99 words reserve for January 2015

Yes! Got reserve (2nd place) for 99fiction's monthly competition for January 2015.

I had the idea for a while of a story of people being trafficked, full of hope and then that awful realisation that they are not where they paid to be.

It's a desperately sad world, sometimes.


However, what really gets me about 99 words is the differing interpretations.  99 words read by different minds can give wildly alternative conclusions!
My mum thought the protagonist had murdered her father for the money...
My sister thought she was a criminal literally arriving in hell with the real devil.
I love a little ambiguity in writing.

Here is 'Hope'

Hope by Carolyn Ward

She sat quietly, wringing her hands.  The others were asleep, some snoring.  She felt for her hair with cautious fingers, and patted the blonde strands neatly back into the chignon.  Her family would be so proud that she was here!  It was so exciting.  An escape, a fresh start.  She thought anxiously of the huge fee, and was so grateful to her dear father for scraping together the funds.  Suddenly the van’s doors creaked open.  A torch flickered over their faces.  In a Yankees cap, the Devil himself yelled at her.  ‘Bitch, get here now!’
Make friends with Carolyn http://99fiction.net/profile/CarolynWard