Chapter Thirteen:The Final Escape
487 Words
The night was thick with tension as Ayaan, Safiyo, and Misky moved silently through the village outskirts.
Every shadow felt like an enemy, every sound made their hearts race.
The bus that would take them away was waiting at the edge of the main road, but to reach it, they had to cross one final open space—the village square.
And that’s when—
A sharp voice called out behind them.
“Jooga! Yaa tihiin?”
(Stop! Who are you?)
Ayaan spun around, her heart hammering.
Three men stood there, gripping their daggers.
One of them—a towering, bearded man in a white khamis—stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
“Waa maxay dumarkan xijaaban ee sida tuugada u socda?”
(Who are these veiled women sneaking around like thieves?)
Misky lowered her voice, pretending to be calm.
“Annaga waxaan u nimid arooska. Waan dib u laabeynaa hadda.”
(We came for the wedding. We are leaving now.)
The man’s eyes swept over them, then landed on Safiyo, who was trying to hide behind Ayaan.
And suddenly—his face twisted with anger.
“Taasi waa aroosadda! Waa la xaday! Soo qabta!”
(That’s the bride! She has been stolen! Catch them!)
A Desperate Fight
Before Ayaan could react, one of the men lunged forward, grabbing Safiyo’s arm.
She let out a sharp cry, struggling to break free.
Ayaan didn’t think—she acted.
She snatched a handful of sand from the ground and threw it into the man’s eyes.
He howled in pain, stumbling backward.
Misky pulled out a small knife from her dress and slashed at the second man’s arm, forcing him to back off.
“Orod! Hadda!” Misky shouted.
(Run! Now!)
They broke into a sprint, racing toward the road.
Shouts erupted behind them—more men were coming.
The bus was in sight, the driver waving frantically.
But then—
Ayaan heard footsteps catching up behind them.
Someone was gaining on Safiyo.
She turned just in time to see the third man reaching for Safiyo’s hijab, trying to drag her backward.
Ayaan reacted without thinking—
She grabbed a wooden pole lying nearby—
And swung it with all her strength.
CRACK!
The man collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.
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Freedom at Last
The three girls jumped into the bus, breathless, shaking.
The driver slammed the door shut and stepped on the gas.
As the bus roared to life, Ayaan looked out the window.
The village men were shouting, waving their fists in rage.
But it was too late.
They were gone.
Safiyo buried her face in her hands, sobbing in relief.
Ayaan wrapped an arm around her, whispering.
“Waan kaa balan qaaday inaan kuu imaanayo. Hadda waad xor tahay.”
(I promised I would come for you. Now you are free.)
Misky exhaled, pressing a hand to her heart.
They had done it.
They had escaped.
- Writer
