There was no need to ask who “they” was. So February hadn’t been a lucky escape, just the net starting to close in.

“They came to SATU this morning,” said Lina, a tight smile on her face. Anyone looking from a distance would have seen nothing suspicious, just two women out for a friendly stroll. “Took them all away. The cleaning auntie, Mui, she heard them mention your name. Shame you weren’t there, they said, now they’ll have to pay you a visit at home.”

“We didn’t do anything,” said Siew Li, already knowing this was futile. They hadn’t done anything wrong last time either. No point appealing to the rules. Why hadn’t she learnt that lesson better? Still she was bargaining, clutching at straws. “Can’t Lay Kuan stop them? She’s in the government now, she must be able to—”

“They took her too,” said Lina, her voice almost snapping with frustration. She took a breath, trying to get this out as efficiently as possible. “They took Lay Kuan. She’s inside now. She’s an MP, and still they detained her. Don’t you understand, Siew Li? There isn’t anything they can’t do. They won’t stop till there are none of us left.”

Siew Li’s breath stopped, and the road seemed to sway beneath her, buckling under an enormous weight. She locked her knees so she wouldn’t fall, trying to take in the words. If even Lay Kuan— But no, no time for that. Her skin prickled, and she knew she had to get out. She couldn’t go back to that place.

Lina was pressing money into her hand, giving her instructions. Get to Sembawang Park any way she could, changing buses or rickshaws a few times so no one could trace her route. Wait till dusk, then find a fisherman named Feroz, he’d bring her across. It was the safest route, they’d almost certainly be keeping watch on the causeway.

“Are you coming too?” she gabbled. “How will I find you? Where should I go?”

“Remember this address,” said Lina, repeating it till Siew Li could say it back to her. “That’s one of the safe houses. Wait there, they’ll tell you where to go next. They’ll take care of you.”

“Do you mean the Party?”

Lina’s look was almost pitying. “Who else will help you now?”

“When can we come back?”

A brisk shake of her head. “I have to warn three more people, then I’m going myself. You’ll all get out by different routes. Luckily you weren’t at the office today.”

“I have to—” She took a step distractedly back towards the flat.

Lina grabbed her arm. “You don’t have time. Didn’t you hear me? They’re on the way now. Your sister-in-law will tell them you’ve gone out for a coffee, and they’ll waste time waiting for you.”