The Queens Vengance

Chapter 8

The hall was filled to capacity so much so that some people men and women sat on the window panes just to listen to what the visitors had to say something about s****l awareness. I was lucky enough to get a good seat or should I say I was lucky enough to have Mariam she pushed with the men when the tussle for the plastic chairs had started and got 4 chairs one for Zara and I and the other for herself. " kai this girl who did you now keep this chair fo instead of allowing someone else take it" Zara asked with a bemused look on her face. The guy in front of us that was sharing a seat with his friend turned back to Zara. " abeg help me ask her oh" he said clearly annoyed. I looked to Mariam to see she was eyeing him." Zara the chair is for people with manners and not animals" Mariam said with a nonchalant voice the guy turned back he looked like he was ready to beat Mariam I tried to hide the laugh that was threatening to burst. The guy had wrinkled around his eyes and spots of grey hair could be seen on his head. He was old enough to be our father and yet Mariam had insulted him without blinking although I am sure he must have done something to have deserved Mariam's stubbornness.

The talk went on for hours I had heard this countless times since entering the camp. At first, it excited me but now it just bored me. Dinner that night was interesting we were given semo and draw soup with chicken which surprised everyone.  A guy had come to talk with Zara and Mariam and I excused her shifting to watch from a reasonable distance. Zara was all teeth I had never seen this side of her most times she was either teasing me or Mariam or playing some motherly role in our lives. I had not realized that she had taken those roles in our lives until that moment. It made me feel a certain type of way. When the guy held her hand I watched them with a longing in my heart, but I wasn't the only one. Mariam released a long sigh but I didn't want to ask her what she was thinking about as I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the night I just wanted time to think. Mariam was speaking but I wasn't listening to it wasn't until she said goodnight that I came back to my senses looking around. She had a concerned look on her face as she asked me for the umpteenth time if I was fine as we walked to the tent. " For the love of God Mariam, I am fine!" I exclaimed she was really starting to annoy me I just wanted some peace and quiet. She didn't speak after that and when we reached the pathways to our tents which were far from each other she said goodnight in a quiet voice I wanted to tell her it wasn't her I was just not in the mood but then what's the use of crying over spilt milk. so " Goodnight Mariam," I said but my voice wasn't quiet.

 Just as I was about taking the bush path to my tent my eye caught a movement behind the short bush from a distance It was Danlami. When I saw he looked away immediately he saw me lok in his direction a shiver ran down my spine why was he following me? I turned to look again and this time he decided to acknowledge me by waving his hand he pointed his fingers calling me. I felt the butterflies in my stomach stir as I walked up to meet him.

 Upon reaching him I noticed he reeked entirely almost like papa his words came out in a slur" Z...ai..naab" he said standing on unsteady feet. " yes Danlami, are you alright" I aksed concerned when he seemed to be almost falling. He nodded his head with half closed eyes. He looked like he could fall at any moment and I was really concerned about him perhaps I should get him to the clinic I thought but before I could voice out my thoughts he spoke. " come Zainab there..ss sssomethhing I want to show you" he said in a slur and before I could reply him he pulled my hand to follow him his grip was tight he was walking us to the bush side which was poorly lit, I was confused but his grip was starting to hurt me " Dnalami you are hurtying my wrists" I said trying to pull my hand from his firm grip " shut up" he said tightening his grip even more. I was starting to get uncomfortable as we approached the bush area there was no light and not a single person in sight. " Danlami I dont think..." before I could finsih my sentence he pulled me to him and began to roam his hands over my body lifting my gown up I was more scared than confused I tried to push him away but he wouldnt budge. ' danlami stop this please" I begged as he continued to run his hands through my gowns. When he tore the top part of my gown I tried with all my strength to push him  he wouldnt budge and pushed me to the florr instead, I panicked and kicked punched him tried everything I could but he didnt stop.

  He continued to violate my body even when the tears rolled down my eyes he didnt stop  I screamed for help but my screams were muffled with his large palm covering my mouth. I cried pain flooding my senses he wasnt gentle with me. When he finsihed he adjusted his zipper and went his way. I stayed on the floor crying I couldnt see the stars as tears filled my eyes. I dont know how long I was there but after I felt some strenght come back to me I tried to stand up wincing at the pain my body was in. I walked slowly with two feet apart to the bath area and after I cleaned myself the tears stopped flowing I felt anger rage. I didnt understand that that moment the rage took over I became a different person. The months to come would reveal a side of me that everyone would whisper about.

That night it rained heavily the sky growled with lightning as though the heavenly bodies were mourning with me. The rain fell in angry splatters the wind was merciless and blew with a howl like the cry of a wounded wolf, the heavens was mourning with me.I slept like the dead.