Bad Moon Rising

“Every time we move, I look in everything I can. I saw the radio this morning.”

Amber said, “Now we can make a plan. And keep hoping they find us.”

“Finding us won’t be easy. They keep moving all the girls and me every two or three days to a different town.”

Amber said, “Because people are looking for you, Bodhi, that’s why.”

Bodhi shook her head No, “They do it so the other women can work the labor camps where the aliens live. When the money runs out, we’re moved to the next location. I think they’ve been doing this for a while. It’s like a military campaign the way they set up, and the local men come to the house. And when the men have spent all their money, we’re taken to the next town.”

“Are the women doing this for the pay?”

Bodhi shook her head, “I’m sure they’re undocumented and forced to do it. They cry late at night.”

The two friends leaned against each other, quiet for a while. A scuffling noise came from outside the door and someone yelled in pain. Then the door opened and the two black men came in and drug Amber away as Bodhi hit at them.

They took her to another room where the Indian waited. The largest black man said, “Where you want her?” The Kiowa pointed and they pushed her into a dusty, ratty armchair. The Kiowa stepped to her and brushed the hair from her face, “So, you and Bodhi are good friends?”

She hesitated a moment, “Yes.”

“I want Sylvia Artell’s routing numbers to the checking accounts. Get them from Bodhi. We’ve kept her guessing what we wanted for over a week, and today we want the numbers. Tell her.”

“I can’t do that.” The unexpected slap rocked Amber’s head to the side and she almost went out of the chair, but the men on each side caught her. Amber blinked her eyes, dazed, and heard roaring sounds in one ear. The side of her face felt on fire.

The Indian said, “Go talk to her.” He motioned with his hand and the two men took her. She didn’t fight them as they pushed her into Bodhi’s room.

Amber stumbled to her knees, and Bodhi knelt beside her. Motioning to the bed for them to sit, Amber struggled to her feet, “I’m all right.”

Bodhi looked at the bright red mark on her face and doubted that was true. She said, “What do they want?”

“They want you to give them the routing numbers to Sylvia’s checking accounts. The Kiowa, that’s what they call the Indian, said he’s kept you guessing for days, and today he wants the numbers.”

“I don’t have that.”

“They know you have money.”

“I have what mom gives me. She puts three thousand a week into my account, but I don’t have access to hers.”

“What about your credit cards?”

“I have three, but they all max out at twelve thousand. I only carry one at a time and leave the others in the apartment safe. They took the one from me when they grabbed me.”

“What about when you need more than the card covers?”

“I go to mom and borrow her card. A black Amex card.”

“Unlimited.”

“Yes, but I have to take it back after I use it.”

Amber bit her lower lip and said in a low voice, “Well, damn.”

“What?”

“It sounds like I’m in for some bad days. Th

ey told me to get the numbers for them or they’d hurt me. Torture is the word the Kiowa used.”

Bodhi touched her arm and said, “I won’t let that happen.”