*** Adaku...

1817, 

West Africa.

"Adaku!" 

Panting, I lean against a tree, trying to catch my breath. I have to be quiet. Glancing around the darkness, I try to figure out where the footsteps were coming from. 

"You know how this works, Adaku! Come out and serve your punishment!" Ikenga's voice rings through the forest, the very voice that had guarded me...that I grew up to.

Wiping the sweat from my eyes, I break into a run deeper into the thickness of the trees, wincing at my noicy heavy footed steps. The ground is wet, water still lightly drizzled from the leaves as I shoved them out of the way. I can hear the whooping of the King's guardsmen draw close. Running as an option would soon give out my position.

Fortunately, I find a hurdle of plants and dirt. Holding onto my belly, I crawl into the bush, laying on my back. Trembling, I forcefully try to stifle my breathing. Rocks and sticks prick my bare back, arms and legs. I'm so uncomfortable in my state, I could cry. But only Amadi knows it would be much worse if I'm found. So I force down the lump in my throat, holding onto my belly and praying to Amadi to see me through this night.

Thick footsteps draw close and stop, dangerously close. I completely sieze breathing. They remain for so long a while, I'm afraid I'd pass out. At least that would save them the trouble... pleasure of executing me themselves.

"Adaku!" Ikenga barked, enraged. "You are personally familiar with the law of the land, why are you going against it when you know the consequences?!" I swallow, trembling as I drag a long thin breath. 

"Ikenga," one says, "let us leave her. Everyone knows this forest is cursed, if the spirits don't get her tonight, we do so when she comes back into the village for food" 

"I think he's right, Ikenga, she can't live in here forever. When she comes back into the village, we would have head" Another says. Defeated, the others murmur their agreement.

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"Alright, then." Ikenga finally says looking around with ferociously eyes wide open, "Let us inform the King." I wait till their steps grow distant. I let out a large breath, panting as I try to recover. I rub a shaky dirt smudged hand over my belly, waiting for my strength to return.

"A-anyam, my child, ple-" a quick breath escapes me, hot tears rolling down the sides of my face. "Please, stay with me...do...do not leave me. You're all I have-please." I begin to wipe my face when it kicks.

I pause, wondering if I had been mistaken when it comes again. Still crying, I begin to laugh. It could as well be nothing but the baby showing discomfort. But somehow  it comforted me. 

"Bless you, Amadi." I breathe as I force myself back onto my feet. I need to find shelter for the night. So praying beneath my breath, I start through the trees. 

I have walked at least a mile, naked, cold, tired and just as I feel my legs would give way beneath me, I catch the sight of light, just a hint at least. Approaching, I realize it's coming from a hut. It's slightly bigger than most regular huts I've seen, an oil lamp glowing softly within. Glancing around, I go closer.

"Hello?" I call from the entrance, a woven mat sways in the doorway. "Please, I know I seem strange but I'm cold, hurt and I need help." After a while of nothing, I push the mat aside to look in. "Hello, is anyone here?" 

Looking around,the first thing I find is pile of folded wrappers against the wall. Without thinking, I rush into the hut, picking one up to wrap around myself, securing it under my armpit. Then I look around the room, finding the bowl of egusi soup and goat meat set out on a mat. It's still hot. Overcome by hunger, I grab the bowl and rush out, eating it despite the hotness.

Even as I rushed back into the trees, I felt horrible, this is wrong, theft. Whoever this person was, I stole a cloth then took probably the only meal they've had today. But I couldn't help it.

I walk for what feels like a mile, dropping the bowl by a stream I come by. After a few hours, as the sun begins to rise, my knees begin to buckle and my eyes can barely stay open, I find myself shuffling to a halt before the mud hut. I don't know if I'm sleeping or if it's real but there it was, the hut I had stolen food and clothing from.

Carrying my belly, I shuffle into the hut, almost bursting into tears when I find a set out meal of egusi, pounded yam and a bowl of water. Staggering, I walk to fall onto the mat, grabbing the bowl of water, spilling everywhere as I drink.

Lowering it, I notice a shadow suddenly cast against the hung mat, an old woman's shape on the outside. I halt completely, watching her bend over to shift the mat aside. A smile spreads across her weathered marked face.

"Good...I was starting to think they wouldn't bring you back safely. I'm Adinna."