Chapter Twelve:A Desperate Chase
427 Words
Ayaan's blood turned to ice as the man shouted.
“Jidkaas waa maxay? Yaa baxsaday?”
(What is this opening? Who escaped?)
Inside the hut, Ayaan had seconds to decide.
She dove through the gap and into the darkness.
Outside, Safiyo was waiting behind a stack of firewood, her breath coming in short gasps.
“Way arkeen! Waa in aan orodnaa!” Ayaan hissed.
(They saw us! We have to run!)
From inside the hut, voices rose in confusion.
Then—a loud, furious shout.
“Gabadha waa la xaday! Soo qabta!”
(The girl has been stolen! Catch them!)
Running for Their Lives
Ayaan grabbed Safiyo’s hand and they ran—barefoot, stumbling over dry thorns and rocks.
Behind them, angry voices erupted, and torches lit up the night.
“Halkaas bay aadeen!”
(They went that way!)
The village men were chasing them.
Ayaan's legs burned, but she didn't stop. She couldn't.
Safiyo was struggling, her weak body barely keeping up.
“Waan daalanahay! Ma sii socon karo!” Safiyo panted.
(I’m exhausted! I can’t keep going!)
Ayaan gritted her teeth. “Waa inaad dadaashaa, Safiyo! Waa dhiman ama noolan!”
(You have to push yourself, Safiyo! It’s life or death!)
Suddenly—a figure appeared ahead of them.
Ayaan almost screamed—until she saw Misky.
She had been waiting near the edge of the village, holding a long shawl.
“Degdeg! Xiro tan!” Misky whispered.
(Quick! Wear this!)
She threw the shawl over Safiyo, disguising her as an old woman.
Then she grabbed Ayaan and shoved them both into a nearby goat pen.
“Ha dhaqaaqin! Ha hadlin!” she ordered.
(Don’t move! Don’t speak!)
Ayaan and Safiyo buried themselves under the straw, holding their breath.
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The Villagers Arrive
Seconds later—a group of men ran past, holding torches and knives.
“Waa in ay weli halkan ku jiraan!” one of them growled.
(They must still be here!)
Another man spat onto the ground.
“Maxaad la baxsanaysaan gabadh aabaheed bixiyay? Waa xoolo la iibsaday!”
(Why are you stealing a girl whose father sold her? She is property!)
Ayaan felt rage boil inside her, but she kept still.
Safiyo’s fingers dug into her arm, trembling.
Then—
The men moved away, searching elsewhere.
Misky leaned in and whispered.
“Waa inaan baxnaa hadda. Buska waa diyaar.”
(We have to leave now. The bus is ready.)
Ayaan and Safiyo slowly crawled out, hearts still racing.
They had one last obstacle left—getting out of the village alive.
- Writer
