TEMPTED SOUL

As my body landed on the dusty ground, I was in panic and I didn’t know what else to do. I was just staring at them like a zombie. One of the men started walking towards me with rage, his face was so dry and I could see his chest dancing up and down. His nose flared up, and his eyes were as sharp as the eyes of a vulture.

I feared what might happen to me at that moment. Everything was horrible and unbelievable. Just then I turned to my left and my eyes caught sight of the knife I’d used earlier to cut the rope from my legs. A voice inside of me whispered into my ears to take the knife and sprang into action.

I glanced at myself and begins to wonder which of the courage and of power will I used to confront these angry men. These men will just dash me with one blow and I will collapse. After thinking for a while, still laying on the ground like a hungry tiger, then a tangible idea flashed into my head.

Pronto, I reached out for the knife and held Alfonso’s head as he was still laying on the ground in pain. I put the knife to his neck, threatening to kill him with it. For whatever reason that gave me such courage and boldness of mind, I didn’t know.

“Drop the gun or I’ll kill him. Drop the gun now.” I commanded with the voice of authority. The guy looked at me for a while and gently dropped his gun to the ground. The other one was still looking at me and pointing his pistol at me.

“Fire boy, pick your gun, stop acting like a kid here. Why would you obey the voice of this little rat? Have you forgotten your adventure and rank in this game?” The other guy, whose name was Jack, said and was still pointing his gun at me.

“You have to surrender to her to save the boss’s life. Boss, life is important. Remember the deal on this game. I really need to leave the country as soon as possible,” he replied.

“What the heck? Are you out of your mind? Let the boss go to hell; after all, we can escape with the money.”

“What do you mean? So you want to betray him. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes, that is the best option now. What do you think?”

“We don’t have to do this. Remember, he is the central chief of this game. He deserved to be rewarded,” the guy was still trying to negotiate as Jack cut him off without even giving him a chance to finish.

“You’re going insane. I can see that you are out of your mind. If you are not ready to go with me, then I have to kill the two of you and find my way out of this place.” I was scared when he said those words. It hit my heart like a tsunami. I was scared because he meant every word he said.

If this guy was going to kill his boss and his colleague, which meant I was going to be involved in the killing. The boss never promised to kill me, so I needed to do something quickly before time ran out.

“Enough is enough. Why do you want to betray your master? Why do you want to betray him after all he had done for you?” I fired, but inwardly I was scared and trying to make use of my number six.

“He betrayed you; did he explain the reason why he did so to you? So, I will betray him for betraying you. Nobody is clean here; we are sinners. The street you see is only the strongest and fittest who survive it. Now I think I am the strongest and fittest here.” He responded to me.

“Jack, remember how I picked you up from the street and made you the man you are today? You Jack,” he pointed his finger at his face.

“You have the right to talk at me in such a mannerless way, you have the audacity to look into my eyes and said those imaginary words to me. I wouldn’t believe you would do this to me after all I’ve been through for you. You are heartless.” Alfonso muttered in regret and amidst tears.

“Who do you think you are by the way? Because I’ve been keeping my cool and letting you use my head, not anymore. We have to end it here.” Jack retaliated.

“Jack, do not forget the roof where you put your head when rain was beating you to a stupor,” Alfonso said.

“You’re speaking in parables. I don’t want to be entertained or listen to your bull and cock parables. By the way, I think I am overrunning my time here.” He replied and set his trigger.

“First, I need to start with you, Nkem. You could report us to the custody and make us face the law, so you need to join your so-called man Alfonso, a betrayer.” He said, My heart started tickling in fear, beating like never before.

“Begin to say your last prayer,” he concluded. The sound of a gunshot rattled in the air. The knife I was holding in my hand fell to the ground and my heart shattered into pieces. Chill rushed down my spine.

I thought I was dead. I thought he had shot me dead, only to realize that he was the one who got shot by the policeman behind his back. There were three police officers accompanied by Chioma.

Oh my God! I exclaimed, I didn’t believe I would still be alive by now. I didn’t believe the whole game would be twisted this way.

“Your hands up.” The officer commanded as Fire boy and Alfonso surrendered by raising their arms above their heads.

“But how did they manage to get here?” The confused Alfonso asked in crimson.

“I texted her when I was able to take your phone. I told her everything that was happening here,” I replied.

“Have you been to this location before? I mean, how did you manage to describe the location to her?” He asked for the last time.

“I googled the location. This is the 21st century, so everything is digitalized.” I replied.

“Enough of this! The two of you are under arrest for kidnapping, attempting murder, robbery, and sexual harassment.” The officer stated according to the law, then one of the police officers quickly handcuffed the two of them and pushed them to the police van. As for Jack, who was now a dead man, he was going to be taken to the mortuary.

I received my money in full, still intact as my brother counted it and wrapped it inside my handbag. Tears of joy trickled down my cheeks as a smile escaped my lips. I embraced Chioma with a warm hug.

I imagined that the one who I helped also happened to be my helper. What a small world. If not for Chioma, I don’t know what my fate or what life would’ve become now. It was a terrible lesson-filled experience as I escaped from the wilderness of my soul that was once tempted. In fact, for this single act, Chioma really deserved to be rewarded.

As we eked out of the uncompleted three-story building, all I could do was sob tears. Just sob tears and thank God.

TEMPTED SOUL

THE END

I’ve learned so many things from this experience; listen to the voice of your elders, know the kind of friends you mingle with, always speak up because a closed mouth is a closed destiny, help people who are in need of help because you don’t know your destiny helper too. Chief of all, whatever we do in this life, we must harvest it with our hands.

NOTE: Every wage has a reward.