“You needn’t be afraid of me. I am Hassan. I won’t hurt you… I was told you needed to use the bathroom?”
“Yes, please…”
“You must never tell the Master I was here and released you. Do you promise not to tell him?”
“I promise, yes!”
Hassan untied the knots around my wrists and ankles, freeing me. I hurried into the bathroom, rubbing my chafed skin. I was embarrassed by how long and hard I urinated. Though I closed the door, I knew the man could hear me making water. I wished I had my robe or had grabbed a sheet to cover myself with. I hoped he would be gone by the time I came back out. I listened for the bedroom door to close but it didn’t.
Finally, after several minutes, I wrapped a bath towel around myself and came out. Hassan was still standing in the same place in the center of th
