LONER

Episode 2

I peeped into the car to get a clear view of the person wanting to probably help me. He was wearing a white long sleeve, a black tie. His hairs were neatly arranged. He sat at the back seat and beside him was a brief case.

"Did you say you need money?" He gave a devious grin.

"Yes" I nodded

"Boss, isn't she a prostitue?" The boy in the driver's seat asked

"I'm not a p********e" I snapped.

I walked away angrily. The last thing I would ever do is to receive insults all because of money. I had barely walked fifteen seconds when the car came to a halt in my front.

"I will help you" He said loud and clear, enough for me to hear.

"You said what?" I asked in excitement.

"Get into the car" He said opening the car door.

I entered the car and sat next to the man. The people in the car were three. Two boys at the front and the man which they referred to as boss at the back. I glared at everyone before focusing my gaze on the so called boss.

"Sir, the doctor said I need 10 million naira" I said praying he shouldn't change his mind.

"I'm willing to give you any amount but you must work for me for seven years" The man said.

Seven years was a lot!!!!!.

"Sir, do you mean I should become your slave?" I asked not so sure of what he wanted.

He laughed, "I don't call it s*****y"

Fourty eight hours and my dad would be dead if I didn't do anything. Now I had to make a choice, what if dad didn't survived the operation, what if the man ended up using me for rituals?.

"Whatever he's up to, I must save dad life first" I said within me.

I suddenly had the courage, "I'll work for you but I need the money first".

They all laughed for a second time and I ignored. He opened the brief case and wrote a check of 12 million.

"Two million in case you need other things" He handed the check to me. "My eyes are on you" He wore his dark sun shade glasses and asked me to get down from the car.

I took the check and rushed to the hospital. After verifying and confirming the money, Dad was moved to the emergency ward.

Time was tickling. I kept pacing around the reception room waiting for a positive response. I was still moving around when someone touched my shoulders.

"Don't you think you should get some rest" His voice was soft. I turned to see the man, the saving grace.

"What your name, I've been meaning to ask" I smiled at him

"That's not necessarily for now" He said and walked away.

I got home. Still in thought, I nestled into the bed and was consumed by a deep slumber.

I woke in a jolt when my phone continued to ring. It was from an unknown number.

"Please God, protect my dad" I prayed silently as I pressed the green icon.

"How is your dad" I rolled my eyes at his voice

"I have not checked the hospital yet" I grunted an answer.

"You need to start your Job soonest" His reply was curt.

"But why," I protested "my father is still in the hospital" I complained.

"That wasn't our agreement, six hours to meet me. I'm sending an address soon" He said and ended the call.

The address came almost immediately. I sighed at the text before packing my hair in a ponytail style. I boarded a cab and went straight to the hospital.

"Doctor, how is my dad?" I asked

"Congrats, Miss Lucy, the operation was successful" The doctor beamed.

"Can I see him" I asked restlessly

"Currently, he's sleeping and as soon as he's up we'll take you there" The doctor said and excused himself.

I checked the time and noticed I had two hours left to the time that man had given me. I left the hospital to get food for my dad. I was still looking for where to get food when a car parked in my front.

"Get in" They commanded.

I tried to run away. They ran after me and not so fast I was caught.

"Let me go please" I pleaded in tears.

"Mr Douglas is in the best position to do so" One of them said throwing me into the car.

The car came to a halt in a mansion. I frowned as I was led out of the car. At the balcony was the man who gave me to save my father's life.

"Were you playing with me" His tone was harsh.

"I wanted to see my dad first" I yelled

"Lucy, don't dare me" He growled

"You gave me money to save my dad's life, thanks, but you should at least wait for me to see my dad breathing" I yelled in tears.

"Take her to the dark room," He ordered and I was dragged to a dark room.

The room had swords, weapons, knife, guns and many other harmful things. Tears trickled down my face as my hands were tired to a pole across two end.

The lashes were about to land on my body. I closed my eyes to receive the lashes.

"Stop!!!" A voice ordered.

I opened my eyes to see the boss, the same man who gave me money to save my dad's life and the same man who ordered that I should be thrown into a dark room.

"I didn't ask you to beat her" He said angrily. "Free her!" He said and left the room.

I sat on the floor with my hair covering my face. Was this what I was going to go through for the next seven years, I wondered

"You are lucky" The girl sitting next to me said.

"Lucky" I let out a smile

"The boss, Douglas, is mean and ruthless, you are lucky he didn't asked them to flog you" She gave a painful smile.

"What did you do that made them flog you" I stared at the beating marks on her body.

"I was asked to kill my fiance but I refused" Tears flowed from her face.

"So what happened" I asked

"I told my fiance of Douglas's plot and asked him to escape. Somehow Douglas found out and ordered I being thrown here" She smiled. "I'm Loretta" she introduced

"I'm Lucy" I said facing her briefly before turning my face away

I brought out the picture of Dad and Mom holding hands. I had took the picture from mom before she died and since that time till now, the picture was in my pocket.

Douglas walked in and I tried to hide the picture. Not smart enough, he grabbed the picture and started at it.

"Mr Raymond" He smirked.

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