But we do not know what is to come.

And we cannot trust them to wait to see.

I am afraid, Kofi.

So am I. But fear will not stop us today. Now, stand up, I say, grabbing his arm and lifting him. We must move, now!

Then we creep away

until Two Fish starts sprinting

and we follow,

chasing him

and what looks like

our freedom.

TRAILING

It is only because

his running is clumsy,

his movement stunted,

that I finally notice

Osei appears to be injured.

But there is no sign of pain,

no grimace on his face,

so, while he hobbles along

I keep running.

ESCAPE

After hours of scurrying

through thick bush

over muddy ground

and rocky springs

the Zombie tumbles

holding his ankle

howls loud enough

to scare the owls

to stop our rescuer

in his tracks

and suddenly halt

our escape.

CONVERSATION

You must get up, boy. We have to keep moving.

Can you see his ankle is hurt, sir? It is likely twisted, I say.

Twisted or not, says one of the other boys. We must run before they wake.

I will not be gunned down because of a weak, mute boy, says another.

Maybe Osei is hurt too, I say, glancing at him. I saw you limping back there.

This, he says, walking toward me, both of his feet twisted, and pointed inward. You see, I have bumblefoot since I was a baby. But I am stronger than a bull. Do not worry about me, he says, laughing.

Silence. We will have to carry the boy. You two are sturdy, Two Fish calls, pointing to two tall boys who share the same face. Help me lift him.

We are brothers. I am Sisi, he is Koshi. Tell me, boss, why are you helping us? one of them asks.

I do not care about your names. I only help you because you cannot help yourselves. Ye ko!

Where will we go? I ask.

What were they going to do to us? asks Owu.

You will find out if we do not move faster, he says, handing me his weapon. Hold this, boy.

Are we far away from them?

Not far enough, chale, says Osei. I think I hear noises.

QUICK, LIFT HIM, yells Two Fish. Koshi and Sisi do as they are told, each holding one of the Zombie’s arms, while Two Fish grabs his legs and takes off running. MOVE!

I HEAR SHOUTING

rushing toward us

like a raging tempest

so we pick up our pace

tearing across marsh

while the full moon

bursting with a new hope

leads us

to the familiar sound

of water

to the edge

of a hill

high above

its gentle stream.

TRAPPED

with our backs

to the cliff,

the three vultures

catch us

box us in,

their firesticks raised

and ready

to roar.

Crocodile and Strength point

their weapons at me,

letting me know

if I do not drop Two Fish’s gun