How She Escaped From Boko Haram Pt. 2

Episode 2: The Night of Shadows

The roar of the engines shattered the night. Amina’s bare feet slapped against the earth as she ran toward the grain store—a small room of plastered cement blocks at the back of the compound—Yusuf’s hand slick with sweat in hers. The air was thick with dust and the smell of exhaust.

“Hide!” Baba’s voice came from somewhere behind them. Amina pushed open the heavy door. Inside, she pulled Yusuf down behind a large sack of sorghum, pressing her back against the cool wall. Outside, chaos unfolded. Headlights swept across the compound. A woman screamed somewhere down the path.

“Shh, little one,” Amina whispered, pressing her palm over Yusuf’s mouth. One bike stopped just outside the wall. She heard boots crunch on the dry ground. A shadow fell across the door. Amina’s heart hammered. The door creaked open a crack, and a flashlight beam sliced inside. It passed over them once, twice. The man muttered something and retreated.

Amina dared to peek through a gap. She saw figures running—shadows in the moonlight. One motorcycle lay on its side near the mosque, its headlight still glowing faintly. Inna’s voice cut through the night, frantic: “Amina! Yusuf!”. Amina wanted to answer, but she remembered Baba’s warning to stay hidden.

Time stretched strangely. Then footsteps again—closer, deliberate. A man’s voice, rough: “Anyone in there? Come out, small one”. The flashlight swept in again and caught the edge of her wrapper.

“There!”. A hand reached in. Amina shoved Yusuf behind her and scrambled sideways. She burst out through a small gap in the back wall, dragging Yusuf with her into the thicker bush. Behind them, the man cursed. Amina ran without thinking, the night swallowing them as they pushed deeper into the thorns.

A low branch caught her foot, and she stumbled hard. Before she could pull Yusuf up, the sound of boots crashing through the undergrowth reached them. Amina pulled her brother flat, her hand clamped over his mouth. A beam of light swept through the bushes just ahead.

“Come out, little ones,” the voice called. The man was only a few paces away. The beam swept lower… closer… brushing the edge of the thorn clump that shielded them. Amina held her breath until her lungs screamed. Then the light paused directly on the leaves in front of her face. A heavy boot crunched down just inches from her hand. They had been found.

Disclaimer: The characters and this story are purely fictional