This is Part 2 of the true and tragic account of two children who suffer rape and other forms of abuse in their homes and communities, which was started in yesterday's Sunday Gleaner.

In submitting the piece, the writers, Farina and Jamaican Sisters, express the hope that it will inspire and compel Jamaicans to advocate on behalf the children who are caught in the web of abuse, neglect, crime and violence. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.

Farina and Jamaican Sisters, Contributors

Naomi also vaguely remembered the man who raped her saying, "Mi a Robby, di Don son. Yuh betta shut up yuh mout! If yuh eva seh nutt'n, ah wi kill yuh an everybody inna yuh yaad!" She never said anything about it. In fact, she did not speak a word for a couple days after that incident. That incited a rage attack in her great-aunt who thought the child was just being 'feisty and rude'.

Her friends reported that she would suddenly start acting weird and talking "foolishness". Yet, when Naomi came back to herself, she remembered nothing. It really got out of hand that day when she suddenly got up and walked out of the math class into the pouring rain. The teacher reported to her great-aunt that Naomi made vulgar gestures and sang loudly, a song with lewd lyrics. Of course, the old lady was furious and gave Naomi a good beating right there at school and swore never to send this "out of order pickney" to school again. Furthermore, she starved her for the entire day as punishment. Terrified and embarrassed, Naomi ran away to Aunty Mary's house, only to find Nicholas alone there!

Nick's first thought was to ask Naomi to return home. But when he remembered 'the guineps' Naomi carried for him during her previous visits, he said: "Ongle fi two days, Nyami! Mi nuh waa mi madda fi cum back Monday and see yuh ere. Shi wud murda mi!"

It was the second night, and Naomi was very afraid to return home, the bruises from the beatings were still painful. That is when it happened.

It was an unusually windy and rainy night in May. Hurricane-like winds turned on the rainy hose and because of the power lines that were down, total darkness enveloped the entire Host Town. Nick and Naomi huddled close together in the house hoping that the tarpaulin roof would not blow away!

Suddenly, Naomi started having severe belly pain, quickly followed by vaginal bleeding. "Jesus, Nick! Mi belly! Mi a guh dead now!" she screamed. "Nyami! Calm dung!" "Rhaatid woy! Why dis affi appen now? Nuh lite, Mummy nuh deh ya, all di soljas gawn out tu! Wah mi a guh du now?" Nick panicked. He called out for help. All he heard was the wind hissing through the dark and empty neighbourhood under curfew! His brothers-in-the-arms had gone out to hide somewhere else to escape the 'police action'! He called his mother's mobile phone several times, only to get the voicemail. He called 119. The phone rang without an answer. Even his favourite taxi man, 'Dingy', did not answer. For the first time, Nick realised how desolate the neighbourhood was without his brethren. "Weh mi a guh du now?"

Tomorrow: Tragic end