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She sprinted down the darkened street as if her life depended upon it.

Bursting out of the shabby alleyway moments earlier, Selima had been horrified to find that the quiet residential street was deserted, not a soul around at this late hour.

For a moment, she was flummoxed – she’d been so sure she’d find salvation here – but there was no time for delay, with her pursuers so close behind.

Instinctively she darted left down the street, tearing along the pavement.

Selima was young, fit and desperate – surely this combination would propel her to freedom, away from the awful nightmare that had consumed her for the past two years?

Yet the remorseless footsteps behind reminded her that danger was close at hand, that her tormentors would not give up until they had her in their clutches once more.

Adrenaline coursing through her, Selima upped her speed, straining every sinew to put some distance between herself and her pursuers.

Up ahead, she could see traffic lights, a crossroads, cars speeding by.

It was a hundred feet away, maybe a little more, but it would take her less than a minute to reach it.

Once there, she could throw herself in front of a car, risking all to get someone’s attention.

It would be desperate, dangerous, but presumably her captors would think twice before attacking her in front of dozens of witnesses?

Surely she could rely on the good hearts of the passing motorists?

True, she’d received no kindness, no generosity since she set foot in this blighted country, but the ordinary people of Southampton were surely as decent and caring as anyone else? For her sake, she hoped so.

From nowhere, a hand snatched at her trailing arm.

Yelping in fear, Selima realized that Naz was nearly on top of her, his breathless curses echoing in her ear.

Terrified, she darted to her right, leaving the pavement and slipping between two cars into the road.

Surprised by this move, Naz hesitated, earning Selima precious breathing space as she tore towards the crossroads ahead.

She was now only fifty yards away and if she could maintain her speed, she was sure she’d get there first.

To her immense relief, a vehicle now swung into the road ahead, dazzling her with its headlights. It was coming directly towards her and she waved her hands wildly above her head, desperately trying to attract the driver’s attention.

‘Help me! Please stop …’

Her voice was shrill and cracked, but it seemed to have an effect, the vehicle screeching to a halt just in front of her.

Relieved, Selima slowed down, thanking the heavens for her good fortune.

But as the headlights flicked off and the shape of the vehicle became clear, Selima’s hopes turned to ashes.

It wasn’t a passing car, or even a police vehicle.

It was the white van. Naz’s partner in crime had cut off her escape route.

Even now, he was climbing out of the cab, as his ally closed in from behind.

‘ Min xilas bike, Xudan …’

Selima whispered the prayer to herself as she scanned the street for any means of escape.

And to her surprise her desperate plea appeared to be answered, the terrified fugitive spotting a cut-through directly to her right, leading away from the street.

Selima didn’t hesitate, peeling off to the right, even as Naz lunged at her once more.

This time his fingers gained purchase, grasping the soft fabric of her top, but wrenching her arm free, Selima sprinted on, seeking the sanctuary of the alleyway.

She stumbled, bouncing off the walls in her desperation to escape.

She could hear two sets of footsteps behind her now and laboured to stay ahead of their rage.

The alleyway was littered with rubbish, but hurdling the detritus, she made it to the end, spilling out into the night air once more.

A new vista opened up in front of her, but it was scarcely more appealing.

In her desperation to escape, Selima had left the city streets behind, only to run straight into a shopping parade.

During the daytime, this place would have been bustling, but at this late hour, the shops were closed, the metal security grilles down.

She was trapped. Moreover, she was alone.

Or was she? As she pushed deeper into the lonely precinct, she spotted something up ahead.

Something that made her heart soar. It was a light.

No, more than that – it was a shop! As Selima broke into a sprint, her eyes fixed on the kebab sign glowing in the darkness, beckoning late-night revellers.

She wasn’t sure if it was still open, or if she’d be welcome there, but Selima sensed that if she could just make it to the sanctuary of this late-night eatery, she would be safe.

Swallowing her fear, Selima raced towards the light.