Free Paths of Courage by Mike Woodhams Page A

were taken through the double doors on the other side by soldiers in turn; the rest were led to a cordoned-off area at the back of the room. They watched this going on for a short while, then it clicked: these women were being abused.
    Ryder looked at Grace. If she were taken… He needed to see what was happening beyond those doors; this could be an opportunity to get Grace out without attracting attention. He whispered to Song, telling him what he intended and began to meander through the throng keeping one eye on the guards and another on the double doors. He purposely headed for Grace and as he went close, their eyes met and he gave her a reassuring wink. Recognition dawned immediately. She gave him a hint of a smile, papers in one hand and a sack in the other. She edged forward in the queue towards the officials.
    Reaching the doors, Ryder boldly strode through and was confronted by a series of doors along one side of a narrow corridor. The screams had grown louder. He walked along the corridor opening each door. Every room had a bed, some occupied, but most were empty. He also noticed that every room he looked into had a window big enough to get through – an escape route had been found.
    Back in the hall, he strode over to Song, concerned that Grace was now only fifth in line to face the officials. Telling him to return to the others, then move and wait at the back of the building, he took a place with the other soldiers against the wall behind the officials.
    Grace arrived at the bench. Ryder watched, calculating his next move. She stood nervously in front of the official whilst her papers were scrutinized. The soldier to his right was definitely showing interest. Ryder had to get to her before he did.
    The official handed back the papers and Grace was ushered through. Immediately Ryder stepped forward just before the soldier next to him, blocking his path. As the man backed away smirking, he boldly took Grace by the arm and led her towards the double doors.
    Stepping into the corridor, with Grace in tow, Ryder, in his haste, knocked aside a soldier on his way out. The man was not happy and said so, staring hard at him. For one horrible moment, Ryder thought his disguise had been blown. He apologized profusely searching desperately for the right North Korean epithets, mumbling it was because he could not wait to fuck this woman. The soldier continued to stare and he steeled himself. The man turned to Grace, laughed and went back into the crowded room. Ryder exhaled a massive sigh of relief.
    The first room they tried was occupied; Grace recoiled at seeing a naked woman stretched out across the bed with two soldiers systematically violating her. The next was empty. Ryder flicked the light on and off briefly, hoping the others would see. Song did and made towards the window.
    Wasting little time in forcing open the window without breaking the glass, Ryder looked to see if all was clear. He helped Grace through, then he too dropped to the ground behind her before both scampered away into the bush.
    Grace was in a state of shock, affecting her coordination. Ryder knew they could not rest until well away from this building and the town.
    With Song supporting Grace, the group, led by Ryder, slipped silently through the backyards of the buildings that fronted the main road until they could go no further. Re-entering the road, he checked his compass and headed north following the road. He made sure to keep to the deeper shadows under the trees that lined the pavement. Grace could now manage to walk unaided. People were still about with a spattering of vehicles. Fortunately, the uniforms gave them protection from close scrutiny and the people ignored them.
    Moving at a normal pace, the small group kept to the road, which finally ended at a square intersection and a railway station. Here they turned northeast and took the road that paralleled the tracks. Further up the line, they hurriedly crossed where there was