Moremi's Escape 1

Chapter One

Baderin hopped across the crocodile-infested river, landing precisely on the safe zone she had marked on the ground. A triumphant smile spread across her face as she settled onto the earth, watching her tall, darker-skinned friend, Moyo, make her attempt. Moyo moved quickly over the marked regions, keeping pace with the wind. But as she neared the final stretch, her momentum faltered.

"Nooo! Your second leg must not touch the ground!" Baderin shouted, reminding her wobbling friend of the rules. "If your second leg lands, I take the victory!"

Moyo steadied herself at the last moment, before making the final leap. Whoosh. The wind whistled as she crashed just outside the marked zone. Baderin shot to her feet, throwing her arms up in celebration. "You should know by now that I'm the longest jumper in this village!" she jeered, poking Moyo's belly.

"That was close! I'm getting better. I'll beat you next time," Moyo responded, pulling herself up from the ground.

"Well, let's go again!" Baderin challenged, waving her hands in front of Moyo’s face.

"It’s late," Moyo replied. "The sun is setting, and you know it's not safe after dark. We should head home before it fully sets."

Baderin knew what Moyo meant. Just three years ago, kidnapping raids plagued the village so frequently that the king had imposed an evening curfew. It finally stopped—abruptly—after Princess Moremi was taken.

"Okay," Baderin sighed.

"My dad says they hide beneath palm fronds, making them unpredictable," Moyo muttered, retying her loose blouse.

"Well, my sister believes they are the gods' punishment when we fail to honor them," Baderin countered.

Moyo paused. "Wait… Baderin, didn’t your sister send you to fetch maize for dinner tonight?"

"Oh no—mine! I forgot!" Baderin grabbed her basket, bolting toward the farm.

"Hey, be quick and get home. I’ll stop by tomorrow!" Moyo shouted after her.

                                                                                                 ….

The family farm was only a few miles from her home and Baderin worked swiftly, plucking maize and storing them in the big cloth bag, her sister had given her, she knew how much effort her Desola had put into preparing dinner—especially since her father and brother were returning from their travels today. So she was halfway done when she heard footsteps. The maize stalks rustled, parting. Something was moving through them. She froze.

It could be the bush rats her father often complained about, in fact she pray it was. but something about the way it advanced shook her. This wasn’t scurrying away, No, It was coming toward her, like a hunter stalking his prey. Her breath tightened as the revelation kicked in, The masquerades had returned.

She gripped one of the small stick her father had used to prop up a falling plant and steadied herself until she saw him. a tall figure shrouded in palm fronds. His face was hidden, but that didn't matter as Instinct kicked in. She lunged, aiming at any part of him she could strike But he was quick—he caught her mid air, putting some space between them but that didn't matter, without any hesitation, She drove the sharper end of the stick into his uniform. He crumpled, groaning in pain.

She took off. Her feet flew over the field. Her heart pounded, breath hitching, muscles burning. The town was close—the lights flickered in the distance like beacons calling her home. She was going to make it. Then—

Another shadow rose in her path. Taller. Broader. She pivoted, trying to dribble away from his reach, but he guessed right and  swung his club hard. It struck her chest with a sickening crack. The force sent her crashing onto the earth. Her mouth opened to scream. Nothing came. Pain consumed her. Her vision blurred. The towering figure stood over her, his silhouette swallowing the dim glow of the moon. His foot slammed into her side.

Everything went black.