over the jagged stones that lined the slave auction path. Each step burned. Each breath she took carried the thick scent of sweat, dust, and hopelessness. Around h

em detached, a few curious. No one kind. No one warm. She was nothing but a commodity here, and that realization pierced deeper than the h

nd uncle h

etaker. To a black-market tra

n every small way she could: running errands, cleaning, helping the younger cousins. But apparently, it wasn't enough

-her life up for sal

ating inside. The rope yanked her forward agai

-

Days E

this house!" Maureen's voice thundered through the compound like a whip

r brother had only been around for a few weeks, yet he'd wit

," Stephan said, brows furrowed. "She's st

kly. "You have no idea how much I've tolerated that ungrateful thing. I told her to iron Pri

. "But isn't Priscilla the same a

d. "Why do you always do that? You think I don't

then stopped. He co

-

That A

er hands empty but soon to be filled. She stopped in front of a familiar vendor stall, wh

r has arrived," the ma

. Kwame. My aunt sent me to buy oranges

r with kind eyes. "And how is that aunt of

's not that bad. I think she just wants me to do things rig

nd fists. I see the bruises sometimes. And the way you walk-like y

nd much lately. And I know my aunt's

e still defending them. You've got a heart too good for this place. Bu

ed into her pocket and pulle

r for your son. I finished it last n

you, Elaine. You write like a scholar. My boy will

meaning. And writing letters is my secret joy. Maybe one day, I'll become a professi

ing. Then he looked up at the sky. "You should hurry.

ing sky. Thunder grumbled in

s onto the tray. "I have to get home quickly.

d remember, not every

tray carefully balanced. As she

-

ong hair clung to her skin like wet vines. Mud streaked her arms, and the wooden tray s

stuck to her skin. The cold had tinted he

bed Elaine's arm and landed a harsh slap across her fac

, holding her

uce every man in this house, right? Is that

. "I-I went to get fruits. Yo

re?!" Maureen shouted. "You're disgus

he words struck ha

ze. He picked up one of the muddied fruits, then dropped it.

I am so tired. Maybe it's time I find a use for thi

ightened. "Please

ut

e. The only sound was the rain, bea

ming. Stephan watched with a

r legs gave out. She felt humiliated. Drenched. Dirty. Li

lked away. "You'll see. I'll

aine a little too long before

vering, but her heart w

-

the Au

in. The crowd was louder now. A

y of the slap still burning

uld buy her. Or what t

ly family she had... had sol

boomed her name into the air,

ry. Not

e continued drifting