I Heard A Gunshot

I was a young girl when I heard a gunshot. I grew up in a village with my family. We were poor but we had food and shelter. I used to go to the farm to help my family. One morning, on my way to the farm there was a commotion coming from the crowd. I went to see what the noise was about. A man stood in the middle shouting about soldiers in uniform with rifles. I was young but I understood we were oppressed by the military. The next day I woke up to a gunshot.

I ran outside, saw smoke, fire, and people scattered in fear. I ran to look for my parents and sister but they were nowhere to be found. I stumbled and became lost in the smoke searching for my parents and sister. Minutes felt like hours. In the smoke, a hand grabbed my arm and took me into the woods. The hands covered my mouth as I try to shout. I slowly gave up and followed the hands. There further into the woods, I saw a group of people. People who were hiding from the ones that might kill them without justice.

In the jungle, I learned to survive with the minimum. Food and water were what I got from my surroundings. Clothes were what I had on from the day I woke up to a gunshot. I was told to never let my guard down and never close my eyes. By night we walk. By day we stayed still so the uniform guys couldn’t find us. I wondered about my parents and sister. I thought about the time that I have left to go to a place where we can be safe. We went through the jungle and rivers. There was pain stabbed through my heart as I try to think of my happiest moments.

I heard that we were in a safe place. A month later since a gunshot and the hiding, I stood in line to get a piece of paper from the officials. I was told this place is a temporary shelter and that we will go back to our home. In this safe place, there was a gate and we weren't allowed to go out. I thought about my parents and sister. There was no way for me to see them. Here, I still have to survive. I now practically live here. There is no way to go back to my home. I started a family of my own. My children have grown up better than I have. Still, in a place where there is no hope for the future, they will end up with dead ends.

An opportunity came. This is a risk I am willing to take. I understood that with every opportunity there are benefits and drawbacks. For my children, I took the opportunity with faith and landed in an unknown place. From the first step off of the airplane, I was scared but I have to be brave for my children. The language, the culture, and the new became obstacles but I am reminded of my past. The past that had brought me to be resilient and to face each obstacle with discipline. In this place, there is a future for my children. They can become something better than me.

When I first heard a gunshot, my life changed. A gunshot separated me from my parents and sister. Killed many lives. Took me through hiding in the jungle. Gave me pain and suffering. Took me to a safe place in the refugee camp. Didn’t allow me to return home. Pushed me even further to America. The experiences I have all started with a gunshot.

By Tay M.