Something stirred in a corner of the room. It was her aunt Siew Li, the one she’d never met, arms folded and in school uniform, like she was in the only photo they had of her; Uncle Jason had destroyed the rest, but Henry had clung on to this one. “They’re going to break you,” said Siew Li, and faded into the wall. Stella rubbed her forehead. What was happening?

There had to be some misunderstanding. Had Woon Leng done something wrong? Had she been accused? She understood that detention without trial worked differently from normal arrest, but there were still some limitations, surely. Eventually they would have to tell her why she was here, and she’d be able to see a lawyer. She didn’t like the way they were talking to her, but they were used to dealing with all kinds of hard nuts here, it wasn’t their fault she was so sensitive.

When the wardress brought her dinner, an armed guard stood outside the door. She wondered if anyone had ever tried to escape from here, for there to be so much security. She thanked the woman politely, as her plate was slapped down on a stool. “What will happen to me?” she asked.

“You should have thought about that before.”

“I only meant, what’s next? Are they going to ask me
more questions?”

“That’s up to them. Don’t try to be so clever.”

“Do you think—I know, sorry, it’s probably not up to you, but do you think I could ask someone for my glasses? I can’t see at all without them.”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“Maybe there’s someone I could ask? If it’s no trouble. My glasses, and I’d really like one of the books from my suitcase, just if—”

“You’d better stop asking for special treatment.” The woman’s face settled into a snarl. “I know people like you, think you’re educated so there are special rules for you. When will you learn that you have to follow the law like everyone else? Trying to be so clever, now look, you’re going to be here for a long time unless you stop trying to be different. Why can’t you think? It’s your parents who will suffer.” That delivered, she waddled out of the cell, and once again the locks ground shut.

Stella was still for a very long time, before she had calmed down enough to look at the food. She should eat to keep her strength up. How often would she be fed? Bringing her face close, she smelt over-boiled meat and old, dry rice. The green vegetables were swimming limply in grease. She choked down as much as she could, then went back to lying on the floor. The only other place was the bed, and if she lay down there, where would she go at bedtime? She tried to work out if that was logical, or if she was already losing her grip.