Later that day, as we prepared for sleep, we saw many big trucks approaching. They were moving very fast, and their rumbling tires sent huge dust clouds into the air. Frightened that there were soldiers in the trucks, we ran to hide.

As the trucks drew closer, my heart began to pound so hard I could hear nothing else. I huddled close to my group, covered my face with my hands, and waited.

After a few minutes I gathered my courage and went to peek through the trees. I saw one of the drivers. It was Tom!

“It’s safe, it’s safe!” I cried. “Tom has come to save us!”

Many of the boys ran out from the forest, and soon the trucks were surrounded by boys. Everyone wanted to be taken to safety.

Tom began to speak. “I’m very sorry, but we cannot take all of you. There is not enough room. For now, we will take only the smallest and those who are too sick to walk.

“The rest of you must keep walking to Kenya. We will show you the way. Your worst days will soon be behind you.”

My group decided that Chuti should go in the truck and the rest of us would walk to Kenya. Chuti wept when I put him in the truck.

“You are leaving me!” Chuti cried.

“No, Chuti,” I said, “I am sending you to a safe place. We will join you soon. Until then, you must be strong.”

As the trucks drove away, we could see Chuti crying as he watched us through the window. We were sad to see him leave but happy that he would be cared for until we met him in Kenya.