Four men, with Lisa’s dad walked in. I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, thinking and hoping that they would go away.

They came close and Lisa’s dad pulled off all my blankets from me. I trembled and screamed really loud. Lisa’s dad slapped me so hard across the face I thought I saw stars.

“Is she a virgin?” one guy asked.

“Yes, of course.” Lisa’s dad said smiling.

The guy gave him a big stack of money. Lisa’s dad smelled it and grinned and then he walked out and closed the door.

The first guy forced himself on me, ripping my clothes off and rapping me. He covered my mouth with his hand. I cried in pain, my whole body felt like it was burning. They all took turns on me, taking away the only pride and dignity I had left, the only thing I had left that made me feel unique and special; my virginity. They took that away from me.

I tried to endure the pain but it was too much. I cried till my voice could come out no more. Between those struggles to breathe and fighting to be free, my heart broke for the umpteenth time. I felt like it was the end of me, as though I would never live to see another day again. To me this marked the end of me… the end of the person and child I ever was.

I was merely 12 yet I was forced to become a woman without even having been given the chance to consider it. They took away the child in me and deprived me of what was rightfully mine. What was there to live for in this world then if not for freedom and happiness?

As they were still enjoying themselves, I blacked out. I couldn’t stand to feel the pain no more…

I woke up when Lisa’s dad lifted me up to change the linen because it had blood.

“If you dare say anything!” he shot me a death stare and I nodded.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. And sooner or later you’ll be enjoying it. And don’t you forget girly that this is a matter of life and death.”

He kissed my cheek and left. I heard the car drive off. I tried to stand up but my whole body ached, I winced in pain. I forced myself up and went out of the house. I opened the gate and ran.

A neighbour saw me and called after me. It was Zintle’s father, a policeman who lived down the road. We went to school with his daughter. He saw me and he tried to stop me but I didn’t stop. I was scared. He caught up with me.

I was crying and my nightie still had blood.

“What happened? Talk to me and I will help you,” he said picking me up.

I couldn’t tell him, Lisa’s dad would kill me. He took me to the hospital and I was examined. They questioned me and promised to help me. I told them everything. I told them I was gang raped and the threats that made me keep quiet.

Lisa’s father was arrested and I was treated and sent for counselling. I learnt that “keeping quiet” is never an option. I was placed in an orphanage home with people who appreciated my presence. Every day I learnt to look at life from a different perspective. That’s when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and figured that everything happens for a reason.

I was walking down the street from school with my friends one day. A woman came to us.

“Hello girls,” she greeted.

“Afternoon Ma,” we all chanted.

“Lilly, can I speak to you alone please,” she said in a sweet yet desperate voice. I was shocked as to how she knew my name.

“Um, yes Ma,” I said. We were already by the gate at the home so I was safe.

“See you later Lilz,” my friends said as they walked away.

“My name is Gloria Makhetha and I am your mother. I left you on the stoep when you were 2 weeks old. I am so sorry my child, please forgive me,” she said as tears streamed down her eyes.

I cried too as we embraced.

That’s when life started; in my mother’s arms. I knew I was safe.

The End

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Share with our first time writer: How would you help young girls who are being abused? What punishment would you give the rapist if you were a judge?