Unseen on the African Plains

I glanced slowly over my shoulder as the sun set over the African horizon.The last bit of light caught on the tallest tree in the courtyard and my teeth chattered involuntarily.

I looked at each of the haggard faces of my friends- my allies.Their eyes were downcast andDakarai swiftly motioned for us to follow him and start to run.Tonight was going to be a bad night- I could already tell.For we had lingered too long in the gray classroom, in the courtyard of dead trees, and the rebels always came at sundown.To take us there.To the Bush.

My blood began pounding in my ears as my feet thudded repeatedly on the worn dirt road.I could feel my feet slip in my shoes underneath me, too large for my small feet.Suddenly I heard the sound of raucous laughter mixed with squealing tires and my blood froze in my veins.

The rebels.

Lights shone on our backs and the sound of machine guns being loaded filled the cool night air.“Faster!” said Dakarai, voice cracking.I heard a shot ring and my breath caught in my throat.

“Stop now and we won’t shoot anyone!” one of them shouted.I could hear the lie in his cold voice.

We didn’t stop.We couldn’t.Every single one of us- all seven of the homeless orphans of the town ---- - had seen the outcome and effects of joining the rebels.--- had been released two months ago and when he returned, he flinched at anyone’s calming touch or soothing words.We all witnessed the terror that had forevermore ruled his life. Until one day, he chose to dangle among the trees on the plain. I had found--- and cried for three days straight, knowing that that was what would become of all of us.

Again, one of the rebels cocked his gun and fired.The bullet whizzed past me and narrowly missed Asya.I screamed and pushed my legs to go faster, feeling the harsh cruel pain burn my legs.In the corner of my eyes, I spotted a cluster of bushes at the side of the road and before I realized what was happening, my weight shifted to my right and I leaped for cover.

The cars drove past my hiding place and I heard them slow to a stop.“Get in,” they ordered, words like knives carving a hole into each of my friend’s chests, stealing any hope they had left.There was the sound of bare feet stomping on metal andChatha began to cry softly.I bit my fist tightly, tears tumbling down my face.I heard the truck’s engines rumble back to life and I bit back a cry.

I sat in the undercover for hours, waiting desperately for my shivering to stop.I slowly stood up, thighs screaming in pain after being forcibly held in the same position for so long.I searched the area quickly, seeing nothing in the impenetrable darkness.

I scuffed my feet in the dirt as I began the long trek back to the church where orphans from miles away came to sleep each night.The last three nights I had been cramped between sick kids, all of them with a deficient immune system, dying from a common cold.

The children there- all of them had been orphaned by the war in Darfur and by HIV, passed along hereditarily and by other means.I saw a flicker of light ahead and flinched away.I crouched down low and waited, desperately hoping I was imagining it.

Silence enveloped the African desert and I rose up again, praying that the rebels had not returned for me.Eventually I regained my composure and began running for the church.It must’ve been ten o’clock by now and I realized I had missed the scanty dinner that was provided.

I ran my hands up and down my skinny arms as I ran, attempting to create enough friction to keep my body warm.It didn’t help.

I eventually slowed to a walk when I saw the dull light from the church, sighing in relief.I had made it.I ascended the stairs carefully and eased open the door to the common room.I leaned against the doorframe and studied the crowded room.

Each of these children were tightly pushed together, bodies contorted into awkward positions to grab one small place to lie down.I ran my hand over my bald head, still overwhelmed by the sight of this.

Even as a mere girl of seventeen, I was able to comprehend the capacity of Africa’s situation.The worst part was the fact that no one else knew.No countries had sent enough money, supplies, or workers to make it to this area, and so many would die because of it.Every single child in this room would give all four of his limbs to get out of Africa , his homeland.

I spotted a small area to the right of me and I slid between two young children huddled in fetal positions on the ground.Both of them were asleep and the youngest one involuntarily reached out to me in his sleep.

I hugged the child to my breast and looked down at his face.Tears stained it and I bit my lip as I looked away.Every single one of these children deserved a better life.I turned my head to look at the ceiling and said a quick prayer before sleep overwhelmed me.

I awoke the next morning to movement around me.I rubbed my eyes and sat up, exhausted from last night.I glanced up looking forAsya, Dakarai,and Chatha.

Then I remembered they were gone.

I stood up and stepped strategically around sleeping forms to get to the door.I thrust it open and daylight streamed inside, brightening the dark clammy room.

The door shut behind me and I breathed in a breath of fresh air as I glanced westward towards school.I saw dust plumes in the distance and crinkled my nose, wondering what they were from.A red truck topped a hill and I sucked in my breath in a low whistle.They had come back for more.

A quick yell of alarm ran quickly through the area, sending small children to sobbing fits and adults into a frenzy.“Get back inside!”Yells went up around me but my feet wouldn’t move.All I could do was stare at my impending doom.

The cars shrieked to a stop at the entrance to the village and rebels piled out.I winced when I saw child soldiers among them.One of the youngest held a gun at me and ordered, “Get in the truck.”

Tears pricked my eyes and the boy’s cold stone face seemed to harden even more.“Get in the truck!”He shoved the pistol into the small of my back and forced me forward.The cool metal felt harsh against my skin and I grit my teeth as I said a quick prayer of protection.

My feet moved of their own accord, leading me towards the truck, onto the truck bed, and into the end of my life.Bitter tears streamed down my warm cheeks as the sun crept slowly away from the horizon.The boy shoved my shoulder and my legs collapsed beneath me.

I stared up at the brightening sky and I felt my soul leave my body.Where I was going, I would no longer need it.I wouldn’t need anything.Not even life.