The woman screams as others grab her and the children, tearing them apart. Soon, all four are sitting naked against the wall with the others, arms securely tied behind their backs. They try to talk amongst themselves but are quickly silenced by the slavers.

Several times over the next hour or so, that scene is replayed as more people rush into the room seeking safety only to end up captured.

There finally comes a time when the man at the door turns to the other slavers and says, “I don’t think there are anymore out there.” To the naked people he says, “Alright, get up.”

Miko finds it hard to rise with his arms tied behind his back. Using the wall for leverage, he makes it to his feet and stands there waiting while the rest of them get up.

One of the naked people remains seated against the wall. A slaver goes over to the man and kicks him, saying, “Get on your feet. Now!”

The man on the floor begins to topple over and falls to the ground, remaining motionless. The slaver checks him and then turns to the one by the door. “He’s dead,” he tells him. Then he glances over at one of the slavers and says accusingly, “You hit him too hard and cracked his skull.”

The slaver being accused just shrugs and says, “Oh well, happens sometimes.”

Giving him a dark look, the man by the door says, “Next one you kill, you’re paying for. I don’t intend to lose money because of a heavy handed thug.”

“Thug?” the man asks, his face going red in anger.

“Yes, thug,” he replies. “Now, let’s get ‘em lined up and back to camp.” He stares down the man until he backs down and joins the others in tying the naked people together in a line.

Miko is tied in line between two children. Once they are all secured to the rope, the man takes the lead and they head out the door.

The sun is already beginning to rise above the horizon as they leave the building. Miko squints in the glare, eyes unaccustomed to the light after having been in a semi dark room for hours.