as Lullu flipped herself onto the horses bare back.
The pair were out of the room and shot through the front entrance, galloping across the sands before either Mina or Ray were able to understand what had just happened.
“When did you tell her?” Ray asked.
“I didn’t.” Mina wiped her hands over her face trying to digest what had just happened.
“Very intuitive for a thirteen-year-old,” Ray mumbled, more to himself than Mina.
“Welcome to my world.” She shook her head as she grabbed the tarp from the floor.
Mina clung to the vehicle’s steering wheel as she allowed the gravity of last night and the morning’s happenings to sink in. Her knuckles blanched, and her jaw ached from gritting her teeth.
“Did she figure us out on her own?” Ray’s voice was rough and thick with emotion.
“Must have. She’s not like other teens her age.”
“Clearly,” he replied, looking out the passenger window.
Mina pressed down hard on the petrol pedal and the bakkie sped across the old, rarely used dirt road. There would be a world of shit waiting for her at the farm house.
“Look. I don’t care what was said last night. It doesn’t change how I feel. When we get back, you need to return to your cabin and your duties. It’s important you complete the program; it’s the law.”
“And then, Mina? Where do we go from here? What will happen once I’ve completed the program? Don’t get me wrong. I want to move forward. But with both of you in my life, and I’m not sure how to do that.”
Mina slammed the dash. “Goddammit, Ray. You’ve brought nothing but chaos back into my life. Just give me today to fucking sort out the world of kak we’re returning to, okay? Can you do that one thing for me?”
Ray pushed back into his seat and the pair sat in silence for a moment.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to lose my shit like that. I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“You and me both,” he replied as they drove over the last mound and the farmhouse came in to view.
“Agh, my goedigge vok!” Mina took in the chaos stationed around the back of her home.
Cars and flashing lights stood parked around the back of the house and stables. Mina could make out Lullu and Boesman. Ben was standing beside the horse, and Abbe and a constable were chatting to couple she recognised immediately, and by the way Ray shifted in his seat beside her, he did too.
“Your sister and Thomas are here.” Mina sighed as she pulled up to the circus awaiting them.
She brought the bakkie to a skidding halt and sucked in her breath as both Abbe and her constable aimed their weapons at Ray.
“Put your hands where I can see them, Inmate Le Roux,” Abbe commanded.
“Put that away!” Mina yelled out her open window to Abbe and her colleague. Ray remained sitting in the passenger seat, hands raised in surrender.
“He’s been with me, and we are fine. He had permission to leave the inmate area last night.”
“That’s what I told them Mom. But no … I’m a kid. Who believes me?” Lullu waved her hands in the air.
Abbe cocked her head as Ben stormed toward them.
“Ben! Calm down, now.” Mina ordered and the burly man skidded to a halt, huffing and fixing his fuming gaze on Ray.
“Everything’s okay. Lullu ran off after Boesman last night. We followed and found shelter in the old farmhouse. Now, Abbe, I am sure you and your constable have better things to do.” Then, she turned to Ben. “Leave him be.”
Abbe and her constable replaced their weapons. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. Thanks.” Mina waved.
Ray slowly alighted from the car as his sister, Rochelle, and her husband, Thomas, walked up to them.
“Well you really didn’t have to summon the cavalry for our arrival.” His brother in law joked.
“See you two have reconnected.” Rochelle nodded toward Ray then embraced Mina, “It’s been a while.”
Mina gave the woman a quick hug then stepped back. “Sure has. Thanks for coming.”
Ray stepped forward holding out his hand, “Hello Sis, Thomas. It’s good to have here.”
Rochelle stepped back, her gaze guarded and cold, but her husband took Ray’s hand and shook it. “Good to see you, Raymond.”
“You need to get back to the camp, please.” Mina said.
“On my way.” He proffered a shy smile.
“You okay?” Rochelle placed her hands on Mina’s shoulders, “you’re wheezing.”
“Okay,” holding out a hand, “Hello sis, Thomas. It’s good to have you here.”
Ray zombie-walked back to his cabin. He wasn’t sure what