Released from the chains of her weak body, Ella’s spirit flies free. She’s sad to leave her family behind- steeped in their grief and sorrow as they are- but she knows it is time. Her life was short and riddled with disease, but now she will never feel pain again. She promises to their bowed heads that she’ll watch over them, along with grandma and cousin Julie.

*

Solomon is still bleeding as he hurries through the dense undergrowth. He can hear the dogs barking in the distance. The ropes of scars from lashes (including the ones from this afternoon) make every movement strained and painful. But he has no chains anymore. His former “masters” will not catch him. Just 12 more miles. Just a few more hours till freedom. Until he reaches the north.

*

He has forgotten the scent of tar roads on a hot day. He will never take that permeating smell for granted again. Rodrigo is leaving the cell blocks behind him and watches the sunset for the first proper time in over a decade. He breaks down as his daughter and mother embrace him. His wife is not there with them, but he is used to her absence. He was accused of murdering her, but justice (seemingly for once) prevailed. Rodrigo has finally been declared innocent. It is time for him to begin life on the outside.

*

Mei’s palms are sweaty. So are Hana’s. They hold hands nervously and wait for the front door of this foreboding house to finally open.

Together they are stronger, but that doesn’t make Mei any less terrified to tell her parents that she is in love with another woman. That she wants to marry Hana. But she cannot wait to be free of this lie that she has lived with for the last 26 years. She is anxiously awaiting the moment that this weight will be lifted off her chest. The door creaks open. Her mother appears. Her eyes flit down to their hands. She smiles.