Chapter 4

"Daddy, please. He's going to kill me!" Bianca kept crying. Tears flowed down her eyes and mixed up with the blood on her bruised face. Her whole body hurt. She had been abducted by someone whom she couldn't believe would ever do this to her.

She tried to call out his name.

But the cloaked figure sent a punch, straight to Bianca's jaw to shut her up. she let out a loud cry, blood oozing out of her lips which had torn as a result of the punch.

"Now, Judge. I want you to watch as your daughter begs for her life." the figure said bringing the camera up to his skull-masked face. He places the camera on a stand and taped everything.

Using the knife in his hand to slowly tear Bianca's clothes off her body. The knife pricks her skin now and then. she kept crying and struggling. But the more she struggled, the deeper the cuts she got from the knife.

Soon she was naked in front of the camera. He chuckled and trailed over to her back. His sinister chuckle filled the air. She held her head. Tightly. She could move even her muscle. His hand found its way into her mouth and parted it.

And at that moment, with one cut, he tore open Bianca's throat. Warm blood spurted out as Bianca gasped for breath.

The man laughed wickedly. Mr. Daniel couldn't take it anymore; his hands grew weak and could no longer hold the phone. It slipped from his grip and crashed on the floor.

He cried, like a baby. Wailing loudly. It took him almost 30 minutes before he was able to regain his composure and wipe off his tears.

He picked up his phone and placed a call to his friend.

******

The police had just left Chioma's apartment after one long, tiring hour of taking their statement.

Bianca's murder came as a shock to everyone. Her boyfriend was the worst hit because he was so depressed.

"I still find it hard to believe that the once cheerful Bianca, who is supposed to be my Bride's maid in three days, is dead!" Chioma added as soon as she walked in from walking the police to the door.

"I shouldn't have hosted the party for her. If I hadn't, she won't have left the house in the first place. It's all my fault" Dave muttered. Burying his head in his palm.

"C'mon Dave. It ain't your fault." Chioma said to him. rubbing his back consolingly.

Tola looked away. His eyes were void of tears and sympathy. The sad atmosphere made him feel uncomfortable. Bianca was not a saint, as she's portrayed as he thought and rose to his feet.

"I hope they bring, the killers to justice." Tola mouthed to them before walking away.

"I hope they catch them too!" Ayo added sadly. His eyes filled with tears.

Bianca was his bestie. He, Chioma, and Bianca were inseparable from childhood. And now she was gone.

Chioma looked up at Tola as he exited the sitting room. why is he acting weird? She wondered.

Dave sat up straight and wiped his tears off.

"I hope all these won't ruin your wedding?" He asked.

"I hope so too," Chioma replied, almost in a whisper.

Dave rose to his feet; "I have to go now."

"It's alright. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you okay?"

Dave nodded and left.

********

FEW MINUTES AFTER BIANCA'S ABDUCTION

The room was dark. The door's knob turned and the door was pushed open. His trembled. He shut the door, locking it behind him.

His heart raced. He had just done something that he will regret for the rest of his life. he turned on the bulb and light flooded the dark room.

Guilt kept clawing at his heart as he walked into the bathroom, and pulled off his shirt to reveal the scratch mark on his hands.

Bianca had scratched him when he tried to abduct her.

He looked at the injury and sighed softly.

Turned on the tap and gently washed off the blood that escaped the torn skin.

Images of how he grabbed Bianca from behind and forced her into the car kept flashing into his head.

He recalled that she had called his name. it was obvious that she recognized him. at that moment he wanted to stop and set her free damning the consequences, but on second thought, he kicked against the idea.

She tried to scream, but his hands were over her mouth. She kicked and scratched to escape, but he was much stronger than her.

Ramming his folded fist on her face until she fell unconscious.

He dragged her down, out of the car. Before carrying her to the booth of the car and there he kept her, locked up, and drove away.