Chapter Three
I awaken, feeling someone undoing the knots at my wrists. I remember now where I am and the prospect of freedom makes my heart rejoice—even though I sense that any freedom is an elusive deal. My eyes open on Amie again, where she lies prone on her metal pallet. Awake now, she’s as scared as I am, staring at me as though I have answers to the questions battling in her brain.
Although I must have slept for hours, when I’m pulled off the pallet, I’m aching and tired.
“Take off your clothes.” A voice behind me barks the command in awkward English.
I turn, seeing two soldiers in rough, mud-colored military clothing. Their wide belts hold guns and clubs, which by themselves speak with awesome authority. Even so, I don’t act on the order until the most brutal looking of the t
