TAKEN

[9]

The bus was filled with ten young girls, all dressed in the same red dress as mine. Three broad-chested men sat in the front row seats while the rest of us sat behind them.

Mama sat in front of Dozie behind the wheel. It was still early morning, I remember Ifechi reminding me it was only 3 am before I stepped out of the room. I hugged myself in fear and uncertainty.

The rest of the girls looked cautious and terrified. They were just like me, afraid and lost.
I wondered where they packed them from because I'd never seen those girls before. Even though they looked my age, it was dangerous to speak a word to any of them. Since I didn't know if they were all spying on each other.

During the journey, we sat in silence while Mama sang along to Dozie's slow African worship on the radio. and even spoke in tongues along the line.

"Everyone out!" I heard a rough voice yell.

My eyes sliced open slowly to see the other girls stepping out of the van. I was the last one out. I had slept most of the journey and was just too tired to take a walk.

We were ushered into a big hall laced with beautiful flowers, balloons, and men more than six feet tall. They handed each of us a plain card with just a bar code at the back. Mama led the way while we followed behind.

Getting to the main entrance, music filled the main room, followed by chattering voices and people who sang along with whatever was playing.
Mama suddenly turned to us and began to speak at the top of her voice.

"Guide that card jealously," she gazed at us intensely, before speaking up again. "That's how you will be identified. Do you all understand?"

We nodded, stealing glances at each other. She paused as though making sure whatever she said sank into our heads.  She continued taking in our appearances or maybe guessing what was going on in our minds and gloomy faces.

Snapping her fingers, we shoved up our faces at her instantly. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Instead of walking about like zombies, you might as well wake up and have some light in your eyes."

No one spoke, all eyes were on her and her raised right hand. I couldn't ascertain if the girls knew what we were here for, but I got a feeling that it wasn't anything good.

Soon, we were in the main hall, rows of people danced in a straight line, holding their partners and laughing at whatever made them happy. I took a glance at this magnificent place with high ceilings and windows.

A large chandelier hung at the center of the room while much smaller ones hung in strategic places throughout the room. The lighting was dim red with flashlights coming off the ceiling.

A band camped at the end of the room with so many people playing all kinds of instruments, even the ones I'd never seen. The vocalists sang to the tune the dancers followed.

The white painting on the wall made it lively and clean. Or so I thought.  Nothing was interesting in this place except for those lights.  My eyes followed the blue, red, and white lights that flashed across the room randomly.

A set of men and women in white and black outfits stood motionless at strategic places with all kinds of food and wine on their trays. Perfumes of different aromas filled the room, making my stomach queasy.

Zora, the young girl next to me elbowed me gently. "Are you okay?"

We'd gotten to know each other a few minutes ago and her friendliness was getting suspicious.

My head lifted at her and her glaring eyes filled my gaze. "Erm...No,...well yes, I am fine."

"Are you sure?" She asked, pointing at my fingers that wrapped around my mouth."