(written by )

, I’m bleeding. Jesus Christ! Who might have done this to me? Grandma, please hurry up; my mat is soiled. Grandma entered my room, she smiled and said congratulations; you’re becoming the woman you want to be. O my God! That was my first menstrual cycle. I sat on my mat as I reminisced as to how I got to my grandmother’s house. There were so many unanswered questions in my mind. I wandered how Shaker and Dagger got to know I was leaving my Uncle’s home. And where were they taking me to? How did they also get to know my grandmother’s house? Interestingly, I had answers to some of these questions just five months ago. I met Shaker at Makola Market. He didn’t even make me out. I had to introduce myself to him. He was so happy to see me. He again apologized for how they treated me and thanked me again for saving their lives. I asked of the whereabouts of Dagger and he told me he was now a full time Pastor in one of the Congregations of Evangelical Gospel Church. I was happy to hear that. I asked what he was also doing with his life. He confessed to me that after I had saved them; they realized it was worthless fighting for the things of this world. They gave their lives to Christ. According to him, he was now an Auto Electrician and also a Choir leader in his Church. I was excited.

them I was going to escape. Hence, they had to come to convey me to a safe place. My picture was given to them. They came earlier than the scheduled time. They tried to call Stella several times on her cell phone but to no avail. It was rather when they were leaving that I came out of the house. Shaker said the original plan was to take me to my grandmother’s end. That was the instruction given to them by Stella; but they had a different plan. One Jake had given them so much money to bring me to him. He gave them lots to drink when they got to him for their money. Unknowingly, the poison in the drink had a time limit. It was supposed to kill them after they had delivered me to Jake. But the delay at my end nearly caused their lives and yet saved me. Skaker shed tears as he poured out the horrible confessions. He said they worked for both Jake and Stella. Hajia Sekinatu had her own people and Stella was one. I was so dumbfounded and asked myself if this wasn’t a dream or probably a movie. He gave me his phone number and we all departed.

stop the day-dreaming. My grandma’s tap on my shoulder brought me back to the present. Reminiscing over! “You are now a woman my dear Adobea. The world would now look up to you. Your approach to societal issues will differ from today. Men would come your way, but you need to be careful. You are only eleven years old. I will go to the Palace to inform our Queen mother about this great development. You are very much aware that in this town girls that have their first menstruation go through “Bragↄro Rites.” Years ago sensitive parts of the body were exposed; but things have changed now. You no more expose those parts. The Queen mother and the older women of this town will take you through some teachings and later parade you through the town so people will acknowledge your glorious entry into womanhood.” My grandmother explained.

straight to the Queen mother. In no time she was back in tears. “Adobea, I am very sorry but you need to leave now.” Why grandma and what do you mean by that? Have I offended you? Jesus Christ! Grandma, please talk to me. I shivered as I spoke in tears. My grandmother stood there speechless and in tears. All she kept saying was; “Adobea, I beg you leave now.” She got inside and brought me GH₵1.60 and a loaf of bread. My granddaughter, please these are all I can afford to give to you. Please leave now and do not ask me why? For the first time I saw my grandmother weep uncontrollably. Her tattered clothes exposed her worried soul. I stood there confused and aimless. This time round I knew God was no more watching. Was this my destiny or created suffering? I looked into her eyes and said to her; “Grandma, I don’t know why you’re doing this? But I know whatever you are doing is to save my life. I can’t take this money and this loaf of bread. I am young; I can work hard for it. But you are old and have nobody. Please keep them. Do not worry Grandma, I will go.” I said that to her and left in tears. That was the last time I ever saw my grandmother. I was told she was found dead and rotten in her room three days after I had left.

having nowhere to go. At that very moment I knew it was time for me to end my life. At age eleven I had suffered enough to continue living. I did not need any one to encourage me to move on. “Why didn’t I die with my parents? Why would my grandmother pick me up from the wreckage only to dump me again? God please end my life now.” I solemnly prayed as I looked for anything to end it all. I left to the neighboring town on foot. It was getting dark and I had nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep. My only hope was for death to strike me.