Chapter 11: The vineyard

After lunch, I follow Wolfgang and Magda to the front of the house, feeling a mixture of curiosity, fear, and resignation. My mind is torn between running back to the room and hiding in the comforting darkness that has protected me so far, or going ahead and accepting this opportunity to get out of the four walls where I sleep, even for a short time.

The darkness, paradoxically, has become a refuge for me. In his embrace, there are no hurtful words like the ones I used to hear from my uncle, no threats like the ones Wolfgang utters. It is a place where I can feel safe. But now I'm curious what I'll see in Wolfgang's vineyard. Did he also kidnap his vineyard workers? I ignore my guess when I remember the happy women in the kitchen. I decide to focus on Wolfgang's promise not to hurt me.

I watch Wolfgang's broad back as he walks in the sun, the rays illuminating his glossy black hair. He is wearing a black dress shirt that he rolled up to his elbows, and matching dress pants. The spitti