Roaa

She still could not go to sleep. She remembered what the women were talking about at the market place. A neighboring village was attacked by the rebel troops. They were on a killing spree lately. There were too many men joining the rebel troops. Those who opted not to fight were killed and their wives, sisters, mothers and daughters taken as war trophies. Roaa lay on her mat begging for sleep to take over, but deep down hoping and praying she does not wake up to see the next day.

The rebel attacks were becoming more rampant. Roaa remembered when the tribes decided to put down the guns and discuss peace. For a short while, there had been some semblance of sanity. Children went to school safely without fear of being ambushed on the way. Women went to the bordering markets joyously without worry. People started businesses thanks to the stability. There was also talk of free and fair elections, democracy. The men started gathering, discussing politics and important matters of the state.

Roaa remembered her father and her eyes welled with tears. He was a tall, dear man. Strong and towering above many. He was a great advocate of peace. He had seen many years of war and now he was hopeful of peace. She also remembered the day he went for the peace talks. How happy and elated he had been that the villagers had chosen him to represent them in parliament. This was before the elections. He left home early, but never came back. No one really knows what happened. He was to be gone for a week, but it had been months since she last saw him. She knew he would not be coming back. The peace talks did not happen. The war was back and it was worse. Children were stolen. Girls; raped and married off. Sons were turned into soldiers and told to kill their families as a show of loyalty. Her village had managed to survive the war thus far, but how much longer.

Roaa knew that their peace was short lived and soon, her village would be next. She would not wait; could not wait. She rose and started packing a few things. She had to run away now. It was a risk she had to take. She took a knife. It would not do much to defend her against rebels should they attack. However, if need be, she would take her own life. It was the easy way out if the rebels cornered her. The clock struck midnight and she heard a scream from her neighbors hut. She froze with fear. It was too late to run away.