Silver lining

Finally, there was a hissing sound, and the doors started to open. We shielded our eyes from the bright light, and I felt tears streaming down my face at the flood of relief that wrapped its arms around my tired body.

"Are you all okay?" A man asked, helping us out of the elevator one after the other.

"Yes, yes, we're fine," I said, still shaking from the entire experience. I was not exactly sure how I felt, because somehow, my secrets were still hanging over my neck like a five hundred pound metal cross, dragging me down with everything I had and I was.

After stepping out onto the floor, I watched Glenn, Mila, Ellen, Martha and Sophia hug each other tightly, grateful to be alive and out of that cramped, dark space. I refused to be folded into the group hug. I still wanted to be away from the girls for some time.

As we walked away from the elevator, I could not help but feel a tiny sense of gratefulness for the experience. It had taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of