BURN for Better or Worse (COMPLETED)

Chapter 30

RANDALL

“How is she?” A question flies out to Amara as she opens the door to my car, it must be so bad that she has to meet me outside.
“She’s sleeping now.” She says, accepting a kiss on the cheek. “I’m worried Randall, what if something bad is going to happen?”
I take her hand into mine as we walk back to the house. How do I comfort her when I don’t know what’s really going on? 
“Where is everyone?” Ife is usually packed on the couch around this time, catching up on her shows.
“Ife is not back yet, I had a missed call from her. Her phone is off which is offbeat, Ife never misses a chance to charge her phone. Who will update her statuses?” Amara exclaims, laughing. Now that she’s mentioned it, I had a message from Ife.
“What is it?” She questions following me to a seat.
“Ife had left a voice message, I didn’t listen to it thinking she was complaining again. She better not be sleeping over at a friend’s house.”
“She wouldn’t do that without your consent.” Amara has a habit of taking Ife’s side and fighting her battles and this gives Ife a ticket to do whatever she wants.

‘Brother, I need to talk to you. I’m scared, really scared. Please call me when you get this.’ 

“Shit.” I jump to my feet and begin to head outside.
“Randall, what’s wrong?” Amara's question leaps on me as she scuttles behind me.
“I think Ife is in trouble, I’m going to look for her.”
“What did the message say?”
“That she’s scared, something must’ve happened to her.” My voice sends off a panic, it’s too late to take it back. Amara has heard the hint, Ife is in trouble. No matter how disobedient she is, she makes sure she’s at home earlier than 9pm.

“I’ll call all her friends, please be careful out there.” With her words still ringing in my ears, I dash to the car. My mind is already entertaining the worst, this country is not a safe place for a woman. Women are killed like it’s a trend, they go missing and are found dead in a ditch somewhere. There’s a demon lurking over the country and I need to keep my family safe.
I can’t lose another sibling, Raven’s death haunts me till today.
Sleepless nights are what I’ve been subjected to, I can’t tell Amara about it. She was there when I killed my brother, she witnessed everything. My heart broke that day and I had to pretend that I was fine when I was dying inside. I don’t regret killing him, but I hate myself for it. I can’t help but think that if only there was another way.

LINDA…

The moon is out in its full glory, giving light to Linda outside the rondavel they use as a kitchen. Her husband is a few yards away, warming himself near the bonfire, Linda hasn’t explained why she exclaimed that their daughter was dying. She’s afraid of what he would think of her, this is the same man she sold her daughter’s soul for.
The same man she took desperate measures just to keep, days have passed and he hasn’t asked her about her revelation.
Linda is desperate for a way out, she waits for answers from God. Fasting and praying, faith has come to dwell with her. But fear remains as well, her heart would stop when she would receive a call from Thandiwe…

‘Umkhuleko unamandla, uma sikhuleka ngokukholwa.
Ujesu ulalela, aphendul’ umkhuleko,
letha konke ku Jesu, ngomkhuleko.’ (Prayer is powerful when you pray in faith.)

Linda sings with faith and whole heartedly, hoping God will hear her prayers and forgive her sins.
“Linda.” A whisper flies from behind the rondavel, stopping her notes. Linda peeks over to find nothing but sheer darkness. The woman is never afraid of the dark, but tonight it has her shivering and her heart thudding against her ribcage.
“Linda.” The whisper is accompanied by a flood of footfalls, they seem to be treading her way. Like any human being, her first thought is to run. How? When her feet have fallen numb, she remains seated on the bench the wet plate gripped in her hand.
“Jesu, ngivikele ezitheni zami. Ilwa nalaba abalwa nami.” (Lord, protect me from my enemies, fight those who fight against me.)
A prayer to the most-high God, her faith has not waivered, but fear seems to be overtaking her. Her eyes widen as a little girl appears from the darkness. Rage lies on her face, Linda doesn’t know this person in front of her, yet her presence is bloodcurdling.