Zero O'clock

03

~Shanika Odinga~

It was late afternoon when I stood on the sidewalk. The sun was slowly disappearing and sinking below the cathedral,making it way too chilly for October. From here, I could make out the city well. Even though my life had stopped,the world hadn't. It was still very much alive,pulsing with one strong heartbeat.

It was as usual,a quagmire of people going about their business. Too busy to hear the cries of the beggars on the other side othe road. Too busy falling in love with the hooting of the cars to listen to the beautiful and harmonious chirping of the birds as they worked together to make Spring the most beautiful season of all. Although it wasn't my favorite,I wanted to be Spring. To get the chance for a fresh start. For new beginnings.

I turned to hug myself as I stared at the huge walls that had separated me from the rest of the world for three years. The memory of the day I realized I wouldn't get out anytime soon was still as fresh as the lilies all over the city.

To be introduced into this whole world of criminals of all sorts,rapists,murderers,hardcore gangsters at only eighteen years old. Being oblivious to the cruelty of the world until that point.

My life hadn't been easy for sure. It was never pink and soft. I had lost my mom at only ten years old. I grew up in a foster home,a home full of people of paler skin and a language completely different from mine. I wasn't really loved nor cared for. I was only an object they flashed in public to prove their generosity and love for the people of color.

I was quite useful indeed,I helped Mr Morgan win the elections. He became the president of South Africa and his wife,the first lady. The kind and caring mother,as many papers had declared. His twin daughters,although not really educated nor qualified for the position,now held the title of ministers.

After six years,I had just turned sixteen at the time,I got kicked out and I had lived with rats under the bridge and eaten out of the dustbin until I was found by one of Zola's men. I was supposed to be one of his prostitutes,I was going to make him a lot of money,being so young and a maid.

Zola decided to keep me for whatever reason I believe for sure, not related to love. He was heartless and incapable of feeling anything but never had I ever thought he would do something like this. I never knew there was so much evil in this world.

I turned around to find a sleek limousine before me. I didn't have to ponder much who the owner was. If it was a limousine or SUV,it always spelled out Zola. They only used the limos on special occasions,which was pretty often,I guess this could also be categorized as such. How ridiculous.

I folded my arms in front of my chest,ready to tell him a piece of mind. After three years in that place,I had loads. The window slowly rolled down and my eyebrows could not help but react to seeing him. Three years it had been but I could still feel his disgusting breath laced with mint against my skin like I still felt the bristles of his beard on my skin. I had begged him,pleaded with him to stop but he kept thrusting in and out of me as if he couldn't hear my cries. How could he? They were muffled. His big hand over my mouth reminded me how powerless and feeble I was.

He took off his glasses and I immediately gazed down,still afraid to lose whatever was left of my sanity in those wild,livid eyes. I had always been a coward,who was I fooling?

"I see time hasn't made you a little fonder?" I could see the smug plastered on his damn face even though my eyes were downcast.

"Look at me,"he said. He must be insane to think he could just come here and order me around. I no longer worked for him,I shouldn't just blindly do as he pleased.

"No,"that sounded much firmer than I had expected but I still was staring at my feet.

"This place clearly hasn't done justice to your tenacity,"he chuckled to himself. "But let's get one thing straight,I'm not Zola. Maybe he held back because of whatever he felt for you but in my eyes,you're just another stupid bitch who has caught my boss's attention and I don't have time to play games with you. I won't hesitate to blow your brains out,"he said coldly. Every word loud enough to sink into my bones,shooting shivers to all parts of my body as the memories of him pinning me against the wall,grabbing my neck and threatening to kill me and feed on my blood if I ever told Zola,something i hadn't planned to do. Even though Zola had never harassed me physically or sexually,I would never trust him to protect me from Lifman,his most trusted right hand man.

"Get in the damn car!"he roared,making me snap my head up in fear. In that instant, I lost whatever refrained my brain from doing stupid things,I bolted. I did not know where I was going,as long as I was far away from him.

Lifman and his men raced after me. With each stride,the sidewalk was getting slimmer and slimmer. My pounding heart flooded my poor ears,making me wish to stop and get as much air into my burning lungs as possible but I did not have that luxury. It was in that moment when I looked over my shoulder that I felt it. The scorching sliver bullet from his gun dug into my flesh,I might've felt it scratch against my spine,making me pummel to the ground.

I cried in agony as my whole body raked with pain. My hands glowed with blood that became pungent by the second,clouding my senses,I could feel I would pass out anytime. I cursed at myself as I saw the limousine stopping just barely six feet away from me. I was done for. I fought to keep my eyes open,I fought to remove the veil from my face but it was a lost battle. I finally stopped and heard a massive thud from my right hand side as I drowned into the darkness.