Disclaimer: The following chapter contains abusive scenes which may be triggering to certain readers.
They didn't stop. Each woman took turns striking her face. Another after another.
Without realizing it, Narin became the center of a cruel game.
They moved like a well-practiced troupe, taking turns and forming a human shield when it was someone's turn, so the guards wouldn't see.
Maybe the guards did see. Maybe they just pretended not to; this kind of thing happened all the time.
The group only stopped when the evening free period ended. They left Narin slumped on the bench, taking the filthy rag out of her mouth as they walked away.
"Cough, cough!" she hacked, bile rising in her throat. Every movement of her jaw sent fresh pain through her cheek; she felt dizzy and foggy-headed.
"You, still sitting—line up!" a guard barked.
