TRADITION
Episode 3
I quickly dropped my phone on the bed and started packing my things, deeply I knew escaping was the only way out, although my instincts kept telling me something terrible would happen, but I had to do something instead of waiting for them to bury me with my late husband in less than few hours.
I was done packing, and a call came into my phone, it was my elder brother so I picked up immediately.
“Hello Grace, we are in your husband’s village but we are not allowed to enter, where are you?” My brother said
“Shebi I told you this thing is a bad idea, they will not allow you to enter especially when they know we are related, besides how many people are you with?” I asked
“I came with Samson our brother, he insisted on coming to save you as well, so I decided to let him come, he will be of help if need be”
“I am really scared brother, I am thinking of going to beg them to spare me, yes I know it sounds dumb but that is the only option, this escape of a thing will not work out for us”
“Thank God you know your suggestion is dumb, do you really think they will let you go especially if it is their tradition?”
“So what should I do now?” I asked
“Just let go of all your properties and clothes, you can get more when we get out of here alive”
“Where are you exactly?”
“Since they didn’t let us enter, I reversed back and pretended I was going, I parked the car at the main road, we are currently in this bush track close to the village stream, you can pretend like you want to fetch water then you come from there”
“That is not even possible at all, you should see the way they are monitoring me, I can’t even make a move without being followed”
“Just look for a way to meet me in this bush track, stop being negative, be positive and this escape will be successful”
“Okay bro, I will be there soon”
I ended the call and sighed heavily, this won’t be easy, if we are caught, I won’t be the only one in trouble but my two brothers as well
I dropped everything I packed then headed outside, the women were busy preparing for the vigil night, they were cooking, chatting and laughing, they didn’t even notice my presence, I used that opportunity to walk casually to the backyard.
I found a sit at the backyard and sat for a while Incase someone was monitoring me so the person would think I only went there to rest.
After few minutes of sitting and making sure someone was not there, I ran into the thick bush purposely leaving the track they cleared for passersby.
I ran through the bush as if my life depended on it, I was panting and looking back every seconds to make sure someone was not following me, I finally got to where my Brothers were squatting and we all hugged each other.
We separated almost immediately we hugged and ran into the bush, we stopped after few minutes of running, I was tired and exhausted so they allowed me rest for a while.
“Aunty Grace I missed you so much, I can’t believe those people want to take you away from us” my Junior brother complained
“I missed you too, this is all my fault, I should have asked more about his culture before getting married to him, I am sorry”I apologized
“This is not the time for this, we should focus more on getting to the tare road before they notice your absence, if we can get to where I parked my car then there will be nothing to worry about.” My elder brother replied
Immediately he finished his statement, an arrow from nowhere pierced his neck and thick blood rushed out immediately, my junior brother and I screamed in horror, I saw my elder brother fall to the ground with a thud with his eyes closed forever.
