Is my blood not red enough? 

Every morning her eyes open full of excitement. 
The second they do she can’t help but jump out of bed. 
She quickly puts on her neatly-pressed uniform… and shiny black shoes… and races towards the kitchen like a raging fire. “Come on Lexi.”
These two excited sisters finish their steaming bowls of breakfast porridge in mere swallows… and then take off. 
After picking up their books… they lean-in to kiss their Parents’ very proud faces.  
“Have a great day girls.”  
Then head for that same dirt road that always leads to heaven. 
Laughing… skipping… singing in the wondrous African sun. 
They love school – all the girls of their village do – they are the first to be invited into that magical world of literature, science, and always-tricky mathematics. 
Bang! Bang! 
Every girl in the playground freezes. 
Bang! Bang! 
The terrible shrieks of terror make Ariel’s body go stiff. 
Bang! Bang! 
From head to toe she is burning with pain. 
Bang! Bang! 
It is a sound she has never heard before. 
Bang! Bang! 
Angry men have suddenly surrounded them all. 
Bang! Bang! 
They are screaming with large guns pointed at each and every girl. 
Bang! Bang! 
Ariel wants to throw up. 
Bang! Bang! 
But after seeing one of her classmates get shot in the head. 
Bang! Bang! 
She can’t. 
Bang! Bang! 
She can’t even run into the forest… away from the speeding trucks pulling up. 
Bang! Bang! 
The burning terror won’t let her. 
Bang! Bang! 
Dust is everywhere… they are herding them into the open trucks. 
Bang! Bang! 
Everyone is cramped… and swaying like cattle. 
Bang! Bang! 
How come the world doesn’t care about us? 
Bang! Bang! 
Is my blood not red enough?