*CHAPTER SIX* The new city smelled different. Calmer, quieter and almost too clean for Tamar’s mess to belong there. But it was what she could afford - two rooms, a small kitchen, and just enough space between who she was and who Manda needed her to be. She let Manda take the bigger room. Put her in school within a week. Bought books, a uniform, and even new shoes with soles that didn’t flap when she walked. It wasn’t much. But it was a start. Tamar still worked nights. Disappearing with the moon and returning with the dawn. Her body ached constantly, her eyes rarely saw sleep. Some mornings, she’d drop to the floor by the door, unable to make it to the bed. Other mornings, she’d squat in the shower long enough for the water to numb everything. But she kept going. For Manda. She would wake the girl before leaving at midnight, and leave money for lunch for school, knowing she might not meet her the next morning. She’d also drop a kiss on her forehead some nights – when she could feel love and not shame. The cycle continued, till Manda chose to break it. Tamar dragged herself to the house, still wrapped in the heaviness of another long night. The sun was barely up, and she just wanted to put off her clothes and sleep. But something was off. The school shoes were by the door. Tamar frowned as she walked in. Manda stood in the kitchen in her pajamas, stirring tea she wasn’t going to drink. “Why are you still home?” Tamar asked, breathless, shoulders still heavy with exhaustion. Manda looked up. “I didn’t go.” “What do you mean, you didn’t go?” Tamar’s voice sharpened, not from anger. But fear. “I wanted to ask you something first.” Tamar leaned against the counter. “You could have asked after school.” “No,” Manda said quietly. “Because I might forget how I feel right now.” Tamar blinked. “Okay… what is it?” Manda hesitated, then looked her dead in the eyes. “Why did you choose this life?” The words landed like a slap. Not because they were harsh, but because they were true. In their innocent honesty, they tore through everything Tamar had buried. Without warning. She scoffed, almost laughed. But it sounded more like a cry. “I didn’t choose it,” she answered, her voice flat. “It chose me.” Manda frowned. “That’s not real. Life doesn't just drag people like that.” Tamar didn’t blink. “It does. When you’re desperate. When the person you love is dying, and the world stops listening.” Silence stretched between them. Manda didn’t know what to say. And Tamar couldn’t say more. She finally added, softer this time, “I didn’t have a plan, Manda. I just needed money… fast. And then it was too late to be anything else.” Manda’s stared. “But it’s still not who you are.” Tamar looked at her. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Because in that moment, she didn’t know who she was either. All she knew was that she had a girl in front of her who still had a chance. And she would do anything— anything—to make sure she never ended up like her. Neither spoke for a moment. Then, without looking up, Manda began softly, “My mother died when I was nine.” Tamar’s brow furrowed. “My auntie—” Manda hesitated, like the memory had claws. “She poisoned her. Just so she could marry my father.” Tamar blinked, stunned. “I saw it,” Manda added. “I saw the bottle. I saw her mix it into her tea.” She finally turned to face Tamar. “But I didn’t say anything. I was scared. And nobody would’ve believed me.” Tamar’s mouth was dry. She felt that familiar sting in her eyes, but she didn’t let it fall. “They got married two months later,” Manda continued, her voice eerily calm. “And from that day, she made my life miserable. Said I reminded her of everything she hated. Sold me off for money… like it was normal.” Tamar broke. “So, that wasn’t–” Manda slowly nodded. “It wasn’t the first time.” The tear escaped Tamar’s eyes as she swallowed. “I’m… I’m sorry.” Manda shrugged, but the weight of her pain hung visibly on her shoulders. “I don’t blame you, you know. For what you do. Life does make monsters out of the kindest people.” Tamar’s face twitched. She wanted to defend herself. To say “I’m not a monster”. But the words wouldn’t come. Manda stepped closer. “But I just hope… someday, you do something more. Something better. Because you can.” Tamar looked away, her jaw clenched. “I have nothing else to do,” she muttered. Manda tilted her head. “Or so you believe.” The words lingered, and before Tamar could respond, Manda turned and walked to her room. Slowly. Tamar just stood there. Still. Heavy. She didn’t cry. She just blinked. And then, she dragged herself to her room, collapsing on the bed. Clothes still on, face buried in the pillow, exhaustion swallowing her whole. Sleep came quickly. And so did nightmares.