Run Away With Her

Part 3

I woke up to the fluttering sound of whispers and giggles. There was also some cranky comments and instantly I could tell they were about me. I could feel the soft bed beneath me, something I had become a stranger to. I rolled over to lie on my tummy so I could hear.

"What are you going to do with her?"

"Where did you even find her?"

"What if she is a criminal?"

"Why did she have a gun?"

"I don't know, but I couldn't abandon her. Besides, look at her. She's innocent."

I slowly opened my eyes, studied my surroundings, before springing up from the bed. I looked at the people who's attention I had caught and I started breathing heavily.

"Easy, easy. Don't be hard on yourself. Are you okay?" a boy asked.

I didn't know how I should answer that. I didn't even think I wanted to talk to these people. I sat there. His voice was soft. He seemed really concerned.

I nodded. And looked around for the gun. A girl lifted it up and I then relaxed. I didn't care if that man had tried to look for me. At least I was prepared. I let out sigh.

"Thank you for letting me in, but I should get going." I whispered.

The boy came closer to me and comforted me with his words,

"You don't have to go.  You can stay."

I wish I could, really.

"I can't."

I pushed him away and watched as his face that lit up, didn't anymore. I couldn't take away his happiness. I didn't even know him, but I knew he didn't deserve that.

"I'd just like to shower, borrow a few clothes maybe and some money. Then I promise I'll be on my way."

"Sure," he paused. I believe he was expecting me to insert my name, but I kept quiet too.

"I'm Motheo," he continued.

Now, it's not that I didn't want to reveal my name. I just couldn't. I didn't know if I should go with Thembelihle because that's the name I remember, or to come up with a new name because I'm beginning a new life, Starret maybe. It sounded good enough to do the job.

But I was in love with my original name, Thembelihle. But I didn't want to hold on to the past.

"Unathi," I responded to the indirect request for my name.

"I like it,"

I gave him a crooked smile. I had decided to use the first name that came out my mouth. And although I hadn't been thinking about it. That was Unathi. So, my name is Unathi.

"How old are you?" A girl questioned. 

"Freya!" Motheo snapped.

"What?"

"I can't remember," I said honestly.

Motheo looked at me. He tilted his head and flashed his eyes to my hands. I looked down at them and realized they were bruised and bloody. The aftermath of my battle with my demons. I really wasn't up to answer any more questions. I just wanted-needed to go, to leave. I didn't even know if I could trust these people.

Freya pointed in a certain direction and whispered,

"Showers that way,"

I felt my smile disappear when I got up to walk away.

A pain pierced into my rib and I bent over. I clenched my teeth together and held on to the piece of cloth left on my body. I didn't realize it but much of my clothes were torn off. Motheo came and lent over too. He tried to pick me up, but I screamed because he was just increasing the intensity of the pain. I was sweating now, but managed to whimper out.

"I'm okay, I got it."

Motheo refused tobelieve me but Freya stepped back. Then another boy, who had just been standingin the back ground came forth and with Motheo's aid, they lifted me. One oneach side of me, they helped me get to the shower. They let me open the doorand get inside, I looked at them and smiled. Motheo smiled back. The other boy,just glared away.