KEILAH Everyone watched me in utter astonishment as my words hung in the air, causing a hushed silence to fall over this big room. I was tired of being intimidated by their threats of death, so it was up to me to face them and speak up for myself. I was undeterred by the intimidating presence of everyone, including their leaders, who exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by my unexpected interruption. Keilah Rivera," Ralph's voice echoed in my head, calling my name. Shocked, I snapped my head over to where he was standing, his grave eyes fixed on me. What was happening? Was he playing with my mind? I wondered. "What do you think you're doing there?" he asked again, his voice reverberating in my head. My knees trembled, but I steadied myself from falling. "If you value your life,

