"Caroline—"
Ezekiel walked straight to his wife's cell. For a moment, she simply stared before relief broke through her face. "I am here now," he said, placing his hand over hers where they gripped the iron bars.
"Ezekiel—look at this—look at what they've done to me," Caroline cried, her fingers tightening against the bars as if she could squeeze reassurance from the cold iron. "I didn't do anything—please… please take me home."
Ruelle, who stood at the back watched Ezekiel move his hand past the iron bars, wiping away Caroline's tears as they fell.
"Look at me." There was a gentleness as he spoke, "You didn't do anything. I know that. I will get you out of here."
Ruelle watched the way Caroline clung to Ezekiel's hand, her sobs gradually softening beneath his reassurances. There was no hesitation in him and he looked every bit the worried husband.
