I drop Sadie’s hand and turn to sign to Tati, to tell her to stay quiet and stay with the other women, but before I can, there is a flash of heat across my face. My head cracks to the side, and I gasp at the sharp bite of pain.
The Tiger’s hand is still lifted in the air, ready to come back down on me. “Do you want me to do it again?”
“Come on,” Sadie urges, eyes wide.
I shake my head and follow Sadie towards the door. Just before stepping out, I turn and hold up the sign for I love you. Tati returns it with a trembling lower lip. The woman wraps an arm around her shoulders, and I take in my precious girl’s face, hoping I’ll see it again.
We’ve been on a strict schedule since arriving on the ship. Meals come at the same time every day, and the nicer of the two guards changes the bathro
