Chapters 36-40 Summary

In Chapter 36, Miriam and Laila make their escape in a taxi to the bus station. There they ask a man traveling with his wife and child to pose as a cousin. When they go to board the bus, though, he turns them in to the Mujahideeen militiamen, who are strictly policing the integrity of Islamic law, or Shari'a.

Miriam and Laila are interrogated, and sent back to Rasheed. When they arrive back home, Rasheed beats Miriam, then locks Laila in her room with Aziza. He nails the doors shut and covers the windows, and leaves her there for two days without water. When he comes in, he kicks Laila so hard she pisses blood for three days.

In Chapter 37, in 1996, the Taliban arrive in Kabul. Their arrival promises to end the in-fighting between factions. Najibullah has been hung as an example...