فصل 95

emilia

The image of the burning, sinking wreath flashed before my eyes. Noise increased from the corridor.

I called out to the women. “Hurry! Take your coats. Wrap up. The cold will kill you.” Was anyone listening? Did they understand me? Didn’t they realize that we had to get out of the metal container?

The boat carried more people than the population of some cities. I thought of the ship’s many levels. Thousands of passengers would surge toward the top. The stairways would be jammed. No one was moving fast enough. I ran around the area, swatting at them like pigeons.

Joana wanted to wait for instructions. No.

We had to move. Now.

I looked down at the tiny baby. Her eyes were open wide, staring into mine.

She began to cry.