The incident

Her mum stops what she is doing . That was why she screamed at midnight. What about the dream? Her mom looked at her intensively.

She began to narrate her dream "She was in a room... very dark room(Anita) i saw her being tied on a chair... She demonstrated looking confused... "When she saw me... she called me to help her out. I tried to reach her... to untie her, then some hefty men came in and dragged me out... I tried to get their hands off me but they were too strong. She looked at her mom. Mom... I...I was...scared! she stammers.

I hope nothing happens to my sister; she looks scared and worried.

I also had a dream like that but in that dream she was in a car shouting! Her mum sighed.

Really! she looked at her mom then looked at the floor confused.

Yeah... her mom continued... I ran after the car but I couldn't catch up . I woke up and I heard your scream.

She was speechless, how could she and her mom have the same dream at the same time. It has a meaning and it is hard to figure it out.

I haven't been able to sleep since then. her mum distracted her thoughts.

Same here...Do you tell Dad about it? Trying to be current but the dream kept on flashing back into her mind.

Yeah I did . Her mum paused for a while before telling her they prayed for her early in the morning.

Oh... I see... She opened the freezer then took one apple. Trying not to show how scared she is… she has a bad feeling that something bad is going to happen.

Everything is going to be fine. Her mum said when she noticed she wasn't comfortable.

Sure mom. Let's say a short prayer. She dropped the apple then cleaned her hands. They held each other's hands.

In the name of the father, the son and of the holy spirit…

****

She started the house chores then got tired of it so quickly.

Mum, when are we getting another cleaner? she asked, feeling frustrated and also angry.

Darling, I am not getting any cleaner. We can do this work ourselves! her mum said without looking up.

Why! She gestured This is too much for me... You are abusing me!

Ehn, I dey abuse you because say I give you dis small chores. her mum spoke in pidgin. You are eighteen for God sake. Her mum started complaining as she mopping the kitchen floor. Most times they switch moods. So funny, some minutes ago they were gist now they are into arguments.

Just to clean your room and all the restrooms... I am abusing you… children nowadays. Her mum hissed

Mum, it is child abuse... I am not supposed to be doing this kind of work. She spoke like an American; Smiles(•‿•)Well she is a black American by birth.

Ihunanya m, let's take these children to Nigeria. Her Mum faced her dad... they should stay there for a while to know that this is not work, her mum said looking angry.

Hey, i hate hearing that name, they're slaves. She said

Ahh, you called my people slaves...her mom said looking very angry. Darling Did you hear that? She looked at her husband who was reading today's newspaper.

When she got no response from her husband she stopped what she was doing then took a rolling pin in the kitchen cabinet...passing her husband in the living room to scold her daughter but her husband stopped her.

Then you are a slave too. She pointed at her daughter… We are all slaves. Her voices became so loud

Ezigbo, you can't do this... he held her hands then collected the rolling pin from her... you can't use this to beat a child.

Viviannn...You know... I am supposed to slap your face. she pointed at Vivian

Mum, it is enough...am sorry... she looked like she was going to cry at any moment.

Don't worry when i take you to Nigeria. I will leave you with your grandmother in the village when you stay with her for a while you will be wise.

No!!! She screamed. I am going to call the police right now that you are maltreating me. she bursted out.

Her mum looked at her…I am just trying to pull your legs.

So what are you eating this morning? Her mum tries to change the topic.

Pancake and Apple juice? Her Mum asked but she didn't reply.

Okay I will make it for you when I finish the chores. Her mum took it as a yes answer. They continued the chores.

*Minutes later,

After the chores, Vivian went to the dining room to eat her breakfast.

Hey Dad! she said sitting

My Baby how are you doing? he smiled at her

Am tired... I did lots of work... She said childishly.

Sorry my dear... just then her mum brought their breakfast. It was pancakes and apple juice that she mentioned earlier... They ate silently. After breakfast she went into the room then her mum also went into her room to get her phone.

Darling we should try calling Anita again... she dialed Anita's number... "Hi i am Anita, will you leave a message? She cuts the phone. I still don't understand, what's going on? She asked her husband sitting close to him.

"Darling just calm down everything will be fine" he pats her back

"Let's try her friend's line "she said.

"Yeah, that's true" he adjusted his position.

****

When Vivian got to her room she dialed her boyfriend's line, Curt... He was still in the playground.

I will talk to you later she said and cuts the call then sighs before leaving the room

You mean it's been two days since you heard from Anita? Her dad was on a call with Anita's friend, Caroline.

On hearing it Vivian rushed to where her dad was... waiting for a response.

Yeah Dad... she told me she was going to scott's apartment

Oh really! I should give Scott a call then... Thank you so much…He cuts the call.

Seems she has been spending time with her boyfriend, that useless white boy... her mum hissed.

Darling, let's confirm this information first, he said.

Let me call him...Vivian dialed Scott's number, he picked the call after the first ring

Hi Scott, she said sluggishly.

Hey... His voice could tell how Surprise he was to hear Vivian's Voice

Yeah , can you give the phone to my sister , she said sharply. The way they related could tell how cold they were to each other

"I haven't seen her in three days now. She was supposed to come to my side but she didn't show up and her number isn't going through," he said sharply.

Oh really Caroline said she left the apartment to your side and you are telling me she is not with you! she shouted about smashing the phone angrily... Her mum was quick to collect the phone from her

Scott...don't tell me my daughter is not with you where else could she be? She only goes to your apartment after school! And her friend said she is at your side!

Yes Mum, that's what I am trying to explain…She didn't show up and i have been trying her phone but it was not reachable and didn't hear anything from her... he explained. I am worried too Mum.

Heavenly father she cried before he continued she cuts the call

Don't worry everything will be fine... let us pray! He pats her then they pray.

Vivian went back to her room to take her bath, dress up and head up to the mail to get some stuff then went back home. When she got home, she went straight to her room then entered her study room to pick her diary and began to write...

Dear diary, last night I had a dream about my sister Anita. This morning I tried her number. She isn't picking and I am getting worried. I hope not nothing happens to her... sighed then dropped her diary. she went back to her bedroom... laid down on the bed then slept off.

***

That evening curt called, vivian explained what was going on "it is strange her number has never been off".

Babe, she is going to be alright...she might have lost her phone. She is somewhere safe... He said, trying to make her less worried. She liked his accent, He had a nice accent

"I hope so," she said, sounding reluctant. They talked for a while before they ended the call. She went to the living room just then she met her parents together receiving a call that it was caroline... Vivian rushed to hear what she had to say.

The phone was on speaker "I found her bag around our apartment behind the flower vase in front of the apartment" Caroline said.

Lord jesus, her mom cried

Her phone is inside the bag. she continued... I don't know... I have been trying to reach everywhere I know she could be but I can't get any clue of her.

Heavenly father... Save my daughter. Her mom cried out.

That means she hasn't headed to Scott's apartment… Vivian said.

Caroline... I will reach you later... Thanks. her dad cuts the phone

Daddy, is Caroline saying she has not seen Anita since Thursday?

Yeah dear ... I am confused... Your mom called her that morning

She is fine... I know she is fine. her mum cried out...Let us pray... They gathered together to pray again.

In the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit. I believe in God the father who was conceived by the holy spirit born of the virgin...

****