By the fifth time Willie stumbled toward the backyard, clutching his stomach, realization finally dawned on him. His bloodshot eyes snapped toward me, filled with suspicion and rage.
"Why is it only us? Why aren’t the others sick?" His voice was hoarse, laced with growing fear.
For a long moment, he just stared at me—cold, calculating—before barking an order at Simon.
"Watch her! Don't let her run!"
Simon, confused but obedient, nodded dumbly.
I didn't hesitate. In the next second, I pulled out the knife hidden in my sleeve and pressed it against Simon’s neck.
"If you don't want him to die, let me go!" My voice rang out, sharp and furious.
Willie and his wife's faces drained of color. The villagers, startled by the sudden turn of events, murmured among themselves.
"What’s going on?" someone whispered.
Taking a deep breath, I raised my voice for all to hear.
"I was trafficked here ten years ago!"
A stunned silence fell over the crowd.
Willie's wife was the first to react, her shrill voice breaking through the hush.
"She's lying! If she was really trafficked, why didn’t she say anything all these years?"