Lindispho is sitting at the edge of the dam having a flashback of what happened a few months ago at the school dormitory. A group of older learners roughly man-handle Sicelokuhle and Fezekile. The boys have pushed Sicelokuhle and Fezekile into the centre of the circle they have formed around the terrified pair. One of the older boys, Masande, steps up and starts to speak, addressing everyone.

 MASANDE: Madoda, listen! Some of you don’t even know what’s happening here. I just want to make things clear so that you understand the significance of what we are doing. While everyone was in the study, I found these two (he points at Sicelokuhle and Fezekile) kissing! They were about to have sex in room 19 where the grade 10’s sleep!

FEZEKILE: (in a terrified trembling voice) No we weren’t, that’s not true.

Masande steps towards Fezekile threateningly. Fezekile cowers expecting to be hit.

 MASANDE: You calling me a liar, kwedini? Huh!?

Sicelokuhle steps in between Masande and Fezekile with his hands held out in front of him apologetically.

SICELOKUHLE: We were just kissing.

PHUMZO: (pointing at Sicelokuhle) This one doesn’t even live here! He is a day scholar!

SIPHIWO: (looking at Masande) Let’s stop wasting time! Let’s just beat them to a pulp, Ta Mas!

Masande trips Sicelokuhle and spits on him. Sicelokuhle gets up and tries to tackle Masande onto the ground but fails. The rest of the group beats up Sicelokuhle and Fezekile..

MASANDE: That’s enough! Don’t go in too hard! They are not worth it. Leaving bruises on them will attract the matron’s attention, then you’ll get yourselves into trouble.

SIPHIWO: Ta Mas, they need to be put in their place.

MASANDE: Don’t worry. I have the perfect punishment for them. A nice little baptism to wash away their sins. Put them under the showers!

The group pick up Sicelokuhle and Fezekile and throws them under the shower heads. Masande opens the taps and quickly steps away as cold water rains down on the two boys. Both Fezekile and Sicelokuhle inhale sharply as the cold water hits them and soaks into their clothes. The boys try to get out from under the stream but Masande and the other boys from the group push them back in.

 MASANDE: (shouting gleefully) Don’t let them get out, not until their sin is washed off!

 The group laughs and taunts the boys, daring them to try and get through them.

 Lindispho shakes his head as the flashback clears out of his mind. He is still looking at the water and worried about Sicelokuhle.

 LINDISPHO: (talking to himself) What did you want me to do? I was as powerless as you were. I could only watch in horror. You kept trying to get out from the cold water in the shower, but they kept pushing you back in. At some point I realised, from the ugly sneer you kept aiming at them every now and then, trying to provoke them into doing something more than just hold you hostage under the water, that you were purposefully trying to get them wet as much as possible as well. Why? Why couldn’t you just accept defeat? Why didn’t you clutch your knees close to your chest like Fezekile and grimace against the cold water and let the snot run down your lips as your teeth chattered uncontrollably?  Wouldn’t that have been easier? Wouldn’t have they let you go much quicker? Are you that proud? At some point I just couldn’t watch any longer, I just had to get away.

Suddenly something across the dam catches Lindispho’s eye. He quickly rises to his feet straining forward. It is the definitely Sicelokuhle that he sees creeping behind Masande and his girlfriend across the dam. Even with the heavy backpack on his back, Sicelokuhle creeps stealthily, like a predator about to pounce on prey.

LINDISPHO: (waving and screaming at the top of his voice) Don’t do it Sicelo! Please don’t do it! Hey! No, Sicelo! Oh God! No! Hey! Masande watch out!!

.Lindispho takes off running, heading to the opposite side of the dam