As Akur returned to the manyatta, she closed the door softly behind her. She slid down to the floor, her back pressed against the door, the wooden bowl with the butter clattering to the side. Her hands trembled, her breathing shallow and rapid as she struggled to contain the maelstrom of emotions raging within her. Her knees were drawn to her chest, and her head rested against the door, her body slumped in utter desolation.
Akur, who had been sleeping on her mat with her back to the door, stirred. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, blinking away the remnants of sleep. She noticed the wooden bowl still full of butter lying on its side. Her gaze then shifted to her sister's face, concern etching itself into her features.
"What's wrong?" Aluel asked, her voice laced with concern.
Akur's eyes welled up, her mouth slightly ajar, as she tried to form words. Her breathing was erratic, each breath a struggle against the sobs threatening to break free. "Nothing," she finally replied, her voice a mere whisper.
Aluel narrowed her eyes, suspicion etched into her young features. Akur got up, intending to distract herself by making toffee at the induction cooker. Aluel stood up, her frown deepening, and approached her sister. "You're lying," she stated firmly.
Akur didn’t answer, her focus on turning on the induction cooker as she placed the pot on it. Aluel grabbed her elbow, yanking her away from the task.
"Aluel!" Akur shouted.
"Stop lying to me!" Aluel demanded, her voice rising.
Akur grimaced, "Argh! You’re so annoying!" she shouted back.
"Tell me what's wrong!" Aluel demanded again, her voice growing more insistent.
"Nothing's wrong, Aluel!" Akur replied, her voice breaking as she turned back to the induction cooker.
Aluel's frown deepened, and she began punching and slapping her sister on the back. Akur, irritated by her sister's blows, spun back around and tried to catch Aluel’s hands. A frenzied battle of limbs ensued as Akur tried to stop the onslaught. "Stop it, Aluel!" Akur demanded, her patience fraying.
"Stop lying to me!" Aluel demanded again.
Akur grabbed Aluel’s hands, pressing them together in a vice-like grip. Aluel started screaming and writhing attempting to pull away. "Let go of me!" she screamed.
"Stop it, Aluel!" Akur shouted.
"LET GO!" Aluel screamed back.
Finally, with one last effort, Aluel managed to free one of her hands and landed a slap on Akur's cheek. The blow stung, but it was enough to momentarily stun Akur. She released her grip, and Aluel took the opportunity to put some distance between her and her sister.
Both sisters stood there, breathing heavily, their faces flushed with emotion. The room filled with the sound of their ragged breaths; Aluel settled down a little but remained tense. Akur's chest heaved as she tried to regain her composure, her eyes never leaving her sister.
"You wanna know so bad?" Akur said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Dad's dead," Akur said, almost more to herself than to her sister.
Aluel’s face was a mask of shock and disbelief. The anger and frustration melted away, her eyes widened, her lips quivering, as her sister's words sank in.
Akur's tears flowed. She wiped them away, letting out a deep breath before placing her hands akimbo and staring off into space. Aluel's expression shifted from disbelief to rage. "You're lying," she accused, her voice a mere whisper.
Akur wiped away more tears, trying to steady her breathing each exhale a tremor that rippled through her body. "You’re lying," Aluel shouted, her voice a mixture of desperation and disbelief and charged at her sister once more, spearing her into the wall. The impact was jarring, and Akur felt the rough texture of the mud wall scrape against her back. Rage flashed across Akur's face Akur pushed Aluel to the floor, clambering on top of her, trying to gain control of the situation. The frenzied battle of limbs continued, Akur trying to pin Aluel down, while Aluel writhed and screamed beneath her.
Akur's hands gripped Aluel's wrists tightly, pinning them to the floor. She used her weight to press down on her younger sister, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Stop it, Aluel!" she demanded, her voice strained.
Aluel writhed beneath her, her legs kicking out wildly, trying to dislodge Akur. Her eyes were wide with a mix of anger and fear, her face flushed with exertion. She screamed a high-pitched sound that echoed through the small space. "You're lying!" she shouted again, tears streaming down her face.
Akur's grip tightened; her knuckles white with the effort. She tried to remain composed, but the storm of emotions was too much to contain. "Stop lying to me!" Aluel demanded, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief.
The two sisters continued their desperate struggle, their movements becoming more frantic and less coordinated. Akur's hair fell in disarray around her face, her eyes locked onto Aluel's with a mixture of frustration and sorrow. She tried to speak, to say something that would calm her sister, but the words stuck in her throat.
Aluel's resistance began to wane, her strength ebbing as exhaustion set in. Her screams turned to sobs, and she continued to struggle weakly against Akur's hold. "Let go of me!" she pleaded; her voice hoarse.
"Stop it, Aluel!" Akur shouted again, her voice breaking. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, and she felt herself on the brink of tears once more.
There was a loud banging at the door, and both sisters' heads swiveled to look at it, their breathing heavy and their faces flushed with emotion. The sudden noise cut through the tension, and both sisters' heads swiveled to look at it, their expressions a mix of surprise and apprehension. It came again echoing through the small space.
“Open Up!” came the order.
Akur and Aluel wiped their tears away. Akur moved towards the door, her hands shaking as she reached for the latch. She hesitated, taking a deep breath before pulling it open. The door flung open with a jarring force. A guard stormed in, his face hardened and indifferent followed quickly by a second guard.
“Hey! Stop!” Akur’s voice was a strained shout as she lunged toward the guards. “You can’t just—”
The second guard grunted, barely glancing at her as he pushed her aside. They immediately began tossing their belongings out onto the dirt outside, each item hitting the ground with a harsh, jarring sound.
“Hey—” Akur shouted, but her words were swallowed by the chaotic noise of their belongings scattering across the yard.
The camp leader stepped in behind them, his eyes locked onto hers with icy resolve. “Are you Akur Atem, daughter of Deng Atem?” His voice was devoid of empathy, a mere formality.
“Yes!” Akur shouted back, turning abruptly from the guards. “Yes, that’s me. You need to—”
“Rules are rules,” the camp leader cut her off, his tone clipped and final. “You owe for a week’s lodging. We’re here to enforce payment.”
Akur’s eyes darted back to the guards, who continued their methodical work, their movements almost mechanical, tossing their few remaining possessions outside. The realization dawned on her. “Please, just wait a moment!” she cried, turning her desperate gaze back to the camp leader. “I can get the money. Just give us a bit more time—”
The camp leader’s face remained impassive. “Rules are rules. The debt’s overdue. No exceptions.”
Aluel, standing behind Akur, was clutching her sister’s elbow, her face wet with tears. She clung to Akur, as she continued her futile plea, her voice trembling. “Sir, please, we can call my aunt and boyfriend. They’ll help us. Just a little time—”
“I’m not here to negotiate.” The camp leader responded nonchalantly.
“Walahi, walahi, please!” Akur’s voice broke, her hand reaching out as if she could physically stop the guards. “You don’t understand, we’re not trying to—”
“Stop! Stop!” Akur shouted, rushing forward to grab at their arms.
The guards ignored her, continuing their ruthless work. Akur’s frustration mounted as she turned back to the camp leader, her voice rising. “We’ll get the money, I swear. Please, just give us a chance—”
“Sitaki kusikia!” the camp leader barked, his patience wearing thin. “Deal with your belongings and get out.”
Akur turned frantically between the guards and the camp leader, her hands shaking as she tried to grab at their arms, only to be pushed aside again. “Please, can’t you just—”
Aluel’s sobs grew louder, and she clung to Akur’s arm, “Akur, what’s happening?”
Akur's gaze darted between her sister and the guards, her voice cracking with desperation. “Not now, Aluel! Please!” She turned back to the camp leader, her eyes pleading. “If you just let me, make a call—”
“Don’t talk bloody nonsense!” the camp leader snapped, stepping back with an air of finality. “Collect your things.” He said gesturing haphazardly at their belongings scattered in the yard outside. “We’re done here.”
As the guards continued their brutal task, Akur’s frantic movements became increasingly disjointed, her pleas growing weaker against the implacable force of the men. Aluel’s face flushed with a mix of fear and confusion, her hands trembling as she watched the scene unfold her face streaked with tears. Her gaze landed on the shepherd staff leaning against the wall. She dashed for it, her hands shaking as she seized the shepherd staff, clutching it tightly to her chest. She looked around with wide, tear-filled eyes, her small frame trembled as she hugged the staff close.
“Get them out,” the camp leader ordered with a dismissive wave of his hand. The guards moved in, roughly grabbing the two sisters. One of the guards grabbed Akur’s arm and yanked her toward the door. “Move!” he barked, shoving her forward. Aluel let out a cry as they began dragging them towards the door.
“No! Please!” Akur stumbled as the guards shoved her, her voice was a mix of anger and desperation as she struggled against their grip but they were relentless. Her hands flailed as she tried to hold onto the doorframe, only to be roughly pulled away as they shoved her and Aluel out into the yard. Their bodies collided with the rough ground. Aluel landed on her side, her face pressed against the dirt, her body shaking with sobs.
The camp leader’s voice cut through the chaos with cold finality. “Lock it up!” he commanded.
The guards hastened to secure the manyatta’s door, bolting it shut with a loud, echoing clank. The lock clicked into place, sealing the sisters out, and leaving them surrounded by their belongings strewn across the dirt.
As the camp leader and his men crossed the yard to leave, Akur, her eyes red and swollen, made one final plea. She crawled forward, tears streaming down her face, her voice choked with emotion. “Walahi, walahi, please! We have no other place to go! Just a little more time, I swear we’ll get the money. Please, I’m begging you—”
The camp leader paused, his back still turned to them. Without turning around, he scoffed and continued walking, the two guards following, leaving the sisters alone on the cold, unforgiving ground amidst their scattered possessions. Aluel sat up, still holding the shepherd staff, clutching at her shoulders, and trembling as the weight of their predicament pressed down on them.
Akur stood up her face streaked with grime and tears. Strewn around them were the remnants of their lives—clothing, blankets, and utensils. She began to gather their belongings.
She knelt beside the scattered belongings. She grabbed a large, worn blanket, laying it flat on the ground and piling as many items as she could onto it. She tied the corners together, creating an improvised sack.
Aluel, still clutching the shepherd’s staff, looked at her sister with tear-filled eyes finally managing to calm herself down.
Akur took a deep breath, her hands shaking as she tied another bundle. She took the staff from Aluel, tying a bundle to each end to create a makeshift yoke, and balanced it on her shoulders.
“Hold the staff steady for me,” Akur instructed as she carefully secured the bundles, balancing them on the staff.
Aluel nodded and got up to help despite herself. Her small hands clutched the staff as Akur worked. Once the yoke was ready, Akur heaved it onto her shoulders with Aluel’s help, wincing at the initial strain but adjusting quickly.
“Okay, Aluel, you take the lighter sack,” Akur said, pointing to the smaller bundle. Aluel hesitated for a moment before picking it up and swinging it onto her back. It was still heavy for her, but she managed to stand straight, determination in her eyes.
Akur adjusted the yoke one more time, making sure it was secure. “We’ll make it work,” she said, trying to sound confident. “We have to.”
As they walked away from the manyatta, their burdens heavy on their backs and in their hearts, Akur glanced back one last time.
“Come on, let’s move,” she said softly, leading the way.
Ember hung high in the sky, casting a pale reddish-orange glow over the camp as Akur and Aluel made their way toward the enclosure. With each step, the weight of their belongings pressed down on them. The yoke on Akur's shoulders dug into her skin, but she pressed on, the soft glow of the moonlight guiding their path. Aluel, struggling under the weight of the sack on her back, looked up at her sister with a mix of determination and exhaustion.
Akur and Aluel approached the enclosure. Akur paused for a moment, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts. She adjusted the yoke on her shoulders, wincing as the weight shifted, and motioned for Aluel to follow closely. The younger sister trudged behind her, her face etched with fatigue, but her determination unwavering.
“Almost there,” Akur said, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance despite the strain in her tone.
Akur, struggling under the weight of the yoke took a deep breath, adjusting the makeshift harness. Her muscles ached from the strain, and beside her, Aluel moved with a determined, albeit tired, step, the smaller sack pulling at her shoulders.
The gate of the enclosure creaked slightly as Akur pushed it open with her foot, its rusty hinges protesting the movement. The sound echoed faintly in the quiet night, mingling with the distant hum of the canopy beasts. Akur carefully guided herself through the narrow entrance, mindful not to knock over the fragile bundles strapped to her shoulders, and used her body as a stop so that Aluel could pass.
Once inside, the enclosure seemed to close around them, a cocoon of shadows and the soft, rhythmic hum of the canopy beasts. The reddish-orange hue of the moon illuminated their path, casting gentle glows on the metal canopies of the beasts. The canopy beasts—Matuta, Katuta, Watuta, Datuta, and Charles—stood sentinel-like, their mechanical limbs motionless and their aluminum shelling gleaming faintly.
Akur set to work, unfastening the bundles from her shoulders, and preparing to strap them to the sides of the canopy beasts. She carefully arranged the sacks against the beasts’ sides, but before she could secure them, she realized they needed more ropes.
“Aluel, come with me,” Akur said, her voice carrying a note of urgency. She led her younger sister toward Charles, which stood still and silent, its mechanical limbs glinting faintly in the moonlight.
They approached the hold, Akur lifted the latch, climbed inside, and found the compartment door sliding it open, revealing an array of ropes within. The moonlight from outside cast a soft glow on the materials, making it easier for her to see what she needed.
She grabbed a box of metal fasteners which she handed over to her sister.
“Hold this.” She ordered.
And with the ropes and clips in hand, she crawled back outside. Akur set to work, securing the sacks tightly against the canopy beasts’ sides. She wrapped the ropes around the bundles, pulling them taut and fastening them with the clips.
Aluel, though tired, assisted with the smaller bundles, her small hands carefully securing the sacks. She worked alongside her sister; her determination was evident in her focused expression.
Akur took a moment to check each bundle, adjusting the ropes and clips to ensure that everything was secure.
With the burdens secured and the canopy beasts ready, Akur and Aluel prepared to leave the enclosure. The gentle hum of the canopy beasts accompanied them as they ventured into the night.
The procession of canopy beasts followed obediently, their sleek legs moving with a soft, rhythmic clink against the well-trodden path. The only sound in the quiet night air, the steady, rhythmic hum of the beasts and the soft crunch of their footsteps on the sand.
As they reached the outskirts of the camp, Akur spotted a sandbank, a rather small rise of dunes that offered a slight shelter from the wind. She stopped, her eyes scanning the area.
She unlatched Charles’ cargo hold door, the metal creaking softly as it swung open. Once inside, the scent of yeast and the faint traces of butter filled the air. The warmth of the cargo hold was a stark contrast to the chilly night air outside.
Akur crawled inside first, her body curling to fit into the confined space. Aluel, with her smaller frame, found it easier to settle in, curling up beside her sister. Akur adjusted their position, making sure Aluel was comfortable. She reached out and closed the door behind them, securing it from the inside. The tight space pressed them close together, their breaths mingling in the small enclosure. The rhythmic hum of Charles’ internal mechanisms providing a strange comfort.
Akur wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close as she curled up and began to cry uncontrollably. Akur’s face was flushed with anger and frustration as she clutched her sister close. “I’m sorry, Aluel,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”
Aluel clung to Akur; her sobs muffled as she buried her face in her sister’s lap. “What are we going to do now?” she asked between cries, her voice barely audible.
With a choked sob, Akur let go of her composure. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks her tears mingling with Alue’s. In the safety of Charles’s cargo hold, amidst the faint hum of the canopy beasts and the soft, comforting darkness, the two sisters allowed themselves to grieve. Together, they cried, in each other’s arms, in silent, heartfelt cries.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
