The slaves gathered around, chatting and laughing over small jokes. 

  

They were all outside, unwilling to stay inside because of the tremendous heat and now outside they had to battle with the bloodsucking insects of the night.

 

Adriana sat quietly with Erica, who rested her head on her shoulder. She watched the slaves and smiled occasionally as their laughter rang out.

 

She admired them. 

  

She had only been in the slave ring for some hours but she had felt the terror, while these women had spent years in there and they were still able to laugh amidst everything, finding little joy and masking their pain.

Her heart also flew to...