I was not missing. I was at work.

I asked to call my sister. They said rescued women do not need phones. My sister spent two days thinking I had been in an accident because I always message when my shift ends.

I was not missing. I was at work. The difference should matter to anyone writing a report.

In the shelter they spoke to us in a language of gratitude. Be thankful. Be reformed. I was thankful for a job that paid better than the last one. Reformation was not on my list.

I am telling this so that the next raid in this city has to look a woman in the face and hear: she already had somewhere to go.