Esmeralda

Once upon a time, I was a slave. I was used, abused, tossed around, shackled, beaten, starved, almost raped and bullied.

Once upon a time, I knew what physical pain was. I was familiar with hostility and suffering, so familiar that it began the day with me and ended when I retired to bed late in the dead of the night.

Once upon a time, I craved death daily, like an addict craved his addiction, but death failed me.

Once upon a time, I hated myself, the hatred was so strong that I inflicted myself with pain.

Once upon a time I was like the girl shut up in...