Page 39 of Cowboy
The guard's face remains impassive. "Shut up and keep moving."
We’re pushed into the container. There are over twenty of us in here. Some are new, others I've met since being back in Ireland. All the women have the same haunted look in their eyes, the one I know all too well. I see it every single day when I look in the mirror.
The container door slams shut with a deafening clang, plunging us into darkness. The air is thick and all I can hear is the sound of frightened breathing and muffled sobs. I pull Saoirse closer, trying to shield her from the worst of it.
"Caoimhe," she whimpers, her small body trembling against mine. "I'm scared."
"I know, sweetheart," I whisper, stroking her hair. "I'm here. We'll be okay."
But even as I say the words, doubt gnaws at me. How can I promise her that when I have no idea what's going to happen to us?
Suddenly, the container lurches, and I realize we're moving. My heart races as I try to think of a way out of this situation. But we’re trapped in a locked container. It feels as though the air is being sucked out of it with each passing moment. I’m trying to not panic, not wanting to frighten Saoirse any more than she already is, but I’m not sure how long I can fight it off.
The container comes to an abrupt halt, nearly knocking us off our feet. Everyone freezes, none of us having any idea what’s going on.
"What's happening?" one of the women whispers fearfully.
I hear a commotion outside; shouts, the sound of running feet, then gunfire. I hold Saoirse closer than before, needing to shield her from what’s about to happen.
The gunfire intensifies, and I hear shouts and screams outside the container. Saoirse whimpers against me, and I hold her tighter, trying to shield her from the chaos.
Suddenly, there's a loud banging on the container door. We all flinch, huddling closer together in fear.
"Stand back!" a voice calls out. "We're going to open the door!"
There's a moment of tense silence, then the sound of metal grinding against metal. Slowly, the container door swings open, flooding us with harsh light.
I blink, trying to adjust my eyes. As my vision clears, I see a group of men standing at the entrance, guns in hand. But they're not pointing their weapons at us.
"It's okay," one of the men says, his voice surprisingly gentle. "You're safe now. We're here to help."
I stare at him, hardly daring to believe what I'm hearing. Could this really be a rescue?
"Who are you?" I manage to ask, my voice hoarse.
"We're here to help," the man replies. "We've been tracking this trafficking ring for months. You're all free now."
Relief washes over me, so intense it makes me dizzy. I sway on my feet, and one of the men rushes forward to steady me.
"Easy there," he says kindly. "Let's get you all out of here and somewhere safe."
As we're helped out of the container, I see the aftermath of the fight. Bodies litter the ground, our captors, I realize with a jolt. In the distance, I can hear sirens approaching.
"Caoimhe?" Saoirse whispers, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene. "Are we really free?"
I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, sweetheart. We're free."
The man who helped me turns to us. "Did you say Caoimhe?" he asks, a strange look in his eyes.
I nod, suddenly wary. "Yes, that's me. Why?"
He shakes his head. “No reason. Come on, let’s get you two out of here.”
I feel as though I’m missing something, but right now, I’m so overwhelmed with being rescued that I don’t care. Saoirse and I are free. It’s something I’ve been hoping and praying for, and today it’s finally happening.
The man leads us to a car while the other women are bought somewhere else. I should be worried, but right now, I’m too exhausted and relieved to question it.
We’re finally free.
