THE STRUGGLES AND SORROWS OF AN AFRICAN GIRL CHILD CHAPTER 5 We stood frozen, our hearts pounding in unison. Father's voice was like a thunderclap, shaking the very foundations of our small hut. I knew we had to think fast, or risk being caught in our own home. "Quickly, let's go!" I whispered, grabbing Nomalanga's hand and pulling her towards the door. Mother followed closely behind, her eyes fixed on Father's angry face. We ran as fast as we could, our feet pounding the dusty earth. The cattle's lowing and the cowbells' clinking grew fainter as we put distance between ourselves and the homestead. But I knew we couldn't outrun Father's wrath for long. We needed a plan, and we needed it fast. "Aunt Thembi's village is a few hours' walk from here," I said, panting with exertion. "If we can make it there, she'll help us." Nomalanga nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "We'll make it, Gugu. We have to." Mother's face was set in a determined expression. "We'll walk through the night, if we have to. We'll get to Aunt Thembi's village, and we'll be safe." As we walked, the darkness seemed to swallow us whole. But we pressed on, driven by our determination to escape. Suddenly, Nomalanga stopped, her head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?" she whispered. I listened, and soon I heard it too - the sound of footsteps, heavy and deliberate, coming from behind us. "Father," I whispered, my heart sinking. The footsteps grew louder, and I knew we were running out of time. Father's anger and determination were palpable, and I could feel his presence closing in around us like a suffocating shroud. "Gugu, stop!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the night air like a crack of thunder. "You can't escape me!" I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart sank like a stone in water. Father was gaining on us, his face twisted in a snarl, his eyes blazing with fury. Mother and Nomalanga were tiring, their breathing labored, their footsteps slowing. "Keep running!" I urged them, but it was no use. Father was too fast, too strong. As we ran, the trees seemed to blur together, their branches like skeletal fingers reaching out to snatch us. The moon cast eerie shadows on the ground, making it seem like we were being chased by demons. I could feel Father's hot breath on my neck, his grip closing in around me like a vice. Suddenly, Father caught up to us, his hand wrapping around my arm like a snake coiling around its prey. "You thought you could escape me?" he spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "You thought you could defy me?" Mother and Nomalanga cowered behind me, fear in their eyes, their faces pale and drawn. I stood tall, trying to face Father's wrath, but I knew I was no match for him. My heart was racing, my mind numb with fear. "Come back to the homestead," Father growled, dragging me back towards the village. "You'll do as you're told, and you'll marry Mr. Dlamini." I struggled against his grip, but it was no use. We were forced to walk back to the homestead, our hearts heavy with defeat. As we approached the village, I saw Mr. Dlamini's smug face waiting for us, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Welcome back, my dear," Mr. Dlamini said, his voice dripping with malice. "I'm glad you're back. We'll finalize the arrangements tomorrow." I felt a wave of despair wash over me, like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. Had we escaped only to be caught again? Would we ever be free? As we walked, the silence was oppressive, the only sound the crunch of gravel beneath our feet. I could feel Mother's eyes on me, pleading for me to do something, anything. But what could I do? Father's grip was like a vice, and Mr. Dlamini's presence was like a dark shadow looming over us. When we reached the homestead, Father pushed me towards the hut, his eyes blazing with anger. "Get inside," he growled. "You'll stay there until tomorrow." I stumbled into the hut, my heart heavy with despair. Mother and Nomalanga followed, their faces etched with worry. We sat in silence, the darkness closing in around us like a shroud.