Rachel
I must have fallen asleep after sitting on the bed for so long. When I woke up, the sun had moved across the sky. My eyes felt heavy and my body still ached from the night before. I touched my stomach gently, remembering the tiny life inside me. The baby was the only thing keeping me going in this cold place.
I decided I needed fresh air. Staying in this small room all day was making me feel like a prisoner. I stood up, smoothed down my new gray sweater, and opened the door.
The hallway was empty at first. I walked slowly, hoping to find a way outside. But as soon as I turned the corner, I saw two maids coming toward me. The moment they noticed me, they lowered their heads and quickly moved to the other side of the hall. They did not look at me. They did not speak.
“Excuse me,”
