Chapter 2 FROZEN

I thought morning would never come, I've been awake,scared that he will come in and do something bad to me and even when my eyes close for just a second all I see is femi all over again,it felt like I was reliving that moment.

I couldn't sleep so I just laid on the bed looking at the ceiling wondering what my life would be from now cause I don't think he was ready to let me go but I didn't also know his plans for me,my instincts tells me they were no good.

Lost in thought I didn't realize when he walked in until I heard him clear his throat, I was startled and sat upright,he was by the door looking all sweaty like he came back from a run,his stared at me without saying anything which got me uncomfortable, I followed his eyes and noticed I was only putting on my shirt which wasn't long enough to cover my thighs,I quickly used the duvet to cover myself properly,he shook his head with a smile on his face which made me feel me slightly inferior

"here"he walked to the bed and gave me a mini bag

"I don't want you wearing one cloth for days"he said before leaving

I picked the first cloth in the bag,it looked like it has been worn before,it smelt nice like him,it was big enough for someone my size but I liked it,I wore it with a grey shorts, it made me feel small even if I wasn't a petite person.

I carefully went down the stairs,i found my way to the kitchen where I found him trying to put the bread in the toaster, I stood behind the wall of the kitchen to avoid him seeing me, I didn't want him to think I was here to steal his food or take a tour round his house

"you can come out now"I didn't know how he knew i was there because I knew I walked quietly but I slowly entered the kitchen,it was slightly messy and slightly big,he wasn't looking at me instead he was focused on what he was doing

"Good morning"I said but didn't get a reply,he just continued with what he was doing,he was trying to fix what I assume was breakfast while I stood there not knowing what to do or say.

Everywhere was quiet which made the moment awkward,i stood there still battling with my mind whether to stay or go to the where I can be in my own silence.

I decided to leave the kitchen knowing I couldn't stay one more minute in this kitchen with him,at least I felt less uncomfortable in the room

I knew he wasn't going to stop me so I quickly turned to leave

"where are you going?"his question stopped me, I didn't know my presence mattered, I also couldn't tell him that I felt uncomfortable around him

"I have to ahhhh....."I couldn't think of anything to lie with

"wait for me at the dinner table, I'll be there with breakfast "I'm his captive why am I having breakfast with him?

Few minutes after,he came with a big tray,he sat across the other end of the table just like me.I watched him arrange everything for himself, I knew I was starving but I didn't know if he wanted me to join him or he wanted me to watch him eat

"you're not hungry?"as if he knew what was on my mind

"I.."

"Eat up"he interrupted, I tried to act cool and not hurriedly take the toasted bread from the plate but it seemed he noticed I was in a haste to eat.

I knew I am not suppose to be eating right now not especially with the man that kidnapped me but I couldn't hold the hunger, I wasn't thinking with my head or emotion instead I was thinking with my tummy.

We barely started eating before hearing a loud bang on the door, I immediately became scared with different negative questions running through my mind

"what if it's the police"I thought.

The bang got louder but he wasn't panicking like I was instead he calmly walked towards the door,Immediately he opened it,two men who looked like they were in their mid forties walked in,one looking more angry than the other

"what were you thinking?"the angry one scolded

"it's a surprise to see you"I don't know how he manage to be calm but I was terrified even if I wasn't the one the angry man was scolding

"cut me some slack jabal,femi is dead and I know you killed him"he paused

"how could you do that,he was our ticket to getting the information we needed, your job was to make him talk that's all but you killed him and ruined everything,we never asked you to kill him or anyone"

"it wasn't intentional"he said with no emotion not even remorse

"how are you even the most recommended when you can't get a job done rightly?"

"You killed Hakeem and his friend because of a stupid comment"the man's anger went up to a whole new level and I just froze on the chair staring at them but I figured it was time to leave cause things were getting serious, I quietly drag out the chair for me to properly move, I walked towards the stairs so I can reach the room, I sincerely thought I could go through them without anyone noticing but I was wrong, I heard a more calm voice calling my attention, I froze for seconds before turning around slowly and seeing all three men staring at me

"and who is she?"the angry man asked

"I..I....I"I didn't plan for this moment at all, I couldn't find my words

"she's my captive"he said

"what's your name"the quiet one who has been calm asked in a shockingly polite way

"I'm Vanessa sir,i didn't mean to interrupt, I'll.. I'll leave now"

"how did she become your captive "the quiet man asked

"she saw me kill Hakeem and his friend"

"what?oh my god.how could you be so careless"the angry man scolded

"I'm sorry for the mistakes sir, I'll look for a better plan and I'll give you what you want "

"you better jabal cause I didn't pay you for nothing and just get rid of her"my heart dropped,i knew I've been expecting him to kill me but knowing that the time was here scared me, I could feel the goosebumps on my body,the sudden sweat and slight cold

"I've apologized already and she's my captive not yours so I get to decide her fate.....sir"he was firm when he spoke like he was in a normal conversation

"if a word gets out about what you did, you'll go down and trust me, I'm not going down with you"he stormed out of the house while the quiet one followed.

He took a deep breath before looking at my direction with no expression on his face.

I couldn't go back to join him even if I was still very hungry, I decided to sleep just to get my mind off my hunger.

When I woke up, I couldn't feel the hunger but I was weak,l went downstairs to with a little expectation that I'll find something to eat.

I entered the kitchen and he wasn't there,he wasn't in the sitting room,it seems I was alone.

"hello"I loudly said and expecting him to come out from somewhere so I could ask for permission to take something to eat so I don't look like a thief but I heard nothing, I tried the hello thing but nothing,realizing he might not be at home, I was alone so that means I can finally escape without worrying about him catching up with me, I'll be long gone before he realises it.

I didn't have any property here except the ones he gave me and as much as I wanted them I didn't want any load to weigh me down. I didn't know when he'll get back so had to be fast, I rushed to the front door it was locked, I tried pushing the door but no avail, I ran to the kitchen to check for a back door and fortunately for me there was and it wasn't locked.

I ran out without closing the door, I got to gate it was locked,I climbed the gate,it was my only way out of here.I got to the top of the gate and jump to the other side.

Immediately I feet hit the ground, I felt my ankle dislocate,the pain was bad but I tried to ignore all that cause I was free finally.

I didn't know which direction to go but I had to act fast, I could'nt run as fast so I leaped but I tried to be as fast as possible.

With every jump the pain from my ankle hurts worse,i knew I didn't have enough time and I was still close to his house but I couldn't run, I rested on one of the pole before I continued, I didn't know where exactly I was going to but I knew I'll get help and when I do I'll find a way to the police station and report everything I know, I'll tell them how he cut the throats of those guys and how he shot Femi, I knew he's name and where he stayed which is enough information for the police

Knowing I was finally far from his house gave me relief.I just kept walking cause I couldn't run anymore but I've never been on this side of town so I didn't know anywhere here, I kept walking aimlessly, I could feel my tummy rumble,I was hungry and tired,i haven't eaten properly for a while now.

Every where was barely bright ,the lights from the few cars and street lights were helping a little for me to see where I was going.I tired to find a store or shop to stop at but some stores were closed and i felt embarrassed to enter the few ones that were open but I couldn't keep up walking for long anymore so i summon courage to into the closest store.

I entered the store but before I could find someone,a middle-aged man walked up to me, I was intimidated by his size

"why did you get in here,you came to steal abi?"he said gripping my arm

"sir I need help"

"and it's at a jewelry store you decided to find help"

"it's not like that,this was the closest store I could find since I've been running, please help me sir"

"is this the new trick,oya let's go"he dragged me by the arm

"sir please "I kept pleading but he didn't listen, when we got to the door he pushed me to the floor

"I won't let your kind of people steal from me again"

"sir please I'm in trouble,i was kidnapped and I need to get to the police station or maybe use your phone to call my mom, please "

"I can't help you aunty, please go before your kidnapper trace you here"he left me there and entered his store.

I could see a small stall at the other side, i thought about hiding in the small stall and tommorow I'll definitely find help, I knew I couldn't find help by this time and my ankle hurts badly that I had to rest it a little.

I stood up from ground,my ankle was swollen but I wanted to cross to the other side

There weren't a lot of cars passing by anymore, the road wasn't busy which was to my advantage cause walking to the other side will be a lot easier.

I didn't bother to look left or right before crossing, I thought I could pass all the cars without pressure.

Some of the cars slowed down for me to pass since I wasn't fast.Half way to the other side I heard a loud horn, I turned to the direction of the sound and the bright light from the car blinded me, I was frozen, I could not move, I've never been use to road crossing,it scared me.

I saw my life flash before my eyes, I closed my eyes tightly waiting to be crushed but I didn't feel anything,I opened my eyes slowly and saw the car parked directly ahead of me

"how can someone be so stupid"I knew that voice,my eyes widened seeing him properly when he came under the light.

How is that I can't run away from this man?The expression on his face changed from anger to what looked like confusion, I was confused too, I just went through all that stress for nothing just for him to find me.

I was in shock, firstly because I almost got crushed and it's by the same man I just went through all this to get away from.

He rushed to me,he held my shoulder not calmly nor harshly but his grip was firm.My legs move to the direction he wanted

what am I doing? I should scream for help or try to run away,there are people here and they'll help me if I can scream or fight my way out of his arms but my mind thought different from my body, I couldn't scream or fight, I could only see and hear but couldn't control my own body,he was the one controlling my movement,tears uncontrollably rushed from my eyes but I knew no one would see me crying,and with every painful step I took towards his car,my heart felt heavy.

He properly placed me on the back seat before getting into the car and we zoomed off

My tears became worse seeing that I lost another opportunity to leave this man,the pain in my chest hurt badly, I was angry not towards him but towards myself

how many more opportunities will I keep on missing before I become brave?

I cried knowing this was it,this will probably be my last chance, I didn't know what he'll do to me this time for disobeying him again.

How can I be so stupid?why couldn't I do anything back there? I just followed him stupidly like a fool.