Unforeseen Mishap

The slum was in chaos again and Musa knew better than to wait on the demonstrators to get where he was sitting. That was because the cops wouldn't be so far behind and in slums, they always say it is better to collide with a thief than a cop. He was raised knowing that cops hated slum dwellers and he was a slum dweller.

He took a shortcut home through the small paths separating homes and a couple of illicit brew dens. Keeping an eye on the curvy paths to avoid stepping on the ever-flowing raw sewage and managing to keep the initial takeoff speeds is a survival tactic he had to learn at an early age. And he was good at it.

Pixabay.

His feet carried him away from the political brawl through the less populated side of the slum. Passing a few young men thirsty for blood heading where he had come from.

Some urged him to rush home and hide as they knew what usually followed such tribal unrests. At his age, he was still considered too young to be involved in tribal crashes which are common during the election season.

His eyes caught their burning house first before he could think about his mum and his younger sister Fatuma. He started running towards it yelling out his mother's and sister's names. By the time he got to their non-existent gate, his mouth was dry. He dropped to his knees calling out his mother and sister but nothing.

The bright orange flames instigated something dark and intense. His blood boiled as the fire consumed his only known home right before his innocent eyes. He rose secretly swearing an oath to find whoever torched his house and maybe his family and make them pay. He didn't like fighting, he thought, but 'they' asked for it. He was going to make them pay even if he had to wait to grow up to execute his plans.

It was his sister who called out his name and before his mum jumped on him with intense joy.

Are you okay? She quickly asked him then pulled away from the hug to confirm herself before Musa could say anything then hugged him as tight as she could. We may have lost the house but I am so happy you are okay my son! Now, let's find a place and hide. His 14-year-old self-followed his mum's hurried steps but he knew something dark and untamable existed deep within him. What exactly, he didn't know but he knew it was a mishap waiting to happen.

This piece was inspired by the ever amazing @mariannewest through the daily prompt.

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Thank you for coming.