My eyes are closed. Tears are streaming down my face in floods of pain. My eyelashes are wet with tears. Slowly, I open my eyes and wipe my face with my hand swiftly. I sniff.

Suddenly, there is a noise of footsteps running quickly down the corridor. Then there is a rattling noise coming from outside the door.

I look up, my heart feeling like it's being squeezed painfully, and I see the girl. She's back again? I wonder. And then I notice that she has a bunch of keys in her hand. My heart leaps hopefully. She picks a key, grabs it, and jams it in the door with no hesitancy, a hopeful and excited gleam in her eyes.

The door clicks open.

I am unaware that I have stood up. The girl runs  into the room, a big smile on her face, and runs directly towards me, stopping inches away from me. She doesn't stop smiling. I wait, expecting her to start laughing at me or for her to ask me why I don't talk. Instead, she says:

'Take my hand.'

I am so astonished I just stand rigidly still, not knowing what to do. The girl seems to sense my unease and uncertainty, and she takes my hand in hers. Her touch feels so gentle and supportive. I have never experienced anything like this before.

She guides me out of the room gently, and we start walking down the corridor together, the girl still at my side.

I don't know where we are going, but I feel like I can trust the girl even though I don't know who she is. Somehow I know that she won't hurt me, or cause me any harm or distress.

My body feels so tired from the time I'd spent locked up in the room. But I'm so glad I'm out, I think.

I can breathe again.

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