Burleson - Surviving Camp Inca : a life-changing prison experience

The buzz of the alarm clock echoed through the room. Julienne rolled over, forced her eyes open and shut off the alarm. Seven a.m. Today she was flying home.

She jumped in the shower. Her thoughts went back to Miami just a few days before. She and her friend, Ashley had spent the 4 th of July weekend at Miami Beach enjoying the sunshine and hitting the clubs at night. Ashleys boyfriend, Evan had flown down from New York to join them.

Julienne, why dont you come with us to South America? Evan asked.

What part of South America?

Ecuador Quito. Its a beautiful place on the equator, he said.

Sounds exotic, Julienne said, but I doubt I can afford it and Ive already booked my flight back to L.A. from here.

Changing your flight to another day wont be a problem. Ill pay for your ticket and you can pay me back next month, Evan said. You and Ashley can hang out while I take care of some business.

Itll be fun, Ashley said. Come on, Julienne. You always say you want to travel the world. And I saw that you have your passport with you.

Julienne laughed. Yeah, my Dad says my favorite book is the World Atlas. I told him he was right. My goal is to travel all over its pages.

Is that a yes?

Its a yes.

Well see you in the morning then. The flight leaves at noon. Evan held the door open for Julienne.

The next morning when Julienne went to their room, Ashley was frantically searching the hotel room, tossing things around.

What are you looking for? Julienne asked.

My passport! I cant find it!

Evan came in holding an envelope. Heres your ticket. Its all arranged. He handed it to Julienne. Whats going on here?

I cant find my passport! Ive searched everywhere several times. Its not here.

Calm down, Ashley. Well get you an emergency passport and change our flight to tomorrow. He turned to Julienne. Right now we need to get you to the airport.

Wait a minute. Im not going by myself, she said.

You wont be alone. Our friends, Juan and Pablo, will meet you. Theyll entertain you until we arrive tomorrow. Come on, lets go. If you miss your flight, Ill have to pay an extra $100 to change your ticket. He called a taxi for her and ushered her in. See you in Quito tomorrow.

Three days later, Ashleys replacement passport had still not come through and Julienne was going home. She couldnt take any more time off work.

Fresh from the shower, she pulled on a bright, flowered sundress and laced up her sandals. She brushed her long blonde hair and dabbed on some lipstick.

There was a loud knock on her hotel room door. Julienne, are you ready to go? It was Juan.

Why so early? she asked as she opened the door. My flight doesnt leave for three hours.

We just want to make sure you get there on time. Juan glanced around the room. You havent packed yet?

I dont have that much. Only one suitcase.

Thats fine, but we have three boxes of artwork in the trunk of the taxi waiting downstairs. It will take a little longer to check everything in at the airport.

Pablo appeared in the doorway, wearing a T-shirt and baggy jeans. His dark eyes peered out from under his shaggy hair. He and Juan said they were friends, but Juan seemed more educated, stylish, wore Ray-Bans and spoke English. They were Evans friends who had showed her around Quito the last few days.

Pablo gave her a hostile glare. Vamanos!

Julienne looked at Juan. Whats wrong with him? Itll take a few minutes for me to pack.

Juan told Pablo to go downstairs and tell the taxi driver it would be a little while longer.

By the way, Julienne said, Id like to see the artwork that Ashley and Evan asked me to bring back for them. I just want to be sure its the same art I saw at the gift shop.

Im sorry, but its all wrapped and packed in a box.

I just want to be sure its what we ordered, she said. Evan is going to use it in his Ecuadorian-themed restaurant, so its important that its right.

Of course it is, Juan said. A shadow of annoyance crossed his face. Ill get the box. Juan left the room and Julienne finished packing.

He came back with eight small, white boxes in a larger box. He opened one of them, folded back the tissue paper, and handed her a 6 x 12 ceramic painted art piece.

Julienne took it and ran her hand over the rough texture. She admired the oval painted country landscape of rolling hills. Tiny ceramic natives and animals were glued to it as part of the scene. Creative and unique . She tapped on it.

The pieces look like theyd be heavy, but theyre light. She handed it back to him. Theyre really nice. I think Evan will be pleased.

Are you satisfied that they are the ones we saw at the store?

Yes, theyre the same ones, but

But what? Juan asked.

I still dont understand why you dont just ship them to the States. Wouldnt it be less expensive?

Not really, he said.

There are twenty-four of them, right?

Yes. The scene on each picture is just a little different and there are eight in each box. He took the piece, wrapped it in tissue paper again and packed it back inside the box. The taxi is waiting, we need to go.

Ok, Ill be right down.

Juan left with the box and Julienne went to the bathroom to make sure she hadnt forgotten anything. She glanced at herself in the mirror. All of a sudden, she felt dizzy. She gasped at her reflection as her face blurred in the mirror. It appeared gaunt and dark circles had formed under her eyes.

Whats happening? she wondered as she grabbed the counter. She squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds until the feeling passed. When she opened her eyes, she looked normal.

Shaking, she said, Am I hallucinating? She had gone to a club the night before and had a few drinks, but she hadnt been drunk and didnt have a hangover. She stumbled over to the bed and sat down. Her body trembled. She heard a quiet whisper.