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The guard came for her at six the following day. She was prepared and already dressed with a pair of black sandals and a purse.

Her hair was arranged in a center parting and held neatly behind her. Her face was almost without makeup except for her signature smokey-eyed look that drew attention to the cobalt color of her eyes.

Her mother had helped her to dress up, hugged her, and wished her well, before escorting her to the living room. Her father had Israel in his arms and they all waved her off at the front porch.

She felt like her life with them was fast coming to an end. A wave of nostalgia hit her and she began to feel lightheaded, as though she was going to faint from a sick feeling. Zee forced herself to be strong. Inara had gone through all this, she told herself. She had to believe that she would survive too.

She held onto that thought as she got into the car through the passenger side door that the guard held open for her. Although she was h