Chapter 19

(Renata Pellegrini)

Out of the corner of my eye I see this brute's other hand coming with a dirty rag towards my nose, I imagine it's something to make me faint. I raise my arm to break the contact, elbow him in the ribs but he doesn't even move, squeezing my neck even tighter.

He's stopped making me swoon with the fabric and now uses his other arm to choke me from behind. I take a deep breath and stay calm, remembering my father's teachings. I hold his forearm with both hands and tilt my head, making a protection with my chin to be as firm as possible and prevent him from choking me. I bend my knees and pull him over my body, he loses his balance, but to my despair, don't let me go.

I feel dread take hold of me, all the calm I've been trying to maintain is draining from my pores, my blood is freezing, but the sweat doesn't stop running down my forehead. My heart is pounding and tears are burning my eyes.

'This can't be happening, not again' - I think and unable to control the tears,