The heat from the blazing sun was quite at it its peak when Caro finally arrived at her final destination. The sweat was dripping down her body and her once precious but now useless paper was almost in shreds due to it being passed from one rough hand to another. But there was not much reason for worry. Aunty Rosa would be hosting her in a few minutes and she would get a bath, food and some much needed rest. Her legs were so tired! 

At the compound she had been directed to, as being the residence of her aunty, she found three gum-munching older girls seated on two benches outside and clad only in short jean skirts and bras. Caro could hardly fault them. She knew all too well what the heat could push one into doing. 

As she approached them, two of the girls gave her a once-over with a practised eye. She chose the only girl who didn't stop looking and walked up to her. 

"Sista, good afternoon," she greeted and was replied with a little nod as the girl's mouth continued chewing the gum as if the health of her teeth depended on it. She didn't looking harsh or angry, rather she looked curious. This gave Caro the confidence she needed to make her enquiry. 

"Please, I am looking for somebody... Aunty Rosa. I was told she lives here." 

"Rosa?", the girl asked, surprised at the Aunty part. "That's her area na," she said, after Caro nodded in response, pointing to a door opposite. 

"Oh thank you, sista. But is she at home?" 

"She is at home na. It looks as if she's even working." 

Caro did not understand what she meant by 'she's even working', but not wanting to push her already unbelievable luck too far, she thanked the girl again and crossed over to the door that she had pointed out to her. 

Caro gave a sharp rap on the closed door and received an instant response. 

"Who is that?", was the semi-angry shout from inside. 

"It's me o, Aunty," Caro called back. "Caro... Caro from the village." 

"Eh?", was the surprised response. "What do you want here?" 

"I just..." She stopped to listen to what was being said in the room: 

"Please, come and be going. These family people have brought their problems. I don't like it when people interrupt my business like this." 

Then, hardly seconds later, a man in police uniform opened the door and came out of the room, tightening his belt as he walked. He gave only a passing glance at Caro before hurrying off, but Caro kept her eyes on his retreating figure. She was so focused on him and wondering what he had been doing in her Aunty's apartment that she did not notice Rosa watching her from the open doorway. She was clad in only a tiny pair of bum shorts and a bra. One hand on her waist and another on the door frame, she regarded her cousin's daughter with little love. 

"So Caro, what happened? What did you come to do in Lagos? Did you come alone?" 

Caro, shocked by the sudden sound of a voice and taken aback by her Aunty's attire, stuttered helplessly, "Goo... good afternoon, Aunty." 

"I know it is afternoon. Don't remind me. Answer my question." 

"Ehh... I came alone," Caro replied, already sensing that she was not welcome. "I just... I just want to change environment to... you know... further the hustle." 

"What hustle is that? Kerosene hawking hustle? Or is there something else you know?" 

"Ah Aunty, even if I don't know anything, I'm a fast learner. If I join you to do your business, before you know it, I have even..." 

"Hey, shut up there!", Rosa cut her off. "What business do you think I'm doing, eh?" 

"Err... I don't know yet, but if you can teach me..." 

"Hey, look here. I don't run a lodge or a charity organization here, or even a vocational training centre, so nobody should just walk here and... and.. and... by the way, are you sure you did not run from home? Where are your things?" 

"Ehhh...," Caro was about to weave and deliver a suitable lie, but Rosa did not let her finish the process. 

"Look here. Hope you remember the road through which you came here? Take that same road and go back to the village. Lagos is not for children. How old are you that you're talking of hustling? Do you even know how to spell the word?" 

"H..U..S..." 

"Come on, shut up there! Idiot. Now, turn 360. Let me see your back right now. I will call your mother and t..." 

"But Aunty," Caro wailed in panic, "that time when you came to the village, you told us that anybody that wants to come to Lagos, you will help the person get a job and..." 

"That was then. Things have changed. The economy is bad, so go back home, you hear? Go back home and manage what you have in the village. Lagos is not for children. I am going inside now, if I come out and still see you here... only God will save you." 

With that, she turned and went back into her room. Caro stood there dejected, rejected and disappointed. She had not anticipated such a huge blow-off and as a result, had not prepared for it. For once in her life, she was completely taken unawares, stranded and helpless in a strange land. 

Going back to the village was a huge no-no. Staying where she was for one extra second was an even bigger no-no. Apart from whatever she planned to come back with, Rosa had already promised to call her mother - perhaps she was even doing it right now. Caro knew she had to put as much distance as she could between herself and this area before her family would come in search. But the big question was, where would she go?