LITMIR.BIZ

       1

       Philippines, March 2004

      A child whispered in the darkness.

      ‘Shhh…stop crying. The Kano will hear you.

      What’s your name?’

      ‘Perla.’

      ‘How old are you?’

      ‘Eleven.’

      ‘I’m Maya. I’m eight. You from Davao?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘Me too. Where are we?’

      ‘Angeles City.’

      ‘Why are we chained up? Are we in prison? Why does that Kano hurt everyone? What will happen to me?’

      ‘You will be sold.’

      ‘Sold?’

      ‘Sold to a man.’

      ‘What will the man do with me?’

      ‘He will have sex with you.’

      ‘I’m just a girl. I can’t. I’m going to run away. Let’s do it, Perla. Let’s run home to Davao.’

      Perla stated to cry again.

      ‘Don’t cry. The Kano will come. He will hurt you. He will poke you with the buzzy stick.’

      ‘My legs are wet. I am bleeding.’

      ‘Don’t cry, Perla. I’ll be your friend. I’ll tell you a Mickey Mouse story.’

      By the time Maya finished her story, Perla was dead.