Hushed Confessions

Everyone Wants Sajdaa

Sajdaa Taha

Knock Knock.

The door slowly creaked open, revealing large red rimmed eyes. The smell of urine hit my nostrils and I scrunched my nose up in disgust. The buildings towered over my small frame. The windows were cracked, railings were rusted. I could hear the drunken howls of broken souls on the streets. Smoke from cigars blew in my face. Beer bottles clinked together behind the door.

I clutched onto Ridwan's arm. I felt him tense as the door opened wider. A man with a beer belly opened the door. The scruffy brown beard had bread crumbs in them. He wore shorts and a white tank top. Already, he had a bald spot on the center of his head. His eyes narrowed at Malik, who was far too disgusted to even react.

"Why'd you bring a cop?" he asked as he took a chug from his wine bottle. Wiping his mouth with the back of his chubby hand, he lazily grinned at me. "Who is this beautiful young lady?" he slurred.

I shivered in distaste. Malik's hand instantly went to the gun safely hidden on his belt. Ridwan cleared his throat, signaling Malik to back down his guard. Malik's jaw clenched as he regained his posture, his hand still hovering over his gun. He mutely nodded at Ridwan to continue.

"We have a favor to ask of you," my brother said lowly.

The mysterious man straightened up, his fingers stroking his chin. Ridwan's body covered my frame from the man's greedy eyes. I gulped as I saw a dangerous glint enter his green eyes.

"This assistance will come with a price," he gruffly responded.

Ridwan held a small stack of money in his palm. "Will this be enough?"

The man's green eyes widened. I could have swore there was drool dripping from the corner of his wide mouth. Instantly, he tried to grab it, but Ridwan pocketed the money. "Help us and we'll give it to you," he demanded.

"And if I choose not to?"

Ridwan smirked, holding up his phone,"The cops get you with all the evidence I have against you."

He moved away from the door, letting us walk in. Ridwan took my hand and pulled me into the dirty small room. A girl leaned against the wall, high out of her mind as she dragged in another breath from the crumpled paper. Her shirt was half off.

Ridwan turned his head away from the mess, covering his nose. Malik and I copied his movements. The man lead us down a narrow hallway. The paint on the walls cracked and crumpled as we walked past. Squeeks of rodents screeched into my ear. I wanted to scream.

Ridwan sensed my discomfort and his fingers tightened around my own. I moved closer to him in fear.

Why did we come here? It was obvious that the man was a criminal. Why didn't we get the other officers to come with us? Officer Cole was way better company than this creep.

Malik put a hand on Ridwan's shoulder, pulling him close. "How the hell do you know this guy?" he harshly whispered.

We were a good distance away from the man who was leading us to Allah knows where. He wobbled as he walked, most likely from intoxication. The place reeked of sweat and booze. I wasn't an i***t. I knew that different sorts of illegal activities took place within these walls.

"A classmate from high school," Ridwan replied, quietly.

I snorted. "Was about to tell you to make better friends."

Ridwan ignored me as he muttered, "May Allah forgive us for walking into this disgusting place."

"Tell me about it. This place screams sins," I whispered back.

Malik uneasily glanced at the males that seemed to devour me with their eyes. I cringed from their dark predatory gazes. It seemed as though even my hijab couldn't protect me from the evil that lurked behind their eyes. I inhaled a deep breath. Allah will protect me, I reminded myself. I'm fine.

A young woman, dressed in a skimpy red dress stood in front of us. Her lips were a bright red and her face was flawless. She smelled strongly of alcohol. Her eyes narrowed at Ridwan's hand that held onto my own. A fire seemed to flare in her dark brown eyes as she tried to push me.

"b***h," she spat out. "Get away from him."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Thanks for the compliment," I remarked dryly.

"It was an insult," she huffed.

"I think you're a bigger insult than that."

"She makes a valid point," Ridwan agreed as he pushed her away from me. "She's probably one of Ethan's girls. He pays them good money to sleep with him," he cringed but kept walking.

"You know this how?" asked Malik, a couple steps behind us.

"He used to brag about it all the time."

The girl was disappointed in Ridwan's lack of interest and flung her arms around Malik. He tasered her as soon as she touched him, giving her no time to react. The poor girl fell on the floor, her body went limp. I raised a brow at him, slightly amused at Malik's pulse instinct.

He shrugged. "She annoyed me."

We were lead into a small room. The man slammed the door shut, the sound echoing off the dark walls. He flicked on a light. Dead cockroaches lined up against the wall. The buzz of a fly zipping past us.

There was one computer in the corner of the room. The screen flickered. The moon shined brightly against the tiny window. Malik stepped besides me.

"We need you to track the location of this text," he stated as he handed him my phone.

The man rubbed his eyes as he stared at the bright phone screen. His eyes went up to me. The corner of his lips slowly curved into a cruel smile, showing his yellow crooked teeth. I could see the predatory look in his green eyes. He wanted more than just money. He wanted me. The realization made me want to puke.

"How about," he drawled as he came closer, "you give me her instead of the money."

Chills went up my spine from his sinister tone.

"f**k off," growled Malik as he protectively stood in front of me.

He chuckled, darkly. "I'd take care of her, Officer, along with others."

Ridwan held Malik's arm as he tried to pounce on the man, his teeth baring at him. Ridwan's face twisted into silent anger.

"Ethan," warned Ridwan with a pointed stare. "I will give you one last chance. Help us or you go to the cops."

Ethan flopped on his computer chair, plugging my phone into something. His red bug-like eyes scanned the contents of his typing. Ridwan stood over him.

Malik crossed his arms over his chest as he looked out the window. The anger was still visible on his face. I wasn't surprised at the protectiveness Malik showed, yet I couldn't help wondering what he really felt for me. I shook my head. I got a killer to catch not the love bug.

"Found him."

We crowded around the computer. Sure enough, right on the map, there was a red dot blinking. The place wasn't too far away from here. We could probably make it there before my curfew.

Ethan smirked at me. "Seems that I'm not the only one who wants your sister, Ridwan."

Malik grabbed him, seething, "One more word about Sajdaa and I'll kill you."

"Don't tell me you're her watchdog," chuckled Ethan. He pushed Malik off him. "Or better yet, you want her more than I do. Is that it, Officer?" he taunted, clearly amused at watching Malik get all riled up.

"Shut up," Ridwan said, menacingly. His fists tightly clenched at his sides. "My sister belongs to nobody and nobody will have her."

Ethan went quiet.

Ridwan pulled out the USB with the tracking signal and unplugged my phone. "That's all we need," he said as he handed me my phone.

Ethan stood up. "We had a deal, Ridwan," he glared.

"Here's your money, you greedy oaf," Ridwan tossed the stack of money in the air.

Ethan caught it and flicked his fingers through the stack of green, quietly counting them.

"Let's go," said Ridwan as he led us to the door.

He turned the knob and a group of men stood at the door. I gasped. A trap, we were tricked. Tattoos covered their arms; their heads were slicked back with grease. Their lips curled into a sneer.

Ridwan turned back to Ethan, who was glowering at us. "What is the meaning of this?"

Ethan clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth. "Well, I believe I wanted something else as well, Ridwan."

The men circled us. Malik's hand went to his gun, his body taking a fighting stance along with Ridwan. Malik's hazel eyes scanned the men around us. Ridwan protectively stood in front of me. I tensed as I noticed the men had sharp objects in their hands. The metal glinted in the moonlight. A knife, I realized.

"You're not having her," seethed Ridwan. "Let us go. Now."

Malik stood by me, he was waiting. His hazel eyes made eye contact with mine. They were desperately trying to tell me something. I noticed his grip on his gun tightened. He was waiting for the opportunity to shoot.

The men made room for Ethan to wobble through. He grabbed my brother's collar, bringing his lips dangerously close to his ear. The blade twinkled in his hand.

"Never," he whispered.

That was when all hell broke loose.