At Gun Point

~10~

The sun was now sending its bright spears of light in the eastern horizon. Showing its grand arrival. There were more people now from the nearby farms and villages. Most of them knew me,so they would come to greet me. Showing sorry and horrified faces. Some had heard what had happened to us,some wanted to know.

I heard choppers descenting into the valley of raspberry fields towards the shopping mall. It was easy to spot since much smoke was billowing into the sky. They were either the cops or the medical guys,I thought

The sound of approaching choppers became so loud and the fire brigade guys removed their truck from the clearing making room for the two approaching helicopters. The blue- red lights on their bellies showed they were the cops. My phone rang and Brian announced their arrival. I told him I was outside and the other survivors were being attended by the health care workers and the dead were still inside.

After Brian's call,I excused myself and headed back to my vehicle. I wanted to check on the progress of the downloads. After settling in the car,I saw Melinda coming towards the vehicle. She was gonna be trouble,I thought. Wherever I go she follows. Maybe I was the only man she trusted of all the people who were there.

Upon arriving she then told me her grandmother and her uncles had come and she had decided I would tell them what happened. I was surprised and laughed at her suggestion. She then reciprocated the gesture, telling me I was going to do it whether I like it or not. I just then started to wonder what was going to happen to her when my wife reach here. She was acting like she owned me. She beckoned her granny and two of her uncles to come to the car.

We formally greeted each other,Melinda introducing us to each other in the process. I then briefly relate our horrible story to them. Her granny started to cry when she heard that Melinda was about to be raped by the white man. Without warning,she started to walk towards the direction of Bastion's stretcher,cursing and shouting at him. Melinda and her uncles were running after her trying to reassure her to calm down. She was infuriated. I left it be,Frederick deserved it though.

After disconnecting the laptop and the external hard drive,I decided to call my wife. It was necessary to tell her of my whereabouts before she got gravely worried about me. It wasn't the first time for me to sleep outside,but it was the first I did without her knowing where. I didn't wanted her to think I was having an affair. Surely I wasn't, so I wanted her to come and see for herself what was happening to me during my absence,beside her in bed. I didn't wanted to call her during the early hours of morning when I called the cops and the healthcare people. I wanted her to sleep. Calling her at that time was going to scare her and she was gonna rush to the mall. I feared she would end up in an accident due to panic and speeding. I needed her to come in one piece. She is the love of my life. The apple of my eye.

I then dialled her number. She was slow to answer but after a couple of minutes,her sweet voice was at the end of the line.

"Hello my love!Are you Ok?I slept a few hours ago worried and wondering where you are without telling me. I couldn't sleep you know.
I tried your number and it didn't get through. Where are you sweety?My instincts were telling me something bad is happening to you. What is going on,tell me?"She sang without giving me a chance to answer.

I tried hard to calm myself before answering. I wanted to sound like all was well. I was doing it for her. I have seen what panic can do. It can drive a person into danger than safety.

" I'm Ok sweetheart, only a few bruises. I was involved in an accident last night. It wasn't a big deal though"I lied. Though it was a major accident.
I heard her releasing a deep sigh,before saying,"Are you at the hospital. Give me five minutes to change,I will be there in twenty minutes. Ow!Hope you haven't sustained serious injuries,I know you! Maybe you are lying to avoid me from panicking."she said.

She hideously caught me that I was lying. I guessed,her instincts has told her again that I was bluffing. This woman,she knew me inside out. She is my soul mate. She could tell my condition even though she was miles away. She was a gift from God. Sometimes I just thought I didn't deserve her. I was one lucky bastard.

"No!No!Sweety,I'm not at the hospital. I'm in Metrofarms,at the shopping mall. It's a long story my love. I will tell you in detail when you reach here. Please may you come with water,a towel and a bucket plus some clothes to change. Also my laptop in the study room,bring it. Maybe I will be going to the capital in a few hours. Take your time driving sweety. Don't panic!I'm fine babe. Please don't speed the car. Tell the maid, Tangsen is not going to school today. Love you babe."I ordered her.
Tangsen is my youngest brother who I was living with. He was the last to come out of my mother's womb. I was the first of four. Three boys and one girl,we came one after the other from our mothers baby creating chamber,her womb. Me Charlton was first, followed by Carolina, then Charles and finally Tangsen, who was named after our grandfather.

"I will try to be calm,but my heart is pounding right now.I'm coming alone,I will leave the baby with the maid. Expect me in an hour. I can feel you are not fine though you are trying to."She told me.

I then packed the laptop back in the briefcase. Preparing to go and meet the cops who have just landed. When I came out,I saw some of the villagers running away thinking the war has started. This surged a laugh from inside of me,though my body was against all that. It was soar and painful. Walking required a great deal of energy and effort. Relaxing has caused my body to feel every pain. I was like a moving zombie. Like a careless drunkard.

FROM THE AUTHOR:Thank you for reading!If you have enjoyed the story,please remember to vote and feel free to comment below. Note:All comments,good/bad,are also very welcome. I'd really like to know what you think.It would mean a lot to me as a budding writer, and may help my career.

Please remember to share the story to others!