BENITA CELESTINE

“Okay, Benita, let's start all over. Can you please explain what is going on?” Officer Mercy’s voice echoed in the air.

I swallowed hard, breathing heavily as a drop of tears escaped my eyes, “My mother died when I was ten, so I was kicked out by my stepmother. I had nowhere else to go, so I started sleeping in the dirty corners of the streets until I began working in a bar. I thought my life wouldn't get any worse until somehow I was in debt. It was a mistake. I ...