Chapter 6

The sun was about to rise as the two girls started on with the path through the clearing. They walked on, stepping on the dry grass and passed through some ruins which were located some few meters away from where they had spent the night.

"Adanna look at that, there is a village over there," Alyssa exclaimed pointing at it. Adanna looked at the houses below the hill they stood on.

They had finally arrived at some place with people. Trouble had to wait, they were too tired with dealing with anything at the time.

Going towards it, the two came across a slim black cow, which had its ribs threatening to pop from its skin. It walked really slowly maybe because it had no energy to walk fast enough. Looking at it as it went over to the fields. Which were also not very promising.

The land had few farmers as they dug and some sow seeds on the dry soils which were too clear with no humus. The two wondered if anything was going to grow from it.

The fields were very small and the people were squashed as each tried to mind his or her business. Greeting some light skinned woman who was at the edge of the unfenced piece of land, the two asked to see the chief.

The two were directed to the village which was small enough for less than twenty families to live in.

It looked old, as some building were a little slanted. Some cracked and some sheltering termites. The small houses were a little bit squashed except one which was some few meters away from the other homes.

As they walked towards that house, they would look around observing every tiny detail of the village. To their surprise, they never came across any child or anyone of their age.

Arriving at the village head's homestead the two were welcomed with a cup of water as his wife left to make some food. "Ladies how can we help you. As you have seen this village isn't much compared to other villages nearby."

They had seen it with their own eyes, that the village was at crisis and it wasn't surprising if they were told people were dying. The head explained everything happening in the village, the drought which had been there for decades now, the shortage of water and that the people no longer needed to bear any kids for the resources couldn't cater for too many people.

He didn't go deeper as he would here and there stare at the room behind him. The two girls followed his gaze trying to see what was behind him but they didn't see anything other than a white cloth that was hanging on the door frame.

After all that the two explained their journey and asked to spend some few days at the village and promised to leave very soon.

The village head's wife came back and offered them some porridge which was at the base of the bowl and it was watery and warm. It took only five swoops to finish it and the two were guided to one of the house far from the village head's. They had been curious as to why they were led to the head instead of the chief.

As they moved they realised that most of the houses were empty but there was proof that someone had lived in them.

"This village is suffering." Alyssa grieved as she told the other who was sweeping the dusty floor. "And I hate that we can't do anything about it," she continued washing the claypots. She would cup the little water she had used to wash each plate.

"I know it seems as if we lived in some kind of dream. Look at everything here." Alyssa commented as she finished washing the dishes and started a fire just outside the room. Taking one of the clay pot she filled it with some water before putting it on the fire place.

After doing all the house chores the two went on a stroll as they visited each part of the village. They wandered to the kraals and the well which was almost drying up. Observing every person as they worked non-stop to support themselves. Their light skins were now stained by the Sun's heat. Their hair tired into a knot. Some had blond, some had white and some black.

It was a first time for these two to meet people different from their skin colour and curly hair. Mesmerized by each person's uniqueness they continued on to visit the little forest not going anywhere further after all they had ran away from 'him'.

"Everyone look we have been graced with the goddesses," they turned to look at one man who was wearing a tattered short and a grey t-shirt which was once white but was now somewhat cream. He was tanned and had disheveled blue hair and green eyes. He was a little tall and some how good looking.

After hearing the call the people gathered around the two as they started murmuring to themselves some inspecting the two, commenting on their chocolate skins. Some patting their curly hair. They talked with respect as if they were worshiping the two.

Surprised and dumbfounded the two ran from the crowd and returned to their house. Covering the door frame with a red cloth as they hid within the tiny room. It had some blankets folded at one corner. Some dishes at the other. There wasn't much it was close to being an empty room.

Alyssa and her friend cooked some little grains they had been given by the head. Eating it with some water they washed the dishes and sat on the floor.

When it was evening the two lit up the lamp and conversed going deep into the core if their experience this very day. "Do you think we are dreaming," Alyssa asked.

"What a stupid question?" Adanna chirped in as she lightly pinched her. Alyssa flinched, "See you can feel the pain."

It wasn't really an everyday thing to witness all that.

Spreading the mat and gathering their blankets the two turned off the oil lamp and closed their eyes as sleep came, letting go of every worry or doubt in the world.