My Third Cycle

14. Melinda

I sat in the back seat of Bayo's Peugeot 406 with the scanner and headphones in my ear, while he and Lola sat in front. We drove out of his estate and headed straight for Ikorodu. We got to Ikorodu after an hour and half, the weather had become humid and the temperature had dropped, The clouds dark and foreboding.

The signal was strong in Ikorodu and I could sense we were getting closer to its source. We arrived at Bayeku at around 3:15pm, the signal led us straight to the Bayeku beach. Luckily, the beach was deserted as it was a weekday.

"This is definitely its source." I said. It was windy and we could perceive the scent of rain.

Bayo turned round, looking at the beach. "I see nothing." He said.

"Except for that warehouse" Lola interjected, pointing at a building quite a distance away.

"Let's check it out." I said.

We moved cautiously to the entrance and found it locked. Just as I was about to suggest looking for another entrance, Lola picked up a rock and smashed the padlock off, It was just as well. we got in because it began to rain. It was dark inside the warehouse but luckily, Bayo brought a small flashlight along, it only illuminated a small part of the space but we were grateful for it still. Before we moved in any deeper, Bayo examined our surroundings first, flicking the flashlight over our surrounding, we saw nothing but containers, all opened. We moved forward searching each container but they all proved empty. Just then Bayo found another door, we got together in front of this door and opened it.

Ola sat strapped to a chair in the middle of the room, eyes wide with fear and mouth taped. Without thinking, I rushed to her immediately and started loosening her straps. Lola was beside me to help and she removed the tape covering Ola's mouth.

"Who... Who are you?" Ola asked once we'd freed her lips, her voice quivering with fear. I removed all her straps and she immediately broke into a run but Bayo caught her. Lola being the only female amongst us tried to calm her.

"It's alright." she said, "We are here to rescue you."

Finally, I thought, Finally I have found her. I stood up from my crouch to face her and she was just as I remembered except, there was so much fear and
pain in her eyes. I tightened my fist as anger boiled in me. I moved closer to her as Lola held her.

"Ola..." I said, trying to touch her face with my fingers.

"Don't touch me!" she cried out, "Please don't let him touch me."

I withdrew my hand in disappointment. "You don't remember me." I said with a sad smile.

"I don't know you."

Bayo stared searchingly, up and around the dark warehouse. "I think we should go, something's not right here, why isn't she guarded? This is a trap." he said.

As he turned to leave, we heard the sound of clapping approaching us from the direction of the exit and the door was slammed shut, we were cornered. The sound of the door being slammed shut caused Zaleka who was on edge to scream in panic.

"Welcome! I see you brought an audience."

I knew that voice, it definitely belonged to Zaleka's deceased friend Melinda. I held my nerves and stood still watching, waiting for her to appear. She came up on a wooden platform I hadn't noticed before and then bright flashing fluorescent lights came on, blinding us with the suddenness. Lola fell to the floor jerking; convulsing with white foam oozing out of her mouth.