A hard-faced Arab in the front row leaned forward and prodded my leg muscles, the way a livestock buyer would examine a horse. The auctioneer’s harsh voice ground into my ears as he addressed the prospective buyers. I received a blow on the head for my clumsiness and was barely conscious of being dragged forward. The sharp edge of the platform cut into my ankles and I stumbled and almost fell.
I tried to turn aside, but the guard behind me twisted the chain until the handcuffs bit into my wrists.
