AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, we had better get going if we’re going to make it before dark,” Ndungu said. “You ladies ready?”
“We’re ready,” I answered for us. “Just get us to safety. Please.”
“We’re almost there,” he said. “Follow me.”
We walked the last fifteen minutes until we saw smoke billowing up ahead. As we got closer, my steps slowed. A small camp with huts made of natural sticks and materials came into sight, and the closer we got, the more stunned I became.
A group of people from the tribe came walking out in a line.
“You certain these aren’t cannibals?” Marge whispered to Ndungu. “Do I need to get my Swiss Army knife ready?”
“They are friends,” he said, then he called something to them in their native language. The stoic looks on their faces broke as they greeted us with big smiles. “See. Friends. Not cannibals.”
“Wow,” Marge whispered. “They look exactly like the tribes I’ve seen in the documentaries.”
“Incredible,” Sylvie agreed as we moved closer to the people in traditional tribal clothing, with paint streaked across their skin, and bone jewelry piercing parts of their body.
“They are welcoming us in,” Ndungu said. “Just follow me, and we’ll be safe for the night.”
“How do we greet them?” Doris asked. “I don’t want to offend anyone.”
“A smile,” Ndungu said with a grin. “It’s the universal language of friendship.”
We all stretched our faces into smiles as we entered the village, the people all grinning back at us while we filed by. Ndungu spoke in their native language, and I assumed he was explaining our plight. Soon after he finished talking with several men from the tribe, a group of small children came running up, their laughter and cheers contagious as they took us by the hands, pulling us excitedly behind them.
I glanced at Ndungu, who smiled. “Follow them! They’ll take you to your room for the night!”
A whirlwind of excitement and nerves swirled inside me as we followed the children to where we would stay for the night.
“Tell me this isn’t cool,” Marge whispered.
I didn’t want to admit it, but finally, I whispered back, “Okay. It’s kinda cool.”
With a big grin she slung her arm around my shoulder, and the four of us followed the children to our own little hut we’d call home for the night.
CHAPTER TEN
