Short Story: Story of Kambarina Cose
By: Khadisha a.k.a Fairy

The downpour of rain grazed upon the thick leaves of the mahogany trees causing the leaves to bend by the heavy current of the rain. The air was clogged in thick fog making it difficult for a vehicle's headlight to be seen through it. Soil was slowly slipping away from the ground and driven into near streams and ravines. Creatures of the night were reticent as heavy rain continued tormenting the earth.
Morning broke with the yellowish glow of the sun. There seemed to be no breeze and the village seemed choked. Birds chirped in the distance as I, Kambarina Cose, made my way to work.
My feet were bare, dusty, scared and sore as I quickly walked along the dirt path leading to the Sweatshop. In the distance I saw smoke, thick smoke slowly making its way to the somewhat dull sky. I started to perspire, slowly at first but then profusely. In less than five minutes my skimpy top was damp and I could already smell the sickening odour protruding from under my arm pits. I felt embarrassed.
Finally, my bear feet met the stone cold steps of the Sweatshop and I felt a tingle, not from joy but one of sadness. I clutched my worn bag under my arm pits and quickened my pace up the stairs. Something got stuck between my feet causing me to stop at an instance. I looked down almost immediately. Shame showered over my bony face as I picked up the strap which once was a part of my handbag and concealed it within the confines of the bag.
I was late and felt sorry about it. They would find out, and when they did I would be punished. I sat at my work station and started working with my needle.

The room was quiet, I loved the quietness but I wanted to communicate with my colleagues. The idea was tempting but I couldn’t or my income for the day would be a few cents shot.
For the next three hours I sat, careful with the tiny stitches being sewed through a sneaker. I was hungry, frustrated and tired but then the most horrible thing happened... I fainted.

I woke up in a daze. The meanest, darkest eyes glared at me through thick lensed glasses. I was suddenly jolted to realization as I studied our boss. My face was wet but... I hadn't been crying.
Our boss Mr Goozinet or Goose as we had nicknamed him hurled me up from the frigid floor and shoved me out of his office back to my work station. I felt strange- I felt... the beast had raped me. I felt used. Abused. I went to my work station and the tension in the air was thick. I could feel their eyes on me. I felt embarrassed.
I continued working, my body ached. T he needle stung my finger tips constantly leaving tiny droplets of blood on the white leather of the shoe. I was terrified, terrified of losing this job. I needed to take care of myself. I had no family.
The bell at my station rang and I nearly soiled my pants. This signaled the call of the boss. I went to the office and was welcomed with a hard slap on my face. I fell to the floor smacking my face to the wall and sobbed bitterly. He had found out.
He hurled his body upon mine to release his anger. My moans seemed trapped. My body went into convulsions and a devilish smile crept upon his lips. The monster thought i was enjoying it.
He handed me food and a drink. He glared at me till i was done and sent me back to my work station.
For years this had been my ritual working at the Sweatshop and satisfying the needs of the monster until I was too thin and freckled to go to work anymore.

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