Crowded

For nearly an hour, she lay there on the cold ground, trying to summon the strength to move.

The night sky stretched above her, calm and indifferent, while her body felt like it had been trampled by a stampede.

Finally, with great effort, she pushed herself up. Step by agonizing step, she dragged herself back to her room, careful not to be seen by the early rising servants.

What should have been a quick walk took an hour, each movement a battle against exhaustion.

The moment she stumbled into her room, she didn't even make it to the makeshift bed. She collapsed onto the floor and was out cold within seconds.

Nnenna woke up groggily, her body feeling like it had been weighed down with stones. As her vision cleared, she turned her head and saw the small clock on the wall.

12 p.m.