BANE

CHAPTER ONE

MAGNERIA
18th September, 2013.

Mr Othman Kamal whistled to himself as he arranged the documents on his desk. It was a promising day,he thought . for the first time in three years, he was going to spend quality time with his daughter . He just hoped that nothing would come up to ruin his plans , as if the odds conspired against him,the phone that he so wished wouldn't ring,let out a shrill cry.

"What?" His countenance changed immediately after talking to the person at the other end. He knew she would be disappointed; but that business needed to be taken care of , his company is in danger ,and if he losses that he had nothing more to offer her. He wouldn't let that happen.

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She was walking down a deserted street in high spirit,wondering what could spoil such a lovely day. Little did she know that life as she knew it was about to change .

She deliberated about bringing out her phone to listen to a song when her phone begun to ring . she opened her purse to bring it out,in the process,a small brooch fell out , which she was unaware of.

She was sceptical when she saw it was her dad calling her, because she was scared that he had called to cancel." Hi dad." She tried to sound as cheerful as she could.

" Hey sweety. " replied the voice at the other end. " How are you?" Okay, she knew what he was getting at, how are you? Seriously? He saw her in the morning .

" Fine."

" I don't know how to say this ,but---"

" You can't make it." She interrupted . she wondered why it hurt every time that happens . she was used to it, she is supposed to be immune to it.

" Yes,I am really sorry,but I promise I would make it up to you." Yes promises, she is tired of hearing those.

" okay, when are you coming back?" She struggled to keep her voice steady, fighting back the tears that had begun to gather in her eyes. She shouldn't cry over that, she is not a child anymore.

" I am not coming back today.I just went back home to pick up some stuffs,I am on my way to the airport. " she didn't think it was humanly possible for her spirit to sink lower but it did, now, she has to sleep over at her Friend's house. " I would be back tomorrow probably ,or the day after that, it depends on how it goes."

" I wish you a safe journey dad. Where are you headed?"

" Winsberg, our branch there has a problem."

" I thought you didn't like going to Winsberg. I will talk to you later,am walking on the street right now. Call me when you arrive okay?"

" Okay dear, take care." He loved her high level of maturity.

Surprised that she had been able to control herself throughout the conversation; she tried not to dwell on it. She brought out her earpiece and put on a song ,she increased the volume to the max ,a lot running through her mind.

She kept walking at a slow pace, unaware of her surroundings . she didn't notice the van that had begun to trail her; neither did she hear it park a few paces behind her or a man coming quietly out of the van towards her. All she could remember was someone putting a hanky over her nose and everything went blank.
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Ibrahim Mahboub watched out the window as the leaves swayed silently in the cool afternoon breeze as he thought about his life so far. But something apart from the swaying leaves caught his attention,a girl he saw smuggled into a van. He was no expert ,but he knew he had to do something .

He became confused at that very point; he rushed out to the hall,towards the matron's office. He knew he had to report . it was the right thing to do . without knowing what had happened, other nurses called out to him to stop . seeing that he wasn't going to ,they stood up and went after him. He ran harder and soon left them far behind.

The Matron's office was situated at the end of the long hospital corridor . The Matron, Rose Kent ,was working on some paperwork when he barged in. She stood up immediately " What is the meaning of this?" She was irritated, being a serious woman that hated anything that would interfere with her work . she was a grim looking,bespectacled and about 56 ,of average height and a plump physique.

" They---- they---- killed her and took her away in a black van." He said breathlessly.

" who did they kill and take away?" She raised an eyebrow.

" Maybe they didn't kill her,maybe they drugged her, yea,I think she was drugged ."

" Who?" She almost shouted, she hated wasting her time. She had a lot to do. She allowed some privileges to some old patients , their doors are not locked and are allowed to wonder in the hallway. She was beginning to regret it.

" I don't know." It was then it hit him, nobody was ever going to believe him, he was just a patient in a psychiatric hospital with no proof backing up his claim. Who was I kidding, he thought. The two nurses finally entered ,confused and out of breath.

" Did you see what he saw too?" Mrs Kent inquired impatiently ." What who saw?" One of the nurses asked.

" I find that question irrelevant Maria. But can someone explain to me what is going on here?"

" We followed him, we thought he wanted to run away,but we were shocked when he ran towards your office."

" Well, Mr Ibrahim here ,claims he saw a girl ,killed or drugged and smuggled into a van,a black van to be precise . Did I miss anything out?" She turned to him, he would have sworn her tone was heavy with sarcasm,he made no reply.

" He hasn't been out,has he? Because I made sure that all the patients were in their various rooms?" Obviously scared that the matron will query her for not doing her job well.

" of course I haven't ." he was getting impatient .How did she become a nurse , he couldn't help but wonder,if he tried to go out she would have seen him.

" He claimed to have seen it through the window ." the nurse sighed in relief ." Mr Ibrahim, would you mind showing me where you saw it..err...happen?" Like he had a choice.
He nodded slowly and begun to leas the way, the two nurses came to stand beside him,as if he were a convicted criminal. He found it quite annoying but he didn't day a word.

He stopped abruptly when they reached the place,at least where he thought it was. The matron moved forward to ' investigate ' ,but just as he feared ,she found nothing out of the ordinary.

She turned and looked at him with anger, she couldn't believe she thought he was better ,soon enough her expression softened to pity. He felt the nurse's eyes bore into him with the same look in their eyes.

Ibrahim recognised the look and was infuriated ,his eyes went to the ground . he wished he didn't feel so stupid.
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" she is suppose to be here by now." Banan said as she threw her hands up in frustration." I can't believe that she is forty minutes late."

The boy seating across her ,glanced at her and then at his wrist watch." Let me try her number once more." After a couple of minutes,he turned towards Banan and shook his head." Still switched off."

" Do you think she is alright Zaid? " she asked,softening her tone of voice.

" why wouldn't she be? Maybe her battery is dead. You know how she hates charging her phone." He chuckled at the last part ,Banana smiled." As much as I hate to say this , I guess we have to go without her."

" She would be mad of she missed this movie." Banan stared at the other side of the road through the cafe window ,hoping she would show up.

Ten minutes later there was still no sign of her . she glanced back once more before they left.

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