*Chapter 12: Back Gate*
244 Words
The footsteps stopped when they stopped.
Started when they started.
_"We’re being followed,"_ Ada whispered.
Tunde nodded once. _"Don’t look back. Keep walking."_
They turned into an even darker street. No shops. Just walls and one flickering bulb.
David’s heart was pounding. The text said 12am. Back gate. Come alone.
It was 11:40 now.
_"I have to go,"_ David said suddenly.
_"No,"_ Tunde and Ada said at the same time.
_"If I don’t, they might hurt her,"_ David said. _"And if it’s a trap... at least I can see what they want."_
He looked at Tunde. _"You two stay here. If I’m not back in 30 minutes, call the police."_
Tunde grabbed his shoulder. _"David. This is stupid."_
_"I know,"_ David said. _"But I can’t just wait."_
Before they could argue, David was already jogging back toward the warehouse.
He didn’t look behind him.
The warehouse looked different at night. Dark. Only one light near the gate.
The back gate was rusty and half-open.
David pushed it. It creaked.
Inside, the compound was empty. Just concrete, old tires, and shadows.
_"Hello?"_ he called. His voice shook.
Nothing.
Then a sound from inside the warehouse. A door opening.
A voice. Male.
_"You came alone. Good."_
David turned.
Three men stepped out. The man in the black cap was in front.
And behind them, Chika. Tied to a chair. Mouth covered with tape.
The man in the cap smiled.
_"You’ve been a very big problem, David
- Writer
