As the first light of dawn touched the ground, I was already up and about, my movements quiet and purposeful. The compound was silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the morning breeze. I carefully stored the dried alligator meat in a dry bag, carrying it to the storage hut. The familiar routine was comforting, a stark contrast to the recent disruptions in my life.

A slight movement caught my eye, and I turned to see Mairo emerging from her hut. She stretched languidly, her lithe form silhouetted against the growing light. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I felt a jolt of... something. Recognition? Embarrassment? Before I could decipher it, she quickly averted her gaze, staring fixedly ahead.

I continued with my chores, acutely aware of her presence, the way she seemed to linger before retreating into the hut she shared with her sister. I wondered what thoughts kept her pacing at dawn—thoughts of home, or of those sheleft behind? It was strange, the way the silence felt heavier now, as if it carried all our unspoken fears. The air felt charged somehow, filled with unspoken words and lingering tensions.

Before long, I gathered my things and set off for the day, leaving the compound and its mysterious inhabitants behind.

Inside the hut, Mairo's restless energy was palpable. She paced back and forth in the small space, her mind clearly elsewhere. Rimi, still curled up on her sleeping mat, groaned in frustration, pulling the thick animal hide over her head in a futile attempt to block out the disturbance.

"Mairo," Rimi groaned, her voice muffled by the hide, "can you please stop moving about? The sun has barely risen, and I'm trying to sleep."

"Maybe if I had something to do, I wouldn't be pacing," Mairo replied, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "You know what I miss?"

"Let me guess. More horse riding?" Rimi said, sarcasm dripping from her words as she finally peeked out from under her hide.

Mairo's eyes lit up at the mention. "It's not just the riding, Rimi. It's the wind, the dunes, the way Jibril would push us to race, Aminu cracking jokes about being a knight... I miss that."

Rimi shifted, propping herself up on one elbow. "Aminu is an idiot," she said, rolling her eyes. "I don't understand how you can enjoy being around him."

Mairo laughed softly, a lightness in her chest. "That's what makes him fun! He's like a breath of fresh air. And Jibril... he always pushed us to go faster, to race into the wilderness without a care. I miss the competitions—the thrill of trying to be the best rider among all of us."

"Competing to be the best rider?" Rimi chuckled, shaking her head. "You mean competing to see who can fall off their horse first. I still remember the time you fell into that muddy pit. You were covered in filth!"

Mairo feigned indignation, crossing her arms tightly. "That wasn't my fault! Lucky for me, Jibril was there to rescue me, or I would have been left to wallow in my embarrassment forever." Her voice turned nostalgic, tinged with longing. "And I swear, Aminu laughed so hard, he nearly fell off his own horse."

"Aminu," Rimi giggled. "Do you remember when he tried to impress that merchant's daughter by jumping his horse over the well? And he ended up falling in?"

Mairo laughed, the sound tinged with nostalgia. "How could I forget? It took three men to fish him out, and he smelled like a wet goat for days."

Their laughter faded, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

"I miss it, Rimi," Mairo said softly. "The freedom, the excitement. Here, we're confined to this compound, surrounded by strange people and stranger customs."

Rimi reached out, taking Mairo's hand. "I know, Mairo. I miss it too. But remember why we left. Remember the life that awaited you if we had stayed."

Mairo nodded, her jaw tightening. "You're right,' Mairo said, her voice barely a whisper. "But tell me, Rimi, do you ever think about what we lost? The friends, the laughter, the open skies?" Her voice cracked, betraying her. "Do you ever wonder if it was worth it?"

Rimi said firmly. "We're safe here, even if it's different. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll find new adventures in this land."

Mairo squeezed her Rimi's hand, grateful for her unwavering support. "Perhaps. But for now, we must be patient and learn their ways."

"Starting with their language," Rimi yawned, lying back down. "But that can wait until the sun is properly up. Now, can I please get a little more sleep?"

Mairo smiled, settling down on her own mat. "Of course, drowsy monkey. Rest well. We have another day of discoveries ahead of us."

As Rimi's breathing evened out in sleep, Mairo stared at the thatched roof above them, her mind filled with images of galloping horses and familiar faces. The ache of homesickness squeezed her heart, but she pushed it aside. They had chosen this path, and there was no turning back now.

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As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Mairo and Rimi ventured into the forest, their eyes scanning the unfamiliar vegetation for herbs that might resemble those used in their homeland.

"Do you think we'll find anything close to shaanu here?" Rimi asked, pushing aside a broad leaf.

Mairo shrugged, "I'm not sure, but we have to try. Your tuwo just isn't the same without it."

They moved carefully, mindful not to stray too far from the compound. As they searched, they reminisced about home, the conversation a comforting distraction from their alien surroundings.

After what felt like hours of fruitless searching, Rimi suddenly gasped. "Mairo, look!" she exclaimed, pointing towards a rocky outcropping.

There, at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by thick bushes, grew clusters of herbs that looked remarkably similar to those they sought. Nearby, a patch of mushrooms sprouted from the damp earth.

"Allah has blessed us," Mairo breathed. "But how do we reach them?"

The sisters surveyed the area, noting the treacherous drop beyond the cliff edge.

"I have an idea," Rimi said, her eyes lighting up. She removed her headscarf and began tying it to Mairo's. "We can make a rope. You're stronger, so you can hold onto this end while I climb down to gather the herbs and mushrooms."

Mairo hesitated, but seeing no better option, agreed. They secured their makeshift rope to a sturdy tree, and Rimi began her careful descent.

"Be careful," Mairo called, her knuckles white as she gripped the scarf-rope.

Rimi inched her way down, her fingers grasping at the rocky surface. She had almost reached the herbs when disaster struck. A loose stone gave way beneath her foot, and she lost her balance.

"Mairo!" Rimi screamed as she slipped, barely managing to grab onto a protruding root.

Mairo's heart leapt into her throat. "Hold on, Rimi!" she shouted, her mind racing. The scarf-rope wasn't long enough to reach Rimi.

Rimi dangled precariously, her eyes wide with terror. "I can't hold on much longer," she cried, her fingers slipping.

Mairo looked around frantically, searching for anything that could help. Her gaze fell on a long, sturdy vine hanging nearby. In a moment, she had an idea.

"Rimi, listen to me," she called, trying to keep her voice calm. "I'm going to lower a vine to you. When it's close enough, grab it with one hand, then the other. I'll pull you up."

Mairo worked quickly, her hands shaking as she wove the vine through the scarf-rope for added strength. Mairo slowly lowered the vine, eyes fixed on Rimi's trembling hand. "A little more..." she whispered, her voice tight. The vine swayed, just out of reach.

Then, with a desperate lunge, Rimi's fingers caught it, knuckles white as she clung tight, shifting her weight from the fragile root.

Mairo braced herself against the tree, pulling with all her might. Slowly, inch by agonizing inch, she hauled Rimi back up to safety.

As soon as Rimi was within reach, Mairo grabbed her arms, dragging her onto solid ground. The sisters collapsed together, breathing heavily, their hearts pounding.

"Are you alright?" Mairo asked, checking Rimi for injuries.

Rimi nodded, still too shaken to speak. After a moment, she looked up at Mairo, a wry smile on her lips. "Next time, I think we should just ask the farmer where to find herbs."

Mairo laughed, relief making her giddy. "Agreed. No dish is worth this kind of adventure."

Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. Before they could react, the earth under Mairo crumbled away. She let out a terrified scream as she fell, her hands desperately grasping at anything to stop her descent.

By sheer luck, her fingers caught a jutting root on the edge of the newly formed chasm. Mairo dangled precariously, her feet swinging in empty space. She could feel the root slowly giving way under her weight.

"Rimi!" she cried out, her voice filled with panic. "Help me!"

Rimi rushed to the edge, her eyes wide with horror as she saw her sister hanging by her fingertips over a dark, seemingly deep fall with a sea of trees underneath. She reached out, but Mairo was just beyond her grasp.

The root groaned, a deep, ominous sound that sent a chill through Mairo's veins. She dared to look up, catching Rimi's wide, stricken eyes, the fear mirrored in her own. The root shifted again, sending loose dirt trickling down, and she felt it—a fragile thread, stretching, about to snap.

Mairo's mind raced, her muscles straining as she tried to pull herself up, but the root was slippery, its grip tenuous.

"Think, think!" she whispered, feeling the root shift, creak, and then, with a sickening crack, it began to break...

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