The bridge rocked as a train passed beneath it. Nandi took a deep breath. Slowly, she continued to walk over and off the bridge. Her fingers found the folded up piece of paper in her pocket again, and she rubbed it between two fingers.

At the foot of the bridge she turned left towards her home. The route would lead her through the narrow streets of closely-packed houses in a large arc, until she would eventually come to the house she shared with her mother. It was a one-roomed wooden shack, with a turquoise door. It was just like a hundred other similar places all around it.

The walk from the station was a long one. Today Nandi stopped in her tracks, and looked around. There was a short cut, but it was not one she ever took. But today she felt so exhausted. She was amazed that she could even put one foot in front of another. The short cut was a path that wound through bush and trees. It was a lonely path, and one that women never walked alone. Nandi turned towards it.

Maybe today is the day I die, she thought to herself, and if I can’t do it myself, then maybe someone else will do it for me. No-one will miss me.

Nandi stepped onto the path.

I am worthless anyway, thought Nandi, her fingers closing on the note in her pocket. For a moment she almost pulled it out and threw it down.

Under a clump of trees ahead of her Nandi could see a group of men gathered. She knew that the path she was on would take her right past them. She walked on. The men were huddled together, and Nandi could see the glow of a pipe in their hands as they passed it around, from one to another.

Nandi walked on. One of the men looked away from the group and saw her. He turned to the others and one by one they all turned to watch her slowly approaching. Nandi walked on. The men stood still and silent and watched her. One of them suddenly shouted something out to her. Nandi could not make out what it was, and she did not care.

She thrust her hands deep into her pockets, put her head down, and kept on walking towards them.

***

Tell us what you think: Why did Nandi take the unsafe short cut? Do you think the men are dangerous?