19 Chapter 18 - Drowned
Mayowa sat worriedly in the carriage when Bimbo had gone to get drinks for them. She knew she had to get out of the carriage or she might never be able to.
What am I going to do? How am I going to get out of here? she thought.
Her heart was pounding, her hands were shaking. The thought of meeting that so called ritualist was frightening. Only God knew what he wanted from her, but it surely wasn't good.
What if he cut her hands or legs for sacrifices, or what if he sleept with her for some rituals. Even Denle didn't know what he wanted and why he wanted her.
This is so bad!
She had heard stories from people who were abducted by a ritualist; how some were slaughtered, raped or deformed. Though some were good, but to work they needed materials like that. Some were just too extreme and you never who you might meet. And unfortunately, this was the East, where a lot of them resided because it was safer for them. Other regions never gave them the chance to breathe much less talk of staying.
God help me out of here!
Thinking of what to do, her fingers felt something tiny right beside her. She looked at it and discovered it was a pin. She then decided to try to pick the lock.
She pushed the pin into the padlock and kept turning it, but apparently it wasn't working. The squeaking sound of the lock was annoying.
Internally, she said "This sound is so annoying. It feels like it will unlock but it isn't. So annoying".
She was sweating. The fear of Bimbo coming back to take her to the ritualist was hotter than hell. She was tired.
What next was she going to do? Should she just give up and accept her fate?
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Somebody save me! She thought of screaming but that would alert Bimbo or any bad person around here.
She was so far from home. How she was going to get back seemed like an impossibility.
Oh God, why me! She cried.
Just as she continued crying, she saw an iron at the edge of the carriage. It wasn't very visible. If you didn't pay attention, you won't be able to spot it.
She stretched to get it. The cage was very small so no need to move. She held the iron very tight and followed her instincts.
She forcefully hit he padlock continuously but it didn't break so she decided to use it on the door instead. It was wood and it didn't look strong.
Continuously, Mayowa jammed the door with the iron until it created a space big enough for her to go out. She started running through the opposite way of where the carriage was parked without looking back for a second. For her, it was about life and death.
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Bimbo was frustrated to see that the door wasnt even open but destroyed.
Aaargh! That girl!
She threw the drinks on the floor. She didn't care what Bariga, the ritualist wanted anymore . She was going to find Mayowa and when she did, she wasn't going to spare her. She was going to injure her, even kill her if possible for the stress she had put her through.
Such a stubborn ant!
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Mayowa kept running day after day, she only slept somewhere in the night. It had been two days since she escaped from the carriage and she needed to find someone to take her back to the west.
Surviving in the forest was becoming hectic. She would probably die if she continued.
Mayowa yawned profusely as she woke up. Her body was itchy and she smelled. She hadn't taken her bath for days. Sleeping on the bare floor covered with dirt has not been pleasant. Though she used to sleep on the floor at home, it was clean and she still had a wrapper to lay on and cover herself.
She walked tiredly, trying to find a stream so she could take a quick bath. Hopefully, after walking for some time, she found a huge river. She felt so relieved. She was also thirsty and needed water to drink.
She rushed to the river and bent down to drink. This whole thing was weighing a lot on her. Her skin was famished and dried, her eyeballs had swollen due to inconsistent sleep caused by fear, her hair was messy and her mouth smelled badly. At first, she thought she was going to die with the whole thing but here she still is, fighting and pushing through. She didn't want her life to end like this and if she didn't want it, she had to be strong. She could no longer be the weak girl everyone knew.
She stood up after drinking, looked around and decided to pull her clothes so she could bathe. She wasnt a good swimmer so she was aware that she shouldnt wander too far into the river. Staying at the shore was safer.
Just as she was about to take off her clothes, she had someone say "Don't you think its a bit risky taking off your clothes here? You never know who you might meet"
She turned around and discovered it was Bimbo. She had found her again!
"Don't come near me, you devil!" Mayowa shouted
"Devil? So I am a devil? Well, thank you" Bimbo smiled.
She continued "I told you not to test me. I am sick and tired of this..."
"Then leave me alone!" Mayowa cut her off
"You know I can't do that. I have been given an assignment and I must fulfill it" Bimbo replied.
Mayowa moved back almost entering the river.
"Careful there, you might slip. We wouldnt want you to drown. I know you are not a good swimmer" Bimbo smirked.
Why does she smile like that? It is scary. Mayowa thought. She still couldn't believe this used to be her friend.
"I can't believe we were friends. You don't look anything like you used to. Your smile is like a demon's and that innocent look is all gone" Mayowa said.
She wanted to say all she had in her mind. She knew what she was to do.
"I guess that's how life is. People change. Now, now, come with me and let's make this quick. If you don't know, you are going into the Lion's den. This place is not good" Bimbo said.
"Says the girl who is taking me to the Lion's den" Mayowa added.
"Maybe you are right" Bimbo smirked again "But you never can tell, it might be good for you and most especially me. Bariga would be so disappointed if I don't get you to him and I hate disappointing him"
Bimbo ran swiftly to get Mayowa's hand. She caught it and dragged her but Mayowa bit it with every life in her.
"Just stop it Mayowa! Stop making this difficult" Bimbo said so frustrated.
"No never! I will never stop trying to get away from you even if it is the last thing I do" Mayowa shouted affirmly.
"Then I have no option but to do this" Bimbo said as she brought out a long stick she had been hiding at her back. Somewhere it hurt that Mayowa hated her but who cared? She wasnt her friend anymore.
"Bariga told me to bring you unharmed with no injuries but since you are too stubborn, I have to use this means to silence your attitude. I hope you understand" Bimbo explained.
"Oh I understand" Mayowa said as her eyes drifted to the river. If drowning was going to save her from being captured, then so be it.
"Don't even think about it. You can't..."
"I can" Mayowa said.
Quickly, she ran toward the river and jumped in. She struggled to catch her breath but she wasnt a good swimmer.
Bimbo gritted her teeth. This is bad! Bariga wouldn't want this. She then jumped into the river, hoping to save Mayowa but Mayowa refused. She kept fighting to stay in the river.
Both of the girls struggled in the river.
Suddenly, a mighty roar of wind passed through them.The waves were increasing and if they didn't get out, they would both drown.
"Mayowa, stop fighting. We might die" Bimbo struggled to say.
Seeing that Mayowa wasnt ready to come out, she moved to save herself instead. She wasn't ready to die for Mayowa.
She didn't know how she was going to face Bariga, but her life was important than this. If Mayowa wanted to kill herself then so be it.
Bimbo watched from a distance how Mayowa struggled in the river until she couldnt see her anymore. She probably was dead.
It began to pour heavily and thunder striked every now and then. Bimbo ran to find somewhere to stay until the rain stopped.
Aaargh! Mayowa has made her life a living hell.
How was she going to tell Bariga that Mayowa killed herself.
So disturbing!
