1. it crumbled
The rain-soaked streets were deserted, the only sound the haunting cry of a woman. Nandi Mthembu's red dress, stained with blood and rainwater, clung to her trembling body as she sat on the dirty road, her world shattered.
Five hours earlier, Nandi had been preparing for a special night with her boyfriend, Themba Mkhize, a skilled secret agent. His job often kept him away, but tonight was different. Tonight, he had promised to make it special.
Themba had decorated his garden with balloons, helped by his friend Martin.
"You're really going all out, aren't you?" Martin chuckled, filling the last balloon.
"I want tonight to be perfect," Themba replied, his eyes shining with excitement.
Martin raised an eyebrow. "You know, I never thought I'd see the day Themba Mkhize would settle down."
Themba grinned. "Nandi's different. She's the one."
Just then, Martin's expression turned serious. "Themba, we got a break in the LaDonna case. Why are you leaving now?"
Themba's face clouded. "We've lost three good agents in a month. I don't want to be next."
Martin nodded. "I get it, man. But you're giving up on justice."
Themba's jaw clenched. "I'm giving up on dying. I want a life with Nandi."
Meanwhile, Nandi was getting ready at her apartment, her little sister Melody Mthembu lounging on the bed.
"Mel, how do I look?" Nandi asked, twirling in front of the mirror.
Melody looked up from her phone. "You look like you're going to a funeral."
Nandi laughed. "That's rude!"
Melody shrugged. "You asked."
Nandi hesitated, then slipped into the red dress Melody had suggested.
"Wow, sis, you look fabulous!" Melody exclaimed.
As Nandi headed out, Melody called after her, "Have fun! And don't forget to tell Dad and Sam I said hi."
Little did Nandi know, her perfect night would soon turn into a nightmare.
Nandi arrived at Themba's house, her heart racing with excitement. The garden was transformed into a romantic oasis, balloons and fairy lights twinkling in the darkness.
"Wow, Themba, this is amazing!" Nandi exclaimed, her eyes shining.
Themba smiled, taking her hand. "I wanted tonight to be special."
As they sat down to dinner, Nandi couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. Three years of dating, and Themba had never been more committed.
After dinner, Themba led Nandi to the garden, where a small orchestra waited. Music filled the air as Themba took Nandi's hand, his eyes locked on hers.
"Nandi, from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one," Themba said, his voice trembling. "Will you marry me?"
Tears of joy streaming down her face, Nandi nodded. "Yes, yes, a million times yes!"
As they hugged, Nandi's phone rang, shrill in the night air. She ignored it, lost in Themba's arms.
But the phone kept ringing, insistently. Nandi finally relented, answering with a hesitant "Hello?"
The voice on the other end sent chills down her spine. "Nandi, it's Sam. Dad and... and the others... they're gone."
Nandi's world crashed around her. "What do you mean?" she whispered.
But the line was dead.
Nandi's scream pierced the night, echoing through the garden. Themba's face contorted in horror as he realized something was terribly wrong.
"What is it, Nandi?" he asked, holding her tight.
But Nandi's words were lost in tears, her perfect night shattered forever.
As he held her trembling body, Themba's eyes widened in shock. "What happened, Nandi? Who called? What did they say?"
Nandi's voice was barely audible, her words fragmented. "Dad... my family... they're gone."
Themba's grip tightened around her. "What do you mean? Where are they?"
Nandi's phone slipped from her hand, dropping to the ground. Themba quickly retrieved it, dialing Sam's number.
"Sam, what's going on?" Themba demanded, his voice firm.
Sam's panicked voice echoed through the speaker. "Themba, it's... it's they are gone man . They came to our house... and... and..."
Themba's face darkened. "I'll be right there."
Nandi's eyes locked onto Themba's, desperation and fear written across her face.
"Themba, what's happening?" she whispered.
Themba's jaw clenched. "We'll find out, my love. I promise."
With those words, Themba's expression transformed, his eyes burning with determination and a hint of vengeance.
