Felicia stumbled as she sprinted toward the village. The village dogs, sensing an intruder, erupted in furious barking. Soon, nearly every dog joined the chorus. Sweat beaded on Felicia's forehead as she realized her oversight: the barking would alert both villagers and her pursuers. To avoid bringing trouble to the village, she needed a hiding place.
Just then, footsteps echoed, and dozens of villagers charged to the village entrance. Felicia quickly crouched, overhearing a villager ask, "Whose woman has run off? Did we catch her?" Another replied, "No one has run away; they're all securely tied up!" The villagers relaxed, returning to their work, their chatter carrying on the air. "Keep an eye on that one; don't let her escape! The buyer comes in the morning, and then we all share the profits!" Felicia froze, her heart plummeting. Were the villagers complicit?
The pursuing criminals were closing in faster than expected. The barking intensified, even more ferocious than before. With nowhere to retreat, Felicia pressed deeper into the village, using the abandoned houses and shadows for cover.
Meanwhile, the villagers, realizing something was amiss, armed themselves with hoes and machetes, rushing toward the village entrance where they confronted the criminals. The gang leader, his scarred face menacing, demanded, "Did a young woman run through here? Hand her over, and I won't harm any of you!"
The villagers exchanged glances, then burst into laughter. "No woman has entered or left our village!"
The gang leader narrowed his eyes. "I saw her with my own eyes! I'm searching this place, and I'm taking her!" The villagers, united in their territorial pride, refused to yield.
Neither side would back down, a major confrontation looming. Losing patience, the gang leader shot a villager dead. "Now, can I search?"
Amid the screams, the villagers, terrified, parted to allow the gang's entry. Felicia, lost in the darkness of the unfamiliar village, struggled to find her bearings.
As the criminals kicked down doors, she braced herself to flee, when she heard the rattle of chains from a nearby house. She saw a young girl struggling at an iron window, her feet shackled. Her disheveled appearance and fair skin betrayed her outsider status. Remembering the villagers' words, Felicia realized the girl was a trafficking victim.
"Hide in that haystack; it's safe!" the girl hoarsely instructed.
Felicia hesitated, the haystack offering concealment but no escape. Seeing her hesitation, the girl urged, "Get in there, trust me!" Felicia dove into the haystack.
Moments later, the gang arrived, finding only the girl. Cursing, the gang leader moved on.