I spin round. It’s Lizo, Piko’s good-for-nothing friend.

“Don’t be scared, I just want to talk,” he says.

Men who want to hurt you always say this. I just stare at him. It’s dark, but the moon is so bright it illuminates everything with a silver outline.

“Why are you here? Piko says you must come home,” he says, with a smile that makes me sick.

“I’m not going back there,” I say.

He clicks his teeth. “Khwezi, it was all a big misunderstanding. He’s very sorry. He promises he will be nice with you.”

Lies. I can smell them a mile away. This guy lies even when he tries to tell the truth. It’s like a disease.

“Go away,” I warn him.

He gives a little high-pitched laugh. “Or what?”

“Or … I’ll hurt you.”

He sniggers. “Please, sweetie, what could a weak girl like you do? Even though you’re more like a boy, you’re still weak.”

But I know. I know I’m not. I know what I can become. He doesn’t. I’m at an advantage.

“I’m telling you again,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “Leave me alone, or I will kill you.”

This makes him angry. He lunges at me, reaching for my arm. I jump out of the way, thinking I will turn into the leopard, but I don’t.

Where is it? Where is the cat? Now I scream.

“Nobody will hear you out here, my lovely,” he says. His breath stinks. He is on top of me. He has his hand at my throat, gripping it. With his other hand, he starts to unbuckle his belt.

“Now,” he says with pride. “Let me show you what happens to little girls who disobey men.”

***

Tell us: Is there is enough information and education at your school around the issue of rape?