-29-
You’re too tired to bother climbing up a tree or sleeping in some dirty
log, you think. The ground is soft and you fall right asleep.
About midnight you wake up and hear footsteps in the wood. You recognize
Aures voices. You’re frozen in fright then jump into action. You put Mimi
into the log and cover the entrance with leaves. Then you hide behind a
tree trying to will them away as their voices get louder and louder. You
don’t breath as the Aures warriors pass right by your tree. You think you’re
safe when you are suddenly tackled from behind. You reach for your dagger
but then something solid hits your head and you black out.
When you come to, you find yourself in a small, strange-looking hut.
Your hands are tied together and you are lying on a hard mat on the floor.
You hear voices outside and strain to hear what they’re saying.
“...Should be awake by now,” you hear and the animal skin that covers
the doorway is pulled aside. You gasp at what you see. Two Aures warriors
stand over you. One of the warriors grabs your arm and yanks you to your
feet. They lead you outside where you can see many other Nemes people like
yourself. Most are sitting inside a fenced-in area, guarded by Aures.
You are led to one of the biggest huts. You are trembling with fright
on the inside but you remain calm and unshaken on the outside. You are
shoved inside where you lose your balance and fall on the ground. You struggle
to get up but your hands are tied. Finally, one of the Aures roughly helps
you to your feet.
The chief then begins to question you. He asks your name and about
your family and your tribe. You don’t want to tell him anything but are afraid
of what might happen to you if you don’t.
Do you answer the chief’s questions? -30-
Or do you refuse to say anything? -31-