The One Who Runs Away (standard:drama, 1072 words)
Author: A.E. Sadler	Added: Aug 17 2001	Views/Reads: 3699/2281	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Sometimes you've got to break all the rules in order to survive.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

"Of course not, papa," she had replied in the practiced obedient tones
she had been drilled in so many times. 

But he had looked at her with obvious distrust.  "This is not a game! 
And you are no longer a child.  You must obey this man and do as you 
are told.  You must be a good wife to him and not bring shame on us, 
your parents." 

This is her last encounter alone with her father.  From now on, she sees
him only in the company of her husband and in-laws.  She has officially 
left the family, though through her deeds, as he warned, she remains 
bound to them. 

Taroka squints at the sunset, which is aflame in reds, oranges and
purples, a cloud of pink and yellow spread out before it like a grand 
cape.  She presses her hand to her chest and inhales deeply.  He still 
lives, this she is certain.  But for how much longer? 

Ngugi has never ceased to complain and loudly curse the day he chose her
against 'his better judgment.'  It has become their shared joke.  Every 
time he shows the mildest displeasure, be it her cooking or some small 
detail of managing the household, she reminds him.  "You should have 
married my sister.  Think how much happier you would be now!"  For of 
course Ngugi would have no one else for his first wife.  No one other 
than Taroka, the strongest and most impossible woman of their village. 

Behind her the city's traffic squeals and honks.  Exhaust fumes thickly
intermingled with dust burn her nostrils.  In her head she hears the 
freeways of Los Angeles.  Just like in her dream.  The one in which the 
freeways began twisting and writhing and turned into vipers, hissing 
and thrusting forked tongues.  In their midst a human skull, pale and 
glowing in the dark.  The warning is unmistakable. 

She clutches the envelop that holds her airplane ticket.  The sky
darkens as the sun descends behind a mountain of clouds.  Always one to 
break the rules, today Taroka  breaks the ultimate taboo. 

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