I nodded. My mind was still a wreck.

By the time the children finished eating, the sun had long disappeared below the horizon. The matriarch lay down some mats in the small house. Brandon explained that this situation could not be helped and urge us to make do. We were going to return the next day.

Boris was afraid that I could catch a cold at night. He forced the woman to bring out all the blankets in the house. Alas, it was still not warm enough and I snuggled next to the children.

In the middle of the night, my freezing feet kept sleep at bay. I curled into a ball. At this moment, a young girl’s voice called out. “Ma’am!”

I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me and did not react immediately. But I soon heard the little girl’s voice again. “Are you asleep, Ma’am?”

This time, I was sure that the child was addressing me. I got over my astonishment and replied, “No. What’s up?”

I sat up and noticed that the little girl was squatted next to me. “Mommy told me that I have to go with you tomorrow. She said we’ll have delicious food in the city. Can you bring my sister too? She also wants to go to the city,” she said.

took me off guard. I pulled her closer to me and wrapped her cold body with a blanket. “Why do you

she felt frightened, she responded, “Ma’am, you smell so good. You smell much better than

not help but smile as I

asked again, “Little girl, why does your sister want to

seventeen years old. Mommy says that she’s old enough to get married. She buried herself in her education, but Daddy won’t let her study anymore. He wants her to get married but she doesn’t want to. Mommy locked her up in the barn because of this. I feel so sad for my sister. She hasn’t eaten in days. But, Mommy

Soon, I collected myself and asked,

barefooted, she seemed ready to walk out. I pulled her back and whispered, “It’s cold outside. You should put

cold. My siblings and I have gone barefoot in colder winters than this. Mommy says that we won’t be cold once we get

I followed her out and she pulled me towards a

followed by the voice of a young girl.

without hesitation. I was slightly hesitant, and she turned to say to me in hushed tones, “Don’t come in. It’s very dirty in here and is full of

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