Chapter 8

THE BATHING ROOM was tiny, dingy and smelled like piss.

It was dimly lit with a torch that did little to provide light.

It was lined with tiny cubicle-like bathroom stalls about ten of them. The stalls each had no doors, one small shower head fixed above and green algae growing on the walls.

The room was filled with the sound of some of the girls crying.

Some of the women working at the brothel were just leaving the bathroom when we entered.

Madam Claire stood at a corner of the bathroom quietly inspecting us with the help of two of her goons.

Some of the girls who were branded before me, were already naked and being pushed into the stalls by the two goons who worked for madam Claire.

Kezira and I hung back, unprepared to take off our clothes in front of the men.

A small meek looking woman who was introduced as Merra pushed small cut pieces of cheap soap into the hands of all the girls present including us.

When the goons were moving their inspection closer to Kez and I, I unconc