Zia tried with all her might to free her hands from the ropes that bound her before the men approached her. No matter how painful it was, Zia did not want what had happened to her to happen again.

She wouldn’t let old wounds reopen, or new ones hurt her in the same place.

“It’s no use, you’ll never get free, dear.” One man laughed at Zia’s attempts to free herself.

Zia ignored him. She kept trying hard, even though she was holding back her tears so as not to appear weak, because crying would not save her.

“You’re so stubborn.” Another man brought his face close to Zia’s, preparing...