I look down at the floor. I see Yen pull something out of her shirt pocket. She throws it onto the floor just outside my barred door. I see two chiles, still green, on the cement floor. I reach through the bars, pick them up and put them into my shirt pocket.
Chiles are valuable here.
The guards give us only plain rice. If I want better food, I have to give Chao money to get it at the market. Pickled tofu has been my only food for the last four days. I know Yen stole these green peppers when she worked out in the camp. I look up to thank her, but Yen has turned her back to me.