TRAFFICKED- PART FIVE
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| Trafficked |
There is one thing in the land of the living that can be compared to the hopelessness of being dead. And no, it is not sleep.
Wise people have often been fond of saying that if one wants to know death he or she should look at sleep. Obviously those wise people have not experienced having their eyes open, their will taken from them only to be controlled by those who stand against everything they have ever stood for.
And as these thoughts plagued Amina, she embraced them.
Death is better.
She would not think of the what-next. No.
My reality must be what hell feels like.
She thought that maybe she could give herself a break for getting her sister killed. Back then, she had thought that it was the best option. But finding comfort in the arms of the man who all but actually put his hands around Fati’s neck to snuff out her life? That... she believed, that was twisted, evil; she very well deserved the fate that will come to her after...
She smiled to herself then and hoped her death will be every bit as painful as her sister's.
She walked towards the main gate. It was still ajar although the men who trooped in and out of the house had long stopped coming in. Two guards hovered over a board game by the gate.
One-two-three...
She counted the moments till she was discovered by the guards. A tear provoked by bitter-sweet emotions of total surrender to imminent death streamed down her face. Yet when her bare feet touched the sand right outside the door she could not help herself. She hoped that maybe she could really escape this life.
When one guard looked up the board game to discover her walking out of the gate it took a moment to register in his dull mind, or was it just that imaginable; the unfathomable things that Isaac was going to do to her if she was truly trying to escape.
He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Many times he had seen the crazed and resigned look on many girls’ faces. He knew that he would need back up.
When back up came they surrounded her. She turned willingly back to the compound.
Immediately, red eyes locked with her clear eyes.
“Are you crazy?” Isaac was failing to keep a tighter rein on his rage.
“Do what you must.” A broken voice, hardly recognized as hers said back.
His face froze. Then an expression that his face was not accustomed to broke through the freeze to mar his pretty countenance.
Hurt.
“It meant nothing to you?” He asked before he could help himself.
Amina’s heart almost blew up with the wave of guilt that filled it.
How could I?
She wondered how could she have spent not one night, not two but a whole week being caressed and kissed by the same man who took and commanded the life out of her sister.
She wanted to crumble unto the floor but she held herself up. Even when he started to approach her and her legs turned to jelly she willed herself to stand. She will die with dignity.
All the girls were out now. They looked at the entire scene as though it was a TV show. It was happening but not really happening. And like any TV addict, they could predict how this particular scene was going to end.
It was going to be a bloodbath.
As Isaac began to reach his hands towards Amina a car approaching at full speed stopped him before he could execute his murderous intent. The bright light from the car blinded them and exposed the dim lit house with its revealing glare. The half naked girls run back to their rooms as the car parked. The engine was silenced and the lights came off then they were back to having the moon, stars, a few lanterns and the one bobo on the table with the board game as their only source of light.
Following the eerie silence that ensued was the driver stepping out of his car.
“Benjie!” Isaac suddenly burst out and laughed.
“Boss.man.Ike” The man replied with equal enthusiasm.
“Benjie!” Isaac said again and held him in a hug. They patted each other's back before breaking off the hug.
“What brings you to our end?” Isaac asked.
“What else?” He said lightly.
“Oh! Pious is already up for his promotion, huh? I wonder who they've bumped of the food chain this time” Isaac joked.
“I'm afraid I have bad news boss man.”
Isaac’s smile suddenly vanished. “No.” His voice dropped dangerously low. “Tell that...”He stopped and simply repeated, “No.”
“He knew you would say that so he asked me to show you this.” Benjie took a phone from the pocket inside his suit and showed it to Isaac. He grabbed the phone from Benjie’s hands and crashed it on the floor.
“No!” Isaac screamed into the night sky.
“Pious, you are now in charge.” Benjie said while taking another phone from his other pocket. “Falconer is on his way.” He said into the phone.
Isaac looked angrily at Benjie who avoided his glare.
“She is coming with me.” He finally said.
“Who?” Benjie asked.
Isaac turned and pointed at Amina.
“Falconer wants to bring a falcon.” Benjie said into the phone. Amina did not know if she should run or cry. Somehow she knew that real hell was now going to break loose and that all the while she was only playing with dying embers.
“Let’s go.” Benjie said to Isaac who stood there motionless. “Come on. What are you two waiting for? Let’s go!” Benjie said hastily as he started towards the car.
A firm arm enclosed around her waist and led her into the car that immediately sped off into the night.
FOOTNOTE:
1. Bobo- A lantern often made by burning a wick in a metal container filled with kerosene.
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