I couldn't see for the darkness that obscured all but the slow moving shadows on either side. I knew I was fourth in line. The line we made on the cold, hard floor, our noses pressed against the crumbling concrete.
We heard the footsteps, heavy and solid, coming down the rickety steps. And what was that, a chain link? My heart raced. A girl next to me let out a whimper. I tried to nudge her with my elbow, get her to stop, to remain silent so we wouldn't instill his wrath again, but because my hands were bound behind my back, my elbow couldn't reach her ribs. I prayed to a God I didn't believe in anymore that she would shut up.
The footsteps stopped at the base of the stairs, where the concrete floor began. I imagined him surveying us, making sure we had not moved, making sure we had been good children. Perhaps fourth in line was far enough down that he'd bore of the beatings. There was hope that I could be spared, at least this time. There was only hope. It's what I imagined as I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to calm my racing heart, trying to block out his slow, precise footsteps closing in.