I couldn’t bring myself to return to the packhouse; the thought of the Devil’s wrath sent a shiver down my spine. He would undoubtedly be furious if I disobeyed him. The men around me often treated me harshly, their dismissive sneers and jeering laughter echoing in my mind, but I couldn’t bear the thought of putting them in jeopardy. I felt ensnared, a prisoner of my own fear, torn between the urge to rebel against the oppressive atmosphere and the need to withstand his capricious moods. One moment he was an inferno of rage, his voice like a thunderstorm; the next, he transformed into a frigid specter, cold and indifferent, leaving me feeling more isolated than ever. I perched by the plastic window, my head resting against its hard edge, gazing out at the surreal landscape beyond—a world t
