Akua has one of the saddest lives in the novel. Every night, Akua has a dream about a firewoman. This lady would haunt Akua in her dreams and cause her to wake up screaming every morning. Although it is never confirmed, I believe that she is having a form of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis leaves the person who is dreaming paralyzed and unable to speak but completely conscious. Sleep paralysis is known to be one of the most terrifying things, probably why Akua screams in terror when she wakes up. Akua never knew why she had these dreams but I think there are two reasons for it. One, her mother was burned when Akua was of a very young age, leaving her traumatized. Although Akua did not witness the burning herself, it probably left
