I HAVE DRUNK STRANGE WATERS - EPISODE 48

 EPISODE 48

I suddenly heard a scream and looked up, I watched in horror as about six hefty men came out of the bush with big and ugly guns.

"Everyone come out of the bus and raise your hands above your heads! Any funny move and you are all dead!"

I sat frozen in the car and watched the scene that played before me, it was like a bad dream. I contemplated reversing and heading back to get help but I knew instinctively that it was dangerous. I knew there is every possibility that they have spotted my car because of the proximity. If I make any move and they decided to spray the vehicle with bullets I won't survive it.

I watched in horror as the women kept screaming, they dragged the driver from his seat and began to give him a serious beating. One of the men was hitting him repeatedly with the butt of the big gun, I watched as he became unconscious and lifeless.

They lined up the women and stripped them of all their valuables. Mama was third on the line and my heart jumped to my mouth in fear. I'm sure they have spotted my car and were simply taunting me, they wanted me to be sick with fear before they come for me.

I thought about every means of escape but nothing came to mind, I was in the middle of nowhere in an unknown town, and even if I call my friends in Lagos I'll be dead before they reach me.

Kike's face flashed to my memory and I knew it must be her handwork. I didn't know what she planned for us, whether we die or live is now in her hands. I contemplated calling Kike to beg her but I later waved away the thought, if I'm going to die I want to die like a man. "I won't give you the satisfaction of seeing me beg Kike, I would rather die like a man, after all, I have a child to carry on my name. I thought about Cynthia and our baby and tears sprang to my eyes, I knew immediately that I had to reach her no matter what will happen.

I was about to reach for my phone when I remember Oga Alo and his words when we were about to part ways.

“Don’t worry everyone, as far as Oga Alo dey here nobody fit attack you. I know all the armed robbers and kidnappers in this area, dem be my friend” 

“This na my business card, call me anytime you enter my domain or you wan make I help you”

I brought out my wallet with shaky fingers and removed his business card, my hands didn't stop shaking as I dialed his line. He didn't pick at the first ring, I got lucky when I tried his line the second time.

"Hello Oga Alo" I whispered in a hoarse voice filled with fear"

"Na who be this?" His thick voice bellowed

"I'm Mr. Femi, we met on Friday evening. You sold tyres to me and helped me"

"My friend, how you dey?" He said in his jovial voice.

"I no dey Oga Alo, we just ran into armed robbers at Calabar intersection" I was whispering in a low voice and I prayed he'll be able to hear what I was saying.

"Armed robbers? Make you check their cap, wetin be the color?"

"Some wore reds and few of them wore black"

"Na assassins Dem be, Dem be professionals, them no dey leave evidence behind"

I had a sick feeling in the bottom of my stomach when I heard those words, I became sure that Kike must have sent them. They'll kill all of us, and probably burn our cars too.

"Oga Alo, help me" I whispered in fear. I knew I was a dead body, it is just a matter of minutes.

"You get white hanky for there?"

I stared at the only hanky I had on me, it used to be white.

"Listen to instruction carefully, I pray make your head save you. You have to step down from the car and turn your back towards them"

"I'll do anything, I don't want to die," I said as my eyes became clouded with tears.

"Make una step down from the car immediately you end the call, turn your back and make una dey shout Oga Alo! Oga Alo! Oga Alo! If Dem know me Dem go let you go, if them be from black python gang na die you dey" 

"Which one be black python Oga..." He ended the call immediately and I stared at the dead phone.

It means whatever I'm about to do can either save my life or get me killed. I was very scared and felt a strong urge to urinate. "Femi you are a man, a brave man only dies once," I told myself.

I put the phone away and raised my head to see what was happening ahead, and that was when I heard the sound of a gunshot and a scream.

"Nooooooo!" A sound of agony was torn from my lips before I could stop myself.

To be continued...

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