Chapter Six

Walkers Corner, May 1999

The girl woke up in darkness, to the sound of water running. Mama must be getting ready to take a bath. Then everything in her screamed, “No!” The air was wrong, thick with cold and terrifying smells. Where was she? She couldn’t move.

“Mama? Mama?” she whispered.

She opened her eyes wide but there was only blackness. Not even a hint of light. Her arms and legs wouldn’t move. The only sound was her heart pounding, banging like a crazy drummer. She was so thirsty.

What happened? How did she get to this strange place? She tried to remember where she was before. When she and Mama were together. She couldn’t think. Her mind was empty except for shadows of fear and terror.

She called out loud, “Mama?”

It was so, so dark. She struggled to sit up, to twist to one side, then the other. Her body wouldn’t move. Nothing. Something held her arms tight against her body. Her legs were stuck together. She couldn’t feel her feet.

“Mama! Mama? Where are you?” She screamed with all her might. “Mama! Help me!”

She paused to listen but heard only the echo of her terror and the pounding of her heart. She shivered, sobbing. She wanted her mama and the steam in the bathroom, and all the good smells in the kitchen and the familiar things in her room.

“Help! Help me. Is anyone there?” She shrieked until her throat felt coated with broken glass. She could barely breathe. “Mama. Please. Mama,” she whispered before she surrendered to the darkness.