Vain (The Seven Deadly 1)

“Most understand English, Soph.” Dingane laughed and started touching their heads. After a few minutes of reassuring them, tiny heads bounced off to play before the sun set all except for one. Mandisa. I picked her up and rested her bony little behind on my hip. I didn’t say anything, just hugged her and walked with Dingane toward the baobab tree. We three stood there watching the boys play soccer and the girls congregating or singing or jumping rope.

When the sun disappeared over the horizon, leaving the sky pink and orange, Kate, Ruth and Karina called them in for baths and to brush their teeth. It all felt so normal, so gloriously wonderful. It was too bad their lives were tainted with bouts of inexplicable violence. It made me that much more aware of why I was grateful Dingane taught me how to shoot.

I set Mandisa down to join the other children. She kissed my cheek and I almost cried.

I stood. “Thank you,” I told Dingane, staring at the colorful sky.

“For what?” he whispered toward the same sky.

“For teaching me. Seeing them reminded me why I wanted to be able to defend them. They’re defenseless. If it’s ever up to me to guard their lives, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I couldn’t possibly hesitate.”

Dingane turned toward me and I faced him almost afraid of what he’d say, or more truthfully, what he wouldn’t.

“You’re welcome,” he stated simply, disappointing me.

But then his gaze raked my face with such powerful intensity, I could feel it melt into my throat and shoulders, sending chills through me.

He closed the distance between us. “Will you be showering tonight?” he asked, surprising me.

“What? Why do you keep asking when I’m about to shower? Do you watch me or something?” I teased.

His face turned bright red. “Of course not!” he exclaimed loudly, which made me laugh.

“Then why?” I asked again.

“Goodnight, Soph,” he said grinning, using that nickname again and heading toward his hut, which just so happened to be happily situated right next to mine.

“Goodnight, Ian,” I told him.

He turned around and fought a smile, biting it away with his teeth.

I wasn’t tired so I thought I’d help the women bathe all the girls. The chattering females made me smile as I approached the communal bathrooms. Seven stalls lined the walls as well as seven showerheads with poor plastic coverage. They always bathed the babies first and any girl who could properly wash herself was told to do so. The women just supervised. I joined Karina’s and Kate’s side. They were laughing about something when I approached them.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Karina explained. “So you learned how to shoot a gun, did you?” she asked wryly.

I bent my face toward the tile floor. “Yes.”

“I’m glad.”

My head whipped up. “Yes, I am glad. Every adult here should be able to. Though I wished I’d been informed,” she chastised.

“I’m so sorry, Karina,” I began, but she cut me off, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

“Stop. I know you’re sorry. That’s the last you’ll hear of it from me.” She kissed my temple and I felt so incredibly loved.

“Karina?” I asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Hmm? Just a moment. Christine! No, dear,” she said, stopping Christine from splashing Kate, whose back was to her. Christine frowned. “I’m sorry. What, my love?”

“Oh, I was just curious about something.”

“What about?” she asked, distracted by Christine again.

“Why is Dingane so interested when I shower? I thought maybe you might know.”

Her answer shocked me speechless. “He sweeps all the bugs out for you. He heard you say how you hated them,” she absently remarked. “Excuse me, dear,” she continued, heading for Christine.