Once I heard that I knew I was in trouble. I then took a long stick to balance my scratched leg while I was running for my life. I ran as fast as I could. Gun shots were fired behind me but that didn’t make me stop running. I ran deeper into the bush losing my way home. As the men behind me shouted, “We are gonna get you!”

To me it was my motivation to run harder and faster. I ran and ran till I reached a river. When I looked back I saw no sign of those two men. I then sat down to take a little break. I looked to the East, South, North and West hoping to see someone who could help me. But the bush was very quiet; all I could hear were birds singing. I immediately heard the men’s voices getting nearer and nearer .Then I stood up and jumped in the river to the other side.

As I was running I tripped and fell. I stood up and kept running. I had to ignore the pain and keep moving. It was now getting late and darker. But the two men were not backing down till they found me.

“Haa… haa… haa, I’m now tired since morning chasing this little brat. Snoopy, let’s stop. We know her face we will search for her tomorrow,” said Jojo. In reply Snoopy said “No food, no resting until we find the girl,”

“Anything you say boss,” Jojo said.

I cared less about anything they said. I kept running till to the end of the bush. I then saw houses and lights on street. I entered the first street and heard people laughing in the first house.

I then decided to go in ask for help. As I walked into the yard of that first house I saw a car familiar to my aunt’s car. But then because I never knew were my aunt lived I told myself that many cars in this world were identical.

As I knocked on the door I almost fainted when I saw my aunty Doris. She took me in, gave me food, water to bath and finally called mama that she must come to fetch me in the morning. I was so relieved. I thought I had finally survived not knowing this was just the beginning of my troubles.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think the men will come looking for Thando?