2◇ WOUNDED

♡ I want to love because I can't help it, not because you're the next best thing ♡

The snapping of twigs did not contrast with the happy screams of the running children, rather it contributed to its melody. It was a beautiful weather for playing.

A particular scream however seem to be out of place causing the rest to cease their chase in the woods.

There it was again!

They rushed towards the noise hoping to save their friend and playmate from whatever danger.

Though young, they had the tight knit sense of loyalty and togetherness their forebears induced them with.

A thorough combing and searching later, a young girl is seen bent over a corpse. Immediate whispers and murmuring filled the group.

"We should inform the chief Hafiz".

A lanky boy turned to another identical to him.

"I was about to say that"

"You were too_"

"You both run to the palace and report what you just saw. No tattletale".

Vigorous nods from the boys proceeded their take-off, each trying to gain an upper hand.

He turned to the girl who found the body. Her eyes had a far off look. She must be in shock. Women, so weak.

"Zainab, please make sure she gets to her grandmother's safe".

"Alright".

The tail of a blue dress and it's owner approached the girl startling her at first before recognition dawned. But Hafiz was surprised when she refused her friend's help.

"I have to stop him from losing too much blood".

"What blood? he's already dead!" The young Hafiz had no patience with this one.

"He's not dead yet Hafiz. Look, his chest rises and falls".

"You're obviously still in shock, come let's go to your Kaka. Am sure there are some herbs she could-"

"I'm in shock at seeing so much blood but not because of a dead body!".

One of the reasons he did not like this one was because she was always challenging him.

How dare she snap at him!

He was the heir to the chiefdom of their town but she never missed an opportunity to show him she didn't care. She spoke her mind anyways.

"Listen to me girl,"

"Hafiz!" Zainab interrupted. "She speaks the truth. He is alive!".

He looked back at the rest who were watching as if waiting for his next move. He was the first son of the chief and at sixteen a lot of pressure was on his young shoulders.

He turned to face the healer's granddaughter. What annoyed him the most was her honesty. He was aware she doesn't go out of her way to disregard him. Even her face held no iota of smugness but it only managed to irk. He was a man and she but a girl soon to be a woman, she should know her place!

"Well, what are you waiting for!" he growled. "Pick him up!".

The bigger boys rushed to obey his command but were halted.

"Wait!"

"What?" she was really stretching his limit this girl.

"I must keep pressing on the wound".

"How will they carry him then?" He exasperated.

"He could bleed to death before we get to the village!"

He sighed in frustration. "What do you suggest then?"

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"Kaka!" "Kaka!!" "Kaka!!!"

The host of children chorosed as they drew nearer to a compound.

A woman rushed out of the only hut in the compound. Not bothering to ask for answers to why her granddaughter was covered in blood walking in front of the bloodied man being carried into her coupound.

She sprang into action instructing them to take him into her hut and administering her knowledge of traditional herb with the help of her little girl.

Hafiz knew what he had to do next and he searched for a suitable candidate. His gaze landed on a seven year old. He signaled the little boy who rushed over.

"I need you to do an important task".

Eyes lit like saucers at the thought of performing a duty, it was clear the boy held the young Prince in high esteem

"Yes Prince Hafiz" standing straight as a soldier recruit.

"Alright. I need you to run after those two loud mouths and inform the king that the corpse is alive and that we brought him to Kaka's hut".

"Yes Prince Hafiz".

"Good, now hurry but don't go telling-"

He was talking to the air by this time. He just hopes the little rascal doesn't go telling the king that, 'the corpse came to life'.

Stupid him he should have sent one of the older boys. He groaned at the thought of his father giving him a lecture later.

"Who tied the gash around the young man?"

"The Prince" the children chorosed.

Kaka walked to him "Aahh young Prince, you shall indeed succeed your father well" she said a proud wrinkled hand on his shoulder.

He immediately masked his embarrassment and bowed his head in thanks to his elder.

"Has the chief been informed?"

"Yes Kaka" he replied mentally chastised his choice of messenger again.

"Hopefully he shall be here soon".

The older woman turned to the rest children thanking before dismissing them.

"Here take and put this on".

He turned to looked down at the girl in front of him with a shirt offering. He grunted a thank you and turned to find someplace to sit.

"I will bring you a seat".

She disappeared before he turned to face her but shortly returned carrying a bench.

He took his seat and she joined him.

"Don't you have to help your grandmother?".

"Kaka doesn't need help now".

An uncomfortable silence ensued but when he glanced sideways at her she seemed completely at ease. If it were the other town girls, they would be fidgeting and fiddling at such close range. He usually had to put them at ease but with her it seemed she had to put him at ease.

He knew he was not bad on the eyes. Even married women gave him the talking eyes at times. He did not like that she always made him doubt his abilities and made him react rashly. That is why he avoided her as much as possible.

"Thank you for helping me save him" she gently muttered.

He shrugged not really knowing how to reply her unexpected comment. There was silence again for sometime before she turned to him. He was not quick enough so she caught him staring confusing her.

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were staring".

"And how did you know that?"

"I saw you!"

"Or you were staring".

"I wasn't and you know that!".

"Are you suggesting your Prince tells lies?"

"Does he?"

She always does this. Just when he thought - "Do you not take jokes?" he asked angrily adjusting to face her.

She stared unblinking and in shock. "You were making jokes, with me?"

"Is that a taboo?". She really confused him.

"No. I just know you don't like me at all".

That's it, he'd had enough for today. He stood up to leave confused though at why he was angry all of a sudden but he was.

She grabbed his arm stopping him from storming off.

"I did not know. Don't leave yet. At least wait for the Chief". she said gently

Her hands left his arm to trace the scar on his chest. He had forgotten to wear the shirt but left it on the bench.

"How did you manage to hurt yourself so deep?"

He grabbed her chin making her meet his gaze

"Does it bother you?"

For some time they stood like that until the sound of the Galadima announcing the entrance of the Sarki drew them apart.

☆GLOSSARIES☆

Kaka - Grandma

Galadima - Sub chief

Sarki - chief, king, ruler.

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