I stretched to catch a glimpse of where I was, through a small hole. I saw armed men, faces marred with monstrosity. I huddled at the corner of the room watching them with scrutiny. We were all exhausted and thirsty, but no one dared protest.

The oor was unlevelled and the stench of body uids was su ocating. I sighed as I looked up at the thatched roof, which gave a slight view of the bright blue sky. Sweat drenched my school uniform. My body ached and I feared I was going to die soon. Most nights I had nightmares. It was mostly about my abduction and I remembered taunting every detail. The way the men grabbed my cla.s.smates and I, my attempts to claw out of their grip was futile. They smelled of cigarettes, sweat and alcohol.

There was one man in particular, he was completely violent with me. I inhaled the reek of his breath and dreaded the lifelessness of his eyes, there were so dark it consumed me. He wrapped his hands around my waist and threw me in an old dirty truck. We all cried and screamed but no help came.

I was aware of the terrorist group called Boko Haram, the rebels who were gaining control over the small towns in the northern part of Nigeria. The thing about bad events is that they often come unexpected. I never imagined it could happen to me, being trapped in the middle of nowhere gave me a whole new perspective to life—to evil that is in this world.

I remembered it took a day and a half to arrive at the camp. It was possible that we were still in Nigeria. There were small huts not far from where we were kept. I wondered what was in there. Could it be more girls? Or was the shelter occupied by weapons? If it were girls, I wondered how many were in those huts.

It was dark and mosquitoes hummed at us, I ung my hands hoping to shoo away the insects. I looked through the small hole and saw them in merriment. There was a bon re in their midst. I couldn't make out their faces but their voices lingered in my mind. It was cold and I huddled close to my cousin Fatimah, she was the only thing that kept me sane, her lashes were wet from tears and her features relaxed in slumber. I took her cold hands, a reminder I had to be strong for her. I exhaled in both our palms and welcomed the warmth. Quickly, I rubbed my hands against hers, she stirred and sighed in satisfaction. Soon I rested my head and let sleep take me away from my callous reality.

The sound of the wooden door woke me, I jumped as I saw men watching us at the entrance. A few stood outside for security purpose, while the others came in. We screamed at the sudden intrusion and crawled away from them, cramming against one another. The sound of their devilish

chuckle made my scalp crawl. Lanterns dangled from their hands and their faces were visible.

Dread gripped me as I clawed at the wooden wall. Fragments of timber tore through me but I didn't care. I wanted out! My eyes scanned for an escape but there was none. The urge to run was so strong I thought I would y past them, but I knew if I did; they wouldn't hesitate to gun me down.

They slowly dropped their lanterns and watched us with scrutiny. The men s.n.a.t.c.hed ve girls, and they kicked and screamed. I knew what was about to happen and there was nothing I could do about it. I cried as I watched them try and subdue the struggling females. A chubby girl had the opportunity to hit one of the men. He groaned as his head swung left. He retaliated, his blow almost breaking her jaw line.

She stumbled on the oor, trying to crawl away. Blood dripped down her nose and lips as she stared directly at me, as if compelling me to do something. I wanted to help but my body would not move. He kicked her hard and a scream tore from her. I couldn't watch but at the same time my eyes were xed on them. He bent and grabbed her by the neck. We blubbered at the horror witnessed, it was just a matter of time before we were all violated.

"Flease!!! Flease, leave me," she screamed. "Allah! Help me," she threw her hands violently at him but it was trapped above her head in a second. I wanted to kill them all, wanted to rip them apart. I hated what they were doing to us and worst of all I hated myself for being so powerless. I bit my lips hard till it bled. The men hit and kicked but the girls fought with all their might, preventing the men from devouring them.

"Stop!" a voice thundered through the room. I couldn't see the person who gave this command. Everyone froze. It was silent except for the few sni s and whimpers that brimmed from us. His heavy footsteps registered to mind. Peril swam in the air and lled my lungs with terror. There was something about his presence that made me s.h.i.+ver. Finally, the dull orange light from the lanterns gave him a face. He was huge, with a moustache that could hide a lethal weapon, he owned a countenance that promised death to anyone who proved di cult. The men adjusted themselves before standing vigilantly in front of him.

"You rascals, you think this is play?" he yelled and smacked the man closest to him. Rage bubbled from him as he narrowed his gaze. "This is business, you no sleep with them. You spoil them, you like them fresh, eh? Damboroba! You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!" he spat and they looked up in shame.

"Clean them, they come take them tomorrow. We sell them," he said, his accent very thick. Quickly, he grabbed one of his men by the throat. "You f.u.c.k them and I cut your thing and feed it to dogs," he said. The man swallowed hard as he bobbed his head vigorously. He watched us as if memorizing our faces before leaving the room.

They selected us, we were twenty in number and the rests were left behind, they shoved us in a dirty lorry. Last night I overheard the men speak of other girls being traded as s.e.x slaves to powerful people in play. They mocked a Politian who had a taste for young females, one of the men narrated the things he did to them and it was purely despicable. Was that where they were taking us? I would rather die than be touched by him or any monster out there.

It was very obvious we would never make it out alive, I knew our lives would change forever. I stared at Fatimah; she was going through a traumatic event at the age of twelve, tears dropped on her hands, which were crossed in front of her. "Fatimah!" I whispered. She reluctantly looked at me. "Don't worry we will escape" I said rmly, although I did not believe what I had said but I hoped for a miracle. She looked up at me as quiet sobs escaped her.

"I don't think we can" she sni ed, wiping her tears.

"I will rather die than be sold o ," one of the girls said solemnly, her eyes crimson and swollen. She revealed a rusty sharp object that was tucked in her clothes. The girls gasped as they wondered what she was up to. She stared at me as if pa.s.sing a secret message and before I could say a word she slashed her wrist. We all watched as blood spurted out of her. I screamed for help as I rushed to her side, the metallic smell of blood lled the vehicle. I was shocked to see how much blood a human possessed, I covered her wrist with my hijab. Soon the truck nally stopped. I stared at her and was terri ed as she had turned pale, almost lifeless in a matter of minutes. An idea came to mind and I looked at Fatimah.

"When I say run, you run!" I told her and Fatimah nodded in response. I watched as the older girl died in my arms, her eyes wide in awe; as if she discovered a big secret before her pa.s.sing. I closed them as I grieved for a moment. It wasn't long before two men opened the back of the truck. They were shocked to see a corpse in my arms, I had the element of surprise and I knew it was the exact moment to strike. Both entered and immediately I shoved one of the men, he tumbled out of the vehicle, landing on his back. Before the other could react, I reached for his gun and other girls joined in the struggle.

"Run!" I screamed. Fatimah ew out of the truck. I watched her run and some girls followed. I heard shots red and I almost died from shock. With all my might I pushed him out, and so did the girls who fought with me. I saw two bodies on the oor and Fatimah was nowhere to be found. My eyes travelled to the men who stared angrily at me. I knew what was coming and I closed my eyes. Bullets tore through my body as I collapsed. At rst I couldn't feel a thing, I couldn't even move. The other girls surrendered as the men pointed their guns at them. It was a wise choice.

"Some don escape, I go after them," he declared.

"No, let them run. We are late for delivery, let's go!" he said. One of the men dragged me o the vehicle and left me at the side of the dusty road. I began s.h.i.+vering as I fought for my life. I convulsed in agony as I tried so hard to stay alive. It was di cult but I wanted to be sure my Fatimah was alright and when I sensed she was, I nally let go. Slowly, darkness hovered around me and I didn't think twice before surrendering to death.

That was nice" he whispered in her ears, and she s.h.i.+vered as his breath caressed her temple. She smiled, bright red nails mingled playfully with the black silky curls on his chest. She was not his to take but he had her anyways; what was between them was strictly business. She was a cougar who had a high taste for wild things. At her early- fties she still had a vivacious lifestyle, most didn't know about. Maybe the reason she was with him, was that he reminded her of what it meant to be young—to be free and full of life.

He lowered his gaze on her head, silver hairs streaked the middle, reminding him she was twice his age. He didn't mind, in fact he liked it. She took care of his needs and there was something about her that made him feel needed, with the girls his age he never felt that way. He couldn't really explain what he felt for her and honestly he didn't want to.

"So you just got a job?" she listened attentively to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and then kissed his wellmuscled chest. The room fell silent, and at some point she felt silly for asking such a question. What was she expecting? To explain why he got the job or where it was located? He knew she wasn't the clingy type, so why the secrecy? "Does that mean what we have ends?"

"No it doesn't." he shook his head softly, then gently rubbed her soft skin, for a woman her age she looked fabulous. For some reason she didn't believe him, if her lover was independent he wouldn't need her anymore, would he?

Wasn't she satisfying his needs? She gave him everything money could provide or could it be he was planning to cut ties with her? She felt her heart stagger in contradiction, she didn't want to lose him but if he leaves she would nd another—after all it wouldn't be the rst time.

"When is your husband coming home?" he asked.

"In the next three days. Even my kids aren't around; most of them don't stay home. So we have the house all to ourselves. I just thought it would be nice to have the weekend at my place, for the rst time instead of the hotels".

"I don't like the idea but I must say you have a lovely home" he whispered in her ear and caught her s.h.i.+ver, a smug appeared at the corners of his mouth. Mehn! The woman's needs were insatiable. The things he did to her, he was sure no man could quench her thirst the way he did.

"Thank you, I wanted a change. Something exciting" she looked up at him and winked "you can be rest a.s.sured it is safe. We would be undisturbed for a few days", she planted a short kiss on his lips, which made a brief wet sound. She smiled and rested her head on his chest, relis.h.i.+ng her state of bliss—how wonderful life was. She sighed, enjoying the steady rhythm of his heart.

It was short-lived as she heard the clacking sound of the gate and roaring of a car entering the compound. She sprang up, heart raced and anxiety washed over her. Quickly she scurried towards the window, peering through the thick curtains. What she saw con rmed her worst fear, he was back. Her husband was home! She was a dead woman! Frantically she pushed her lover in her daughter's room and threw him a murderous look as he tried to protest.

It was the ideal hide-out spot, not many entered her daughter's room. It was the last room upstairs and it was the best she could do in matter of few minutes. She was glad her daughter wouldn't be home till next week, thank goodness for her quick thinking. She took in large breaths, combed her hands through her tangled hair, wiggled her shoulder and coined her face to perfection. A bright smile strung her face as she welcomed the man she called husband.

Wandering in a room with bright colours, he wondered if he was going to get out alive. Trying to gure a way out, he blamed himself for accepting to come over. No! The blame was hers to take, she shouldn't have brought him home. Who does that? She was getting too comfortable for his liking. He should have insisted on their usual hideout hotel rooms. Maybe she got tired of the knowing look those employees threw them but getting caught by her husband was worse. There was no way out! The harsh fact hit him hard in the guts.

Soon the door swung open and he froze in terror. There she was; a younger version of his lover. She was tall, had bright eyes and full lips that gleamed purple. She was slightly at-chested and had ample hips. She frowned as her eyes met his and he stood staring at her as if she were a ghost. He was grateful he had his clothes on, the situation would have been way awkward than it was.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?" she asked, his lips moved but words wouldn't leave. His was mind blank and he prayed something ct.i.tious will loom. She tapped her feet impatiently, a frown creased her brows and her lips thinned.

"Are you deaf or just simply crazy? I asked…."

"I am a…urm…you see…. When…" he rubbed the back of his neck then tapped his forehead in frustration.

"My father will kill you today, so you are one of those thieves the neighbours are complaining about. I will show you" she snapped her ngers at him, the thought of tackling him crossed her mind but she considered his physique, there was no way she was going to bring him down. It was better if she called for help, slowly she took several steps backwards, heading towards the door for her timely exit; her eyes never leaving him. She b.u.mped into her mother. Quickly she jerked as she swirled to nd her mother's anxious stare—the elderly woman shut the door behind her and blinked several times playing with her ngers.

"Mum… this…" she paused then narrowed her eyes at her mother, then it hit her like ocean waves did against rocks; slash and swirl. She felt her intestine constrict. She knew d.a.m.n the truth! "Really! Really!" she yelled in frustration, throwing her hands violently in the air. She had a air for being dramatic.

"Keep your voice down, your father might hear us" she said through her clenched teeth and swallowed hard, she tried to shrug o the horror that churned in her soft belly. Her knees were like over-cooked spaghetti, wobbly from side-toside. She touched her daughter's arm to soothe her but the young lady shook o her touch, as if she was leprous.

"I have heard things about you but I tried so hard not to believe it—I gave you the bene t of a doubt. I have not said a thing about it and it has been killing me. You have no respect for this family that is why you brought him home. So he is the one that makes you smile in the morning, and the one you keep talking to?" she asked. Blistering emotions spinned within her, her hands trembled and her chest instilled a constricting sensation.

"Susan you don't understand" she trembled.

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"Understand what? That my mother is an unfaithful wife and lacks self-respect?"

"You will watch your tone when you speak to me, I am your mother!" she stated.

"Then act like it!" she frowned. "Do you love him?" both exchanged looks for a few seconds then their gazes returned to her. She folded arms watching her mother keenly.

"I don't love him!" her mother declared, she raised her chin and her eyes gleamed with unshed tears.

The answer he got troubled him, but he shook o the heart pinching feeling as he crossed his arms and stared de antly at his lover. He didn't have the luxury to get hurt by mere words. All he wanted was to get out of this house and maybe…just maybe he would think about leaving her.

"Please don't tell your father, it will kill him".

"Do you still love father?" Susan asked her mother, she nodded as her hands covered her quivering mouth. "Then why do you choose to hurt him? I don't understand."

"There are things about your father and I that you don't understand", she sni ed "but if you walk out that door and tell him everything then our family will be destroyed. I know I have made mistakes and I am trying to be happy and…"

"And what? I looked up to you mum. I wished you were never my mother," she burst into tears "you have broken our family, I can't even stand the sight of you". Those words killed her, she touched her chest as soft sobs left her. It was the worst thing a mother could ever hear from her daughter.

"I have always been there for you and your siblings, even when your father was away. I have taken the responsibility of being your father and mother at the same time, I don't deserve such words from you" she approached her daughter but was halted by the exasperating look the young lady threw her, it was acidic to the extent it paralyzed her.

"Please I beg you, don't…" tears spilled, as she tried concocting an escape that would save her from her predicament. An idea came to mind and she grasped it without delay; she moved closer to her daughter "please walk downstairs with him and introduce him as your boyfriend, that's if your father should nd you both", she wiped her tears and bit her lips in restraint.

"How do you expect me to live with myself? What if father nd's out, how do you think he would see me? How can you do this to me—to us?" She sobbed, of course she had thought of the situation. Everything would fall apart if she did not turn a blind eye, but she couldn't help but feel betrayed.

"Please you have to do this for us, what will people say when they nd out? Our family's name is at stake", she trembled.

"You should have thought of that before degrading yourself with this useless boy," she raised her voice then took inhaled deeply. She tried so hard to calm the rage within her. As much as she would love to teach her mother a lesson, she couldn't. A lot was at stake. Susan was aware she could not kill her chicken and still have it bear eggs.

"Don't think I have forgotten this" she turned, about to walk away but stopped "I will do as you say not because of you, but I will save father from the shame of knowing his wife is unfaithful, I love him that much"

"Thank you. I don't even know what to say. This will not happen again, I promise you. I am done!"

"I don't need your promises", Susan looked away "I will never forgive you" she walked out the door. The room was silent and both were left with nothing but their thoughts, he stared at her and his face wrinkled in anxiety.

"It is over, please don't come back" she wouldn't even look at him. He approached her and kissed her forehead before walking away. He met her daughter at the bottom of the stairs, she eyed him with such repugnance that he thought he would have a stroke, slowly he looked away.

"If you come back, I will kill you. I swear!" she threatened. He nodded then turned the k.n.o.b, from the corner of his eyes he caught an aged man approach them.

"Who is that?" the man asked from a distance, obviously intrigued. The young man took in a long breath. He sighed with exhaustion and turned to face his doom "Fred?" the man called.

"Mr. Wellington" he froze.

"How did you get to know my home?" he asked, surprised "Honey!" he called his wife who responded shortly. She descended the stairs with caution.

"What is it sweetheart?" she asked innocently.

"This is the new employee I told you about, he is a hard worker but I don't understand how he got to know my place" he ung a questionable stare at Fred, who looked as if he was about take a s.h.i.+t.

"He is my boyfriend" Susan smiled sweetly and battered her lashes for e ect, hoping the gesture will convince him. He narrowed his eyes on them.

"Really?" he c.o.c.ked his head to the left trying to put the scenario in proper perspective. He stared at her frozen smile and wide eyes, something didn't seem right. It was not like his daughter to keep secrets from him, perhaps she was too shy to introduce her new man. That didn't seem like the case, if then; what was the troubling feeling that spat its fury at him?

"We have to go dad!" she pulled Fred's arm.

"Won't you stay for dinner? I will like to hear all about this" he pressed the matter.

"Maybe next time, you know kids these days are always in a rush". She waved her hand dismissively "Let them be", she feigned a smile as she watched her daughter and her lover leave. She sighed, knowing it wouldn't be the last time she sees Fred. Things had taken a whole new turn.