Chapter 17

BRENDA

I wake up in a strange environment. My hands and my legs are tied together and my lips are sealed with a masking tape.

I survey my surroundings and I almost gag when I perceive the foul smell coming from within. The bed I'm lying on is squeaky while the blanket and covers are smelling like rotten eggs.

Since I can't sit up, I just move uncomfortably on the bed wondering how I ended up here. However, I can't seem to remember anything and as my thoughts continue wandering, the old door creaks open and a ragged looking man enters. He's grinning like a maniac as he walks towards the bed and I wait for him, anticipating what he's about to do. All I pray for right now is that he doesn't hurt me!

“How is our little miss billionaire?” he asks and the odour coming from his mouth hits my nostrils hard, making me to look away. I can't speak because I have a tape on my lips and I just wish he takes it off. I'm looking for answers!

“Oh sorry, I almost forgot that you can't speak with a tape over your mouth!” he says as he sits on the bed beside me. “Let me help you out!” he says then leans over towards me. He brings his hand to my face and tips off the tape in one flip making me to scream in pain. Why is he so heartless? What have I done to him to do this to me?

“Why am I here? Why did you bring me here? What did I do to you for you to tie me up like a common criminal?” I ask all those questions in quick succession.

“You did nothing to us Brenda!” the guy replies.

“You already know my name?” I ask in confusion.

“Oh yes Brenda. I also know your twin sister Brianna and—”

“Wait, where's my twin sister? What have you done to her?” I am now hysterical after recalling that I was with Brianna heading out for lunch when all this happened. However, I can't place a finger on why I passed out or whatever knocked me out completely.

“Relax lady, your sister is fine and unarmed. I'm sure as we speak she's busy pretending to be you and taking over everything that ever mattered to you, including your beloved husband!”

“What? Why would she do that? You're just lying against her!”

“And why would I? She's the reason you're here. She paid us to kidnap and make you disappear from the face of the earth!”

“What?” I gasp. Why would my sister do they to me. What have I ever done to her? All I've done is to take care of her needs and she has never lacked! I don't really believe this person!

“Stop pulling my leg mister. My sister is harmless and innocent. If it's money that you want, I'll wire it to you, just say the amount and it'll be done!”

“Which cards will you use? The ones Brianna took from you and she's now probably squandering all your life savings?”

“Oh no, she took my stuff with her?” I ask in confusion and now everything is starting to make sense. I only passed out when I drank some juice which Brianna offered to me. This really makes sense!

“You talk too much and I'm here to help. I'm not a murderer but my partners won't hesitate to twist your neck if you make them run out of patience. Listen to me and listen carefully—”

“Tyson, why are you taking long in there? Aren't you done with her? Just get out and let me have a piece of her!” someone shouts from outside and the guy inside panics and I panic alongside him!

“See what I'm talking about?” he whispers to me and I suddenly smell danger. Not only am I at a risk of being killed, I'm also about to be r*ped!

“Tiger, Scorpion, I'm about to finish up, just give me a minute!” Tyson says to them.

“Just hurry up, we don't have all day!” one of the shouts back.

“Have you heard that?” Tyson asks while turning to me. “That's what I was trying to tell you about my accomplices. They're dangerous and do not take no for an answer. If paid to do something, they do it without flinching.” he explains.

“Why didn't you guys r*pe and kill me when I was unconscious? That would have saved me a great deal!”

“Sadly, Scorpion and Tiger loves seeing someone crying and begging for their dear life. They derive pleasure in torturing their victims!”

“Oh no, please don't let me get killed please! I'll pay you five times whatever Brianna offered you. Please just save me!” I plead with him as tears run down my cheeks. I'm helpless here.

“Actually, that's the reason why I came here first. As I told you before, I'm neither a murderer nor am I a rapist. I have a wife and daughters, I have a mother and sisters unlike the heartless duo. I only agreed to Brianna's offer because my daughter is terminally ill and in hospital. I'm just looking for money to help sustain her and help in her treatment!”

“I will do anything you ask me to do Tyson, please help me!”

“This is what we're going to do.” he says with some urgency in his voice. “There's a back door right there so immediately I untie your legs and hands, I'll walk out to try and distract Tiger and Scorpion, therefore you'll walk over there and open it then immediately you get to the stone wall, just climb over it and run for your life. As for me, I'll follow you after the duo get in here because they love having threesomes. Here, this is my account number and my mobile number and some money for trsnsport. Feel free to contact me and you can wire any amount you feel like sending to me. If you can't do it, I won't hold anything against you. I'm doing this for my female relatives but not for any ill motives!” he instructs non stop as I listen. He then unties me and I heave a heavy sigh of relief, hoping that I'll have enough energy to climb over the wall and then run for my dear life!

I pick the money and the paper where he has written his details and after climbing out of the bed, I realise that I am wearing Brianna's clothes. So she had guts to exchange our clothes? Oh no, she must be so thirst for my identity then. I saw all the red flags but I ignored them all. I am to blame for all these! Tyson hands some sandals over to me and signals me to start moving. He then crosses his heart and heads out through the front door as I use the back door!

THIRD PERSON

Tyson walks out and closes the door behind him and when he spots the curious Scorpion and the eager Tiger, he pretends to zip up his pants and straightens his shirt then passes a hand through his dishevelled hair.

“It seems you enjoyed yourself!” Tiger observes as he licks his lips in lust, something which disgusts Tyson. If it weren't for his sick child, he wouldn't have involved himself with such devilish people. Doing heinous crimes for survival is not his cup of tea!

“I sure did, that girl is so sweet and tight!” Tyson says as a huge lump blocks his throat. He already hates himself for saying such disgusting words but he needs to play along if he too wants to get out of this place alive!

“Scorpion, what are we waiting for? Let's go and have or share and if she's that sweet and tight as Tyson says, we'll keep her here longer for our own satisfaction and when we finally get tired of her, as shall finish her up!” Tiger is grinning, exposing his tobacco laced teeth.

“Well, you guys can go and have a piece of her. We can make the other arrangements later.” Tyson says and the evil duo nods as they make their way into the probably empty room!

Upon taking the first step, Tyson turns and quickly walks towards the backyard and then climbs over the wall just in time to see Brenda running for her dear life. He smiles in satisfaction when he see her safe and he also takes to his heels, running like a deer towards the cabs shelter. He needs to get out of this territory as soon as he can!

Back in the house, the two maniacs are seen getting out of the room, guns blazing while breathing fire at the same time. They're calling out Tyson's name asking him where Brenda is because she's nowhere to be found. They only realise that Tyson has played a fast one on them when they fail to meet him out there as well!