You Could be the Target.

Chapter four

It takes me several seconds to register that someone is literally on grandma, probably violating her. I have no idea what to do, but before I know it, Lena and Mabel are already on the stranger hitting him so hard. Well, he is super muscular so, I doubt he is feeling anything.

I join them, but guess what? We are probably doing zero work because the guy is huge and freakishly strong. He is the wiriest and diminutive person but every ounce is either dense bone or sinewy muscle and he's as lithe as an Olympic gymnast.

He is half-shadow, every muscle on his torso flowing from the light into the dark. He is a living work of art, his brown skin so tempting to touch, but disgusting all together. Every move giving away his strength. His eyes are locked onto the monochromatic wall and even though he is not scared, he looks remorseful. I edge closer until I can see his face, illuminated by sunshine that is coming through the holes on the roof, I hate his serious and daring face.

I have never seen such a man before. Leave alone in this village. I hate to say this but right now, I wish he could just die. Who the hell could just wake up and rape! I mean assault an aging woman? Who does such? Isn't this too ugly and pathetic to be true? He is now on the floor seated on his butt.

''Who are you?'' instead of responding, he gets up, I do not know what comes into my mind so, I run to granny and hold her face between my palms. This is really serious, I start to yell but he shows me a weapon. My two friends are scared to death. Lena is literally shaking and trust me, the guy is behaving like he doesn't give a hoot.

Grandma has her tears rolling down freely. She forces a smile when I look at her and just like that, I know that she is going through so much agony, and aching, and helping her at this point, to get out of that will be hard.

My mind swirls around really fast, and there is a wise man nearby, I start to get on my feet without a word but I freeze when the huge giant gets in my way. Who the heck wakes up to come and rape an old woman? This question hits my head yet again. I have no idea how I push the idiot out of my way because I use my left hand and with absolutely no energy at all and he falls on his butt.

I am aware of the six sets of eyes behind me but guess what? I do not care about anything right now. All I really need is to get help from my grandma. Apart from mum, she is the only relative I have. I am running so fast. I know it is very risky to leave everyone behind with that monster, but I also know that the shaman will come to her rescue. He leaves just a few kilometers away.

Ooh my God! This has left me wondering! What else can people do? This is an abomination and trusts me, this village will need some sort of cleansing. My mind is all over as I go into his compound. The wise man will know exactly what to do with that idiot. I wonder why it is so easy for some people to commit crimes. He never even ran away, he is probably waiting for someone to kill him.

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The shaman is not surprised to see me. ''Stay at the door, my child. Because I know exactly what brings you here. That was an abomination and all you need to do is to get used to the idea that this village will need some cleansing.'' I facepalm when he says that. This is the craziest thing I have ever heard since I was born.

''Wise man, what do you mean it should be cleansed? I mean what exactly …'' I had thought about this but mine did not hold any weight to it.

''Hold it there, my child! What has happened to that old woman is an abhorrence, an eyesore, and atrocity. It is so cruel for someone to do that to anyone. That man will be killed but before then, I want you to know that this is literally a bad omen that is going to cost this village a lot.''

''You lost me.''

''This village is now in danger and just so you know, we might be attacked in a few market days from now.

We might not know when, but I know someone is planning evil on us.''

''Did they have to use my grandma to send a message?''

''Seemingly, I have never seen this in the last decades that I have lived in this village but hey, I have a feeling and I can see that things are going to be thick. You should get going, I will catch up with you.''

''Can't we do anything to prevent the bad omen? I mean are not you the most respected and powerful man in this village? Aren't you the only man who will never lie? Mum told me about you, and I know that when you speak it happens, and when you to action, it occurs.'' I tell him calmly.

Guess what? I literally have no idea why I am feeling so brave and calm. I should be worried, but it is so ironic that I am not. Isn't this strange?

''My child get going. I will show up probably a few minutes ahead of you. And before you do that, I need to tell you that I saw what you did to that huge man. Be careful, you might be their target.''

''I want to go with you, wise man. I want to walk away knowing that it is because of you that my grandma will get help.'' He shakes his head.

Go! You are a strong and powerful child. You will keep away every evil of this village and just in case something happens, please be safe, because you are the only one who will save this village.'' ''You are scaring me!''

''Withdraw those words because I feel like your cowardice act might mess you up. Be careful because you are going to be the liberator of this village someday.''

I am confused. I tell myself inwardly, but the wise man responds.

''Go, your confusion might be used against you. Think of that old woman. She wants to speak to you, and you should hurry up. I will be there before you know it.''

I turn on my heels confusion has washed me all over and I have no idea how to dry it. The speed at which I am running can tell that I need to rescue someone. I meet a number of people, some looking at me in awe, but I don't bother paying any attention to them.

There is a woman who is wailing in my direction, but I do not bother to stop. I maintain my speed towards my granny's. She was a darling to many and this which has happened will break many people's hearts.

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I swear to the living beings that I almost faint when I meet the eyes of the wise man standing closer to my grandma's traditionally made bed. It is made of timber and skin. My grandma is looking frail and pale. She looks dimmer than ever, and I hope she will survive this. Lena and Mabel are not in the hut and I hope they are safe.

''How did you get here?'' I ask the old wise man who is literally looking at granny quietly and probably wondering what to do.

''No question. She wants to talk to you. Before you ask, your friends have gone to call the village elders and your mum, because she needs to be here. The guy ran away but he will not go far.''

''What do you mean? I …''

''I said no questions! He says authoritatively. ''Speak to your granny, and before then, please tell me what you want the gods of our land to do to the young man. He should not cross the river to the other side before you decide.''

''Let the gods do what they can to get my grandma well. I have a million questions for her and if she does not make it, I will be shattered completely. Again, I do not like the fact that they want to punish that guy when my granny is dying of pain. I will be okay with their decision.''

''That is not amongst the options. Your grandma should either die or die. You and I know that her death is the only thing left for her suffering to end. That man inflicted a lot of anguish in her and the only person she can talk to right now is you. Get to work.'' He says and starts walking out but changes his mind before he gets to the door. ''What should the gods do to that man?''

''Let the gods of our land inflict any punishment of their choice to him. All I wanted is what you have termed as impossible. May the gods of our land deal with him.'' he walks out without a word and I know he is not happy.

''My child,'' she calls weakly. '' I know about your healing powers, do not disclose them to anyone. Not even your friends.''

''How did you …''

''You should not trust anyone with those. Get out of this village as soon as you can. I know you and your friends got a plan and yes, I know you don't agree with them because you love your mum and I, so much but I want you to know that the best thing for you is to go away. I will not survive this because the pain is too much, but I know you will be safe away from here.''

''You don't act like you are hurting.''

''And you do not act like you are bothered. Do you know why?'' I shake my head. I have no idea why she is saying that. ''Because you are an extraordinary child. You are brave, a combatant, and powerful all you need is to be safe.'' She says honestly and I shake my head with uttermost confusion.

I do not understand these people. What do they even mean? I try putting my hand on granny because I want to save her life, but she pushes it away saying that it cannot work on her. I am curious to know why but, she says I will get to find out as time goes by. At the right time.

''Grandma, I will let you rest, and you can speak to me later,'' I tell her calmly. ''You are my trooper and I know that you will fight this.''

''Nope! My time has come, and I will be going home soon. I love you I want the best for you, and I hope one day you come back here and pay me a visit. Go away with those girls but be very careful not to trust anyone at all.'' She says tiredly. ''Grandma! …'' she cuts me off.

''Tell your mother to come in.'' I try saying something, but I do not manage because she motions me to get going. I meet mum on my way out, but I do not say a word because, for the first time since I came in here. Tears are burning in my eyes and my eyes are itching with unshed tears.

I do all I cannot let that happen because I do not want to show any weakness at the moment. I need to really be strong for both mum and grandma. I do not know exactly what they will say in there, and I wish I knew but that can wait. I need the wise man, I need to ask him all these questions lingering in my head, but something swiftly hits my head.

I needed to ask grandma about the alien, why mum says the river is evil, and lastly the sound of a baby in the river. I summarily turn on my heels and just like that, I walk into the hut. Mum is wailing and grandma is gently being laid on a traditionally made mat in one of the corners of her squared grass-thatched shack.

I thought I was trying to suppress my tears, not anymore because believe it or not, they flow freely down my cheeks as I move closer to sit beside my grandma.

That guy will pay for killing my grandma. I will definitely fulfill her last wish. I will go away from this village. Ooh! Who exactly told her about our plans?

''I did. I told your grandma of the plan and I know it was the best because see, she agreed with you, and now, you have to do as she said.'' The shaman says and I nod. That may be the best idea for now but leaving my mum behind is not the best.

''Listen here, wise man …''

''Do not worry my child. Your mother is in safe hands besides, she can perfectly take care of herself, but she will only do it comfortably with you out of the picture.'' I nod with no interest at all.

The mood around the village is subdued, somber, and dull at the same time. The elders are busy planning the burial and almost everyone from the village is here.

The wise man says that my granny has to be buried right now because what just happened wasn't right and the young combatants should be guarding the village entrances.

Yes, we have warriors who are well trained. It is a part of knowing that a boy has grown and is now becoming a man. When that happens, they are celebrated and the whole village holds a celebration for them. They are made aware of how thirsty for war other villages are. They are also taken for circumcision. It is a stage that every boy is always looking forward to. Becoming a man excites most of the boys.

The ladies of the land also get community learning and that is very helpful. We are taught how to defend ourselves because they normally say when war breaks, even women need to be able to escape and defend themselves if need be.

We are taught how to cook and how to clean. We are also taught how to be clean, how to treat men and by that, I mean how to treat our future husbands and also, what to serve them for food at which time of the day.

Funny enough, our small village is also fertile and there is a time I heard that the wicked queen was planning to raid it so that she could grab it. Some people are simply wicked. In our last harvest, she also wanted to come to reap what she did not sow. I do not know why she didn't do it. She had threatened a few members publicly in the market. Well, we hope to keep having our peace.

I lift my head when a voice startles me and yes, it is my mum. The wise man is gone, and I know I will ask him these questions that I have. May my granny Angelina rest in eternal peace.