WITCHDOM

CHAPTER 1

PRINCE LUCAS STHANDWA

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My stepbrothers, Mthandeni and Nqobile, were standing in front of me, telling me that I had been sentenced to death by hanging. I was in shock.

"'What! That's not fair. I didn't do it. I'm innocent. Please talk to father for me. I'm innocent...' I pleaded with them.

Mthandeni:''The investigations were thorough, Lucas,' Mthandeni said, his voice firm but sympathetic. 'We don't doubt you, but your sperms were found inside Matilda. A DNA test was conducted, and it's confirmed that it's your sperm.''

"'That's a lie!' I exclaimed, my mind racing. 'How did she acquire my sperm? I was at the game spot that day. You two saw me there. I'm innocent... believe me. I don't want to die!''

Nqobile shook his head.

Nqobile:''The evidence is against you, Lucas. I'm sorry.''

I was stunned. I couldn't believe that my own family was turning against me. I knew I was innocent, but it seemed like no one believed me.

"'Please,'' I begged them. ''You have to listen to me. I didn't do it. I'm innocent.'"

Nqobile:"'We want to help you, Lucas,'' Nqobile said, his voice low and serious. ''You're our only baby brother, and we love you. That's why we've decided to help you escape. Tomorrow morning is your death sentence day, and we don't want you to die.''

I was stunned. I hadn't expected this from my stepbrothers, especially after they had just told me that I had been sentenced to death.

"'But what about father?' I asked, my mind racing. 'And my mother? I don't...'

Nqobile:''You're no kid, Lucas,' Nqobile interrupted me. 'Don't go around worrying about all that. We will help you out of this dungeon, but you have to stay hidden for a little while.''

Mthandeni nodded in agreement.

Mthandeni:''Promise us you won't expose us, Lucas. Remember, we're only helping out our baby brother.''

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But then I nodded, desperation taking over.

''I promise,'' I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nqobile smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Nqobile :''Good. We'll come for you tonight, around midnight. Be ready''.

Mthandeni clapped me on the back. Mthandeni:''Don't worry, baby brother. We've got your back.''

I watched as they left, my mind reeling with excitement and fear. I couldn't believe that my stepbrothers were willing to risk everything to help me escape. But I knew that I had to be careful, that one misstep could mean death for all of us.

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As promised, my stepbrothers helped me escape from the dungeon that night. They led me through the dark corridors, avoiding the guards who were suspiciously absent. We moved quickly and quietly, our hearts racing with excitement and fear.

When we reached the palace gate, I saw a vehicle parked in the shadows. My stepbrothers told me to get in, and that the driver would take me to safety. I hugged them farewell, tears streaming down my face. They promised to let my mother know that I was safe, and that they would take care of me.

I got into the vehicle, and the driver greeted me with a nod. He was a kind-looking man with a warm smile. I trusted him immediately.

As we drove away from the palace, I looked back at my stepbrothers, who were watching me from the gate. I waved goodbye, feeling a mix of emotions: gratitude, love, and fear.

The driver was instructed to take me to the city, where I was to stay with a friend of my stepbrothers. I was told that I would be safe there, and that I would be taken care of. I believed them, because I had no reason not to. They had risked everything to help me escape, and I trusted them with my life.

But even though I knew I was innocent, I couldn't shake off the feeling of doubt. Would I be able to survive this ordeal? Would I ever be able to clear my name and return home? I didn't know, but I knew I had to try. I must return home someday.

As we journeyed on, the kind driver handed me a lunchbox prepared by my brothers. I was surprised and touched by their thoughtfulness. They knew I would be hungry, and they had prepared my favorite braised lamb shanks with vegetables and rice. I hadn't eaten all day, and I was famished. I devoured the delicious meal in minutes.

"I couldn't help but think about my mother as I sat in the vehicle, eating the food. She had always warned me about my stepbrothers, told me to stay away from them, that they were jealous of me. But now, I realized that she was wrong.

My stepbrothers had just helped me escape from the dungeon, and they had prepared my favorite food for me. They had shown me love and care, and I couldn't understand why my mother had always been so against them.

I remembered all the times she had told me to avoid them, to not trust them. But now, I saw that they were not jealous of me at all. They were my family, and they cared about me.

I felt a mix of emotions - happiness that my stepbrothers had proven their love for me, and sadness that my mother had been so wrong about them. I wished she was around to see this, to see how my stepbrothers had helped me. Maybe then she would understand that they were not bad people.

But as soon as I finished eating, I started to feel strange. I felt extremely dizzy, like the room was spinning around me. I tried to shake off the feeling, but it only got worse. I forced myself to stand up and hold onto the driver's seat, but my eyes felt heavy, like lead weights. I couldn't keep them open.

I felt like I had been drugged, and I started to panic. What had my brothers put in the food? Why was I feeling like this? I tried to ask the driver, but my words were slurred, and my voice was barely audible.

The last thing I remember is the driver's weirdly smiling face, and then everything went black. I dozed off, unable to fight the sudden sleepiness that had overcome me.