Breeze could barely lift her head as she watched those around her. She noticed a white woman going around with water-filled canteens. Too weak to even call out, she silently prayed for the woman to come her way. She noticed how the woman picked some of the younger ladies to follow her as she made her way through the thick crowd. It was as if the woman was looking for someone in particular.

When the woman finally crossed Breeze’s path, she reached out her arm and grabbed the woman’s leg in desperation. The woman turned to Breeze and stared down at her in sympathy.

“Please. I need water,” Breeze whispered, her eyes pleading.

“Of course,” the woman replied as she knelt beside Breeze. She motioned for the young women who followed her to halt, and then she lifted the canteen to Breeze’s lips.

Breeze greedily gulped the water, the coolness of the liquid soothing her dry insides. She closed her eyes. Nothing had ever been so satisfying.

The woman could not see Breeze’s face through all of the dirt and ash that covered it. She smiled slightly as she wiped the dirt from Breeze’s ashen features, trying to show her a friendly face amongst the debris and turmoil.

“I’m Ms. Beth,” the woman stated. “What is your name?” she asked.

“Breeze,” she responded as she continued to drink the water, hydrating her soul as much as her body.

“Breeze, where is your family?” Ms. Beth asked.

The thought of her loved ones brought tears of pain to her eyes. She had not seen them in so long. Her heart broke to pieces as she began to sob. “I don’t know. I’m not even supposed to be here,” she cried.

“Come on, sweetheart. I can take you somewhere safe,” Ms. Beth stated as she helped Breeze to her feet. Feeling a sense of trust for the first time since she had been taken away from her family, Breeze stood on her shaky limbs and joined the small group of young women as they walked behind Ms. Beth.