I tried to align my eyes with the gaps above me, the ones that allowed the light through. It looked like I was on the floor, trapped under planks of wood.
A man’s silhouette appeared on the stairs, with another figure behind him.
I’m here.
I started to rock furiously.
“Looks like one of your crates fell over,” said the customs officer.
I pushed it over. Find me. Please find me.
“Yep.” He walked towards me. “I just need to secure them.” He jammed his leg against my crate, preventing it from moving.
I could see the lady clearly now, through the slits of the lid—not all of her, but her hands and torso. She was holding some paperwork, and there was a walkie-talkie hanging from her belt.
I’m here.
Look up from your clipboard. You’ll see the light shining on my eye.
One step forward and you can’t miss me.
One. Lousy. Step.
“Need some help?” she asked, as the man picked up the crate that I’d managed to dislodge and put it back on top of me.
Yes! HELP. Help me, you dumb twat!
“I got it,” he replied. “A bit of rope, some hooks and . . . we’re good to go. There. All secured.”
“Those are some good-sized crates. Expecting a big catch?” I heard the thud of her steps on the stairs.
No! Come back.
I’m sorry I called you a dumb twat.
Don’t leave me.
PLEASE.
DON’T. LEAVE!
“Sometimes I manage to reel in a good one,” he replied.
The smugness in his voice sent a chill down my spine.
Then he shut the door, and I was plunged back into complete, utter darkness.
I WAS CRAWLING THROUGH A tunnel of sandpaper. Every time I moved forward, my skin caught on the rough, dry surface.
Scrape, scrape, scrape.
The sound of my cells sloughing off, layer by layer. My knees were raw, my back was raw, my shoulders were raw, but I couldfeelthe warmth of the sun. I knew that if I just kept reaching for it, I’d make it out. I kept going and going, and soon I had room enough to stand. There was gravel all around me.
My heels sank into small stones and pebbles.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
I kept walking. Everything hurt, but I trudged towards the light. And suddenly it was on me, all around me, making me squint from the sheer brilliance. I blinked and woke up, letting out a deep breath.
