the room and shut the door. I took stock of my surroundings. Candles lit up a spacious room with an ornate desk and chair. For several minutes I stood waiting for something to happen. For someone to enter the room. When no one did, my curiosity got the better of me and I walked the perimeter of the room, coming to stop at the door to another room. This one was smaller and also unoccupied. It had a large, comfortable looking bed and I wanted nothing more than to snuggle into it. But I kept up my search. The only other door in the room led to a nice, but makeshift bathroom. Sighing, I headed back into the first room and sat down at the desk. A pile of books sat atop it and I flipped through one, idly.

Boredom replaced fear. Until the door opened and in walked Monroe himself. Physically he looked the same as he did the last time I'd seen him, three years before. But mentally, he seemed a bit off. A wave of uneasiness washed over me when he smiled. "Lily!" he exclaimed. "It's so good to see you again." He rushed forward and took my hand in greeting as if we'd been old friends. Yep, there was definitely something off about him. I tried not to flinch as he held my hand in his. He looked me up and down. "The years have treated you well, I see. And you're expecting! Congratulations!" He helped me up from the chair. "Let me show you around your quarters" he added. "My quarters?" I mumbled. "Of course. A woman like you doesn't belong in a cell." He gestured around the neatly appointed room, "this is yours. It used to belong to an old friend before she left me." I wondered to myself whether she left voluntarily. "I want you and your baby to be comfortable here" he added. My head was whirling. Nothing he said made sense. He continued, "the baby, it belongs to Miles?" he asked a bit hopefully. I hesitated. I should have decided on a story, a strategy before seeing Monroe. But no scenario I could have come up with would have prepared me for this greeting.

Monroe's crazy eyes bore into my own. Oh well, I thought, the safest lie is the truth. "Yes, it's his baby." "Wonderful!" the crazed man replied. I had a terrible feeling the baby and I were going to be pawns in some sick revenge game concocted by Monroe. I'd have to listen in to the guards's conversation as much as possible in the hope of gleaning anything useful. Monroe continued to lead me around the room. We passed through the doorway into the bedroom and I felt sick remembering the way he looked down at me in Miles's bed on the second day we'd met. There was lust in his eyes then. I chanced a glance now but saw only madness. I didn't know whether to feel relief or more fear. "The bathroom is through that doorway. I'll have a servant girl bring you water for a warm bath. I'm sure the journey has been long." "Thank you…" I hesitated. What in the hell do I call him, I thought? Sensing this he replied, "Bass, please. All of my friends call me Bass." I tried to smile up at him through friendly eyes, "Bass. Thank you. You're so kind." I added. Hoping to curry favor. It seemed to have worked because he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. I stiffened instantly then forced myself to relax and hug him back. Without Miles I didn't stand a chance with this man if I didn't stay in his good graces. Being friends with a madman was going to be harder than doing time in one of the basement cells!

"I'll leave you to get some rest and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow!" He practically sang. "Bright and early," I echoed in what I hoped was a cheerful tone. I have to get out of here, I thought. He turned to leave but once he reached the door he turned back to me and said, "I can't wait to meet the baby. I've always wanted one of my own." With that he shut the door behind him. And a lock slid audibly into place.