Chapter 14: The Escape Plan
375 Words
Adunni pressed her hand against the window.
Daniel stood beyond the compound wall, hidden by the darkness.
For a few precious moments, neither spoke.
Just seeing him gave her strength.
Daniel glanced around carefully to make sure no guards were watching.
Then he stepped closer.
“Are you alright?” he whispered.
Adunni nodded, though tears filled her eyes.
“My father locked me in.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
He had feared as much.
“I’ll get you out.”
Adunni shook her head.
“There are guards everywhere.”
“Then we’ll find another way.”
For a moment, hope flickered between them.
Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
Carefully, he tossed it through the window.
It landed on the floor beside her.
Before she could open it, voices echoed from the courtyard.
Daniel quickly stepped back into the shadows.
A guard carrying a lantern passed below the window.
Adunni’s heart pounded.
If they were discovered now, everything would be over.
The guard moved on.
Only then did she breathe again.
When she looked outside, Daniel was gone.
Back in her room, she unfolded the note with trembling hands.
Inside were simple instructions.
Three nights from now.
Midnight.
Meet me at the old river crossing.
Below the words was a single sentence.
Trust me.
Adunni read it again and again.
Three nights.
That was all.
Three nights until she would have to choose between her family and the man she loved.
Meanwhile, Chief Adeyemi sat with the elders.
The wedding date had been moved forward.
Much sooner than anyone expected.
The chief wanted no more risks.
No more secrets.
No more chances for Daniel to interfere.
As the meeting ended, one elder remained behind.
“Chief.”
“Yes?”
The old man hesitated.
“Be careful.”
Chief Adeyemi frowned.
“About what?”
The elder sighed.
“You can force a marriage.”
He paused.
“But you cannot force a heart.”
For the first time, uncertainty crossed the chief’s face.
That night, Adunni lay awake staring at the note hidden beneath her pillow.
The countdown had begun.
And somewhere in the darkness, Daniel was preparing for the most dangerous decision of his life.
- Writer
