Pirates

I woke up, feeling someone shaking me. I’d lost track of time. Opening my eyes, I saw Ken, his face smeared with dirt, kneeling beside me. ‘Ken!’ I sat up quickly, enfolding the boy in my arms. ‘Mummy, please don’t die!’ Ken choked back tears, his face filled with anguish. ‘I won’t die. Mummy won’t die. Are you hurt anywhere? Tell me, baby.’ I released my hold on him and checked his arms and legs. Ken seemed unharmed besides being a bit grubby and having a scrape on his thigh. ‘Mummy, I’m scared. They said if I cry, they’ll kill me.’ Ken bit his lip, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks. ‘It’s okay, Ken. You’re the best, the strongest. Don’t be scared.’ I held him tightly, pressing my lips against his forehead. Only then did I survey our surroundings. But as I did, my heart sank. We seemed to be in a sprawling prison cell. I could make out several women huddled in corners in the dim lighting. Their faces showed indifference and despair. I wanted to ask where we were and who had impri