“ Do you need help baby?!” “ No Mommy. I got this!” I nodded my head as if he could see me. I ran to the bathroom, throwing everything in a bag. Maybe I was exaggerating. Maybe we didn't have to run. My father would never give me up, would he? He wouldn't be that cruel. He would know what they would do to me. He wouldn't throw me to the wolves. I wanted so much to have faith in him but I couldn't risk it, not with my son. I ran out to the room and it was a mess. Clothes were everywhere. None of that mattered. I just packed a few then began pulling each drawer from my dresser. I stopped as my eyes lay on a photo album. Tears burned in my eyes. I took a deep breath and sat on the bed before flipping the cover. Pictures of my barely noticeable belly. Pictures of me in the hospital. Pictures of Rome as a baby. There was no way I was letting them take him. I pushed up and packed the album along with the box carrying his umbilical cord still with the clamp, the pregnancy test and ho
“ Okay, I will be back in two hours. If I am not back in four hours, call me and if I don’t pick you up, wait in a hotel for me.” I said, cupping his face. “ Okay mommy.” “ I love you baby.” “ I love you too mommy.” I kissed his cheek then got back in the car. “ Now go so I can see you.” Rome nodded his head. He got on his skateboard, all strapped in his protective gear. He waved before rolling away until he reached his friend’s house. I watched him take off his gear then walk to knock on the door. The door opened and he was ushered in. I sighed, backing out of our driveway. I had a lot to do. I needed to cover all our tracks. If we just upped and left many would be worried and I didn’t need the whole police department searching for us thinking we went missing. First was Rome’s training center. “ My mom is ill, we need to go say goodbye and I don't think we will come back. My father will be all alone.” I said as Lindani stared at me in horror. “ I am so sorry to hear that Tam
ROME’S P.O.V“ I am so sorry you are leaving. I will come say bye to your mother.”“ We will be leaving as soon as she gets home, Mrs. Majola.” I said, turning and waving. “ Okay. Bye bye sweet Rome.” I waved one last time before jumping on my skateboard. Six houses down and one to go. My eyes ran to our driveways and saw my mother’s car but it wasn’t the only one there. A frown made its way on my face. Who was that? The dark tinted windows made me feel uneasy. I stared at the number plate realizing it was from another province. My stomach twisted into knots. Back and forth I stared between our house and the Dlamini’s house. I did not care for Thembela. I didn't like children. But Angelica. All through my goodbye’s I made sure I put the Dlamini’s last because I wanted to spend more time there. I was the only one in my age group allowed to carry baby Angelica. Angelica loved folding her tiny fingers around my thumb then bringing it to her mouth to suck. I loved Angelica. Sometimes
“ Hey kid, are you the one that requested?” I opened the door and slid in without an answer. “ King Shaka Airport.” I said, pulling out my laptop. My shades hid my eyes. “ White spoiled kids,” The man exasperated before driving off into the road. I had walked a few miles from our house so he wouldn't know which house I was from. I logged into my mom’s account. As practiced before, I booked a plane ticket through her second fake name for an unaccompanied minor. I submitted all the documents needed and waited an hour before I got a response and sent back more documents. The ticket was set for later that evening. I could see the driver stare at me now and again from the review mirror. “Are you okay kid?” My tongue was heavy, it seeming impossible to say a single word. With the ticket ready, I pulled all the addresses I would need. I memorized them until I reached the airport. I waved my card over the counter to pay. “ Okay. Bye kiddo. Eehh, belungu.” I closed the door and w
At first they laughed then they stopped as I glared at them sternly. “I did hear something about Serene a few days ago.” One said, staring back at me. They stared at each other before deciding to call it in. Soon one was holding my bag while the other held my hand. I let it be because my body felt heavy. We scaled up to the gate and as it opened for us, I saw him. The man we had been running away from just a few days ago. The man that brought everything upon us. My grandfather was marching to us with determination. I found myself rooted where I was as I took the sight of him in. My hand was let go as my grandfather neared. His eyes were wide, seeming rattled. He lowered in front of me and soon I found myself buried in his chest. “I knew it was her.” He said before pulling back. He stared behind me then around. “Where is my daughter?” My hands fisted around his shirt tightly. He pulled me further away then stared into my eyes. “Where! Is! My! Daughter?” He spoke slowly, emph
Run!It was the only thing in my head. I dashed through the door, putting a chair under the handle. I opened my large case and took out the photo album. I took my mom’s jewelry box and gadgets, slipping it into her personal bag. I went to the window, staring out. It was a long fall. What would mom do? What would dad do?I stared around until I stared at the bed. Everything was dropped. I could barely see through my emotions. I ripped the sheets then tied them as best as I could while counting the minutes for the guards outside. When the guard patrolling passed, I opened the window and threw out the sheets. The wind had picked up, the sheets blown to the sides. I took my mother’s bag, threw it over my shoulder before I climbed out of the window. I had five minutes before the next guard came around. My body shook, my hand slipping now and again. A yelp was held tightly in my mouth as I bit my tongue hard. I thought the wind would blow me away. My body swung, hitting the wall hard. I
SERENE’S P.O.V.I knew as soon as consciousness gripped me. My chest pushed up and down vigorously, my body sore and cold to the bone. I wanted to cry. I wanted to weep and grieve but the shock had me lying there paralyzed. Shivers ripped through my body and left me shaking uncontrollably. It was when I heard feet shuffle next to me that I shot my eyes open to be assaulted by blinding light coming from the ceiling. I squirmed away, jolting to a sitting position as the pain assaulted me even more. I didn’t dare stare down at my body in fear of what I would see. A man stood not far from me. He wore a black suit, polished, and proper yet you could see the evil and wickedness in his eyes. His smile nearly made me vomit. My chest heaved from the rising bile. Even though the work could be seen, work done on his face, old age was fighting to show it’s ugly head. I shifted further away before I even attempted to stand up. He was tall and bulky. If I wanted to win a fight with him, I had t
ROME’S P.O.V.“You should get some sleep, you look tired.” My head bobbed and snapped me from my sleep. My eyes immediately searched the room and again, there were no changes. I was still in the room with a man I didn’t know, a man I didn’t trust and a man who probably sold me out. My eyes ran to the monitor once again. The crowd had thinned yet some women and men still danced. They held each other and kissed. I wanted to look away but I continued staring, watching for anything out of place. Many hours had passed and soon the sun would rise. What was I waiting for? I should have left. I should have fought my way through. What would have mom done?My mind told me to run yet still, I sat there. ‘Trust your gut when you are in impossible situations.’ Mom would say when we played chess and she would tell me about the world of the mafia and cartels. My eyes ran back to the man who stared back at me. He seemed amused. “You still don’t want food?” My eyes snapped to him then I looked