“Black bitch is in there with the kaffirtjie.”

“Good. That’s even better. She can hold it so I don’t have to touch it. We can take them both.”

They bang on the door again and now Mandla is screaming. Jezebel barks furiously, spit flying from her muzzle. Zodwa backs away to the farthest corner of the room. She’s clutching Mandla so tightly to her chest that he cries out even louder. She tries to loosen her grip, scared that she’s hurting him.

They’re kicking the door, saying something she can’t hear, and then it goes quiet. She hears receding footsteps and barely has time to wonder if they’re leaving before she hears them coming back.

“Found the firewood ax.”

There’s a grunt and then the door splinters, wood chips flying everywhere. Jezebel yelps and shrinks away from the debris. Another thwack. There’s now a gaping hole in the door through which torchlight shines. An arm reaches in and grapples with the lock until the door crashes open.

Zodwa turns to face the wall, putting her body between Mandla and the men. A hand grabs her and begins to tug at her but she resists. There’s a snarl and then the man swears, letting go of Zodwa as he kicks out at Jezebel, who’s bitten him. It’s a temporary reprieve and then he’s on her again, his arm wrapped around Zodwa’s neck as he pulls at her from behind.

“Come, you stupid kaffir bitch.”

He yanks so hard that Zodwa topples backward. His bicep is tight around her throat and she can’t breathe. Still, she won’t let go of Mandla. She cradles him against her chest to stop him from falling as his terrified screams cut through the night. From her vantage point near the floor, Zodwa can see a pair of legs that Jezebel is lunging at. They lash out at the dog, connecting with her ribs, and she yelps in pain.

Zodwa’s vision closes in. The room is getting completely dark. She fights for consciousness, trying to scramble back onto her feet. As she writhes, Zodwa thinks she sees a set of legs and then another running toward the room. They’re wearing blue pants and leather boots, and she can hear shouts accompanying their advance.

“Let go of her and put your hands up!”

When her head hits the ground, all Zodwa knows is that Mandla is still in her arms. They didn’t take her son from her. He’s safe. Mandla is safe.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

Ruth

7 January 1996

Verdriet, Magaliesburg, South Africa

Light begins to seep through the curtains just as Mandla and Zodwa fall asleep curled up together in my room. There’s an empty space at the foot of the bed where Jezebel should be. She’s being kept for observation at the emergency vet but they say she should make a full recovery, thank God.