Chapter 2: Invasion

Today was particularly a hard day for me, it was the anniversary of my father's death. It was 2 years ago he passed away and my life has not been the same since then. I was his only child and until his death, he never stopped telling me how much he loved me; and what a joy I was to both he and Paulette, my mother whom I barely remembered. I was very young when she passed but my father never discussed with me whether she was sick or how she died. The one thing though he always made sure that I remembered how much she loved me.

Jonas never got over his wife's death; he buried himself in alcohol, believing that was the only way he could cope with his lost. He was lonely and in pain so drinking was the only way to ease his sorrow. I was always in despair whenever I found Jonas drunk. He was never belligerent towards me or any of his drinking buddies. Instead he would become a completely different person almost like a child missing his mother. Always crying, talking about Paulette, telling stories about how Paulette was the only woman for him. It's been nearly 13 years since her death.

It baffled me after so many years that Jonas couldn't get over her. I tried numerous times to set him up with our neighbor Adeline who was infatuated with Jonas. He was never interested. So I accepted there was never any hope of anyone else replacing my mother in this lifetime.

The sound of crickets screaming, and birds singing, reminded me that I spent too much time at the river. It was not impossible to make my way through the woods. The trees were very close together. Which made it impossible to see the sky. And once the sun sets, it becomes darker than it was and only knowing the area that it was possible for one to find the way home. I've lived in this town all my life and I could make it home with my eyes closed. I was not concerned about finding my way, but Tina was not going to let me hear the end of it.

The sounds of footsteps jolted me back to my surroundings. I was lost in my own thinking, worried about how hungry Tina must be. She was not a nice person and even worst when her stomach was in question. I sensed someone was closely following me but I could not see who it was. As I surveyed the area, I could see a shadowy movement that quickly moved between the trees. I felt eerie and my heart skipped but I was sure it was someone going about their business. After all, it was the main road to the river for anyone living in the village.

I continued my steps and secured my hold on the gourds that I was carrying. I did not stop, even though I could hear the steps behind me getting even closer. My long legs allowed me to take longer strides. So I decided to hurry my pace to confirm my suspicion.

"Who's there?"

I asked. There was complete silence. At that point I had stopped walking to make sure that someone was really following me. I did not imagine the voice that suddenly asked me to stop. I swallowed my saliva uncontrollably. I did not recognize the man's voice. I have never felt so scared in my life and at that moment I wanted my father to come meet me as he always did in the past.

"Who are you? and why are you following me?"

My heart was pounding So hard I was losing control of myself. I wanted to run but my legs gave out under me. I did not hit the ground because the gourds I was carrying supported my fall.

He did not respond to my question. Perhaps it was someone I knew or have seen with Jonas I thought. But for now I couldn't place the voice. I looked around but could not see anything. I sensed that he was close. If not for the darkness I would have been able to see that it was the man who was watching me from the river moments ago. The thought of wanting to see his face distracted me for a second, so I straightened myself up and started walking again.

"Merde....."

I muttered under my breath but loud enough that he heard it when I stepped over a rock I lost my balance and immediately fell to the ground. The sound of gourds crashing and water splashing made me angry. It took me half a day to clean them and now just like that I couldn't even make it home with one.

"Whoever you are F!!ck you."

He knew exactly where I was on the ground. I couldn't even finish my words. I knew I was in serious trouble. What came at that moment was the pain in my jaw. I was slapped so hard that my ear was ringing. He wanted to possess me and this was the only way to have me. I quickly stood still holding the side of my face, not giving him the upper hand. He grabbed me as fast as I stood and forced me back to the ground facing him. I was in a state of shock; I did not understand what was happening. I underestimated him; he was not a simple man. I tried to understand how much dangerous I was in. This situation was not simple and may not end well for me.

All sorts of things crossed my mind. I was born here in this village. Everyone knew me as the fierce little girl of Jonas. No one would dare mess with me because I was a fighter. Jonas always taught me how to defend myself. And it was important to never make it easy for anyone who wants to cause me harm. Why was this happening to me? Clearly this man did not come from my village.

"What are you doing? And who are you?"

I asked, annoyed not really expecting an answer. At this point, I was pinned under him and totally under his control. He laid on top of me as he ripped open my dress. 'What is happening?' I kept asking myself because I was unable to comprehend and face the situation. I was aware that I was being violated, but my mind could not register this very moment I was being invaded.

As we struggled, I then realized that this man was not going to let me get away until he got what he wanted. I tried crawling out from under him, I kneed his groin with all the force I could muster. He slapped me harder this time perhaps responding to the pain I had just given him, causing my bottom lip to bleed. This man was serious. I couldn't help myself. I began to cry while helpless but I was fighting. I screamed for Jonas to save me. I was in a state of reality and confusion, well aware that my father will never come. "He's dead and you are all mine," he finally spoke in a whisper. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I decided I will fight him to the end.

I searched the ground for some sort of help. I didn't know for sure how this was going to end but I was not going down so easy. My hand landed on the stick that was holding the gourds. As if the man had x-ray vision. He sensed my movement and caught my arm when I swung at him. To his surprise, I was strong but not a match for him. I closed my eyes, focusing all my thoughts on how I was going to get away from him.

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