My heart turned plummeted and breathing became ragged. I scanned every face in the crowd, desperate, frantic, I hoped for the smallest sign of him. Nothing, no matter how hard I searched, I found no trace of him.
When I turned my head to the right, I spotted a shop we had visited earlier, hope lingered in me. Maybe they could help me to find Shahr or take me to him. I tried to take my first step but the crowd surged forward.
I was pushed, pulled, circled between bodies. I tried to break free but no use, I was swallowed by the huge crowd. Before I could understand what was happening, I shoved into a back alley. It was eerie, quiet, less shops, less people, I couldn't see further because of the darkness.
The strength in my knees vanished, I collapsed to the ground, I could no longer summon any strength in my legs. I struggled to steady my uneven breathing.
