by Chuks Gerry
No I can’t. Calls ain’t allowed from ten p.m upward, hospital policy. Just go to bed alright.
Alright mummy, I love you.
I love you too honey, goodnight.
Amara did as was told switching off the television set and lights, the house suddenly seemed so large it comfounds her. She went into the bedroom and snuggled inside the sheet. She was scared alright basicly from her crazy thoughts which ran randomly. Deliberately she left the passage lights on for some of its rays to reflect in her room. The room was airy and with goosebumps springing all over her body, she felt feverishly as fresh evening breeze billowed steadily from outside filling the interior. Suddenly she jerk and was alert, she must have drifted off a bit but was now wide awake. Dabbing sweats from her forehead she listened. She thought she’d heard a loud noise or something but wasn’t quite sure. The room was pitch black, the light gone from the house. She sat on her bed livid; convincing herself it was probably a bad dream. After concluding she was acting delusional, she laid back on her pillow sideway her best lying position to ease off back to sleep when a loud shrieking nerve piercing voice ripped through the calm serenity of the night, there were some gunshots and laughters too. Amara spontaneously bolted from the bed clutching the pillow tightly into the in built wardrobe as the voices outside got louder and louder. After a while she crept on the floor to the window sill peering to see what is going on outside. A neighbor’s house was being robbed, Zainab’s house precisely. She was soon able to make out the outline of certain persons as her sight slowly got accustomed to light grey night sky. There were young kids, about eight in number now walking towards the direction of her compound. She watched in horror how three of them scaled the fence, using the tools at their disposal they broke the padlock on the gate for the rest to enter. There were soon working on the keys and windows of their neighbor downstairs.
Where are the vigilantes? She thought nervously, obiviously all this noise and gunshot hasn’t gone unnoticed by them because the entire neighbourhood is probably awake and aware of this ongoing clandestine activity. Someone should have alerted them or the cops by now. There was heavy shattering of glasses and movement downstairs which made her heart skip, a neighbor’s wife was pleading with them. She took her mobile and put a nervous call across to her mother, but it was switched off. She looked at the time, fifteen minutes past two in the morning. It was too early to call Val but she needed to talk to someone, not quite sure he will answer but he did.
They must have veered off the tarred road because the discomfort caused by the undulating terrain rudely woke Nneka from her slumber into the threshold of reality. Looking across, Amina was fully awake with a sultry expression, her eyes moist and very sad, an illustration which further accentuates the reality on ground. The rest hostages were no different either, quietly observing with thoughts running amok. They were approaching a settlement or village of sort because small thatched roof huts interspersed slide pass them. The sun which was quick to gain momentum across the horizon created a dense humidity resulting to hot scorching dusty winds billowing on their face and bodies as they sojourned. This continued until they came across a market where the driver finally pulled over and everyone was asked to alight. Those that felt like urinating was shown were to by the driver while his colleague bargained with a trader who sells food. Amina looked around after she was through urinating, everyone seems to be busy not paying even the slightest attention to them. Nneka was a few feet away discussing with a fellow captive in the rowdiness. She stood were she was for several minutes to be quite sure before taking walk. Her plan was to get mixed up in the crowd with the hope of getting lost, afterwhich with the assistance of kindhearted strangers find her way back to the city. After taking a second turn and walking a few steps, a dirty lean disgruntled kid emerged from nowhere in front of her blocking her way. She examined him brieftly and concluded he was either in need of financial help or insane. Seeing there is no way she could rendered assistance in both instances she made to move away but he step infront of her again, she tried repeatedly but the kid remained defiant. Perplex and angered she wonder what this strange looking figure wants with her when she felt something sharp pricking her gut. Looking up she saw a man with a dagger by her side with several onlookers watching them. He thanked the kid handing him a few change and led her back roughly to the others where they await.
Where have you been, I looked all over but couldn’t find you,’Nneka started immediately their captors left them alone,’and I was thinking you were behind me all the while.
I - - I’m fine,’she shrugged sadly. I lost my way sort off in the mix and as a result was manhandled by that baboon. Nneka gave her a quizzical stare, knowing lying wasn’t one of her forte so she spared no mercy in giving her the look until she captulated.
Alright, alright, I tried escaping but was caught and escorted back by that bastard, are you okay now?
Haba Amina how can you do a thing of such? It’s dangerous which could have resulted in your being killed,’Nneka pointed out.
Really as if being dead is that bad of a choice compared to this, I mean what are our chances of survival if we didn’t submit to their sexual proclivity at the end.
But then being reckless with your life is not a choice either. I still believe we’ll be rescued before it gets any worse besides how do you expect me to feel loosing you too after what happened to Ibrahim. Let’s us do all we can to remain alive because it is where hope lies.
She acquiesced and with tears in her eyes to satdown with Nneka consoling her.
Stop crying Amina, tears won’t change anything rather you will only succeed in crying sickness into your health which is worse considering the situation we’re faced with.
True word, she acknowledged and dried her tears, bracing up like her friend to face whatever challenges ahead. There were soon summoned for lunch and each given a plate of food and satchet of drinking water. It was the first meal they had tasted since their ordeal and with voracious appetite they wolfed it down in couple of seconds. Getting back on board the truck, Nneka change position to where she can lie down properly to reduce cramps.
Why are you still giving me that look? Inquired Amina peevishly. I know something is on you mind, speak up and let’s get even with it.
I’m still trying to comprehend how you even attempted escape and I thought———-
Are we still on that subject, please move on. I admit it wasn’t one of my finest moments,’she raved sarcastically.
Not that, I’m shook you intend leaving without me. Its stupefying enough that such thought could even cross your mind moreso acting on it without my inclusion,’Nneka stated visibly indignant.
It was a momentarily foolhardy decision, one I undertook without much thought, despair not,’she replied placatingly. Heaven knows it wasn’t intentional and there’s no way in hell will I leave you behind under any circumstance.
Its okay I believe you because we need each other in order to survive this and do you know what?
What?
I’m lead to believe these villagers are working hand in hand with our captors,’she says as if thinking outloud.
Ehen and why would they?
I don’t know maybe in exchange for protection and other benefits which in return buy their silence. Also didn’t you notice the extra care and attention they gave to these men and us? They knew we are their prisoners and did nothing to alert the police.
Yea infact I concur. Otherwise how on earth will that tiny brat have the effrontery to confront me if he didn’t have backup. Yes they are bunch of terrorist and evil people,’Amina smacked her lip conclusively
Rather, they are just allies I presume.
The truck zoom past the semi arid plains at over hundred kilometers per hour, with the sun lying concealed behind a bunch of grey clouds enabled the atmosphere to sustain a much cooler temperature, the impact was rapid as fatigue soon overcame the silence and everyone dozed off.
Val’s bag was on his m
attress all packed but unzipped when he quickly left his bunk to buy airtime for his mobile phone. Sarah his girlfriend supposed to have been here by now he thought after paying. They’d spoken just before his morning papers where he narrated all that had transpired between his sister and him over the phone which have left him nonplussed and agitated the entire night. It took enormous amount of encouragement from Sarah and a few good pals of his for him to have stayed put for his final papers before leaving. As expected during the entire paper he was fazed, his mind kept deflecting to Amara’s narration making it quite difficult to focus. Immediately after the final paper, he went straight to his head of department office to formally request a leave of absent which was promptly granted. The HOD a jolly good fellow in his middle age comfounded by his tale granted him a week off even when there was a seminar defense to be held the following day, assuring him it could be arranged for another day.
Sarah alighted from a bike clutching onto her textbooks in one hand and her purse in the other walking briskly to where Val was paying for certain items. He raise his head severally looking pass her as he recharge his phone and was startle when she finally greeted him.
Hello dear,’she snapped a finger at him,’you seem so carried away that you didn’t see me approach.
So true honey, I came to buy recharge card to call you.
You’ve to take it easy on yourself, everything is going to be fine,’she reassured.
This is me taking it easy else I’ll be a nervous wreck right now,’he muttered morosely. When they got to his room, he packed his remaining stuffs inside, zipped up the luggage and threw it across his back. Sarah drops the books and purse on the corner table and proceeded to the kitchen.
Have you had anything to eat?
No.
Okay, let me quickly snap up a noodle.
I’m not hungry,’he retorted
Honey,’she said stepping out of the kitchen,’I know you’re gravely upset but you can’t starve yourself all day.
I rather be on my way now,’he said solemnly. Please see me to the park.
Alright give me a minute let me freshen myself up,’she said walking across into the bathroom while he step outside to make a couple of phone calls.
In the cab on their way to the park he was mostly quiet and withdrawn. She knew what disturbed him the most and though she didn’t wanted to ask but had to no matter what the answer was.
Have anyone heard from Nneka yet?
No, her phone remains switched off and she has neither called nor returned home. The sadness in his tone was palpable; she heaved and wondered. At the park he went and took a seat at the rear while she rallied about to pay for his ticket. She gave him the ticket which he acknowleged with a faint smile.
Is your mom finally aware of your coming?
No and I rather not tell since she chose to keep me blank on recent happenings. Her consternation is none of my business afterall she is partially to be blamed for all this.
But honey you promised me you won’t bring the blame card into this, it will further aggravate issues. You guys need to come together and fight this not fight yourselves. She’s your mother show her love because she’ll need lots of it. Let her know you understand, be the man.
He kept mute defiantly but subtly acquiesced under her intense scrutiny.
Alright I’ve heard by the way the bus is filled up,’he says looking behind. Where the hell is the bloody driver? He yelled.
I should be going honey,’she said giving him a peck on the cheek,’I love you.
I love you too hon, will let you know when I’ve arrived.
Please do, bye.
Bye,’he muttered softly watching her strut her lithe frame back to the main road. She halts a taxi and got onto it just as the bus driver got inside and started the engine. He admired her zeal and perseverance especially during these past weeks with its series of bad events which had left him emotionally downtrodden. She had been his pillar of support and encouragement. As the bus hit the highway he tried once again to put a call across to Ahmed. It ranged this time and he smiled, his sister answered delivering the devastating news.
They have since diverted from the tarred road again, going on for over three hour in what seems like a motorable bush path along the hilly terrain. The undulating terrain was quite perturbing for everyone in the truck resulting to them constantly adjusting themselves to avoid clashing against any metal edges. They were very tired from the long schlep and sat morosely watching and observing. A baby cried and its mother hastily attends to it. As she breastfeeded her other kid, a boy not more four years of age cling to her by the side. Aside from both kids the only other child on the truck was a teenager and he looked beat up and scared. As they kept progressing the plains became hillier and the path narrower until gradually they began slowing down coming to a stop. One by one they got up and stretched their feet inside the truck, praying they have arrived at the destination. Peering through the crevices in the truck they were greeted with shrubs and hills, not a settlement or even a single soul in sight. The driver and his colleague were outside discussing; soon he was on the radio receiving orders while his second smoked a wrap of weed. Nneka needed to pee badly but couldn’t brace up to ask and it was almost bursting her bladder. As if on cue the driver came over with a rifle and open the truck, asking all those who wish to urinate to get down and do so quickly, this will be their last stop he emphasized. Wearily they trooped out of the truck to do their business under the watchful gaze of both men. Twenty minutes later more vehicles started coming, similar truck like theirs filled with hostages, food items, weaponaries and so forth. The serenity of the wilderness quickly gave way to countless gunshots and chantings, depicting a warlike sceneraio. Some of the hostages were dragged out and beaten to pulp with some women sexually molested. Nneka clinged firmly to Amina as they both observed the barbarism carry out by these neaderthals with no conscience. When the rowdiness gradually subsided, every hostage was ordered to come down and rearraged into different trucks. This exercise took almost an hour during which Nneka and Amina were separated, causing a new phase of rattled emotion. The rest of the journey was full of gunshots and jubilation. A loud horn was blown signaling their arrival and the main entrance gate opened for them to proceed. After riding for not less than forty five minutes, they finally reached their destination and everyone alighted. The hostages were ordered to stand in a single file in what looked like a large well mowed field. Nneka reached out to Amina who stood a few feet away drained and confused. They were beckoned to sit on the floor to be counted, even as a large crowd of spectator gattered around them. A man addressed them reading them strict instructions they must adhered to if they wish to remain alive, chiefly among them was to give up any hope of escape. After another bout of threatening, heart wrenching monologue which left them even more depress and dejected, a couple of gaurds where told to escort them to their quarters. Even though dusk was upon the plain and fresh evening zephr blew bristly on their tired skin, she sensed a presence one so strong and encompassing, a stare that had a certain familiarity that took her breath away. She looked ahead and there he was among the crowd, transfixed on the spot mouth agape, staring away. Blinking severally unsure her eyes widened in bewilderment, gripping Amina firmly on the wrist she made to speak but couldn’t. Amina sensing her uneasiness traced her gaze towards the direction she was looking but couldn’t quite seem to understand the purpose for her nonplussed consternation. Slowing turning pale as if she’d seen a ghost, her fist tightened increasing the pressure it exerted on Amina’s wrist, who screamed and withdrew.
On the radio a very popular on air personality and talk show host was dissecting the recent terrorist attacks on Garuba, revealing there were several signals which were hastily dismissed and treated flagrantly by relevant security bodies. As a result of this recklessness on their part, Garuba has become a major target for the sect. The topic for discourse was to ascertain weather the government has renege on its promises to protect an
d guard the lives and properties of its citizen. The residents were too scared that even a broadcast message from the governor of the state, a rhetorical speaker plus a profound statement released by the commissioner of police did little to assuage the impending panic as people loaded their car with lugages exiting the city. During the course of the radio program several people called to weight their thoughts on the issue. The city was in panic and no amount of words was comforting enough to douse their fears.
Val parked his vehicle in the visitors’ lot and waited patiently for the morning ward rounds to be done with so that he could be granted acess to see his mother. Exactly nine a.m he switched off the engine having had enough of the callers on the radio and their views. Personally he felt most of the callers were stooges planted by government, impersonating as ordinary people calling to carry out damage control. As far as he is concern his family means the world to him, having them attacked meant the system have failed in its duty to protect its citizens. He hissed and closed the door taking brisk steps to the hospital entrance. His mother who was supposed to be discharge the previous day went into seizure mode upon the realization that her daughter was missing. Her condition had deteriorated so bad that if not for timely intervention of the medical team on standby it would have been worse. Now rested and stable, she chatted heartily away with Amara.
Mummy good afternoon, how’re you feeling today? He cutted in on their discussion, handing his sister the package he brought from home.
Good infact great, the doctor says I’m free to go,’she replied giddily. Please dear hurry up to the phamarcy and pay for these drugs so we can be on our way,’she said handing him a list.
The pharmacy was surrounded by a small crowd each waiting patiently for their turn, he drop the prescription paper inside a box meant for it and took a seat nearby, chatting online with some friends in a bid to pass time. Someone called out to him; he looked up to see Eugene pushing a youngman on a wheelchair with two ladies behind him. He waved at him then said something to the guy on the wheelchair who though looked fragile manages a faint smile. Eugene and Val seem to have bonded really fast over the last several hours especially knowing he was the last person to have seen his sister before her capture. He stood and walk towards them.