THE SILENT KILLER

THE SILENT KILLER

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Good morning Donna, I'm unwell today. I won't make it to work .."
That's an early text from Sonia my dayburg.
Agggrrrr.... And I thought I'd wake up to homemade  breakfast aroma.
I lazily get off the bed and drag my lazy ass towards the kitchen.
The fridge is literally empty except for a few frozen cereals and greens.
I've to go and get some groceries before I plan my day.
I grab a few bills from my wallet and drag my lazy self out of the house, heading to the nearest shop.
It's still early and foggy, blame it on winter.
I'm too much preoccupied in thoughts such that I do not notice a vehicle which is packed right outside my gate. I walk past it towards the groceries shop. Just then, someone kicks me from behind while another one places a gun on my head as the first one blindfolds me. As they are push me inside a waiting car, I hear gunshots and confrontations and in the process, someone grabs me and changes direction and I'm thrown into another car.  That happens so fast such that I get confused. I'm all confused because I do not know why two parties are interested in me. Through their exchange of words, I realise that they are two rival groups all fighting for one thing.
I'm unable to talk as well because my mouth has been sealed with a tape.
I'm hurdled into the boot of the car as if I'm  a common criminal. I'm sure these guys mean business and whatever they are fighting for must be of importance.
The car comes to a halt and I hear the boot being opened. I'm dragged out and made to walk through what I presume to be a door.
I'm then pushed into a couch and a masked guy unseals the tape from the mouth and removes my blindfold. He makes me inhale some stuff from a cotton wool then ties my hands and legs together and he gets out of the house, locking it without throwing me even a glance.
I'm left there wondering what really went wrong.
I can't seem to get any clear answer until sleep takes over my tired and frail body.
Darkness engulfs my whole self.

                 *********

"Where's my money Donna?"
"Which money are you taking about Max? "
"Twaaaaf"
" Maybe that will remind you where you hid it!"
Max must be drunk. I haven't seen him for days  and now he is here, demanding for money I know nothing about. I shout out to my auntie Bree but no sound is coming out. Max is charging towards me, his eyes red with fury. I do not know how to handle him when I'm alone. I try shielding my head with my hands before a blow lands on my head.
       **************
I wake up with a start. I try to turn but  I'm unable to. I open my eyes slowly as I try to move my hands and legs. Loh and behold, I'm tied and the bitter reality dawns unto me.... I can't move.
It's still daybreak and my head feels heavy.
I've a vague idea what these guys want from me but if they play rough with me, I also play rough with them. I'm not about to be intimidated. Street life has taught me better. I'm also a hard nut to crack.
There is a wall clock tickling above me. It reads half past five in the evening. My stomach is rumbling, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything the whole day.
I try to entangle myself from the snare but I can't. It's like I've been chained but in real sense,  I've just been tied with a rope.
As I think of what to do, I hear rumbling of keys at the door and as the door let's go, three masked men get in, carrying guns and machettes. I'm tempted to laugh but I can't because I don't want to risk life.
One of them roughes me up as he makes me sit on a nearby metallic seat.
I'm blindfolded once again and one of them stands behind me. He is so close to me such that I can feel his breathe on my neck. He reeks of weed, booze, cigar all combined.
"I'm hungry... "
No response.
"What do you want from me?"
I finally manage to ask.
No reply.
"Will you guys tell me why I'm  here all you gonna continue tying me as a common criminal?"
I tense, knowing that they can harm me now that I'm blindfolded and tied on the seat.
They can do their worst for all I care.
"Nobody will harm you if you cooperate. Where is the file madam Donna..."
One of them finally manages to ask.
" Wha... Whi... which file?"
I stammer.
"Stop playing dump with us lady, you know what file we are talking about!"
One of them growls, spitting saliva all over my face.
"Remove this rag of cloth from my face. That way I will be able to answer your questions better... O rather hide my face whenever you try to talk... "
I know I've definitely earned myself a blow. I wait for it to land as I count up to five but nothing happens.
Finally, after what seems like eternity, someone moves behind me and unties the blindfold.
I rub my eyes as I try to look at each of them but they have already worn their masks.
"May I have some water please.... And some food. I'm starving!"
"One of them goes outside and comes back with a bag. He takes out a bottle of water and a loaf of bread.
"There you go lady. You better hurry up. We don't have all the day here!"
I tear the paper holding the bread as I open the bottle of water. I munch onto the loaf as if my whole life depends on it.
The three guys are making fun of my eating. I don't even care about whatever they are saying because I'm too hungry to bother.
"See who's starvin..."
Before he could finish his sentence of mockery, I hear a deep voice from behind him and everybody steps back, saluting and bowing. I can tell that the person who has just arrived is more Superior to them than anyone else. The same sweet deep voice I heard two days ago.
I immediately lose my appetite. What is he doing here? Does he know I have the file? How did he know? Endless questions are running through my mind.
All I have to do is to wait and hear what he has to say....