Episode 13: “Faith Under Fire”
The shadows of the school grounds seemed to stretch infinitely as the night deepened. Precious, her breath coming in short gasps, watched the dark figure from the window with mounting fear. She knew Ezekiel was out there, watching, waiting for his next move. Her mind raced with questions and dread, but she knew she had to stay strong, not just for herself but for John, who was still in danger.
Mathieu hung up the phone, his face set with determination. “The police are on their way, Precious. We need to stay calm and stay inside until they get here.”
Precious nodded, trying to steady her racing heart. “I can’t believe this is happening. Who is Ezekiel, and why is he after me?”
Mathieu placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’ll find out soon enough. Right now, the most important thing is to stay safe and trust that help is coming.”
As they waited, a heavy silence filled the room, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the city and the occasional rustle of leaves outside. Precious felt a surge of gratitude for Mathieu’s presence. His calm demeanor and unwavering support were a lifeline in the midst of the chaos and fear that threatened to overwhelm her.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited for the police. Precious couldn’t shake the feeling that every second counted, that time was running out for John. She turned to Mathieu, her eyes filled with worry.
“We need to find John, Mathieu. I can’t just sit here and do nothing while he’s out there with that maniac.”
Mathieu’s expression was serious. “I understand, Precious, but we need to be smart about this. The police will be here soon, and they’ll be able to handle this. We can’t risk putting ourselves in more danger.”
Just as Precious was about to respond, there was a sudden, loud banging on the door. Her heart leapt into her throat as she and Mathieu exchanged worried glances. Mathieu moved to open the door cautiously, but Precious stopped him.
“Wait,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What if it’s him?”
Mathieu hesitated, then nodded, stepping back from the door. The banging continued, more insistent and urgent. Precious felt her pulse quicken as she moved closer to Mathieu, seeking the reassurance of his presence.
“Who’s there?” Mathieu called out, his voice steady but firm.
“Police!” came the response, and Precious felt a wave of relief wash over her. Mathieu opened the door to reveal two officers standing in the hallway, their expressions serious.
“We got a report about a disturbance and a possible threat,” one of the officers said. “Are you Precious?”
Precious nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, that’s me. Thank you for coming.”
The officers stepped inside, their eyes scanning the room. “We need to know everything about this man who’s after you. Do you have any idea who he is or why he’s targeting you?”
Precious shook her head. “His name is Ezekiel. He said something about me having a debt to pay, but I don’t know what he meant. He took my friend John, and I’m really worried about him.”
The officers exchanged a glance. “Alright, we’ll start a search for your friend and see if we can find this Ezekiel. In the meantime, you two need to stay here and stay safe. We’ll have officers patrolling the area.”
As the officers left to start their search, Precious felt a mix of relief and fear. She was grateful for their help, but the uncertainty of John’s fate weighed heavily on her. She turned to Mathieu, her eyes filled with worry.
“What if they don’t find him in time? What if something happens to John?”
Mathieu took her hand, his grip warm and reassuring. “We have to trust that they’ll find him, Precious. And we have to keep our faith strong. Remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re going to get through it together.”
Precious nodded, her heart aching with worry and fear. She clung to Mathieu’s words, finding solace in the strength and faith he exuded. But as the minutes ticked by, the sense of impending danger only grew, a dark cloud that hung over her, threatening to consume her hope and resolve.
Meanwhile, at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Abuja…
John struggled against the ropes that bound him, his wrists chafed and raw. The dim light of the warehouse cast eerie shadows on the walls, and he could hear the faint sounds of traffic in the distance, a cruel reminder of the world beyond his reach.
Ezekiel paced in front of him, his expression cold and calculating. “You thought you could interfere with my plans, didn’t you, John? You thought you could protect Precious from the consequences of her actions.”
John glared at him, defiance burning in his eyes. “You have no right to do this. Precious hasn’t done anything to deserve this, and neither have I.”
Ezekiel’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “You’re both paying for the choices you’ve made. You led her down a path of sin, and now you must both face the consequences. But don’t worry, your suffering will be over soon.”
John’s heart pounded with fear, but he refused to let Ezekiel see his terror. “You’re insane. Precious will never let you get away with this.”
Ezekiel laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the empty warehouse. “Precious is a lost soul, just like you. But soon, you’ll both be beyond redemption.”
As Ezekiel turned away, John felt a surge of desperation. He had to find a way to escape, to warn Precious before it was too late. He struggled against the ropes, wincing as they dug into his flesh, but he refused to give up. His only hope was that the police would find them in time, that someone would come to save them before Ezekiel’s twisted plan could be carried out.
Back at the school, the sense of foreboding continued to grow…
Precious sat on the edge of her bed, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen, that John was in grave danger. She turned to Mathieu, who was pacing the room, his expression tense.
“Mathieu, I can’t just sit here and do nothing. We need to find John. I can’t let anything happen to him.”
Mathieu stopped and looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. “I understand how you feel, Precious, but we need to be careful. The police are doing everything they can. We have to trust them and stay safe.”
Precious shook her head, her voice trembling. “I can’t just wait around. I have to do something. I need to find him.”
Mathieu took a deep breath, then nodded. “Alright, but we need to be smart about this. We can’t risk getting caught or putting ourselves in more danger. We’ll go to the police station and see if they have any updates. Maybe they can help us find John.”
As they left the dormitory, Precious felt a surge of determination. She couldn’t let fear paralyze her. She had to find John and make things right. With Mathieu by her side, she knew she had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
But as they stepped into the cool night air, the shadows seemed to deepen, and Precious couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The sense of foreboding grew stronger, and she knew that the battle for her faith and her life was far from over.
End of Episode 13