HUNTED
845 Words
CHAPTER 5: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
The feeling didn’t leave.
Even after Amara started the car, even after she pulled into the busy streets of Lagos, it stayed with her.
That quiet, unsettling sense…
Like she wasn’t alone.
She checked her rearview mirror.
Nothing unusual.
Just the normal flow of traffic—cars, buses, motorcycles weaving through the road like always.
But her instincts didn’t relax.
They got louder.
Zayn’s voice echoed in her head:
“They’re watching you.”
Amara tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
“Alright,” she muttered under her breath, “let’s see.”
She made a sudden turn.
Not her usual route.
A test.
A black SUV followed.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
She turned again.
Sharper this time.
Faster.
The SUV followed again.
That was all the confirmation she needed.
Amara exhaled slowly.
No panic.
No fear.
Just focus.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Now it begins.”
She pressed harder on the accelerator.
The car surged forward, weaving through traffic with precision.
Horns blared.
People shouted.
But Amara didn’t slow down.
Behind her, the SUV picked up speed.
Staying close.
Too close.
“This isn’t just surveillance,” she realized. “They want me.”
Her heart remained steady—but her body was fully alert now.
Every sense sharp.
Every movement calculated.
She made another turn—this time into a narrower street.
Less traffic.
More risk.
The SUV followed.
Amara’s jaw tightened.
“Bad choice,” she said under her breath.
Suddenly—
Another car appeared ahead.
Blocking part of the road.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“Of course,” she muttered.
Trap.
She reacted instantly.
Swerving hard to the side, her tires screeched against the road as she narrowly avoided the obstruction.
Behind her—
The SUV didn’t slow.
It sped up.
Now they weren’t just following.
They were chasing.
Amara’s pulse quickened—but her mind stayed clear.
Think.
Move.
Survive.
She grabbed her phone with one hand and dialed.
Zayn picked up immediately.
“Don’t tell me you’re already in trouble,” he said.
“They’re not watching,” Amara replied sharply. “They’re chasing.”
Silence.
Then—
“Where are you?” Zayn asked, his tone instantly serious.
Amara glanced at the road.
“Heading toward the inner streets. Black SUV behind me—and I think I just avoided a setup.”
Zayn cursed under his breath.
“Listen carefully,” he said. “You need to lose them. Don’t stay on open roads.”
“Already ahead of you,” she replied.
Another sharp turn.
Another burst of speed.
The SUV stayed right behind her.
Relentless.
“They’re not backing off,” she said.
“They won’t,” Zayn replied. “You’re too important now.”
Amara didn’t respond.
She didn’t like the sound of that.
Up ahead—
A tight corner.
She didn’t slow.
She turned sharply, her tires screeching as she drifted slightly into the next street.
The SUV followed—but slower this time.
Good.
Amara accelerated again, pushing her car to its limit.
“Take the next left,” Zayn said suddenly.
Amara frowned.
“How do you—”
“Just do it.”
Something in his voice made her listen.
She turned left.
The road narrowed even more.
Almost empty.
“Now what?” she asked.
“Keep going,” Zayn said. “You’re heading toward a split road. When you see it—take the right.”
Amara followed his instructions without hesitation now.
The SUV was still behind her—but slightly further.
“Right ahead,” she said.
“Take it,” Zayn replied.
She did.
The moment she turned—
Zayn’s car appeared from the opposite direction.
Fast.
Precise.
Before she could react—
He swerved his car sideways, blocking the road behind her.
The SUV had no time.
Brakes screamed.
Tires burned against the asphalt.
But it was too late.
The SUV slammed into Zayn’s car.
Impact.
Loud.
Violent.
Amara’s heart jumped.
“Zayn!” she shouted into the phone.
Silence.
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel.
For a split second—
She almost turned back.
But then—
His voice came through.
“Go!” he shouted. “Don’t stop!”
Her breath caught.
“Zayn—”
“Go, Amara!”
This time, she didn’t hesitate.
She pressed the accelerator.
Hard.
Her car sped away, leaving the chaos behind.
Her heart pounded now.
Not from fear.
From everything.
The chase.
The crash.
Him.
She drove until the streets became normal again.
Until the noise returned.
Until it felt like the world hadn’t just shifted.
Only then did she slow down.
Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled over.
She looked at her phone.
Still connected.
“Zayn?” she said softly.
No answer.
Her chest tightened.
“Zayn.”
Nothing.
The silence felt heavier than anything else.
Amara leaned back in her seat, staring ahead.
For the first time since this started…
She felt it.
Fear.
Not for herself.
For him.
- Writer
