Taken In Plain Sight
I wasn’t supposed to be in that part of the market. It was one of those crowded weekend rushes. People brushing past you, sellers shouting over each other, the smell of spice and sweat hanging thick in the air. I was just trying to get through quickly, head down, phone in hand. That’s when someone grabbed my wrist. Not lightly. Tight. Urgent. I turned, already annoyed, ready to snap at whoever thought that was okay. It was a woman. Older. Mid 40s maybe. Her grip didn’t loosen. “Daniel,” She said. I froze. I hadn’t told anyone my name. I hadn’t spoken to anyone since I got there. “Daniel, there you are,” She said again, louder this time. “Why did you run off like that?” “I think you’ve got the wrong person,” I said, trying to pull my hand free. Her grip tightened. “Stop it,” She whispered, her expression not changing, her smile fixed like it was painted on. “Don’t do this here.” My chest tightened. “Let go of me.” People were starting to look. “She’s your mother, isn’t she?” A man...