Caro had run for about an hour through the light bushes behind Chief's house. So far, she had not found the way very smooth. There were creeping plants, fallen trees and hollows in the ground, but after every fall, she would get up and continue the journey without looking back. Her goal was to get out of anyone's reach before daybreak and passing through the bushes was the shortest cut to her very first destination: the local town hall. 

She arrived there tired and breathless, dirty and bruised from her many falls, but her senses were intact. It was almost pitch dark, but she knew every inch of the community, having hawked to every nook and cranny practically all her life. The town hall would be her hotel for most part of the night, so she set about doing a little recon of the place. 

She walked around the solitary building and found no one hanging around and perceived no smell of cigarette or 'Mary Jane'. Then she stepped in cautiously so as not to wake others who had already taken up residence there for the night. The place was always locked, but a small window at one side served as entry point for night occupants.

Caro would not go through that window. That was a risk too big to take: being boxed on all sides. She would stay outside instead. Walking into the corridor that was partly fenced with a large balustrade, she sat down on the floor, her back to the wall. She pulled her knees up to her chest, extended her frock to cover her ankles and tucked it tightly between her legs. Sitting as she was, wedged between the low balustrade and the wall of the main hall, with an exit point just a few feet away, she went to sleep, largely protected from mosquitoes by her long-sleeved frock.

***

At 4am prompt, Caro opened her eyes. She had not been awakened by anyone or anything other than habit. All her life, she had been raised to wake up at exactly that time in order to do housework and then, hawk kerosene and other items before going off to school. 

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, stretched herself and yawned. She got to her feet and stretched again, ready to wake her siblings so they would join her to sweep the kitchen, wash the plates, and begin fetching water before their mother would start distributing the early morning blows and knocks. But oh!... it hit her like a shock wave and she almost staggered from the sudden realization. She wasn't at home, was she? She looked beside her and none of her siblings were there. She wasn't even running from home, she was running from her husband's home. Then there was no time to lose! 

It was still dark, very dark. Caro hurried out of the townhall and at a brisk run, commenced her journey - the second phase of it. She knew that soon, it would be wake up time for Chief, but if he didn't stir, none of his wives or children would dare to disturb him. And if in a few hours, he still wasn't up and about, there would be some grumbling, but it would be noon before anyone would risk his/her hide to go knock on that door and by that time, Caro would be in Lagos or almost there at any rate. 

She ran fast, not going through the bush this time, but through the open town. Her way was clear because those living after the town hall were mostly reclusive farmers who paid little attention to anything even if they were to see the Devil himself riding through the town on a war steed. 

In less than an hour, Caro could sight the only motorpark in the the community, but she had another pit stop to make. Veering away from the course that led to the park, she took the bush path leading to her temporary destination. She could feel the dew and cobwebs clinging to her as she brushed the plants aside, walking carefully to avoid stepping on unwanted creatures that the place was notorious for. 

In a few minutes, she saw what she was looking for: a small lake totally surrounded by dense bushes. Looking quickly around, she went to the water's edge and pulled off one of her slippers to disturb the calm water. The surface at first and then deeper. After that warning to the unknown and probably dangerous creatures lurking underwater, she proceeded to wash herself. She could have loved a good swim, but not only was she short of time, but she had also heard rumors of the presence of alligtors and large snakes in the lake. So, limiting herself to scooping up the water with her hands, she washed her face, arms, neck, hair and legs before taking a quick pee. 

Feeling ready, she dusted off her clothes the twigs, cobwebs and brambles before setting off for the road again. She was just in time. The last early morning bus heading for Lagos was just about to leave. She caught it ahead of a fat woman who had spent crucial seconds trying to find out if she was the daughter of Mama Caro.