Chapter 10— Not Again!

The food and water I packed only lasted me for three days and I still hadn't found any village or anyone.

I walked on for another four days eating whatever I could find, there was no water, no river in sight. On the seventh day, I fell on the dirty soil, I wanted to go further but I couldn't. I was drained.

A strange feeling woke me up, my eyes dim, it was a bright morning. Something or someone was carrying me, I could hear voices they were three or four men, I couldn't see clearly, I was out of breath and thirsty, I couldn't feel my legs.

Soon we stopped in front of a large, tall, wooden gate. The men spoke a different language to the people behind the gate, we were granted a pass.

They laid me inside a river, I think it was a stream or something, I was floating. I loved the water, there were pains all over my body. I felt numb again, my head pounding, my vision blurry, the strange people were speaking over me. I fainted again.

When I awoke, this time I felt so much better. I opened my eyes to see a pretty lady smiling down at me, I managed to smile back.

"Where am I?" I asked with a croaky voice.

"You're in Shutitte village, my name is Mira. I'm glad to see you awake!".

I felt slightly cold, paying attention to my body, I noticed two strange things, first I was naked, second, I had black leaches all over my skin. I just had to scream! Scream with disgust, I stumbled down from the table picking the leaches off me. Mira calmed me down and took the leaches away, while explaining what they were meant for.

From that day forward, I found peace with the Shutittes. I met my loving husband Pado, we made a beautiful family. Now I dress, speak and live like the Shutittes. They're my family, they replaced the emptiness, fear and pain in my heart, with love!

"Mother that was an excellent story!",

"Thank you Kush". I smiled.

"Now off to bed everyone, that means you too Pado".

"Alright!" We laughed.

************

That night I had to relieve the worst experience in my life all over again but this time it was in a dream; not a dream, rather a nightmare. I tossed and turned all through the night, finally I found a way out of my nightmare.

I had only begun a peaceful version of sleep when we were awaken by a scream. It became clear people were screaming outside in the village. At once we jumped off our bed and ran outside to see for ourselves what the commotion was all about.

I rubbed my palms against my eyes so I could see clearly, it was then I noticed that people were running frightened away from something— something dreadful, a demon, a beast I familiar with, my nightmare come to life at sunrise.

Unmoved, I froze where I stood, I seemed lifeless. I grabbed Pado's hand in terror and gasped with a shaky voice.

"Not again!"

THE END