CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENMallory
July 11, 2016
The noise outside the door makes my heart leap out of my chest. Sweat forms on my palms and the soles of my feet. I pull the covers over my head, but it doesn’t get any quieter. Muffled voices of men are getting nearer. Deep tones converse outside my door, but I can’t understand the words. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself. My stillness is almost paralyzing.
Anxiety courses through me while I try to stay still and hold my breath. I peek out from under the blanket, seeing the glow of daylight outlining a tattered window shade. I turn to face the door in the other direction where the voices are coming from. A bar of light flows from underneath the door, but not enough to see clearly around the room.
I shift in my bed and pull the blank
