Escape

Cheik

I had become a major celebrity in the camp within a fortnight. The swell around the camp was massively enthusiastic. I had accomplished dangerous missions within that little space of time, returning each time unscathed. My jobs were always clean and left no trace. Where they have agreed i should attack as suicide bomber, i had always gone and returned as hero. At one point, they were generally angry about my elusiveness. They had wanted me to commit mega suicide killings but each time, i returned unscathed: much to their chagrin and disapproval but over time they have accepted me as an asset and hero to the local organization.

The story of Abdumalik’s mutiny to the leadership of the BSH had made rounds over the weeks in the camp. The information leak shook him to his bones and he feared they might be yet another faction that might led another mutiny and break away from his camp. For so many days, he handled his missions himself. He made contacts with the outside world and had assurances from them. The international group that formed the hallmark of the leadership of the terrorists group sent their emissary to supervise the camp and they were satisfied with the success he was fast achieving. They assured him that Allah was watching and he will surely reward him for cutting down the infidels that have rejected his leadership.

For some reason, the visit of the international organization breathed a fresh air into the camp. The swirls of mutiny and a possible break- away from the camp suddenly became passive. His unquestionable authority was restored as obedience and loyalty returned too. Everyone feared his connection to the outside world was enough to wipe out mutinous militias. Yet, Abdumalik was sceptical of his foot soldiers as he doubted their loyalty. He trusted a few and i was one the few he trusted. He always called me “my little holy warrior.” He enjoyed all my missions and the results it created on the various media platforms.

I was like a little brother to him and i enjoyed our relationship and the preference he had for me.

“My holy warrior!” He called me into his tent one morning. “It’s been barely two months, you joined us but you have fought gallantly like the true fellow of Allah. You’ve brought him unfathomable successes and the blood of the infidels has washed the polluted lands of this nation!” He let an awkward silence permeate through us as looked into my eyes. For the first time, i decided to observe the half lit room we knelt on opposing mats with his fingers fiddling with his rifle. I had grown used to the sight of guns, bombs and blood. They meant nothing to me and i basked in their joy. “We need leverage...” he continued. “The infidels are pushing us deeper into infamous places... we need leverage!” he declared again. We have information on students from the capital city returning from the national sports festivals... assemble the commanders!” He stated and said no more. I took the cue and left. The mission had been successful but Abdumalik still hobbled on his one feet.

“My holy warrior... as you can see I am incapacitated by this venom: the fang of the serpent seethes deep into my soul! I implore you to look after our hostages.”

“Trust me to act in your stead, Baba!”

“You trust to know what will befall you... should anything happen to them.

I do, Baba! I said with my eyes fixed to the ground.”

“Nothing should happen to them; until I recover fully... you will have to make sure they are fine, absolutely fine!” He concluded as he writhed on the mat, twisting and turning with reckless pangs. He had an overzealous and officious attitude and he talked too much, over flogging issues even in his pains.

“I will do my best, Baba!” I assured him before I stood and left his presence, something I had wanted to do

even before we started the discussions.

I left to attend to the matters that I reckoned was of a great importance to Abdumalik: The school students. I gathered them together in one common tent and ordered they be served. Such was my influence in the camp already.

They were littered everywhere in the tent we left them. They said nothing and were in less moods to say anything at anytime: they mostly whimpered like tramps. I said nothing in turn, maintaining a straight mean and military face, demanding to be feared even when I was sure there were my peers and they were probability some of them sired me but I tried my best to court respect and attract fear. I wanted to be feared and that was what I was interested in, nothing more but there was an annoying company among them: the one that had an afro hair with a straight face. He was lanky and had a cutely carved face. Yet, he had no fear in all his comeliness. I suspected that he had an influence on the girls and everyone in their group. He had a breath of arrogance messed with insolence, especially by the way he stared at me. I thought I hated him but I was positive there was more to that hatred. Despite the absolute power I wielded over him and the camp, I was jealous of him.

He seemed to possess the education I dreamt of having when I was a much younger lad. He had charisma that only self-confidence can provide. i stood over the entrance of the tent and scrutinized. I wanted to make him nervous through my long dead stare but the lad I saw was unfazed. He looked down on me with impunity and that stirred me. I rushed towards, cursing under my breath, harassing and barraging him to turn his infernal eyes from me.

He looked at me and remained resilient, jettisoning every idea to bulge and submit to my authority.

His impunity kept luring me to commit flagrant murder. I cocked my gun and pointed it to him amidst wistful yearning from his friends but I know that would be a step too far, so I decided to hit him with the butt of my rifle. I saw blood gush out of his mouth with reckless freedom. I enjoyed the gory sight and I tried one more time before I knew it, I lost decorum and started hitting frantically until I felt I strong hand grip my shoulders, rendering my arms ineffectively weak and before I could manage a reaction, my rifle was already frisked out of my hand.

I turned around and saw the muscular assailant staring at me with a furtive stare that spoke volumes.

“Barawo banza!” I cursed, pouncing to attack but I was stopped mid air when I saw the brandished rifle pointing towards my nose.

If you move… you’ll be a dead man in minutes! I was sure said in English. His English was racy and incoherent and I couldn’t comprehend the words that escaped his cursed lips.

“You infidel!” I cursed again, confusing him with the few knowledge of Arabic I have acquired. “Give back the gun!” I thundered, advancing towards him with morbid intent.

“One more step from you and I will blast your head to shreds.” He retorted as I watched him step back a little, obviously shaken by terror of wielding a gun.

“That’s enough!” a voice familiar interrupted our tussle and I was sure it was the voice of Abdumalik. He limped into full glare and his eyes were already bloodshot. He was obviously petrified by the gory sight of the bleeding lad with afro hair but nothing alarmed him more than the sight of the supposed school teacher clutching the gun and brandishing it at me. He stirred and limped further into the sight with his foot soldiers rightly behind him.

They quickly retrieved the gun from the weak infidel and barraged him to the ground. “What happened?” Abdumalik quizzed with his eyes blazing fire but I maintained a straight bold face. They had unleashed the bloodlust in me, so he should not blame, if I sported for blood.

I saw him regard the lad and I was sure pity played behind his stern stare. He had saved him from the serpent venom and that was the possibility of ill emotion breeding between them. I said few words and ordered us out the room, which was littered by whimpering voices.

“Why did you that!” He barked as soon as we were out of sight and safely within the earshot of his tent. “I trusted you to keep them as our leverage and not as adversaries!”

“I’m not sorry… Baba!” I heard my voice squeak without remorse. “The infidel looked kept taunting me with his eyes.”

There is a limit for your privileges… you should know that your right ends when another begins! I heard his cursed voice declare and I wondered why he chose to kill thousands as if his right superseded them all. “What an hypocrite?” I thought as he kept barking his gibberish hypocrisy. “… and you must of course be reprimanded! Your power over the gun will be withdrawn with immediate effect and you will be cut out from everyone else and be left alone to atone for your heinous misdeeds, losing your gun to a civilian and an infidel, chief among them… three days! May Allah have mercy on you!

Fabro

“Whatever we done to them to deserve this ill treatment from them…. God will surely punish them!” I heard Eva faintly, cursing the overzealous militia, who had hacked me severely without provocation. I was too weak to respond. My head began heavy for my body. I was sure it would have subdued my body, had Eva not helped with high laps. I leaned desperately to her, my eyes misty and vision blur. I reckon the ever watching eyes of my comrades- in –predicament had been specifically fixed on me, especially that of Eva and Fatamata. They were my closest allies now although our plight has bonded us more than ever but there was still room for favourites.

What will happen to us, now? Essiet asked with a voice marked with confusion.

They have said nothing yet! One of the boys, i have not taken time to acquaint myself with said.

That makes it more terrifying! Essiet asserted.

I’ve had stories of religious abductions... the uncanny activities of extremists... they never leave any survivors! Fatamata opined.

“Worse! They will chop our heads off and have them hung on stake! I’ve read stories as well!” Our driver said. He has been whimpering like a baby since we were abducted and i was not surprised to hear those horrid words escape his lips. An awkward silence pervaded the tent. The only coherent object was the irregular and scattered rhythm of our heartbeats: fear might have clutched everyone’s soul at that moment.

“And where do these stories come from... i wonder?” Queried our sports master with an inscrutable voice but deep down, we all reckoned he was frightened, if not more than us.

“I saw one in the internet last week!” Fatamata continued her horror stories. Whatever his reasons were, i was positive i would not stir after all.

“Don’t be ridiculous... Fatamata!” Eva challenged her. We are nothing but leverage to whatever demand they have prepared to pose to the government... nothing will happen to us! Im sure of that!

“How do you know? “The driver taunted.

“I don’t know... but we should have hopes eh?” she asked no one in particular as she kept caressing my head. For once, i felt entirely ignorant of my environment. The presence of Eva with me in the same room was soothing and most adventurous. I felt providence had championed our abduction but it was fortuitous to declare that. I was aware ears would tingle if they read the intents of my heart.

But i was positive that the best i could afford is to bask in the euphoria of those wistful consolations as I felt her soft over my hair, since there was nothing much she could to salvage my imminent plight. My mouth still ached from the several bruises it has acquired from the battering of an unfamiliar foe.

A grave yard soon filtered into the tent as if on a whistle, every lip chose to remain sealed. It was gauche and clumsy since the best we could we have done for ourselves at those perilous moments was share our fears and allay our bleak fate through corporate comfort.

Within foreseeable distance we heard the echoes of stomping feet approaching the room. They were chattering and make some noise that showed solidarity. It was evident their destination was nowhere but our tent: their intention was yet inept and unsavoury, i was convinced.

As soon as the shades of their silhouettes translated into visible figures, they marched straight towards me and without much ado they hauled me up to my feet, with Eva’s resistance proving no march for their determination.

I was quickly moved to a secured tent at the far corner of the camp. The tent reeked of iodine and mentholated spirits, a mixture of drugs and bloody wounds, a tinge of the phobia for hospital rushed through my stomach. The urge to throw up flirted with my system. I had always hated the hideous smell hospitals gave and this mock hospital, situated in a tent in untraceable repugnant place was not exemption.

They set me on an arm chair and left without uttering a word.

I allowed my eyes to roam through the shades and crevices of the tent, plotting an escape route courted my mind. I knew it would be a daunted task but it was risk as i was determined to wade through the countless trees and grasses of the ghoulish haunted forest that we have found ourselves. My movement would have been dashy and quick, except for the fact that Eva was there.

I had no choice but to let the idea die a horrendous quick fire death.

My head kept rocking back and forth in infernal circles of indecision when i heard feet, shuffling and ambling towards the tent. i decided to shut my eyes, not in fear nor in anticipation but to shut out any creature it was, that was about to creep into the tent.

I felt a hand, brushing my lips, probably cleaning the blood clot that has clogged at the tip of my tongue, yet i was still disinterested on whoever owned the hand. Although it was soft and supple, an indication of a feminine presence, i was still adamant. She pressed her expertise, applying various annoying fluids to wipe out the marks and clots of blood on my lips and gum. The hand left my lips and travelled up my eyes. It pressed my eyelids before opening them softly to examine mine eyes with a little touch. That was when i saw the beauty behind the white apron. She looked young, tender and harmless. I was convinced at that point that she was forcefully conscripted into the fold because she was too heavenly to be any evil. Her eyes were pure white and so was her skin as she glowed in the poorly lit room. I reckoned she was coloured.

“How do you feel?” She finally asked. I looked at her and maintained my peace. She took the cue and decided to keep quiet, consciously avoiding to press her case further as she ignored my obscenities and I felt terrible for myself. I thought my actions would be adequate in registering my displeasure but she was untouched. I believed I posed a question? She said again. I noticed she was soft spoken and her words melted into hearts

“Why are trying to be nice?” I cried out. “Why prepare me for death?” She ignored me in the selfsame manner; she had ignored me at first. I was certain she was taunting me, drawing provocations from me and absorbing them incredulously. She finished her examination and then arranged her tools in a small neat box with an emboldened Red Cross, inscribed on the either side of the box.

“I think your aggression is misplaced!” She stated quietly. I'm only a nurse! I watched her as she grabbed her box and disappeared into the exit.

The rest of the day was filled with her thoughts. I wondered how she ended up with uncivil men, who hid behind the mask of religious extremism to perpetrate their heinous crimes. I was convinced she was too pretty for the job she has found for herself.

“I see they've attended to your lips.” Eva's voice knocked me back to reality.

“Yes, they have...” I answered solemnly.

“What do you think they want?” She asked after moments of hesitation.

“I don't know!”

“You think they would kill us?” Her voice trembled, trailing behind horror.

“I don't think so...” I assured her.

“I don't know what will become of us... I should have stayed back and prepare for exams.” She rued.

“If there's anything you need here? Its courage and determination. No matter what they do, don't let them break you!” I said those words to her but it attracted the eyes of the room. I felt uneasy by the way their eyes pried on me. Fatamata stirred, shifting awkwardly to join us at the small corner, where were.

“I've been meaning to ask you this but my mind has worked with fear... Where's Fatou? Has anyone seen her?” The room went totally silent. Tension meshed fear to grasp everyone's throat. Fear had had everyone ignorant of her absence. Fatamata's eyes were still fixed on me all the time.

“Fatou... She should be home by now.” I mused

“What do you mean home?” Quizzed sports master.

“She escaped!” I affirmed.

“Escaped?” Fatamata stirred incredulously.

“Yes... It was by divine design”

“And you supervised it?” Essiet asked.

“I'm not sure about that!”

“I think I saw you! But I was too tense to act like she did...” Eva's eyes were constantly fixed on me. Her mind was bleak and I couldn't decrypt the encryption in the flints of her eyes.

She was closer to Salvation than any of us! I heard myself explaining to her unsolicited ears.

Fatou

I felt a rough hand crawling up my thighs in the thick darkness that pervaded the room. The breath was hot and frantic as the body reeked of a sweaty manly odour. I was confused because i slept in that hut with old woman but the hands that rummaged through my thighs were obviously the hands of a man. I stirred and then pretended to be asleep. I was convinced my body was too frail to put up any resistance to that massive hand that ploughed my tender skin.

The hut was still in utter darkness when i opened my eyes to catch a glimpse of my adversary. There, i saw a languid dark figure that seamlessly adopted the colours of the pervading darkness.

There was no distinction between him and the darkness, save for his blazing eyes that were filled with ravaging lust. He dipped his hands further into my inner thigh and then moved to grab my inner clothe with a move to pull it off. i was sure i would be defiled. I wanted to scream but i damned it.

I knew i would not be defiled by any man, not a weasel of a stranger and not tonight. I damned the consequences of the ghoulish darkness and the bleak fate outside as i grabbed his wrist bone with my two hands. He flinched and let out a subdued gasp but I held on to it with reckless aggression even when his weaker hand dealt me a thunderous slap, i still held on to his wrist. I was certain he moved to deal me with another virulent blow but he was too late because i had summoned all the strengths of scorned and defiled women in the world and twisted his wrist with it. i heard his bones creak with cracking sound. He screamed and cursed, falling off to the ground and clutching his wrist in pangs, which soared out of the depth of his accursed soul.

I did not wait to experience the reaction of the old woman before i bolted through the door into the awaiting arms of uncertain darkness, scampering through paths my mind accepted.

I was oblivious of the looming terror ahead as i shot my heads up, basking in the euphoria of a flawless victory. The cold darkness mattered little as i wandered off with no direction, my consolation was in my victory.

I kept wandering deep into the night and unknown places until i was stopped by a bamboozling figure: it was a fearsome manly figure. They kept sticking up everywhere like sore nightmares, i thought to my terrified self. I reckoned he wielded a torch and brandished a locally made gun.

“The night’s old!” His croaky voice bellowed. The rays of his torched fixed against my eyes. He reeked of alcohol and tobacco form his distance and that rooted me more to the ground with horror as i foresaw yet another looming assault. “Whose daughter are you?” his voice hit me hard, forcing me to twitch with a thousand deaths.

“I’m not from this part...” i stammered.

“Where then are you from?”

“Our bus was attacked ... I’m a student!” I affirmed. I noticed the mention of ‘student’ overpowered him as he ran his torch through my frame and confirmed my claims by my uniform. His attitude shifted instantly from belligerence to visible pity but i was still frightened by what he could do as i have had enough experience of men already for one day. It was certain that i would not escape the doldrums of his assault when he chose to begin. He shifted his torch my eyes and then ordered me to follow him. i flinched and died again. He gave me a look that left me with no choice, so i followed him sheepishly as he led me to close distance, a corner in the path that was illuminated by local oil lamp, a wooden bench and worn out tires, acting in the stead of speed bumps. They were two upstanding men wielding guns as well. They looked me over and then continued their prancing watch.

“Sit!” He implored. I took my time to convince racing mind, threatening to explode before sitting on the wooden bench. My name is Usman and i am the leader of the local vigilante force set up against night raids and terrorists attacks... i see you’re frightened but I’d like to hear your story!”

“I’m Fatou...” i began slowly, mindful of my half impeccable competence in Hausa. Our bus was attacked on our way back from a sport festival and all my colleagues were forcefully carried away but my friend helped me to escape... i came here because i wanted to go home... but my quest to return ended in the hut at the outskirt...

You were assaulted? He snapped in, i kept an awkward silence, which betrayed my emotions. “i knew it!” he said more to himself. “Amino and his cursed grandmother! Those bastards!” I heard him blurt, courting the attention of his colleagues.

“You know them?” i asked.

“Who doesn’t...? They chose to live out of town because of their evil and their lewd activities... but i believe their judgement have been postponed for so long...” he turned and began to mumble words to himself. “Perfidious rotters! I will lead the delegation that will chop your heads off!”

The weight of terror loosened and became lighter. I suspected i was in good hands after all. He asked me more questions, especially the ones that bothered on my destination. The night passed on us with my eyes half opened all the time.

As soon as the light of the day came, he took me to his house, where he introduced me to his family. His wife was young, slightly older than me by some fractions by the looks on her face. She ordered her to oversee my welfare.

i soon felt reinvigorated after the refreshments. I took my bath and changed into the clothes provided. After some time, i heard the sound of a rickety motorbike gliding towards the compound. The sound went dead as plodding feet took over.

Usman came and announced to me that he would be taking me to the nearest military checkpoint, where i would be returned safely home. I thanked him for his gestures and expressed my gratitude to his wife as well before we set out.

He took me on a two hours ride before we located a military base. I saw him walk into the cache and exchanged some words with the personnel and then returned to me with an assurance before he left.

Two days later i was returned home amidst wild jubilations. The reception was overwhelming when i told them my story.

Baba was moved to kill a ram in gratitude to Allah. Although i was happy i retuned home, my heart was heavy. Saddened by the sorry plight of my friends, i felt a rush of tears trickling down my cheeks, moistening my face. The sacrifice of Fabro, for my freedom conspired to stir the cloudy walls of rain in the sky of my eyes.

Flora

The line went dead. It was Dr Iwena, he called more often these days, most times saying little and mumbling incoherent words as he hung lazily around the phone. The weight of the robbery was crushing down on him as he was on the verge of his losing his job. I felt pity most times, when he called or when we saw in the office. There were no doubts that i had double dose of troubles contending with me. The pressure of the office might be weighty but nothing weighed more than the disappearance of my son.

I visited the school several times already in the past few days, lurking aimlessly about the school, hoping to hear news of his whereabouts.

The futility of my search dawned annoyingly on me. It has been five days since his sudden disappearance. I had gone to school that morning before going to the office, threatening to school the school for all they cared.

My days had become faster while my night became lazier; minutes crawled ages, hours tuned into infernal eternity. I thought i would lose my mind and probably slip back into the delirium of mental disturbance. The death of my husband was nothing commiserate to this present predicament but i was determined to hold the fort of my emotion and stay strong. I wanted him to return and meet a strong resilient mother.

That evening after Dr Iwena dropped his call. I heard the door bell chime with much promise of redemption. i scurried to the door, my heart fixed on a long embrace. I exhaled and then straightened before i opened the door. My face fell at the spot, visibly crestfallen. Instaed of my son, i saw two men with a young girl, presumably of my son’s age. My lips were locked in disappointment as i refused to utter any words.

“Dr Okolie?” the man with a flowing while brocade asked. He had some resemblance with the young girl that came with them.

“Yes?” I answered in bold confusion.

“I’m Alhaji Dasuki and this is my friend Alhaji Inuwa... the young girl here with us is my daughter, Fatou... she’s your son’s classmate and was a witness to the abduction of the school team, which includes your son, I’m afraid!”

“Abduction?” I heard myself ask to no one in particular, hardly accepting the news.

“Yes... there’s been an abduction, ma!” The young girl confirmed with wet glitters in her face. I felt dizzy and almost fell but i held myself, thrusting my hands to my fore head for support and with the help of the young girl, i went straight inside. The emissaries of evil news followed behind.

“By whom?” I asked after settling into the couch.

“There’s no claim for responsibility yet but we suspect the BSH extremists.”

“This can’t be... i don’t believe you... my son would return soon, after all.”

“That’s why we are here!” The other man affirmed. You see the federal government has chosen to remain mum on the abduction because they believe it would interfere with their fight against terrorism. They don’t want it to derail the mental strength of the gallant soldiers...”

“That’s preposterous!”

“Yes, it is... but we’re determined to persuade them into action and i am glad your family has a voice in this country... i believe they would listen to us.”

Those were the last words I heard as I turned myself in, oblivious of their gibberish and gushing over my romance with fate. They left after several minutes but I was not certain I paid any attention to whatever they said. I was not even kind enough to see them to door neither was I in benevolent to bid them goodbye. I believed they understood my sorry plight, for they left the young girl behind. The rationale behind that, I was ignorant.

I was gradually slipping into the booth of recurrent distortion, scratching my head and biting my lips with inexplicable bitterness.

“He saved me...” She distracted my journey to delirium. “He gave up the chance to escape for me.” Her voice trembled. “I'm certain he would return soon. He's too good for that hideous life...” I fixed eyes on her as began to shake with tears in between her narrations. I felt pity for her. I was unaware that I have moved closer to her until I felt my hand running across her weak shoulders that shook with tears.