Victim

VICTIM

CHAPTER ONE

             THE HEART BREAK

Amanda ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She had lost all sense of reasoning and caution, as she ran down the untarred road that leads to her house. Onlookers and passerby could only wonder what had happened to her as tears rolled down her cheeks. With a confused gesture, the flash of the event enveloped her thoughts that she was lost in consciousness of the wind and pants deeply in pains and sweat from the scorching sun mixed with tears trickled down her face.

She finally got home weeping profusely right in the compound,screaming; '' The worst has happened! daddy is dead!'' Mrs Anyanwu on hearing the demise of her husband who died in a car accident screamed and rolled helplessly and uncontrollably on the ground. Her friends and neighbours glued to her and condole with her. The living room was filled with sympathizers many of whom sobbed painfully.

Amanda had been taken away from the house to their neighbour's apartment where she was hushed in sorrow and trepidation. Everyone was shocked and terrified at the news of Mr Anyanwu's death. The remains of Mr Anyanwu had been taken to the mortuary. Amanda and her mother headed for the mortuary to behold the remains of her father.

The candle on the centre table glowed dimly. Amanda laid on the couch with her head resting on her mother's lap. Her mother counselled her to dwell less on the death of her father. But the vacuum created by his departure seemed almost impossible to be filled because the memories of all the love lavished on her and the promises made by her father to support her musical career echoed on her mind. The fear of not fulfilling her career haunts her.

Mr Anyanwu worked as a civil servant while his wife supported the family by trading on fruits. His death affected the family greatly because he was the shoulder on which the family leans on. Amanda who is their only child is a tall pretty girl with a brown charming eye with long dark curly hair. She is a secondary school certificate holder whose ambition is going to a music school. She is a very smart, astute and disciplined girl, who is loved by everyone for her unique character.

Exactly one week after the death of Anyanwu Emmanuel, the funeral service was held and he was laid to rest. After the burial ceremony, life soon returned to normal for the family. sometimes the death of Amanda's father filled her mind that she was lost in thought and tears rolled down her cheeks but her mother would encourage her to be strong.

It was a Monday morning, in the town of Ikenga of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. The gentle morning breeze enveloped the whole town, the sonorous whispers and the humming of the birds could be heard from a distance. Many residents were still asleep, when Amanda gazed at the ceiling, bothered about her music carreer because things grew worst for them, as they live from hand to mouth. A million questions flashed through her burdened mind, "How would i fulfil my music career?, Who will sponsor me? Are we going to survive this miserable condition?" again tears trickled down her face. But she couldn't help herself than to pray silently to God saying "God, please save me." Her mother had taught her to always hand over every situation to God, no matter how difficult it may seem. 

It was 6:30am when Amanda and her mother went to the living room for their daily morning prayers. They were devout members of the Anglican communion. Immediately after the prayers, Mrs Anyanwu's cell phone rang and she eagerly received the call which was from Mr Douglas her husband's brother, who lived in Lagos. She had made a secret request with him to move Amanda to Lagos that she could continue her music education. Mr Douglas had promised to get back to her after making the necessary arrangement. Amanda's mother could not contain the joy that filled her heart, '' Thank you for relieving me of this burden and for giving my daughter the opportunity to fulfil her carreer'. She said to him still overwhelmed with joy. Amanda's mother broke the news to Amanda and she received it with mixed feelings. The joy of fulfilling her career and the sorrow of leaving her mother behind occupied her thought.

             CHAPTER TWO

             THE BETRAYAL

It was a Friday morning, Amanda's mother took her to the garage where she could board a bus from Onitsha to Lagos. Amanda had never gone on such a long journey alone.The garage was besieged with a throng of people travelling to different places. Just before the vehicle moved, Mrs Anyanwa heaved a deep sigh and placed her hands on her daughter saying, ''Amanda I have not in any way brought the name of this family to any form of disrepute neither did your father while he was alive.'' Looking into her eyes she further said,'' Always remember that your attitude determines your altitude and good moral is the foundation of education.'' Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Amanda and she hugged her and bid her goodbye.

It was an overwhelming experience for Amanda as she arrived Mr Douglas' house at 8:00pm and she was happily received by the family. The apartment is a two storey building located at Ikeja in Lagos. Mr Douglas is a successful business man who deals in importation of goods, his wife runs a big supermarket at Arena Market. The couples are blessed with two children, Sam and Ruth. Sam was preparing to further his education at Columbia University in America, Ruth is still in her secondary school level.

Amanda lived happily with the family and she got fond of her two cousins. She exhibited good characters and she was faithful in ensuring the cleanliness of the house on a daily basis. She was enrolled to a music school named, ''Mendel Choral school.'' The love Mr Douglas had for Amanda increased due to her exceptional character .This made Mrs Douglas unhappy with the preferential treatment given to her. Amanda's happiness in the family was cut short because Mrs Douglas began to make life unbearable for her.

Sam had already completed his studies and was already working as a logistic personnel in a company in America. He had made a promise to assist Felix who had become a family friend once he has settled down and he is financially bouyant. But he didn't fulfil his promises but was only sending money and goods to his family. This triggered Felix to pay him in a very hard way.

Felix entered the room of his two friends Jude and Bala, living in one room apartment not very far from the Douglas' house. He came in vexed and related to his friends how Sam had disappointed him and how he had planned to pay him back. He said to them: '' I have a deal to execute with you guys.'' '' What's the deal?'' Jude asked. Felix replied '' Well, Sam sent valuable electronic gadgets for house furnishing and cash of about Twenty million naira to his father. I was there when the shipment came in.'' Jude and Bala wondered how the news concerned them and what deal he was talking about. Felix further said, '' Listen guys, Sam is selfish and inconsiderate. He got to the US and forgot me. This was not what we discussed before he left the country. The deal is grabbing those goodies for ourselves and the cash especially.'' Jude and Bala were not comfortable with the deal but Felix tried convincing them saying,'' Every deal has a success key.It's going to be like taking candy from a baby.Everyone needs cash for Christmas. Now, this is the plan. We will gather at the last junction to Mr Douglas' house at 12:00am, then by 12:30am we will set off for operation. I will get the security uniform, masks, guns and every other things we need for the operation.

At Mr Douglas's house, the evening was cool and the environment serene. Amanda was in her room rehearsing the key notes she had learnt from her music school that day. Mrs Douglas banged her door and ordered her to stop disturbing the peace of the environment. She said this out of hatred for her. But Amanda still maintained her composure and good behaviour. She complain bitterly about her to her husband and accuses her of things she didn't do just to distract him from giving her too much attention. Inspite all these, Amanda improved in her music skills and was reckoned as one of the best in her school.She was chosen to represent her school at a National Music Concert in Abuja.

              CHAPTER THREE

               DESPERATION

At 12:45am on a Thursday morning, Felix and his friends, Jude and Bala were already at Mr Douglas' compound with weapons and they dis guised as security agents. They broke the door and force themselves into the house. The family were already asleep but the noise from the broken door woke Mr Douglas and his wife as they wondered what was going on. His wife held tightly to him as she was frightened by the noise, she asked him: " Did yiu hear that sound coming from the sitting room?" He motioned her to be quiet and tiptoed towards the door to know if anyone was there. Felix and his company had already done their survey, so they knew where the room of Mr and Mrs Douglas was situated. They knocked at the door of their room but the couple refused to open the door out of fear, they broke the door and barge in, pointing a g*n at them. Mr Douglas frighteningly said, " Please don't kill me" he raised his hands in surrender. " I will give you whatever you want" he said. Mrs douglas also appeal to them not to kill her husband, she was silenced and threatened with the g*n. They ordered Mr Douglas to bring out all the cash in the house. He was beaten blue black and threatened to be killed because he was reluctant in giving them all the money they had. eventually he submitted to their will and they left.

During the operation, Amanda and Ruth were fast asleep and they woke up later to discover that the house was burgled. Amanda was amazed as many thoughts ruminate her mind. "Who did this? " How did it happened that we weren't aware? Hope my uncle and his wife are safe?" She and Ruth searched the whole house but couldn't find them.

Meanwhile, Mr Douglas was rushed to the hospital as he bleed profusely from the injuries sustained during the robbery attack. He had a broken head and dislocation in his leg. The doctor said he needed some blood within twenty four hours to stay alive. She had to go round in search of a donor whose blood matches her husband. she was so tensed and desperate as she does not want to imagine him dead. Fear enveloped her and tears rolled down her face, she picked up her cell phone and called some of her relatives and in-laws to come recuse her. They were worried and some were willing to make the sacrifice to save him but the question is "Will their blood match his?" thought Mrs Douglas.

Two of her brother- in-law dashed into the hospital, Emeka and Chidi "What happened to our brother?" Emeka asked. "We were attacked by some robbers at the middle of the night and has less than twenty four hours to get a blood donor for him to survive," she replied fearfully.

The doctor, a young handsome gentleman in his mid thirties walked in and asked Mrs Douglas; " Have you seen any donor?" she replied "Yes, these two young men are willing to donate some blood." The doctor beckoned on one of the laboratory scientist and told her to carry to out a blood test on both men. Unfortunately, after the test, there was no match, Mrs Douglas fear increased and her body shook violently while she screamed "I am finished!"

Ruth dialled her mother's cell number to enquire their whereabout. she informed her that they are in their family hospital, thirty minutes after the girls were in the hospital. on seeing her mother's facial expression, she could sense that something serious had happened. out of anxiety she asked, "Where is dad?" Her mother starred at her with a heavy heart and tears drip off her eyes. she couldn't utter any word as she was perplexed by her husband condition.Her mother drew close to her and pressed her passionately to herself and told them the situation of things. Surprisingly, Ruth offered to donate her blood to save her dad. Fortunately, it was successful and her dad got better and was discharged from the hospital after few days. Mrs Douglas vowed to seek justice on the robbery attack.

At 8:00am she was already at the police station. The DPO, Mr Oresegun was already at his desk, arranging some documents on the table. His office is tastelessly furnished.There is a heap of packed newspaper and magazines on his table. He hears a knock at the door.'' Yes, come in.'' He replied. Mrs Douglas rushed into the office and introduced herself and narrated the incident of the robbery attack, while Mr Oresegun writes as he listens. Then he picked up his intercom and punches some number. '' Hello, link me up with officer Francis from the Anti-Robbery Operation. Tell him I need him right now.'' Francis walks in with his g*n hung on his back, cutting the picture of a competent policeman.The DPO handed over the case to him and asked him to make some investigations on the issue. Mrs Douglas left the office and appreciated him.

                CHAPTER FOUR 

                THE TRAVAIL

It was two days to the National concert coming up at Abuja but Amanda is yet to pay up the fees that would make her eligible to go for the event. Unwilling to be a burden to her uncle who was still recovering, she decided to approach his wife to remind her of event. But she was seriously scolded and hurled insult .at her, accusing her of being involved in the robbery attack. Her distaste for Amanda grew so worst that she plotted on sending her away from the house. While she was still pondering on what to do, her cell phone rang. It was Sam calling to know the state of her dad. He was pleased on hearing that he had recovered but he needed a little rest.

Amanda went into her room and worry set in and the memories of her family occupied her thoughts, particularly her late father. She felt that the whole world was against her and she began to contemplate suicide. She was still battling with a lot of evil thoughts within her when Ruth came into her room to appeal to her based on the ill treatment shown to her by her mother. Amanda wondered what wrong she had done to her uncle's wife. Ruth promised to speak to her mother on her behalf. After chatting for a while Ruth went back to her room.

Days passed and Amanda didn't go for the concert but she tried to keep herself focused while a thought of hope filled her mind, "One day things would get better.'' and she prayed to God as her mother had thought her.

The next day while at school, her close friend Ronke observed her saddened look that mirror the depression that has overwhelmed her being. Ronke is a well trained and disciplined girl, that is why Amanda has chosen to relate freely with her. She opens up almost everything that happens to her. Ronke is always by her side to encourage her and ignite some hope in her. She narrated the ill treatment of her uncle's wife and the trauma she was going through. Ronke counselled her to remain calm, reminding her that the challenges would soon be over.

It got to a point where everything became financially difficult for Amanda because Mrs Douglas has started depriving her of her fees and feeding allowance. At times, it was difficult to get food to eat for a day. Sometimes she soaked garri in water and took it as food. On many occasions she trekked to school because she had no transportation fee.She was surviving at the mercies of Ronke who was supporting her financially in her little way.Despite all these,Amanda remained dedicated to her school task and she was everyone's delight except few of her school mate who were so envious of her uniqueness in academics and character. Some of them lure different men to her to trap her but she didn't give in to their advances.

On a Tuesday evening while she was on her way home from school, two of the guys who had made advances to her laid ambush for her. Their intention was to grab her and r**e her. It was an activity full day for her and she trekking home when the guys with their faces covered blocked her and threatened her with weapons if she screams. Still confused on who they are and what they want, she begged them passionately not to harm her but all appeal fell on deaf ears. And they pulled her down, attempting to r**e her when some men came to her rescue and masked men dashed off. She stood up panting and shivering, when one of the men pitifully asked her, "Where are you coming from by this time of the day?'' She replied, ''I am on my way home from school when those men stopped me.'' The men knodded their heads and escorted her till she got to the entrance of the house and they left.

When she got in, Mrs Douglas enquired why she was late and Amanda still recovering from the shock, tried to narrate the ugly event that almost ruin her life, but it ended in futility. She listened with a pinch of salt and accused her of flirting with men which she said was the reason behind her lateness. She kept on hurling insult at her, '' You this good for nothing fellow. Instead of you to spend your time in school, you are wasting it with men. And who are those men I saw with you at the entrance?'' Stammering she said, " th-eey ar-e the men that rescued me.'' Mrs Douglas replied angrily saying, '' Shut up! You liar!'' Just know it that your days in this house are numbered. Common! go into the kitchen and prepare your meal because I am not your slave to prepare any meal for you.'' Amanda was dump founded and disappointed as she left into her room, staring continuously at the wall, wondering what had come over her. But she couldn't get an answer to the mystery.