CHAPTER 30

“Don’t you dare leave me, you hear me?” Ikedi’s panting breath resounded on the surface of the rocks. His strong arms were around Ada’s stomach, hoping to make the girl spill out the salty liquid. “Come on sunshine,” he grieved, “You can’t die here, you’ve faced worst things and survived. Mmili bu ndu (water is life), it can’t kill you. Mba nu (no). It can’t.”

The night was quiet, save for the struggling breath of Ikedi. Chira cloaked her body with a blanket made from a wolf’s hide. She sat beside Dike, just close to the tongue of fire that danced weakly on the dried woods. Hot tears were streaming down her cheeks. The looks on her face spelled out all that was in her mind. She obviously could not believe that Ada had jeopardized her life to save her.

“Come on,” Ikedi screamed and gave one more pull. Ada coughed, making him loosen his grip. He placed her gently on the grass bed and watched the light of life returning to her eyes.