Chapter 41

My light travels toward the voice, stopping three cages down on a woman with eyes squinting from the glare of the flashlight. I lower it a bit.

"Sorry," I say softly. "Can you communicate with them?" It will take time to bring in an interpreter and the last thing these women have is time. We need to get them out.

"Yes, if your intention is good," she replies in a stronger voice.

"We're here to get you out," I assure her. "Do you know how many are alive?"

She inhales and exhales jaggedly before speaking. "Sahar is gone, but I think she is the only one. She is next to me." Her ragged voice tears at my soul as my light drifts to the next cage.

There are two hands inside-one belongs to the woman speaking; she is holding tightly to the lifeless, darkened, hand of the dead woman next to her. In all my years as an officer I've never seen anything more horrifying. It must have shown on my face in the glow of my flashlight.

"I... I told her I would not let go. She was so afraid." Her voi