"I will go into Reed's room, search for the drugs she gave you on the day of the event ."
I nod in assurance. She pulls out the drawer on the brown table which I didn't even know was there. She pulls out a messy notebook and pen.
"Okay. This is the entrance."
She draws on a page.
"Ten steps backwards. There's a little passage. If the spot happens to be clear, we move. Alternative?"
"Right. While we were under the bed, I smelt paraffin. We can start a fire in one of the rooms and cause a distraction. Two rooms actually."
I scratch my chin.
"Or we can burn the thatched roof instead and not use paraffin. Saves us time."
She giggles
"The fire will spread so fast and they'll immediately know who started it and why. We don't need people knowing we are trying to escape from here 'cause then, they'll have their eyes on us twenty-four seven."
I simplify it for her.
"Oh yeah. That makes so much sense. Third alternative. We put the drugs into action."
She concludes and I get under the sheets.
•••••
"Here."
I place the sack of pills in her hands.
"Why are you giving me these?"
"These are the drugs. And that over there,"
I point behind the door.
"Is the bottle of paraffin."
"When did you do all of these?"
She asks and I'm not having it.
"Girl, I don't have answers to all these questions. I want to leave from here."
She yawns the morning lassitude away and slips into her flip flops.
We are still in our attire from yesterday.
"Maybe we need a bath."
She mugs me and we both head to the bathroom.
•••••
A lady whom I have never seen before walks in with two dishes in her hands.
There are three slices of bread on each with beans sauce on the side. Different. It started with chicken for breakfast. If this continues, I'll have no choice but to use all the strategies we came up with to escape, on these people.
What type of food combination is this?
"We could really use some liquid. My throat is tearing. And these food. Is this the only thing you all could cook?"
Owetu mugs and I stifle a laugh.
"You are brides, you can't consume just anything."
"I mean water. Bring a container of water. I drink a lot of water." She says dipping her bread in her sauce.
The lady goes and comes back with a five-litre bottle of water. Owetu smirks and gives her gratitude. The lady goes and I look at Owetu curiously.
"Ah-ah! Don't look at me like that. Get me the drugs."
•••••
It's currently evening. Owetu is anxiously staring at the shadows that are cast against the wall.
"You are draining yourself."
"I'm thinking."
"About what? Him?"
"Maybe. Don't you think about Worthy at all?"
She asks, caressing the tiny cushion as she pillowed her head on her arm.
"Every time."
I confess and support my head with my arm.
"You two make a cute couple."
She adds.
"I'll say this for the last time. Worthy is my uncle. He and mom are siblings."
She laughs and I roll my eyes.
Oleya walks in unexpectedly with a vintage lamp in her hands.
"There's no water in the house."
She starts and Owetu slips into her flip-flops.
"Oh really? We have a big gallon with a lot of water in it. You shouldn't let these nice people die of thirst.
Oleya, excitedly takes the bottle and leaves. Owetu and I lock eyes for a second. Owetu walks up to our readily packed bags.
"We might just kill two birds with one stone."
•••••
"Careful. They could wake up!"
Owetu refers to the big men who fell asleep in different positions. We deadened the entire house with an alternative we did not think about.
"Ten steps backwards Xaya! We spoke about this."
"I know. I got this."
I say and take the first step pulling the little container close to my body. Owetu follows shortly behind.
We both push the passage open. Two men are standing attentively at the far end of the house. I compress myself, exiting through the passage. I swing the container and it falls with a loud thud.
One of them looks our way and my stomach rumbles. Trouble.
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