Chapter 109: A Frantic Escape
1740words
"We cannot let them catch us," Dapo said with a strong voice. But, a small fear was showing in his eyes.
Eki thinks quickly. They must leave here soon, but where to go? The city is filled with police and Thorne's men will look for them.
Another memory came back. The first time we went to the museum, we also found secret passages. This path is hidden, created by the le who made this museum. Even if it seems strange to think, maybe it was their only escape route.
"Remember that passage we found?" Eki asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Dapo's eyes lit up. "The one in the curator's office?"
Eki nodded. "It might be our only way out."
Quickly, their hearts beat strong in their chests. The maze seems like a maze with many corridors but they know the way well. But, they must be very careful. Security cameras are all over the place, and getting seen is not an option.
When they went into the museum, they could hear sirens in the distance. Police were getting closer, so it was time to move fast.
Finally, they arrived at the curator's office. The door was firmly locked, but Eki succeeded in opening it without any trouble. The room inside was messy and showed signs of a fight that occurred recently.
The hidden path was behind the bookshelf. Someone could use it but must squeeze very tightly to get through. When you are inside, the place feels dark and damp; old dust particles float in the air.
They moved very slowly and carefully, using all their senses. There was no noise – only the sound of breathing could be heard. The muffled sounds of the police search could be heard getting closer.
At last, they exit from that path after what seems like a very long time. I see a small room with soft light. It looked like a place for storing things because it had old furniture and many boxes in there. They felt safe here, at least for now.
Very tired, they fell onto a heap of old blankets. They escaped from the museum but still had danger all around them. Being hunted as runaways by a very threatening enemy to them.
While they lay down, trying with much effort to get their breath back, a sound came to them. It was not very loud and had a clicking feel, coming from where the doorway was. Somebody was attempting to open it.
Eki and Dapo glance at each other fast, their faces showing much worry. The sound of the door handle shaking is growing louder. They are stuck in there. It hit them like a cold wave. They had escaped from one danger, only to be trapped by another.
"We have to do something," Dapo whispered, his voice filled with desperation.
Eki's thoughts were moving very fast like they couldn't stop and wait to be caught. They needed to find a way out. She looked around the room, seeking for any possible route of escape.
She looked at a small window, placed high up on the wall. It was very difficult to reach but it was their only chance.
"We have to climb out," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Dapo's lips were moving, but no sound was coming. His face became pale and he looked very frightened. First, he helped Eki to go up through the window. After that, he climbed himself. The distance from this window to the ground was very high, and also the opening of it was small. But they did not have any other choices except to make this jump because of the situation they faced at that moment.
Looking from the window, Eki sees many people near the museum. She thinks maybe they are police, so she says we must go quickly now.
Eki took a deep breath and moved her legs over the windowsill. Dapo did the same action, but he held very tight to the ledge with much strength. They began climbing down, feeling their heartbeats beating strongly in their chests
The fall is more difficult than I imagined. We hit the ground with our bodies and it hurts very much, but we cannot take a break now. Keep moving.
They ran on lonely paths, fighting to breathe. They did not know where they were going, but it was very important to keep moving forward.
They run, legs feeling very weak and breathing fast. At last, they drop behind a trash bin and tremble with tiredness. They were safe – at least for now. But they knew this was just the start of what came next.
When they stop to catch their breath, their eyes meet each other. In both sets of eyes, there is fear but also much determination. Two people are very set on fixing their reputation and making sure Thorne and others answer for things they did wrong. They work hard to clear their names and hold those responsible accountable.
Just when they try to talk about the next step, a voice they know very well says: "Eki, Dapo, is that you?"
Their eyes meet with Ayo's, who is approaching closer and her face looks worried. They start to feel relief washing over them.
And then Ayo showed up, like a light in darkness. For a long time, they were alone with all the problems resting on their shoulders. But now there is someone to help them carry it all together.
"You are very good," Ayo said in a quiet voice, sounding much relieved. She quickly looks at their bodies to check for any hurt or damage.
"We're fine," Dapo managed, his voice still hoarse from the exertion. "Barely."
Eki said yes with a gentle nod, but her legs continued to tremble. They feel very tired not only in their bodies but also mentally because of what happened.
Eki, with a strong voice, said: "We must go. Thorne and his people will return."
Ayo nodded, her face looking very serious. "I know a safe place," she said. "We can go there and hide until we decide what to do next."
When we went to Ayo's car, Eki shared all that happened with her. The stolen items, Thorne turning against us, and the curator being very obsessed. Ayo listened closely, her face showing a serious focus.
"It is bigger than we think," she said with a mix of fear and strong will in her voice. "We have many people linked together now."
Eki and Dapo moved their heads up and down with sad feelings inside. They discovered something much bigger than what they were expecting to find before.
When the car went far from the city, they turned heads again. The museum could be seen far away, standing quietly like a silent witness to all things they felt. They had travelled a fair amount but continued to journey.
The safe house seemed like any normal apartment in a calm neighbourhood. They used it as a place to stay for short times, where they could gather and decide their next steps.
After they found a place to stay, they talked about what next steps should be taken. They needed a plan to uncover the truth about Thorne and his actions so he could be faced directly. At the same time, they need to keep their safety and the safety of people close to them.
Dapo, sounding unsure, said "We can't do this alone. We need help."
Eki nodded her head in agreement. "We should find people who can help us and know about our situation," she said.
They were very busy with their studies, and they also looked for help from people who were against stealing art and unfairly taking cultures. They contacted reporters, activists, and others who have experience in this area.
They stopped looking when they found Dr. Evelyn Carter, a well-known art historian famous for her expertise in African art and admired by many people because she was so brave. Eki and Dapo chose to contact her, hoping that maybe she could assist them.
An email goes to Dr. Carter, telling the story and asking for help. They wait with nervous feelings, hoping this chance gives them the answer they want.
Weeks went by, and still no reply came. The feeling of disappointment and frustration started growing more. Time was passing quickly. Thorne and his group were getting nearer, and they did not have many options left anymore.
At that moment when almost no hope was left, suddenly their phones began ringing at the same time. Both screens displayed a number they did not know. Eki took the lead and answered, her heart pounding fast.
"Your call was expected," a voice stated. It had depth and authority to it. They did not recognize the number, yet the caller appeared to know them well.
"Who are you?" Eki managed to ask, her voice trembling slightly.
The voice stopped for a moment, then made a loud laugh. "Someone who understands you more than you think," the voice replied.
Eki and Dapo felt very frightened. They did not know who was on the other side, but it seemed like somebody was observing them.
"What do you want?" Dapo asked, his voice steady despite the fear.
"We want to help," the voice replied, "but you have to trust us."
Eki and Dapo looked at each other once more, their faces showing many unsure feelings. Trust was not strong between them, but they had no more choices left to decide from.
"How can we trust you?" Eki asked, her voice filled with doubt.
"Very soon," replied the voice. "We are bringing something to give. It involves danger."
Now, the call finished with a pause. Eki and Dapo stayed alone in their minds, feeling uncomfortable. They did not know what would happen next, but one thing they were sure of: their lives were going to change very much soon.
In their quiet, they knew the reality. They were going to a place much deeper and more risky than they first thought. And now, they are in it all.
