Eleven

Yasmin’s heart raced, her mind filling with the possibility of escape. “You mean… I could leave with them?”

Kamira’s grip tightened, grounding Yasmin as she continued, “It’s risky, but yes. You’ll stow away with the supplies. No one will know you’re there. They’ll drop you off at a checkpoint outside the territory, and from there, you’ll be on your own. It won’t be easy, Yasmin, but it’s a chance to start fresh.”

The words sank in, and Yasmin felt tears pricking her eyes. It was a dangerous plan, but it was a plan—a way out, a chance for freedom. She squeezed Kamira’s hand, gratitude spilling over. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Thank you, Kamira. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Kamira smiled softly, brushing a tear from Yasmin’s cheek. “You’re stronger than you know, Yasmin. You may not feel it now, but I see it in you. And I’ll be here for you, every step of the way.”

For the first time in a long while, Yasmin felt a glimmer of hope. She le