I began arranging our uniforms inside, “It was Batul who spoke. Angel said, ‘Go to the toilet and bring us one lantern, but first switch it off from there so they won’t see us. In Old Tamira’s room is where we’ll carry everything out.’” She replied, “Okay,” before heading toward their toilet section in the dark until she reached their door. With her hand she pushed it open, entered, picked up the lantern and switched it off. Before she returned, while still approaching she told them she was on her way. Angel took her hand, and with her other hand she also held Gabriel’s. Together, the three of them entered Old Tamira’s room.

“Turn the lantern on now. I’ll go into the bedroom to fetch our box of clothes and the backpack,” Angel said. Batul answered, “Okay.” Once Batul lit the lantern, the brightness filled Old Tamira’s room. She and Gabriel opened their eyes wide, staring in surprise at the bedroom. They had never known it was like that. This was Batul’s first time ever inside Old Tamira’s room. She and Gabriel exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces without speaking.

The door suddenly creaked open and they turned to look. It was Angel, dragging one box of their things, a backpack slung on her back like a schoolgirl. In the middle of Tamira’s room she set the box down on the floor, removed the backpack and placed it on the table.

“Angel, you still haven’t explained how you discovered where this door was. Who told you to rub the spot with hot water so it would crack open? After that, we were surprised at how you managed to open Old Tamira’s room. Was it she herself who told you all this?” Batul asked eagerly, wanting an answer.

“I’ll give you your answer, but first I want you to call Haris and the others to come in so everything can be done in their presence.” She turned to leave with the lantern in her hand, but Gabriel quickly caught her wrist, pulling her back. “So you want our secret exposed? Where are you going with the lantern?” he said. She smiled faintly, replying, “It was only a joke.” He took the lantern from her, while she stepped out. Shortly afterward they heard the door open—Haris entered, Deeja behind him, followed by Hibba, then Azeeza holding Hannah’s hand.

“Who told you to bring Azeeza? Isn’t she supposed to be unbound?” Gabriel asked, staring at her. Naufal said, “You know her stubbornness. She always wants everything to be done in her presence. The girl can’t stand being left out at night.”

Azeeza felt deeply hurt by their words. She yanked her hand from Hannah’s grip, knelt on the floor and began crying loudly.

Angel said, “Please calm her down, otherwise she’ll expose us.” Gabriel went to her, lifted her up with one hand as if she had been waiting for him. She fell straight into his lap, sobbing. He smiled softly, gazing at her in wonder at her smallness.

“It’s okay, wipe your tears, my Azeeza. You know I hate to see you cry. Or do you want your voice to give us away?” With sobbing breaths she replied, “No.” He said, “Good, wipe your tears. I’ll carry you on my back because I don’t want you struggling for a guide.” He handed Batul the lantern. After she took it, he crouched down, let Azeeza climb onto his back, and she held on tightly. Then he stood, carrying her.

Angel was about to begin her explanation when Jemimah’s voice rang out from the room they had left her in. She was shouting, “Genie! Genie!” Angel quickly rushed out. After she left, the others turned their attention back to Old Tamira’s room, their eyes roaming everywhere. Parveen suddenly spotted a teapot with two cups on the table. Shaking, she went over, sat down, picked up the pot and shook it to see if there was tea inside.

“Don’t you dare drink that. You don’t even know how long it’s been sitting there. You always act reckless about food,” Deeja said to her. But Parveen, being her stubborn self, didn’t even look at her, only muttered, “You might as well stop wasting your energy scolding me, because I swear I’m going to drink this tea.”

“Get up before I lose my temper!” Haris barked. She pouted, “Why do you care? It’s my stomach, not yours.” Hannah held her head in frustration. “You three—Parveen, Azeeza, and that Jemimah—you’re nothing but trouble. If we manage to escape, we should just leave you in prison, because truly that place suits you better. Otherwise, you’ll only drag us back.” Hearing this, Azeeza—still on Gabriel’s back—burst into fresh tears, afraid they might abandon her.

“Please, Hannah, stop. I just got her calm, now you’ve made her cry again,” Gabriel pleaded. Hannah shrugged, saying nothing more. He managed, with difficulty, to soothe Azeeza until she stopped. Meanwhile Parveen had already poured tea into a cup and was about to sip when suddenly someone grabbed the back of her dress. She turned quickly—it was Naufal, just as she suspected.

Throwing him sharp glares and pouting, she found his face stern, without a smile. “Get up and leave,” he ordered firmly. Knowing his nature, she stood reluctantly, angry that he had stopped her from drinking. He held her firmly so she wouldn’t run back to it.

“Angel’s taking too long to return. She left us stuck here,” Rubina complained. “I’ll just go lie down on Old Tamira’s bed.” But before she could, Angel returned, pushing the door open with both hands carrying their uniforms. Jemimah was clinging to her back. That was why she had delayed—Jemimah had needed the toilet, so Angel had waited for her.

In short, through the night they packed their uniforms into their box, plus blankets Deeja fetched—eight in total. The box could barely hold them, so they stuffed the rest into Unaiza’s backpack. Along with uniforms and blankets, they packed scarves, caps