The Hidden Toxin ✔(#6 in the Our Side of The Dice Series)

Chapter 13: Interrupted Voyage Plan

One month later
Nigeria - Moscow

"Russia?!" Ebun's parents chorused in unison.

Ebun had given her conversation with Sean a proper thought, and she realized just how much she needed the opportunity. The more she thought about it, the more intriguing it was.

She knew it wasn't going to be very easy traveling to Russia, and strangely, it was the possible difficulties that came from the journey that excited her the most. She sure did like being the criminal at last after visualizing badass moves for many years.

Each day brought in bouts of anticipation for her escapades with Sean once she could get to the airport. She was excited for her numerous trials - for the times when she would find a rapist that looked like one of the six men and kill him in the way that would bring her utmost joy.

However, overthinking was one hell of a drug, and Ebun had been an addict for so long. She doubted and overthought her encounter with every human being, and it brought a kind of sadness to her soul whenever she felt she was going to be at a disadvantage again.

That mentality applied to this encounter as well. Ebun couldn't resist the urge to overthink even if she tried. What if she lost to the serial rapists and got raped again? What if this was all a lie? Or a bloody trap? What if Sean was so pissed at the way she hit him at the boxing ring and wanted to take revenge in a way that would destroy her to the point of death?

Ever since that incident, she doubted her strength in times of danger. What if the voyage to Russia will do serious harm and no good at all? Could she trust Sean? It was just a boxing match, yet Sean was a man and a misogynist too. He could choose to kill her or rape her one day.

Sean is a misogynist quite alright, but he didn't say he liked men or he would take their sides for other reasons. He's a misogynist based on a personal experience. Sean hates women who sexually assault men and easily get away with it because society believes women are always the victim and never the perpetrator. He doesn't hate women for no reason the way society and religion do.

The analysis from her inner voice still didn't make her feel any better because it wasn't convincing enough. Ebun hated men, but she doubted if she would kill just any innocent or decent man.

Exactly! It's the same thing with Sean. Just see it as you doing your business and him doing his. Besides, he cares about his parent's wishes to an extent, which means you are safe. The two of you need each other. Nothing more.

Then, she remembered her conversation with Sean and how he had spoken about the barracks and secrets he was yet to demystify until she agreed to follow him to Russia. He was equally taking a big risk because Ebun felt barracks like that were mighty secrets, and Sean chose her because she was a strong woman, and he'd seen that quality in her, which was why he deemed her worthy.

Another thing that Sean said came across her mind again;

"...The reason why I'm not in Russia right now is that cases like that are rare..."

That was realistic and believable, considering that men were more rapists than women. At last, she was convinced that she could go to Russia and fulfill her desires.

She wasn't going to be defeated. If the worst happened, she would defend herself and believe she would conquer. Somehow, the idea of Sean having that impression about her made her heart flutter? Was it because no man had ever thought of her like that? So there were men who didn't think of women, especially her, as weak?

But the owner of the boxing ring had also thought of her as a strong woman, which was why he paired her with Sean in the first place, so why did Sean's perception matter so much?