One Cold Moment

Prologue

Beatrix couldn't help the shot of urgency coursing through
her body as she hurried along the moving stairs inside Tub's Mall.
 

Her sweaty palm held her four years old daughter's delicate one who looked scared about the sudden turn of event that had started few minute a go.

She looks back amidst the urgent strides through the mall,
maybe to know the reason behind her mother's sudden increase she pace but she saw nothing out of the ordinary.
 

She looks up at her mother's confused expression as they made it to the top of the mall floor. She became scared.
There Was something wrong.
 

Beatrix's heart beats had increased incredibly over the minute. She knew they were after her. She had  anticipated this day but she needed to put her daughter to safety. she could risk her own life for her, if anything more.
 

Her desperate retreat for safety became obvious as everyone should passed by stopped to watch the woman and the little girl who looked scared and ran like their murderer was on the loose and after her.
 

"Excuse me” she says hurriedly as she made her way through the hurdle of people, looking back once more
before she pushed open the two doors and disappeared inside.
 

Cameroon was a big city, the mall said it all and she was hoping to buy herself enough time to put her daughter to safety before her chasers caught up with her.

Today, there was no miracle that was going to save her. Not anymore. No more runs.
 

"Mommy?" The daughter calls, face tilted upwards to see her mother. "Where are we going?"
 

"Mommy's taking you to safety, baby" she replied, trying hard to keep her voice as calm as possible.
 

Even though she couldn't quite comprehend what Beatrix
said, but for the moment's sake, she had no choice but to keep quiet and let her mother lead them into the empty restroom.
 

As soon as they stepped into the bathroom, Beatrix lets go of her hand and dropped her black shoulder bag on the sink floor below the wall-length mirror and searched
through it.

As soon as she got hold of her phone, she quickly typed the number of a woman. The only woman she could ever trust.

The woman who was indebted to her. The woman she had told she'd call only when her help was most needed. When they code was red. A moment like this.

The moment the phone rang at the other end, a feminine voice came through.
 

"Beatrix"
 

"Anita, I need your help now" she breathed hard
 

"OK. I can guess this is a code red"
 

"Yes Anita,” her voice trembled" oh my god . I need you
 

"Okay calm down. I'll be there. Just tell me where you at.
Am on my way."
 

Need you to come pick up my daughter. Take her to my mom and go never mention this to anybody. They're coming for me Anita, and she can't be part of this. Please"
 

"Okay, where do I go?"
 

"Ahm.....meet me at the back of the mall. Tub's mall. Hurry!"
 

SG quickly disconnects the call and searched her bag for a piece of paper and a pen.
 

"Mommy?" Her daughter's quavering voice caught her attention and she turned to see her teary scared
eyes, watching her tentatively "what’s going on mom?" Feeling struck, Beatrix goes down to her level and holds her hand.