Chapter 2
789 Words
My day at the shop was pretty much okay. Not too eventful, but at least sales was good today and I made a little extra cash; I got 3000 naira from adding extra money to the actual price of goods I sold. A satisfied customer also dashed me 1000 for carrying her heavy bags to the junction for her. She was relieved and I was happy too. I was glad I could finally buy that nice sandal I'd been admiring for a week now and still have money left to top up my internet subscription, so I was in high spirits while I was going home.
I was still walking to the bus stop when I was cornered by three rugged, angry-looking guys. I tried to quicken my pace but then one of them drew me back and ordered me to stop. Immediately I became very scared and confused. I'd heard of these thieves who snatched people's bags and robbed them at gunpoint on their way home from the market, but I'd never met them. I guess there's a first time for everything, and this was definitely it.
The second guy tapped me on the shoulder and said: "bring it"
"Eh?" I replied, still scared.
"Bring your phone and your wallet, are you mad?!?", the first guy commanded.
I opened my mouth to say something else when the third guy quickly brought out the g*n he had on him and pointed it at me.
" We're not joking here, do what they said immediately"
Suddenly I felt a surge of adrenaline as my survived instincts kicked in. With a quick movement of my hands, I knocked the g*n away from him and sent him flying with a kick to the chest. I'd caught them unawares and before the second guy could react I'd punched him in the guts, while elbowing the first guy in the face. The second guy doubled over and fell to the ground while I delivered another left hook to the first guy's jaw, knocking it clean off. With his face full of blood, he staggered and fell into the nearby gutter.
The third guy, the one I'd kicked away, had regained his balance and rushed at me but I saw him coming and moved quickly out of the way. As he breezed past, I tripped him with my foot, sending him crashing headfirst into the same gutter his friend had fallen into. Just then I heard a click of a g*n. I turned to see that the second guy had picked up his fallen comrade's weapon and was pointing it at me. I couldn't fast enough to stop him as he pulled the trigger twice.
The sound of the gunshots and the impact of the bullets stopped me dead in my tracks. I looked down at my chest to see two holes in my shirt where the bullets had torn through, but I was even more surprised than my assailant to see that I wasn't bleeding. The bullets had ricocheted off my skin and fallen to the ground. I was unhurt!
Not pausing to process what happened, I lunged for him and hit him with a headbutt to his stomach. The impact of the attack caught him off guard and brought both of us to the floor, knocking the g*n away. Now very angry, I let loose on him and threw my fists in his face, punching with all the strength I could muster. Each blow left my fists dripping more blood but I didn't care as I continued pummeling him. Even as my hands started to ache and his body went limp, I couldn't stop. Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder and I was brought back to present reality with a hot slap.
"My friend don't waste our time, bring out your phone and your wallet here now or I will shoot you"
"Do you think we are playing with you?"
The third guy was barking orders at me, his g*n still pointed at me. Seeing stars from the blinding slap, I immediately surrendered my phone, wallet and wristwatch to them. The first guy said in pidgin: "No be better phone sef" and pushed me into the gutter as they hurried off.
Sullen and dejected, I picked myself up from the gutter and looked around. I could feel the sting of hot tears welling up in my ears as I swore angrily at the passersby who did nothing and walked past while I was being robbed. Still bitter and angry, I fought back the tears and started trekking home, swearing and cursing silently as I walked.
I wish it hadn't all been in my imagination. I wish I had actual superpowers.
- Writer
