Episode 14: “Confrontation”
The air in Abuja seemed to throb with a tension that mirrored Precious’s own pounding heart. As she and Mathieu walked briskly through the darkened streets, their breath visible in the chilly night air, a sense of urgency pushed them forward. The police had been slow to act, and Precious couldn’t wait any longer. John needed them, and there was no time to waste.
You might also like
“Are you sure about this, Precious?” Mathieu asked, his voice low and steady, though his eyes reflected the gravity of their mission.
Precious nodded, her expression resolute. “We have to find him, Mathieu. I can’t live with myself if something happens to him.”
Mathieu squeezed her hand gently, a gesture that sent a warm rush through her despite the cold night. “I’m with you, no matter what. We’ll get him back.”
The bond between them had grown stronger over the past few days, an unspoken connection that went beyond words. Precious felt a deep sense of gratitude and affection for Mathieu, who had become her rock in this turbulent time. As they approached the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, the tension in the air thickened, and Precious knew that the final confrontation with Ezekiel was imminent.
They slipped inside the warehouse, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty space. The flickering light of an old bulb cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the place feel like a labyrinth of fear and danger. Precious’s heart raced as she scanned the area, her eyes searching for any sign of John.
“There,” Mathieu whispered, pointing to a dimly lit corner where John was tied to a chair, his face bruised and eyes wide with fear.
Precious’s heart lurched at the sight of her friend. She moved quickly, her footsteps silent on the cold concrete floor. Just as she reached John, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking her path.
“Well, well, well. Look who decided to join the party,” Ezekiel sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. “I was wondering when you’d show up, Precious.”
Precious felt a surge of anger and fear, but she stood her ground. “Let him go, Ezekiel. This is between you and me.”
Ezekiel’s smile widened, a twisted expression that made her skin crawl. “Oh, but it’s not just about you, Precious. It’s about everyone you’ve hurt, everyone you’ve led astray.”
Mathieu stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “This ends now, Ezekiel. You can’t keep doing this. It’s not too late to make things right.”
Ezekiel laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Make things right? You’re both fools if you think this will end any way but badly for you.”
Before Precious could react, Ezekiel lunged at Mathieu, a knife glinting in his hand. Precious’s scream echoed through the warehouse as she watched Mathieu dodge the attack, his movements quick and precise. The two men grappled, the sounds of their struggle filling the air.
Precious rushed to John, her fingers fumbling with the ropes that bound him. “Hang in there, John. We’re getting you out of here.”
John’s voice was weak but filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Precious. I knew you’d come.”
As she freed John, the sounds of the struggle intensified. She turned to see Mathieu overpower Ezekiel, his face set with determination. With a final, powerful push, Mathieu disarmed Ezekiel and knocked him to the ground, his breathing heavy with exertion.
“It’s over, Ezekiel,” Mathieu said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Ezekiel glared up at him, his eyes filled with hatred. “This isn’t over. You’ll never escape your past, Precious. It will haunt you forever.”
As the police arrived, lights flashing and sirens wailing, Precious felt a mixture of relief and dread. She knew that Ezekiel’s words were meant to hurt, to plant seeds of doubt in her mind. But with Mathieu by her side, she felt a newfound strength and resolve.
