NINETY

An hour went by, and Vadirr didn’t return with any news. I was stuck there with a fake smile on my face, reassuring the other women at random intervals. Everyone had one question or another to ask, and I gave them the best answer that I could without letting my emotions get the better part of me. Before long, some of them started to relax and I could hear a few laughs here and there as they discussed amongst themselves.

The safe house which we are in is sound proof. No one could hear if anything was going on inside, and we could not hear whatever was happening outside. Time seemed to be going too slow and I was gradually running out of patience when I felt a stab of pain at my back. I froze, realising the pain did not belong to me. It happened again, and then a third time. I forced myself away from the crowd to the ladies room, aware of the guard's eye on me until I disappeared behind closed doors.

Finally there, I clutched a sink so tight until my knuckles hurt and swallowed a frust