Immediately I saw him, I carried Amina and was about to run away but I wasn't fast enough. He ran towards me and pushed me. I fell in such a way that my head hit the edge of the bed. The pain was overwhelming. He dragged me by my hair, tightened his fist and hit me hard. Before I knew what was happening, blood began to gush out from my nose. At that point, I wanted to fight back but I didn't have the strength. I laid on the floor almost passing out and when I turned to my right, I saw Amina on the floor. I saw her move part of her body, which meant she was still alive. I was glad amidst all the pain that she was, I didn't want to loose her. The man came to me, held my legs and began to drag me outside. All of a sudden, I saw a knife come out of his shirt and blood gushing out. He fell down on his kneels, and then on my body. I struggled to push him out and stood up in shock. My clothes were stained with blood. I looked up and saw the boy holding a knife in his hand, looking at me and breathing heavily. He walked towards me but I shifted back. I was so scared and I wasn't sure why. Whether it was the fact that the I almost died again or a dead body was on top of me. He came closer but I prevented him from coming closer. ''Don't be scared am not going to use this on you. I had to use it, that was the only way I could stop him from hurting you'' he said as he threw the knife to the ground. His words sounded convincing so I decided to trust a little. He stretched his hands towards me and helped me to get up. When I stood up, I was a little bit dizzy, I was about to throw up until I realised that Amina was still on the floor. I ''swallowed my pride'' and rushed to where she was. I was still alive but very weak. '' Amina, Amina can you hear me? Answer me please'' I said as I tried to help her regain consciousness. She moved her body a little and groaned as she opened her eyes slightly. '' Aunty Grace'' she said as she held my face with her hands to feel me. '' Baby it's me. I am here for you okay'' I told her as tears gushed out. She began to cry '' They raped with me Aunty Grace. All of them. I looked for you, where were you'' she said. I carried her on my labs '' am sorry I wasn't there for you baby but I am now, I am here for you and I promise I wouldn't let these men touch you'' I replied. We stayed there crying for so moments. The boy came to me and told me it was time to go.
When we got to the room, I carried Amina inside. The children were more than happy to see her. They cried as they hugged each other. I left them inside and came outside to talk to the boy. '' Someone is going to find out that he is dead. When they do, how are we going to cover it up'' I asked him, referring to the man that he killed. '' You guys would be out of here before that happens'' he said with so much confidence. I felt a little bit of peace with what he said but wasn't still certain about that because didn't know how we were going to escape. ''How are you so confident that we would be out of here by then'' I asked him. He looked at me and didn't reply. I wanted to tell him to say something but I held myself from talking because it wouldn't make any difference, he is used to not replying me.
He told me to follow him somewhere which I did without asking any further question. He took me deep into the jungle and showed me trail marks. He told me that he had been planning an escape for the people brought there but his plans were always futile. He explained to me that the trail marks was going to lead us out of there. The plan looked really nice but I didn't understand how it had been difficult for him to have helped others escape. ''If it's just the trail marks we are to follow then why has it been hard for you'' I asked him. He bent to the ground and shone light on the path. '' It's not just about following it Grace, that's your name right'' he asked. I nodded affirmative. '' It's what's behind this woods. Most of these men knows that somehow people would find this trail and try to escape, so they constantly guide it. But with you, I can distract them while you take these children away. Then no one would know a thing'' he said as he stood up. '' How would you distract them'' I asked him looking concerned. He looked at me in the eyes and told me that I didn't have to worry about that.
As we walked back, he told me that there were more children kidnapped. I pulsed as he said that to get myself, then continued walking. '' What do you mean there are other children? I have surveyed this place and I didn't find any room other than the one they kept the children and I''. I said. '' You couldn't find them because I hid them were no one could see them. These children could have died so I had to protect them. I staged an attack, making the men think they were dead whereas they aren't.'' he told me. I was really perplexed after hearing that. I thought this boy was as dangerous as the other men when I first saw him, I didn't know there was more to him. '' Where are they'' I asked him. He pointed his finger to the jungle '' there is a little cage I hid them there'' he replied.
When we got to the room, he told me to get the children ready while we prepared the others. I asked him where I could meet him and he told me that place I got the malaria drug the other day. When I heard that, I was surprised '' How did he know that, I thought to myself''. He smiled at me '' you thought I didn't know about that'' he asked. '' How did you'' I replied. ''Like you Grace, I am also trying to get the innocents out of here. I am a good observer'' he said. For the first time in a long time I was speechless. I didn't say anything to him, all I wanted was for us to be out of there because if the men caught us, there wasn't going to be any escaping.
The children and I stayed under a tree waiting for the boy. The intensity of the dew was so high that the little children were shivering. I felt sorry for them but I knew they just had to go through it. It was the only way. We couldn't have gone when the day was brighter. I began to see a light shining from a distance and I immediately told the children to hide under the tree. I wasn't sure who it was, but I hoped it was the boy. I hid with them to still check and when the light became brighter as the people walked closer, I discovered it was the boy and the remaining children. I felt so relieved. The fifteen year old boy with me ran to the other children and cried as he hugged them. I discovered they were his friends he thought were dead. '' So what next'' I asked the boy as I starred at the children with joy in my heart that they were alive. '' Wait here for my signal'' he said as he gave me a phone and keys. I took the them from him and put them in my pocket. '' When you get a beep from this phone, it means the road is clear and all the men are gone. Run as fast as you can, you will see a truck in front. Enter into it and drive as fast as you can. Make sure this children are save'' he said. As he turned to leave, I held his hand '' What about you'' I asked. He turned to me '' We make terrible decisions in our lives Grace. But in all when we know there's a chance to make it better, we take it. You told me I can be better, that's what am trying to be. Just promise me that these children are going to be fine'' he said. I let go of his hand as tears dropped from my eyes. I looked at the children and realised I had a great responsibility of making sure they get out of here. I wiped my tears away, starred at him in the eye and told him I promised. He walked away.
The day was getting brighter and I had not heard anything. I was really restless. '' Where could he be, Is this a trap, so he be working with them and just deceived us to our death?'' These were the thoughts that flooded my mind. Immediately, I got the beep. I told the older ones to carry the younger ones and I carried the baby. We ran as fast as we could. I brought out the key from my pocket and pressed a button for the truck to come on. As we got closer to the truck, I started hearing gunshots. The men were after us. I turned back only to see them coming after us and shooting at us.
The bullets began to hit some of the children. I couldn't believe these children were dying in front of me again. It didn't stop us from running. I continued screaming that they should keep running ''run! everybody keep running!'' I screamed. As we ran, the fifteen year old boy fell down with his little sister. I continued running, hoping he would get up and follow. When we got to where the car was, we entered and I began to drive as fast as I could. I got to a point were I couldn't see the men anymore, so I stopped the car to count how many children were with me. Most of the children were seriously injured while some of them were already dead. I sat on the floor seriously depressed. I couldn't believe I couldn't save all of them. '' They took the boy and his sister'' Amina said as she came close to me to wipe my tears. I immediately had a flash back to when he fell with his sister but that was all I could remember. I stood up with courage. I told myself I wasn't leaving any child behind and I meant that. I told Amina to take care of the other children. I told them to stay in the car till the other children were back. '' We don't know if they are still alive. Why must we risk it'' one of the children said. '' What if there is a probability that they are, am not risking that'' I told him. I looked at Amina '' Baby remember what sister Loveth would always tell us right'' I asked her. ''Take responsibility'' she said with tears in her eyes. '' Yes love, take responsibility and that's what am doing now. Don't look for me okay. When you see the other children coming, take them in and you guys should go as far and fast as you can okay'' I said. She nodded to it. While I was about to go, she hugged me while crying uncontrollably......
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