THE AUGUST BREAKFAST

Episode3

A pain at my cheeks startled me to reality, another slap,I was able to regain full consciousness. I tried to sit up,but my hands were tied at my back, together with my foot. I forced a scream which attracted a spat on my cheeks, I stared at the young man beside me and could remember him as one of the boys in the vehicle as I began to remember the last event before I dozed off. It is now damn on me that I have become a victim of kidnappings which has been on several news and platforms on how young men picked up girls to make rituals to get rich. I became extremely terrified and started to whimper. The room, probably a hotel, was occupied by five men; the three young men in the vehicle and two other strange men. Close to me lay a young girl apparently in her Nineteen years, shivering and mouth gang,the tears in her eyes had soaked her blouse.

I watched as the men listened and followed the orders of their Chief who apparently was the oldest in the group. He left the room after giving an order. One of the boys went out and returned a few minutes later with a platter. Two of them came to assist him ,we were forced to sit up,I discovered that the next girl had wet her tight shorts and fidgets each moment any of them came closer. I was really scared too and in prayer,but what had been on my mind was who the boys were and how I became a target, since I have no relationship with any of them. My mind took me to Michael's sudden wealth, could it be he is into selling human parts or money rituals?.

" See this girl o " The one that drove the car then complained to his colleagues.

" What happened bro ?" One of them asked.

" The harlot pee on her body !" He lamented and gave her a slap.

The girl curled and folded her legs in pain,she whimpered and moaned. The cloth covering her mouth was removed and was ordered to keep quiet. Mine was removed afterwards.

" What have I done to you Chris ? " The girl asked, still whimpering and trying to control an outburst ," what did I do "

From her question I was able to discover that Chris was the one that drove the car. He stared maliciously at her, squatted before her and giggled,he then turned to face his colleagues and then back to her.

" How did you think I made the money I spent on you ?, taking you round the country, Dubai and other countries,where did you think a young man not up to twenty-eight made such wealth? " He looked at his friends who laughed and shook their heads.

" Stupid girls, they're only mindful of their stomach and how to intimate other girls" The one with the platter chipped in.

" This girl here is the worst of them. But,thank you for making me more rich and adding an additional life "

He left her presence, took some foot away and suddenly turned to me. He looked steadily without a word at me. Then a knock came on the door,he went closer and placed his ear and then opened it. The Chief came in,looked at us and got angry.

" Why are they not eating? "

" We're about to feed them Sir" Chris answered and rushed to the fridge and brought out a bottle of water.

" I don't like hungry girls." He looked at me and then to Chris " Hope none of them are in their menstrual period because it detest such blood? "

" We checked them Sir " The one with the platter replied.

" When ?" He asked surprised.

" On our way here, right in the vehicle" The young man responded again.

The chief seemed not to be satisfied,he stared at Chris and then the next young man.

" Hope none of you had any form of sexual encounter with them ?"

" Is there any problem boss ? " The fair man who has kept quiet all the while asked from the bed edge he sat.

All eyes were on him,he looked at them one by one.

" Why this look? I was only trying to understand to avoid future problem " He protested and adjusted his seating.

" Yes,you shouldn't try such a thing. It is a taboo and makes nonsense of the ritual " The Chief explained and looked at the young girl.

He walked back to the door,held the door knob and turned to face them.

" That's the reason I had to leave my room to talk to you people directly. Feed them right now " He dashed out.

I have Missed luck. I have heard how some people got lucky in such a situation,how one infirmity or circumstances led to their rejection and final freedom. I should have been free, today should have been my first menstrual flow and which normally came huge. The drug I took over the weekend to prevent pregnancy distorted the normal biological rhythm. I felt weak and prayed for more opportunities, maybe this is a punishment.

" These girls will kill us with smell tonight," Chris lamented.

" Am booking a room " The fair man retorted.

" And who will stay with them Spider " The one with the platter asked him who I now learnt his name as spider.

" Jerome and Chris, that's their sacrifice."

Chris was enraged,he looked angrily at spider while the other man addressed as Jerome leaped from the chair, fumed and pointed his finger at spider.

" You must be mad ! Was I not there with you when you performed your sacrifices at Bank road Owerri? Wasn't I there till the end of the ritual? Now you're flexing words,be careful" Jerome threatened and went back to the seat.

" That's too bad of you" The one with the platter said. " Please let's feed the girls"

Chris dropped the bottle of water close to me, found a chair nearby,he brought out a plate from the platter, opened it and was amazed.

" Why such exotic meals?" Chris asked, looking at the fellows.

" Last supper " Jerome answered and got others laughing. The answer got the girl more terrified.

Chris began to feed me,was so patient to allow me to swallow each spoon of the rice. His look wasn't studious,so I wasn't able to decipher if he was expressing pity or happiness. I resolved to eat at that state,not because I am not terrified or in cold dismay,I encouraged myself to eat and then have the energy to plan for an exit. Such thought was unconscious because it's rare to be calculative and spontaneously bursted with plans in a state of terror,deep down I knew I was in big catastrophe. I used my eyes to survey the room,but couldn't find where my handbag was because I believe Emeka would be disturbed or probably direct Mr Fredrick to reach out to me again. I began to feel worries,he would misunderstand the whole situation, apparently thinking I didn't want to visit. Of course I have been acting so strange for a while. The thought created a vacuum in me,I felt detached and then the thought of mom and how she will cry to death,and dad beating his chest in sorrow. They probably will not see their daughter again for years. It occurred to me that these boys are mean and calculative. More recent apprehensions and confessions have revealed that they practically buried the remains of their victims or decomposed them with acids which invariably cleared every track.

I stared at Chris whilst he was holding a spoonful waiting for me to open my mouth. It was obvious that I am being fed by the Devil who will still kill me,I am being fed to live for my death. I lowered my head and allowed the accumulated tears to drop profusely on my cheeks and down the tiles.

" Chief said it has to be early morning by 5;30 " Jerome said,and slumped on the bed. It was obvious that these boys are disheartened and callous.

" I will need some sleep. Probably we will divide ourselves,I and Jerome will stay in another room to sleep, around 2;00 am we swap duty" Spider suggested while staring at the television.

Chris was still looking at me,he sighed after he discovered I couldn't take more of the food,he stood up and went to the bed. The other girl refused to eat,she was in pain and crying. Our mouths were later gagged again.

The night has finally enveloped everything,I guessed it was already 11p.m. Jerome and Spider left the room leaving other friends to watch over us. We lay on the floor,curled and whimpering. At a time,I lost all my energy and resolved to silent prayer. I prayed and slept off. I was woken by a grill voice and a sharp scream, startled. I looked around,the room was dark this time. I was able to see a bit clearly from the illuminating light from the bathroom,I searched for the girl and couldn't see her,my heart skipped, fear grabbed me and left me dumbfounded. I looked at the bathroom,the door was closed but I was able to adjust my sight to see what was going on through the little opening. My heart began to pound and involuntarily I left the urine to make way through my groin...it was hot and sensational. I saw how the remains of the girl were torn,her head resting at a corner...I closed my eyes and wept silently.

I knew it was time,it would be my turn soon. A bang came to the door,it was hard and threatening. I saw how the boys scampered around in fear inside the bathroom. The ones who I wasn't aware were lying down on the bed, sprung up,rushed inside the bathroom and dashed back into the room. They closed the bathroom door,came to me and lifted me up, slowly they pushed me inside the wardrobe and closed the door. I heard as they whispered,then another hard bang,the door opened and sounds of heavy foot match of troops was heard,I began to pray to God,may this be my last hope of survival.

" Hello, can we help you?" I heard one of the boys asking.

" Move out of the way before I send you to hell !" A voice roared.

" This is a private room and how could you intrude into someone's privacy without their consent? This is against my fundamental right !"

I guessed that was Jerome protesting.

I heard a sound,it was thunderous...of course that should be a slap.

" Kneel down ! And your hands stretched up ! You over there, search the bathroom ! You,the wardrobe! Hey ! If you make any move I swear I will blow your skull right away ! " The order gave me joy,I smiled and hoped to be rescued.

" Jesus Christ ! " I heard someone scream,that must be from the bathroom " Sir! Deploy more men immediately!"

I heard a foot rushing out and then in a few seconds more footsteps were heard. I sensed a figure approaching the wardrobe,it opened and a Torchlight flashed,I closed my eyes and then a hand grabbed me.

" I found a girl here,a survivor "

I was lifted up and then dropped on the bed. Two of the Police men untied me,while I watched as the boys were handcuffed and led out of the room. One of the policemen looked at me, and smiled.

" Nne,you are okay now. Let's take you out of here"

I followed him,then I took a glance at the bathroom...there was blood on the tiles while the girl's parts littered on the floor. I slowly followed the man,and at the door I was handed over to a woman. People were standing at the doors of the hotel corridor,squeezing their faces and expressing shock.

" God forbid,so such evil is happening in our own nose ? Jesus ! " A middle aged fat woman lamented.

" My sister, thank God for your life, " A young man said ,as we passed him.

We got to the reception hall. I saw people sitting nervously and agitated. I guessed one was Christy,she leaped up, rushed to me and hugged me tightly.

" Thank God Chi" She whipped and held me more tightly.

" Baby "

I look at the figure sitting at a chair close to the flower vast. It was Emeka,but why couldn't he stand to hug me as well? I wondered if he was still angry. I rushed to him and hugged him,I heard him moan. I withdrew and stared at his leg.

" What happened baby?" I asked, as tears of joy and sorrow dropped from my eyes.

" My daughter" I turned and faced my mom,Dad was at her back smiling. I hugged her, rushed to my dad and left out a cry in her arms. He cuddled me,I remembered such a hug like this the year I won the schools debate and came home with a bucket. His joy wasn't on the gift but the tremendous defeat against the son of the school principal who has been given the school a headline after each examination. The debate brought an aged long speculation that the boy must be a genius from another planet that found his way into his mother's womb. Wherever he thought he came from or be,I was glad to defeat his ego and pride.

It was still dark,the police advised us to stay at the station till it's finally dawn. At the police station,Emeka sat with Christy,they were silent and in brood. I left my mom and walked up to them,I haven't enquired how the police came to know about the hideout, also about my kidnap by my parents and my two friend.

" Baby, how are you?" I asked Emeka and sat close to him.

" I am fine. Hope you're feeling better? He crossed his arms on my shoulder and smiled.

" Only sad that the girl didn't make it. I feel so sorry " I found myself weeping again. The memory of what I saw taunted me for months and left me terrified.

" She's resting babe " Christy assured." It wasn't anyone's fault,we couldn't make it before she was killed"

Her last statement got my interest.

" How did you people get to know about it? " I asked, expressing a surprised look.

They were silent. Their silence got me more confused. I stared at their faces and then ardently focused on Emeka.

" She got a hint," Emeka said reluctantly.

" And then? How?" I became more confused.

" I was about to leave the showroom when I saw you discussing with a young man across the road," Christy revealed, staring at her fingers and shaking her legs, "My mind was disturbed because I couldn't remember seeing you with such a stranger. Immediately you got into the vehicle, I had a sudden perception of danger. The stories online about this ritual boys looking for girls to kidnap for their atrocities kept distorting my thoughts. I called your number to ascertain where you are going without telling me. You were not picking, suddenly the call got busied and switched off. That was when I got alarmed. I called Emeka " She stared at him and then back to her fingers"," Emeka wasn't picking, someone told me he was bedridden,I insisted on speaking with him. I told him what happened,and he promised to call back. He called a few minutes later,told me to come over to Arroma junction where I was picked up by the Police. I got to the Police station and saw Emeka on bandage making entries. The Police switched into duty, organized some men and had to trail the location of her phone. The location showed the hotel where you stayed in Enugu State. They had to make a report to the Police division in charge of the area. On the way,the Police vehicle broke down and had to be replaced. When we got to the hotel, a report from the CCTV footage showed the faces of the boys, which I was able to recall and the vehicle parked at the compound".

I sighed and shook my head " How did they find out ?" I asked, looking in the direction of my parents.

" Emeka called them before making entries at the Awka Police station"

" Was the road that far that you people couldn't make it before she was murdered?" I asked stupendously and began to whimper again.

" It's okay dear, it wasn't anybody's fault " Emeka responded and held me tight " We tried our best, please try and understand".

Not far from our stand,four teens were dragged in handcuffs inside the station. Their hair looked disorganized and on tattered clothes. I guessed they must have been on the run before they were caught up with. The youngest was weeping and protesting to other colleagues,I could barely hear him.

" The world has gone bad beyond repair, imagine these teens into internet fraud and rituals" The police woman on the desk at the extreme corner of the small room lamented.

" And they will still blame the police for not being vigilant and upto duty. Where are their parents? Are they not there when their wards are going astray?" Her colleague,a robust woman in her forties, chipped in.

"You heard about the leaked sexual video of one musician,heard the girl in the leaked tape has committed suicide" The first police woman revealed,and dusted the file before her.

I couldn't figure out the musician in question.I stared at Emeka Who had gone a bit far towards the door. He was staring at the people being paraded outside the Police station . I walked towards him,that was the boys after my life. I saw how they squatted with their heads bent in order to about the camera. Other boys I couldn't figure out their offense were also lined up. I began to feel more uneasy and eager to go home,I needed more rest and sleep.

A woman stopped Midway, turned towards me and then walked towards our direction. She was accompanied by two look-alike boys and an aged man who apparently must be her husband. They were moody,while the woman couldn't hide her pain and tears. Her head was covered with a veil, curled around his neck leaving only his face visible.

" Excuse me dear,I heard you were the girl that was kidnapped along with my daughter?" She asked eventually, controlling her tears.

" Am sorry ma'am,am really sorry"

" It's okay my daughter. I heard you saw it all happened. I lost my only precious daughter" She muttered amidst a whimper. She held my shoulder whilst I was silent. " Try and be strong my dear,and thank your God '' She left and walked into the office of the Divisional police officer.

I felt her pain,l looked at the boys again at the field. The desire to grab a gun or a knife and send them to hell shook my nerves. Maybe that would avenge the death of the young girl. Maybe,my family would have been among those wailing for.my demise had it been I wasn't rescued.

" I want to go home." I said to my dad immediately I walked up to him. He ignored me and continued his discussion with the police man that led the operation that rescued me. I believed he heard me well, probably the discussion was of utmost importance.

I sat back close to the counter,resting my palms on my chin. I felt the desire to sleep,I brought my head down, folded my hands before placing my head on them. I believed it didn't take long,a hand tapped my shoulder and then held my elbow. I was startled,looked up at a figure before me,it was my Dad.

" You had a bad dream" He mumbled.

I shrugged, sighed and wondered what we were still doing in the police station. Beside the traumatized dream,I have heard and seen enough in that small station. A woman walked up and began to make a complaint,she alleged before the counter that she woke up feeling opened and seeing drops of sperm on her laps and private parts after visiting a male friend. I would have asked what did she expect and how’s that a case,but her further information is that she only visited to deliver a billed goods,only to find herself waking up around 5 a.m after being served a cup of juice and peanut snacks. Another case at another table of a young police man, according to the male complainant, alleged that he was actually drugged by a friend. The so-called friend who was handcuffed defended the allegation, alleging that he only cooked a noodle which he served him on his visit with just a curry seed which he heard was good for his health, though have not tried it on himself.

"We have to go now" my Dad announced after speaking at length with the Divisional police officer.

Emeka limped towards me,held my hand and led the way out.

Hope you enjoyed the story? I also enjoy writing for you. Please check the next episode and other stories from me.