Chapter 8

They tied him with a rope. Both arms were held down in such an uncomfortable, restricting posture that breathing in and out was difficult. For a moment, he thought it was the end of his life. So the three were thinking that life was over for them? Perhaps, there was a lesson or two to learn from this; that life was short and one must make the best out of it. Had he made the best out of his interactions with them so far? What about Atta? Did he know the way forward? Why was he thinking about Atta now when it seemed all hope was lost. This was truly the end of the rope. Mr Mireku pleaded with the little boy beside him. The little boy ogled at him strangely.

"I was asked not to speak with you, " he replied coldly.

"If I were your father, would you allow me to die?"

"I learnt you're a wicked father!" So that is the impression they have created in the minds of people? What do they even know about being a father? Most of them abandoned their families anyway to find a way of making life meaningful? What does this boy know about wickedness? Perhaps it was time to lure him back into thinking that it was not so bad after all, that there were kind people in this world. This world might look like it's full of cruelty, yet his thoughts could attract his desires if he aligned them rightly.

"Son," he began once again.

" Don't call me son, and who gave you the nerves to speak with me? I'll report you to my boss!" Boss? So he was already in? " Daddy!" he yelled, gawking at Ohene strangely.

" Here!" his father yelled back, limping into the room, drunk. Could this be Ohene's opportunity?

" Dad. This man is trying to change my mind."

" So what? Do you have a mind at all? See where you are! Do you choose to follow your Dad nowhere? You'll also go nowhere!" As much as it was heartbreaking to hear this father and son conversation and the added twist that this father was drunk, Mr Mireku decided to be silent and allow them to talk.

"This man used to be my father. He took care of me throughout my lifetime. I stayed with him and he took me through school and I owe him for that. I don't even know why they still have him here."

"But you never took care of me?"

"I know. We don't do that here. Our lives are different. That's why he's back here. he ran away from his responsibility." What exactly did he mean by what he was saying? He had better pay closer attention to his words. Unfortunately, the big boss arrived and sent the two away.

" What conversation were they having with you?" he asked.

" They were actually not conversing with me. They were ironing out their differences."

" Ever since you left, we've had a tough time with your constitution."

" You can change it if you want?"

" Don't tell me what to do. We will deal on our terms!" Mr Mireku was silent, yet grateful. At least, his life would be spared a little much longer. How were his girlfriend and daughter doing? Would they forgive him for this?

Mr Mireku was thrown back into the dark, smelly room with no water or food. The room brought back memories of the days he had tortured people. It was in this very room that a pregnant woman died before his very own eyes. That scene has stayed with him his whole life. Upon being promoted, however, that was no longer his job as he only ordered people to do that filthy job for him. Now, he could empathise with them. It was not pleasant at all! It was too late to do something about it now though. Some had died in this very room. May their souls rest in perfect peace. The thought of it brought shivers down his spine. How heartless I have been! What gave me that impetus to take away people's lives just like that? Suddenly, he heard someone slap his feet.

" Get up!Eat!" Rising up to grope in the dark only to fall down back again, he screamed his lungs out.

" How do you expect me to when you have me all tied up like this?"

" That's none of my business. The food is yours. However you'll be able to eat it is up to you!" At that, the servant left the room. The aroma of the food alone made him sit up, yet, just as his plea had fallen on deaf ears, he remembered as he strained to move forward that his arms had been tied together with twine. What torture!