I hid in the basement, in the cubbyhole behind the shelves, during the soldier's visits. It was a pain in the ass to have to give the soldiers food we...d worked hard to produce, but thankfully they took what was offered and didn't demand more. Basheera was a master at making it look as if she was giving them much more than she really was. Kalila hid out with me on the days the soldiers visited. Basheera covered her absence by telling the jahadists that Kalila was tending to her sick grandmother. Without thinking I continued "She sure doesn't get her beauty from strangers."I know it is often claimed that African Americans can't blush, but Layla's nougat complexion got distinctly redder. "You and your Dad are chips off the same block, aren't you?" she laughed out loud. "But yes, I am Denise's mother and it has been mentioned once or twice that we look very much alike while Denise's little brother Bobby is the spitting image of their late Dad." I'll remind you of this next time you say I. Getting out, he pulled the chain tight and fastened the lock back on. Running down the embankment, he grabbed a lever and pulled it. Going back to the road, he could barely see the spikes in the ground.With an evil grin, he said, "That will stop anyone who is following me."Climbing back into the van, he checked his prize and noticed she was starting to come around."What the fuck are you?"Taking the dart gun, he put a fourth dart into her body."I don't know who you are, but you sure can. She pulled them up for me, tuckedin my blouse, and buttoned and zipped the side."If you sit, I'll buckle your sandals as well. Let me give you a tipwith long nails; don't try to grip with the ends of your fingers, usethe front pad, works much better and keeps your nails out of the way."I sat and she buckled each sandal on. When I stood and looked down, myred tipped toes were very obvious."There, doesn't that make your feet look so much prettier in yoursandals?"I agreed, then she opened the door.