Can you hear her? The echo of the pathetic scream pierces through the tunnel. In a rat-infested cage she moans in pain.. She clings to the back corner as the footsteps of a handler approaches. The cold hand grabs her by her hair to drag her to another room. A man comes to her to use her in despicable ways. She’s left exhausted in her puddle of blood. Sometime later she wakes in the drafty hall. It wasn’t just a bad dream, it’s her reality every day. She’s never known a loving family or a clean, cozy bed.

A cold counter in the back room. The mother, the nurse, and the doctor closed the door behind them. Can you hear him? Tears stream down onto his bare skin. Moments before, he was warm and secure inside the womb. Now his skin is turning hard and blue. It’s a struggle to breathe. Finally, the quiet darkness closes in. His heartbeat slows to a stop.

The locked door of the closet muffles the voices beyond. It’s a short break from the whip but she’s being hit in her heart even now. Her anxiety is raging up through her chest and throat. She falls over in exhausted, restless sleep but constantly aware of the moment the door will again open. The shouts and foul language ring in her ears as many days and weeks before. She hears a crash and loud stomping gets closer and closer. The doorknob clicks.

The train whistle blows long and low. His head bobs up and down in the baggage compartment. This morning he sat with his loving mother in the train station. The last thing he remembers is a large gloved man gagging his mouth with rags and being stuffed into this suitcase. Rumbling and jostling around until he woke here in the dark case. He tries to cry but his mouth is too full. Desperation overcomes him as his body soaks with sweat.

Can you hear him? Can you hear her?