Bella continued to collect firewood and other essential items on the other side of the forest. She knew that the owners and their friends would not stop coming to the forest, and it was only a matter of time before they discovered that someone was living there.
As she made her way back to the girls, Bella couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. She knew that they had to be careful, but she also knew that they couldn't stay hidden forever.
When she arrived, she found the girls huddled together, whispering among themselves. Bella laughed and asked them what they were talking about, and they all burst out laughing.
"Your hair is so rough!" they exclaimed, teasing her good-naturedly.
Bella chuckled and shook her head. "That's just its nature," she said with a smile. "We Africans have rough hair compared to yours."
Bonita's eyes widened with curiosity. "What is Africa like?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Bella's face lit up with a warm smile. "It's a beautiful continent with amazing people," she said. "The cultures, the landscapes, the food... everything is just so vibrant and full of life."
The girls listened with rapt attention, their eyes sparkling with excitement. They had never heard anyone talk about Africa like that before, and they were fascinated.
Meanwhile, the hunting party was packing up their gear, preparing to leave the forest. Hampton Jr. looked around, his eyes scanning the trees, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
His father was busy talking to his friends, and Alex and Joshua were chatting with the girls who had come with their fathers. Amanda, Joan, Brenda, and Angelina were all laughing and smiling, clearly enjoying themselves.
As they finished packing, the group began to make their way out of the forest, leaving behind the peaceful atmosphere of the woods. Hampton Jr. looked back, feeling a sense of unease that he couldn't quite explain.