Chapter 40

The night stretched on, with Shraf’s heavy breathing lulling me into a fitful sleep, my mind raced with thoughts of escape. I replayed every scenario, every possible avenue of freedom, searching for the one that held the least risk. And then, as dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, a plan began to form in my mind.

I waited until Shraf’s rhythmic breathing signaled that he was deeply asleep, his hold on me loosening ever so slightly. With cautious movements, I extricated myself from his grasp, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumroll of anticipation.

Silently, I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet sounded like thunder in the oppressive silence of the room. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn’t wake, that this fleeting moment of freedom wouldn’t be snatched away before it even began.

With trembling hands, I gathered the few belongings I could carry—some clothes, a handful of cash I had squirreled away, and th