The Bike Man's Rescue.

Chapter2

Chapter Two– The Charter Ride

The afternoon sun beat down harshly, turning the asphalt road into a mirror of heat. Chike wiped his brow with the edge of his shirt as he parked at the junction, scanning for passengers. The morning rush had drained him, and all he wanted was to grab a quick lunch at Ada’s before returning to work.

He was about to start his bike when a soft voice called out.

“Excuse me, are you free?”

Chike turned. A young woman stood by the roadside, dressed neatly in a university T-shirt and jeans, a bag slung across her shoulder. Her skin was fair, her eyes sharp, and her smile disarming.

“Yes, madam,” Chike said, adjusting his helmet. “Where you dey go?”

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. “I have a few places to stop by. I need someone who can wait for me. I’ll pay you well.”

Chike frowned slightly. He didn’t like charter runs—they wasted too much time. But the way she said pay you well caught his attention. His pocket was light that day, and Ada’s words about always eating without paying sometimes stung his pride.

“Okay,” he said finally. “But no waste my time o. I get other places to go.”

She laughed softly. “Don’t worry. You’ll be glad you carried me.”

Her name, she said, was Akunna. She claimed to be an undergraduate who needed to pick up some things across town. True to her word, she led him from shop to shop—boutiques, hair salons, even a pharmacy. Each time, she returned quickly, her steps graceful, her smile constant.

Something about her unsettled Chike. She seemed… too calm. Too polished. But he brushed the thought aside. Work was work.

By evening, as the sky began to turn orange, Akunna directed him toward a side street. At the end stood a modest hotel, its neon sign flickering.

Chike frowned. “Hotel? Madam, you no tell me say na here we dey end.”

She smiled, her eyes glittering. “Don’t worry. You’ve worked hard today. Come inside, rest a little. I’ll settle you well.”

Chike hesitated. His instincts whispered No. He thought briefly of Ada, waiting for him, maybe worrying already. But the promise of money, and the smoothness in Akunna’s voice, weakened his guard.

“Okay,” he said reluctantly, switching off the bike. “But I no go stay long.”

As they walked into the hotel together, Chike didn’t know he had just stepped into a room where danger sat waiting, dressed as comfort.

The Hotel Trap!

The hotel lobby smelled faintly of stale perfume and cigarette smoke. A tired-looking receptionist barely glanced up as Akunna led Chike past, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. Chike’s boots felt heavy. Something in his chest tightened, but he followed anyway.

They entered a room on the second floor. The air inside was cool, the curtains drawn, the lights dim. On the glass table sat a spread of drinks—beer, wine, soft drinks, and even bottles of Nutri Milk.

“Sit down,” Akunna said smoothly, dropping her bag on the bed. “You’ve carried me all day. At least enjoy something small before you go.”

Chike hovered by the door, uneasy. “Madam, no vex. I no dey like all this kind place. Just pay me my money make I dey go.”

Akunna pouted, walking closer. “Why are you in a hurry? Nobody is chasing you. Look at all these drinks. Take anything you want. I even bought… protection.” She winked, her hand brushing his arm.

Chike stiffened. His ears rang. “Abeg, leave me. I no come for this kind thing.”

She laughed softly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Relax. You think too much. Just take a drink. I promise, nothing will happen.”

Against his better judgment, Chike picked up a bottle of Nutri Milk. It was familiar, harmless—or so he thought. He twisted the cap open and gulped quickly, hoping to end the visit.

The sweetness hit his tongue, but almost immediately, a strange heaviness crawled through his veins. His vision blurred, his head spun. He stumbled, clutching the chair for balance.

“What… what did you…?” His voice broke into a slur.

Through the haze, he noticed it—the faint powdery residue at the bottom of the bottle. His heart lurched. He had been drugged.

Akunna’s smile widened. “Don’t fight it. Just rest. Everything is under control.”

Chike staggered toward the door, panic surging through him. “No! Open this door!”

But Akunna moved swiftly, pressing herself against him, blocking his way. Her perfume filled his nose, sickly sweet. “Stay,” she whispered, her hands on his chest. “Stop struggling. You’ll only make it worse. My people are coming.”

Rage and fear collided inside him. With the last strength in his body, he shoved her aside. She stumbled onto the bed with a gasp.

Chike grabbed the door handle, yanked it open, and staggered into the hallway. The world swayed before his eyes, but instinct carried him forward. Somehow, he made it down the stairs, out into the night, and onto his bike.

The engine roared to life. His hands shook, his vision doubled, but he pressed on, riding blindly through the streets. Home was the only place his mind could hold onto.

Behind him, Akunna stood by the hotel window, her face twisted in frustration. “Fool,” she muttered. “He won’t last the night.”