Daniel
I returned home late after spending hours at a restaurant. I was about to enter my room when my dad cleared his throat. I looked back at him
Dad: and where are you from?
Me: and when did you start caring about my whereabouts?
Dad: since the minute you ratted me out to Rebeca
Me: I don't get you
Dad: Daniel, you're playing with fire and you'll get burnt
My heart sank.
Me: I still don't get
Dad: you had the guts to tell your stupid mother!
Me: how did you know?
He smirked
Dad: I have men everywhere. Now you'll be followed every minute. Because you're trying to get compromised
He walked away and I exhaled sadly. How did I get into this family in the first place?
I entered my room and laid on the bed. Something tells me all is not well, I feel dad has done something.
Unugwa
I had slept off after hours of crying. The noise that woke me up was the sound of chains moving. I looked up and saw a man with a big chain staring at me. He was swinging it and smirking evilly
I panted, my breath was racing fast. I couldn't cry because fear ceased the tears.
Man: hi ebony... You look stressed out...
He began to move closer
Man: are you hungry? Should I feed you?
I was really scared. I'm sure he might have heard the sound my heart was making. He removed the duck tape and I suddenly found my voice
Me: who... Who are you?
Man: your greatest nightmare
Before I could say boo, I felt the greatest pain ever. He had struck me with the chain across my face. I began to shout with heavy tears pouring out of my eyes.
My face felt like it was under attack by the strongest tiny soldiers
Man: black girls are so beautiful when they cry
He bent down and held my face, pinning my cheeks.
I couldn't plead because I couldn't even speak. Even the cries I managed to make were draining all the life in me.
Man: I'll make sure I taste every single inch of you baby
He tore off the top of the shirt I wore leaving my upper body bare. Thank God I even wore a light singlet.
He tried to tear off my singlet too but a voice came in
Voice: stop!
The man looked back and frowned
Man: I was ordered by your father to do this
His voice was angered. He really wanted to do this to me.
Voice: stop it or I report to him that you did the dirty with his favorite whore.
The man groaned and walked from me.
Man: I won't tell anyone that you stopped me if you don't tell anyone that I did that
Voice: deal
The man moved away and I saw the person he was speaking with. The man was wearing a mask that must have disguised his real voice.
Voice: excuse us
The man looked at me then left, closing the door roughly.
I looked down and he began to walk towards me. To be honest I was scared.
He bent down and I looked at him. I wish I could deduce what he was.
Man: take this scarf and cover yourself.
He lifted a black scarf. My hands were tied so I couldn't take it.
He dropped it on my thighs then untied me. My hands felt numb and I didn't feel any pain at all. I must have been tied for up to a day
He then covered me and looked at my face. Obviously I was bleeding.
Man: I'll get you food and water in a few minutes.
He stood up, took one last look at me then left.
I heaved a fearful sigh. I was so scared.
The thought of Andy ran into my mind again. Something kept whispering that he was dead. I kept rejecting that whisper.
Few minutes later, the man in the mask came back with two plates of food. I didn't detect what kind of food it was, I just ate. After I finished eating (with my hands that were no longer as numb as they were), the thought of being poisoned came into my mind. I shoved it off, saying what will be will be.
Andy
I sat dejected with pain all over my body. I just received my evening meal and of course, I was drained of life as usual. Every morning and evening, I get beaten seriously. I hate these time of the day now. I don't even eat and I slowly feel my death coming.
The door opened and Daniel walked in. I looked at him and looked away
He closed the door and walked towards me then bent down by my side
Daniel: I've been having a strange feeling today. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I'm finally seeing a monster that every other person saw
I kept quiet
Daniel: you might not leave to see the next 48 hours Andy
I heaved a deep sigh
Me: I'm ready for it
Daniel: but are you ready to see Unugwa watch your execution?
I looked at him
Me: what do you mean?
Daniel: my father abducted her two days ago and she's presently under torture too. But I swear it had nothing to do with me
Me: what? Ugwa... Ugwa is... Ugwa is here? Oh... my God...
I began to loose my breath.
Daniel: are you okay?
I gasped for breath and held my chest.
Daniel: let me get you water
He rushed out and I collapsed on the cold floor, still holding against my chest that felt as though it was contracting.
The thought of Ugwa being beaten like I am annoyed me. I knew they would touch her. I expected it and I was sure it would happen.
Daniel
I had ran to get Andy water but I met my dad standing in the hallway
Dad: we're going to pay homage to your mom first thing tomorrow morning. Make sure you dress mournfully.
He smirked and walked away with his guards.
I didn't understand him. I brought out my phone and searched for the latest news about the female prisoners in Cebu.
Then I saw the first news. Rebeca Manois dies of food poisoning
Suddenly it hit me like a flood, my mom was dead. My dad had killed her. My father had taken away my new found joy.
I fell to the ground and screamed. As if heaven felt my pain, it began to cry too. Even more heavily than I did.
I kept sobbing with my hands on my head. It was the first time I did so in so many years. I suddenly understood what pain felt like. The pain of losing your loved one.
I began to feel the pain Andy's mom would feel when the news of Andy's death hits her. I suddenly felt the pain Unugwa's family would feel if their joy giver Chubi is killed.
I stopped crying and looked out into the rain.
I remember what mom told me. I stood up and pocketed my phone then walked into the rain. I went to my car and brought out the neatly folded waterproof bag. It was still new and I had bought it to put in my boxing apparatus.
I took it out and walked back into the estate. I located the place Chubi was kept and luckily, the guards were out. I opened the door and saw Chubi sitting down singing a lullaby. His hands were tied and he obviously looked sad. This was the first time I entered his own prison room
I closed the door gently and he looked at me.
Chubi: Daniel...
Me: hey.
Chubi: how did you find me?
Me: long story sweetheart. But I'll take you home now, okay?
I walked to him and squatted. I held his chubby cheeks and stroke them. He looked so lean and sad. I doubt he even eats
Chubi: I'm so thirsty. The last time I was fed is like two days ago. I want to go home
A saw his eyes well up with tears. I hugged him and stroke his head as I heard him sob. His too young and cute to go through all these.
I unlocked from him and wiped his tears.
Me: I'm taking you home now. But you're going to enter this bag
I unfolded the bag and unzipped it
Me: look, it's big enough for you to stay
I quickly untied his hands and he stood up immediately and hugged me tight. My heart softened and I hugged him back.
Chubi: thank you Daniel
He pecked my cheek and a smile formed on my lips. I see why he's so loved. Chubi is the sweetest thing ever.
He began to enter the bag by himself and I removed my wet shirt and dropped it on him then gently placed my wristwatch and phone on top then zipped it back.
I hung the bag and stealthily crept out of the room. I looked around and didn't see any guard so I entered into the rain and walked to my car.
I gently kept the bag in the front seat then entered and drove off into the dark rainy streets