He must have hit me. I can't remember what happened. But when I wake up we are driving into the city and my hands are tied behind my back. The general's house has metal gates and a long driveway. I have never seen such a place; it is like a palace; everything is white and clean. I see several girls in the grounds of the house as we park the Jeep. They all look at me. They all look sad, like their spirit has died, and their strength has gone. I will not become like them. The soldier pushes me out of the Jeep and I am taken to a building where I am forced to strip naked and wash. All the time, the soldier is watching me. I feel ashamed, but I do not show my feelings. When I am clean, I am given new clothes and taken to another room to wait.
It is dark when I hear footsteps coming. The door opens and General Tomba walks in with one of his assistants. He is a very big man and is wearing a uniform with many colourful medals. His sunglasses have gold frames. Why is he wearing sunglasses? It is dark. The man is a fool. He walks up to me and looks down at me. 'You are a very pretty girl,' he says smiling. 'Bring her to my study at seven-thirty,' he orders his assistant. I want to hit him, but I cannot move. I want to shout at him, but I cannot speak. I feel ashamed - I cannot do anything. He takes off his sunglasses and says quietly, 'Don't be afraid girl. The stories you have heard about me are not all true.' He turns and leaves.
The time comes, and I am taken
to meet him in his study. When I enter, he is playing a piano. It
sounds very bad and I think that perhaps he does not know how to play
it properly. There is a television and many many books on the shelves.
They must be
full of so much knowledge. He sees my eyes light up when I see all his
books. 'You like books, girl?' he asks.
I don't answer him.
'Girl, come here. What is your name?'
I don't answer him.
He stops playing the piano. I am pleased. 'You want to kill me, don't
you?' he says.
I look deep into his eyes. I see a man who is both strong and weak at
the same time. 'I WILL kill you,' I say.
'You have a strong spirit.' He picks up a book and passes it to me.
'Can you read? I hear you can.'
'I can read English. I am going to be a teacher,' I tell him.
'Please, read from this book, for me.'
He sits in a big leather armchair and lights his cigar. It smells bad.
'Why should I read for you?' I ask.
'Because I can help you become a teacher.'
I don't know what to do. I open the book. The words are so much smaller
than in my storybook. It looks
difficult too. I don't want to read for
him, but I want to show him how strong I am and show him that I have a
good brain.