Chapter 108: A Test of Courage
1097words
"Don't move," a voice commanded, the tone hard and menacing.
Eki and Dapo exchanged a terrified glance. They were trapped, surrounded by enemies. The curator, Thorne, and now the person in the car. It seems like all bad things happen to them at the same time.
A person comes out from the dark, a tall man who looks very strong and has eyes that look like he thinks about many things. He is not by himself; two helpers come with him. Every helper places their hand on the spot next to them where they keep a gun.
"Oh, look who is here," the man said with a voice showing much dislike. "What a surprise to see you two again."
Eki and Dapo knew this man. He was a famous businessman, someone they frequently saw with Thorne. His presence here confirmed their suspicions about the extent of the conspiracy.
"You know us?" Dapo managed to say, his voice trembling slightly.
The man laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Of course, I know you," he replied. "You've caused me a lot of trouble."
Eki and Dapo exchanged a desperate glance. They were cornered, with no way out. The man put his hand into his pocket and took out his phone. He made the call, voice quiet but with a threat hidden inside.
"It's time to finish this," he said. "Bring in the backup."
Eki and Dapo knew they must move quickly. They cannot allow themselves to be caught. Hearts pounding fast, they jump at the men, following their instincts. The fight starts with noises of fists striking and grunts echoing in the night air.
Dapo got a hold of a weapon from one of the bad men and then used it to make others stay under control. Eki fought with so much strength that she even surprised herself by how powerful she was. She had to protect Dapo, to protect everything they had fought for.
The curator, noticing his men were not winning, hurriedly went to Eki. He grabbed her arm with a strong grip. In a desperate attempt to get away, Eki turned her body fast. This caused the curator to lose his balance entirely. He fell backwards and struggled with one hand to reach for his gun.
In that short instant, a gunshot sound was heard. Everything felt like it moved in slow motion as Eki looked with surprise and saw Dapo falling to the ground. She wants to scream, but no sound comes out. Her mind races very fast, trying hard to understand what just happened.
The curator, face looking very proud, put his gun on the ground. "You see what happens when you make trouble for me," he said with a smile.
Rage consumed Eki. She lunged at the curator, her movements fueled by adrenaline. The two of them tumbled to the ground, locked in a desperate struggle.
The curator was stronger, but Eki had a very strong will to keep living. She fought with so much intensity that it even surprised herself. Finally, it was by chance that the curator got hit and lost consciousness.
Eki moved on her hands and knees to get closer to Dapo, her heart beating very fast. He was lying without movement on the cold, hard ground with a dark stain spreading over his shirt. Fear takes her heart when she sees his wounds. She finds a weak pulse and shallow breathing, a small sign of life in big darkness.
With new strength, Eki pulled Dapo to stand up. They needed to leave right away. The curator would improve, and when that happened, he became even more dangerous.
They walked uneasily during the night, their bodies hurting and many thoughts inside their heads. They did not know where they were going but knew that stopping was something they could not do.
When the sun comes up, they drop down tired and scared under the tree. Eki put Dapo's head on her lap, feeling love and worry mixed in her heart. She had to find help, but she couldn't leave Dapo alone.
She took her phone with shaking hands. She called a close friend she trusted, someone who could give help. While she was waiting for the call to connect, she looked at Dapo. His face appeared pale and very tired.
"We get through this," she said softly, surprised by how strong her voice sounded. "I promise."
The phone makes a noise, and someone takes the call. It is their friend, Ayo, speaking with a voice full of worry. Eki shared the story with a shaking voice. Ayo listened silently, not interrupting, her tone calm and gentle.
"I'm on my way," she said, her voice filled with determination. "Don't move."
With those words, Eki felt a surge of relief. They were not alone. Ayo would help them.
While Eki waited for Ayo to arrive, she was tending to Dapo's wounds while shaking hands. She pressed on the bleeding cut as many thoughts quickly went through her mind. They must find a safe place where Thorne and his men can not discover them.
As they are almost ready to talk about what to do next, a noise comes from outside. It was the sound of a car arriving. Eki and Dapo exchanged a terrified glance. They had been found.
Feeling a rush of strong energy, they take hold of something nearby and quietly sneak out the back door. Moving fast through empty streets, their hearts pound loudly in their chests. Behind them, they could hear the sound of the car accelerating.
They run until they feel the fire in their lungs and legs hurt very much. Finally, they fall behind the dumpster, breathing so heavily to catch air. They were safe, for now. But they knew this was just the beginning. The fight was far from over.
While catching their breath, they looked at each other. In their eyes were both fear and strong spirit together. They needed to find a solution to stop this nightmare forever.
Suddenly, Eki felt a big fear. He noticed the car behind them was not their only danger. Thorne's men were not the only ones searching for them. There was another individual, someone much nearer to their circle, a person they had great trust in.
