Caged ( Survival )

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Mia's Pov

Hi am Mia am 30yrs old and Married to the love of my life Edward.

I want to talk about what I went through when I was just a teenage girl of 15.

During that time I was in my final year in secondary school.

We were preparing hard for our exams and along side also praying for our country as our country became quite unsafe.

We were in class one day with our Oral English teacher Mr Gideon briefing us on the past questions.

We were are all concentrating as a lot of us were not that good in oral English as English wasn't our native language.

While the lesson was on, we heard a loud gun shot and before we knew what was wrong we all fell unconscious.

NB : Our School was a girl's only school.

************

Hours later I woke up with a slight headache, I was feeling a little foggy, I wondered what was wrong, when my eyes opened I was shocked by what I saw, more than a hundred of our school girls were in the room I was they were still sleeping unconscious probably.

They were lying around carelessly, it was obvious that we were brought here, looking around , I discovered that we were in what looked like an abandoned hut.

" We have been Kidnapped " I screamed.

As if hearing my scream, my best friend Cynthia and some other girls woke up abruptly, they were scared too, I wouldn't blame them though as it wasn't easy to accept that you were kidnapped.

" Mia where are we? " Cynthia my bestie asked

" We are probably in a thick forest " I replied judging from the fact that I could hear the voices of birds and animals nearby.

" What are we gonna do Mia? " Naomi a girl from art class asked.

NB : only final year students were kidnapped as we were having our extension classes, seems like it was thoroughly planned thoughðŸ˜....

" I don't know, I guess we just need to wait and see " I replied.

" Okay " she replied.

Looking backwards I realized that by now all the girls were already awake.

I could sense their nervousness, I wondered if the phobia will ever leave us after this , but that's if we are going to escape.

*************

Two hours went by in eerie silence.

Nobody said a word, it was as if we were going to be sentenced to death if we did.

" Cricckk "

The sound of the wooden door being opened was heard.

I was so scared, it was as if my heart was about to jump out of my chest.

A minutes later a tall black figure of a bearded man came into view, his clothes were sooo old that it looked like it has been worn for years.

" Hello ladies , how you people do? "

He asked.

There was no response.

Even I was confused, is this English this man is speaking or what?

Then it dawned on me that the Bandits might not be from an English speaking country so their English is bound to be bad.

" You people no answer " He spoke up again.

Again there was no response.

" Anyways Sha me I came be here to tell you that there's no place you can escape to away from here, once you try to, you would be shot dead, she you people get? " He asked.

Still no response.

" Are you deaf! " The man asked harshly, still no answer.

As if he had enough he brought out a sharp knife and stabbed one of the girls in the stomach.

" Ahhhhhh " We all echoed in fright.

The girl that was stabbed was Eva the youngest among us probably.

" Please..... Save ......me " she cried out as blood gushed out of her stomach.

We were about to move closer to hold the girl but when we say the may who stabbed her pulling out the knife and licking the blood off it as if he was a vampire, we stepped back.

Lina the girls bestie wanted to step forward but was pulled back by Cynthia.

As if sensing our little movements the man stepped closer to us holding his knife fiercely as he threatened.

" Whoever moves any closer to her " will be the next to be stabbed and this time the head will be rolled off"

A chill ran through my spine when I heard that, I shivered involuntarily.

After the man said his piece he went out calling out some weird names.

When he went out, we all looked towards the direction of the girl who was stabbed but we dared not move forward.

" For...give....m...e ..... Mia... B..ut I... don't think that I will.... survive this..... please make sure ... You leave this place as ....so as... possible...bye. " After saying her piece Eva vomited blood and breathed her last.

She's dead.

Realising this fact I found it difficult to breathe, it was like my chest was being squeezed by an unknown force.

" Eva is dead " Cynthia whispered softly, from her tone of voice I realized that she was also holding back her tears.

Later two ugly looking guys came into the hut and dragged out Eva's dead body.

After she has been dragged out , a sharp smell of blood assaulted our senses , it was so sharp that we hard to cover up our noses.

" Human Blood " I thought , the smell was so choking that some of us started vomiting.

NB : they were still in their uniforms.

School has always been interesting at least for me.

" Good Morning, Mia " Clover, my best friend greeted me.

" Morning, Clover " I replied. " How are you? " I asked.

" Am fine, Mia, what about you? " She asked.

" Same here, I guess. " I replied.

" did you listen to the breaking news this morning, Mia? "

" Well, I didn't as I fell asleep After Five hours of studying. " I replied Smiling.

" oh! As expected of a bookworm like you. " She replied.

" I'll take that as a Compliment. " I Said, grinning Widely.

" Whatever. " Clover answered back Feigning Irritation.

" Hahaha," I laughed.

" Why are you laughing? are you mocking me, Mia? " Clover inquired, raising an eyebrow at me.

" No I wouldn't dare, you just look so cute that I couldn't help it. " I replied, Winking at her.

" you'll never change, Anyways The news this morning was about the Kidnapped Kids. "

" oh! Have they been rescued? " I asked In a Concerned Manner.

" No, they haven't, The Rescuers haven't found them yet but... "

" But, What? " I asked Curiously when Clover Paused, I knew instantly that there was something with Clover.

" we ... " Clover didn't speak.

" What's Up With you, Clover? Why did you Pause? " I asked.

" Well, nothing's wrong, it's just that I heard From People ( Rumors ) that the Kidnappers demanded a huge Sum of money from the government as Ransom and since the money hasn't been paid, the kids are still in captivity. " She Replied.

" Oh! , It's so obvious that that's the case so why are you so worried? , Please talk to me, Clover. " I pleaded.

" What if we end up being Kidnapped by the Bandits, Mia?, What are we going to do then? , How are we going to escape? , How are we going to graduate? , What would happen to us then, Mia? " Clover blurted out all her Worries.

" Oh my! So that's what you have been thinking about all day? Clover? "I exclaimed surprised.

" Yes," Clover replied.

" I understand your Worries, Clover but you don't have to get worked up over this, we won't get Kidnapped, we are saved, so relax. " I Replied in an attempt to console my Best friend.

" How sure are you that, We are Save Mia? " She asked me.

" Well, I just know, don't worry okay? "

" Okay " She replied, as we both Embraced.

" Don't worry, we are in this together " I replied, Patting her back, Clover Nodded.

.....

The maths lesson was very interesting that day, The topic was Matrix.

I was confused at first looking at the Brackets and Figures but I understood, later on, the Easiest one was the Transpose of a matrix which was obtained by changing rows to columns or columns to the row.

The Lesson lasted for three hours Straight after which the Bell for Snacks Break was Rung.

During the break, as I and Clover were Shopping for Snacks one of our School girls approached us, she was a Junior year student.

" Good Morning, Senior Mia " She greeted.

" Good Morning, How are you? " I replied, despite not knowing her.

" Am fine, my name is Mary, a junior year one student. " She said, introducing herself.

" Oh! Mary, such a nice name, btw, how may I help you? " I asked her.

" Well, I... " She paused.

" I, what? You can talk to me, you know. " I said.

" Okay, Actually, I need help with my Studies. " She said

" In what way, darling? " I asked, Smiling Brightly.

" Can you be Tutoring me, When you are free, if you don't mind, please? " She asked.

" Well... "

" Our final Exams are coming up in Two months, Mia, we've got a lot to Study, Remember? " Clover interrupted me mid-sentence.

" I know, clover but... "

" But what, Mia?, What more important than studying for your final exams" Clover inquired.

" Please calm down Clover, I am aware of the fact that I have to study for my final exams but that doesn't mean that I can't help a student in need, Tutoring her will Also be of benefit to me too as I would be Refreshing my memory and it also wouldn't be a long one alright. " I Said, in an attempt to convince Clover.

" But that would be taking our free time, Mia " Clover Refuted.

" It won't Clover. " I replied.

' You don't have to be jealous Mia ' I said to her through my eyes.

' Whatever ' She Said, rolling her eyes.

" So it's decided That I'll be Tutoring you, Mary, what time Are you always free? " I asked her.

" Around Prep time, (2 pm - 3 pm) " She replied.

" Okay, we'll be meeting at the school library. " I said.

" Okay "

" When are we starting? " I asked her.

" We can start tomorrow, Thursday. " She replied.

" Hmmmn... Can we start on Monday?, I will be having Physics and Chemistry Practical on Thursday and Friday this week. " I said.

" Alright, thanks for agreeing to tutor me. " She replied, Sincerely.

" It's no problem " I replied Patting her.

" Okay, thanks again," she said.

" You, Welcome " I replied.

" Bye, Senior " she waved as she left.

When Mary left, I turned to Clover.

" Stop, giving me that look, Mia, I know what you want to say. " Clover Said before I Could Speak.

" Oh! You do? So why are you always so inconsiderate? Clover? " I asked her.

" I am not, it's just that I am so afraid of you leaving me one day for Someone else, and you promised to assist me with the biology Diagrams during Prep Time. " Clover Replied, in self-defense.

" I am aware of that, I am going to create Time for that, Clover, as the fact that I made a promise to you remains, you don't have to worry, I'll keep my promise. " I replied.

" Thanks, Mia, you are the Best! " Clover Replied Grinning as she threw herself at me and Pecked my cheeks.

" Careful Clover, we are in Public, I don't want people thinking that we are Lesbians " I Replied.

" Whatever, I don't care what people say, let them talk "

" You don't, but I do as I have an image to Protect. "

" As expected of Queen Mia "

" Same here, Your Highness. " I replied to her.

' Grrrrrrr ' The bell for the Fourth period went off.

" Let's go back to the class, It already breaks over. " I said.

" Okay " Clover Replied as we both Walked to class.

Mia's Pov

Later that day, I was in my bedroom sitting on my study table, Preparing to study for the usual five hours.

As I say I couldn't help but remember what my best friend, clover said earlier, my mind keeps drifting back to the question she asked me earlier.

" What if we get Kidnapped, Mia? "

" What are we going to do then? "

I started to ask myself this question Again and Again.

Day after day, week after day News of Students being Kidnapped from their school fills the Newspapers and Internet.

' We won't get Kidnapped, We can't get Kidnapped. ' I said trying to convince myself.

Then Clover's next statement came to my mind.

" How sure are you that we are Safe, Mia? "

This statement Repeated in my head again and again.

When I realized that these thoughts are beginning to overwhelm me, I immediately went towards my Walk-in- Wardrobe and brought out my orange-colored scarf which I tied to my hair, I then came back to my study table and brought out my Bible from the drawer.

I opened my Bible to Psalm 27, which happened to be my favorite Psalm.

Verse 1 says

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? , The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

' of whom shall I be afraid? ' I asked myself.

' When the Lord himself is my light and salvation? ' I Continued.

' No one! ' the answer came to me almost immediately.

I Proceeded to Verse 3

It says

' Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear! Though war may rise against me, in this will I be confident! '

I continued meditating on those words.

I went ahead and opened to Psalm 121, my next favorite Psalm.

Verse 1 says.

' I will lift my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help. '

Verse 2 says.

' Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. '

This particular Verse caught my attention.

I suddenly realized that I had nothing to worry about, I had nothing to fear because the one who keeps me shall neither slumber nor sleep.

I went on my knees and closed my eyes as I prayed.

' Daddy Lord in heaven, I know that I am safe and secure in you, I am sorry for ever doubting that, grant me unwavering faith in you, enable me to trust unconditionally in you, Protect and guide me, my family and people around me from evil, let your will and not my will be done in my life, thanks to Daddy for answering my prayers. '

Amen.

Immediately I Whispered the Amen.

A popular and Emotional and Spirit-filled Christian song, Oceans by Hillsong United, started playing in my room.

You called me out upon the waters.

The great unknown, Where feet may fail.

And there I found you in the mystery.

And ocean still, my faith will stand.

And I'll call upon your name.

And keep my eyes above the rails.

When Oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace.

For I am yours and you are mine.

As the song Continued playing, I started to get a little emotional as tears streamed down my eyes.

I began to recollect all those passages in the Bible where great faith resulted in dumbfounding miracles.

" Thank you for your love and Care, Daddy Lord in heaven. " I Whispered as I stood up from my kneeling position, walked to my bathroom, and opened the Tap in the Wash Hand basin, which was next to the door.

I rinsed off my tears with the warm, flowing water, I repeated this process three times in a row before I wiped my face and hands with a Yellow hand towel nearby.

I looked into the mirror and saw my reflection, I didn't know why but I got the feeling that something in my had changed, it felt like a light in me had been ignited, I feel like a new Creature.

With determination and Fearlessness in my Voice, I spoke out the following words.

" I Goodness Mia, from the day onwards I become a new Creature, from now on, I become as unstoppable as the Wind, An undimmable light like the sun, I become a battle-ax of the Almighty, I become untouchable by evil forces. "

" I shall not fear, I become a light to the world and a salt to the earth, I shall continue to succeed in all ramifications, I shall not Quit! , I am a winner, I am an overcomer, I become undefeatable, I am born to win, I am born to reign! , I am outstanding! "

" The Lord God who made heaven and earth are with me! , I shall not cower in fear when oppressors come my way, I shall battle and Win, I am not a loser, I am a winner. "

" Thanks, Lord, for Everything you've done " I Whispered as I Smiled brightly.

I could feel my joy overflowing, my once numb heart came alive again, I felt Strength and happiness Surge through me.

I saw myself being prepared for the battle ahead, I saw myself Winning, I could even Smell Victory.

" The Wicked shall always Perish, Truth shall always Win and so I stand for truth! " I declared.

I went back to my room and was surprised to find my Mom there, she was dressed in a blue nightgown, she was sitting cross-legged on my bed.

" Good Evening Mom. " I greeted.

" How come you are here? , Aren't you feeling sleepy yet? " I questioned Suprised as it was already Ten Minutes to Twelve, it was almost midnight, I always study from 12 am - 5 am.

" Good Evening Mia, How are you doing dear? " She asked, Smiling faintly.

" Am fine Mom, it's so late why aren't you sleepy yet? " I asked.

" Well, I am but I decided to come and have a word or two with you before I retire to bed. " She replied.

" Oh! , So what's the discussion going to be about? " I asked as I moved closer to the bed and sat beside her at the edge of the bed Crossing my legs too.

" Did you hear about what happened Mia? " She asked, now facing me.

" Yes I did, Clover informed me when I got to school this morning, she seemed Worried and Scared when she told me informed me this morning. "

" Oh! I understand her? It isn't easy to take in, Who wouldn't be afraid and Worried when news of Students like yourself are being Kidnapped weekly by the Bandits. "

" You are right, Mom " I replied nodding.

" How did you console her? "

" Well, I told her that she shouldn't worry too much about it as we are Safe here " I replied.

" Oh! Did you remind her about the fact that The one Who keeps Israel Shall neither Slumber nor sleep? "

" No, I didn't " I replied, bowing my head in shame.

" It's alright darling, I understand that you must have thought about that then, no? "

" Yes, Mom " I replied.

" Thought as much, Don't worry Mia, all you need to do is to cast your cares upon the Lord for he shall sustain you, whatever it is that is troubling you all you need to do is to pour it out to the Lord and he will take care of it " My Mom advised as we both embraced.

" I love you, Mia, She said.

" I love you too Mom " I replied as we both giggled.