Near Miss

SIX

The trip from the camp to the airport took twenty minutes. On board the plane there was a lot of jokes and banter. The ride from the airport to Datare’s home in Lagos was quieter.

“Are you nervous?”Datare asked Ken.

“No". but I can see that you are.”

Datare’s Family was extremely happy to welcome her and her foreign friend. After quick introductions Ken went back to the taxi.

“The taxi will take you to a nice hotel”. Said Datare

“Alright”, Ken said taking her hand. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Datare said and he was off.

Datre’s mum gave her a curious look as if asking her who that is.

“He is just a friend. I am showing him around Lagos. He has never been to Lagos.

Her mother Shrugged. “How is Seyi”?

“He is fine. “ I must see him…Tomorrow

Uncle D and his family eagerly prepared for Seyi’s return from camp. His room was cleaned and Lady D prepared a sumptuous meal that filled the house with delicious aromas. Uncle D felt proud of Seyi for boldly going to camp and staying till the end. The circumstances that brought Seyi to live with him may be sad but Uncle D resolved to make him as comfortable as he can afford. The first thing to do is to help begin registration for his master’s program.

One after the other they came awake in a large clearing in the middle of the bush. The good news is that when they awoke they were still together. The awful drink that was given to them must have induced sleep. It was still dark, but the light of day was about to break through the cloud. There were hundreds of people slumped in little groups around the clearing. One of the armed men at that moment came out of their shelter and forced ten people to follow him into a sinister hut. Protests and resistance was discouraged with violent blows to already weak looking people.

“Oh my God, where are we?” Morenike whispered.

“We have been kidnapped if you need it spelled out for you.” Dumebi said.

“You do not have to be nasty..” replied Morenike before Seyi hushed them.

“Listen guys I woke up a long time before you all, these men come for people at intervals. Whatever they are doing it will not take long for them to get to us.” Said Nigga raw.

This observation made them all quiet. At noon the men brought in four more people; a man, a woman, and two boys. They could be a family. They were totally knocked out. They were dumped on the ground next to Seyi and company. One of the men took one look at them and made a comment to the others, motioning to them. The other man ordered the dosage of the sleep concoction increased.

These men a bent on keeping us incapacitated. Seyi thought. For what? We have to get away from here.

“We must find a way to escape” He said to the others.

“How will we do that when we are drugged to stupor?” Dumebi said.

“Did you say you woke up before us?” Seyi asked n****r raw.

“Yes.”

“How long before us”

“ A very long time.”

“He must have some kind of resistance to the drugs.” Morenike said catching on.

“Must be the weed he smokes.” Dumebi said laughing out loud and drawing the attention of the captors. They looked at them for a while, said something to one another and went about their evil business.

“You i***t. We can always rely on you to do something stupid.” Morenike said to Dumebi.

“How dare you talk to me like that…” Seyi cut him short.

“This is not the time or place. We have to focus on getting away from here.

“Yes, but how?” Morenike asked.

“Nigga raw whenever you wake up after our next dosage, wake the rest of us and we will make a run for it.”

“That is your plan?” Morenike was scared.

“Yes. They must have a lot of confidence in their brew because they pay little attention to the possibility of an escape. Plus they are not feeding us; they must expect us to be weak.” Okay it was settled.

Nigga raw woke up indeed very early. It was hard to tell the time, but it was pitch dark when he woke Seyi. He was really drowsy. When he came to and realization set in adrenaline took over and the sleepiness was gone. Morenike woke up immediately she was roused, but Dumebi did not wake up. For about ten minute they tried to wake him; he just laid lifeless. The heart breaking decision was made quickly to leave him behind. They were not sure what time it was. They could only hope to gain an hour at least before their captors notice that they have escaped.

“Okay stick together, but run as fast as you can” Seyi said his heart pounding. “Do not look back no matter what you hear.”

They moved wobbly at first; tried to quietly leave the clearing. When they got to the bush they broke into a run. It was a rush as they ran for their lives. The sprint continued through stumbles and numerous falls. After a very long while Seyi called out to them for rest. They crashed to the floor coughing, exhausted and terrified. No one could speak; the gravity of the situation weighed on them. They abandoned Dumebi to save themselves. They must not be caught. They got up in unison and continued to run. At that moment they heard dogs barking in a distance. Their hearts caught in their throats. Without announcement Nigga raw bolted away from Seyi and Morenike in the opposite direction.  Seyi grabbed a firm hold on Morenike’s hand and continued to run.

The desperate prayer of the hunted,

That my feet do not fail,

That my fears fuel me,

Winds carry me,

Lead my enemies away from me.

***