XANIYAH clutched her books to her chest as she walked beside Ayel through the school courtyard. The wind brushed lightly against her face, yet everything around her made her feel uneasy.

Ayel glanced sideways at her.

“You don’t look okay,” he murmured. “If you are tired, we can go back.”

She shook her head quickly. She had already missed three days. She couldn’t afford more.

And besides, staying home only made her feel trapped with her thoughts, trapped with memories she ...