………….

I can’t really remember how long ago I stopped speaking. I had no say in what was happening, so eventually I just stopped.

So when the heavy door cracked open and the beam of a torch hit my eyes, I winced.

“It’s okay,” a gentle but firm voice said. “You’re safe, we’re here to take you home.”

I knew instantly that it was finally over.

I pushed myself slowly along the dirty floor, inching backwards until I could go no further.

“But I don’t want it to be over.”

I froze, the words hadn’t just been in my head, I had actually said them.

Of course you want it to be over. Are you crazy? another voice inside my head replied.