The Faintest Dawn

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 13

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Victoria held her daughter firmly as they walked through the passage way of their compound. She had tears in her eyes but, she couldn’t pour them out as she remembered Ola’s warning. If she made any suspicious move, Ola would not hesitate to harm Laura. She had to co operate with them. She remembered James and cursed the day, she met him, he was the cause of their problems and he was nowhere to be found. Outside the compound was a black car, the car that would take Laura away from Victoria. Victoria was heartbroken, her daughter would be taken away and yet, she couldn’t hug or bid her farewell for fear of what her captors might do.

Ola: Now, guide her into the car. (referred to Victoria).

Felix: What if she starts crying because of her mother’s absence?

Ola: Before, she starts crying, we would have gone a distance.

Felix: Okay, but you know some neighbours are watching.

Ola: I know. That’s why you’re going back inside with her, in case she does anything stupid, like tell the neighbors about what happened.

Felix: d**n, how long am I gonna stay here with her?

Ola: For like three or four hours. Then, I’ll text you the location.

Felix: (shrugged)

Ola: Hey, put her in the car.

Victoria: Where?

Ola: here (opened the door of the back seat).

Victoria: Back seat?

Ola: Yes.

Laura: Mummy, where are we going to?

Victoria: Sweetheart, just wait in the car. Mummy has to go inside, I forgot something.

Laura: I want to go with you.

Ola: (bent down facing Laura and smiled) Mummy is coming, get in the car.

Laura: (Looked at Victoria)

Victoria: It’s okay, just wait for me in the car. Be a good girl, I’m okay.

Laura: (Reluctant) Okay mummy but, don’t take too long.

Victoria: (softly) I won’t.

Laura entered the car barely occupying any space. As soon as the door was shut, it was barely noticeable that she was in the car. Ola was about to enter the car, when he signalled Felix to take Victoria inside. Felix smiled as he walked Victoria into the compound to avoid suspicion from people that she was under pressure. Not long after they walked into the compound, Victoria heard the car zoom off leaving her completely shattered, when was she ever going to see her daughter again?.

Neighbor: Mama Laura, where Laura dey go?

Victoria: (smiled faintly) No worry, she go soon come back.

Neighbor 2: Okay oooo. Na your brother be this? because, una two resemble well well.

Victoria: (Idiot, how do I look like this criminal?). No oooo, na James friend.

Neighbor: (Looked at Felix suspiciously). Okay oooo.

All hope was not lost for Victoria. She was certain of one thing. The only person (Laura) which was holding her back had been taken away, there were no limitations to set her aback from what she would do to Felix, as long as they entered that room.

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Gbenga and some guys got to Idowu’s other house, after ransacking the house, they found out he was gone.

Gbenga: Someone must have tipped him about our movement.

Unknown: Yes, I think so.

Gbenga: d**n. Get me my phone.

Unknown: Here it is sir. (gave the phone to Gbenga).

Gbenga: (collected the phone and dialled Idowu’s number).

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Idowu: (looked at his phone). It’s Gbenga oooo

Tina: Pick up na.

Idowu: I know.

Idowu: Hello Gbenga.

Gbenga: Hmmmm, you’re hiding abi?

Idowu: Gbenga, you’re a betrayer, I can’t believe you would do this to me. What did I ever do to you?

Gbenga: Oh, you’re surprised.

Idowu: Gbenga, I am disappointed in you. I took you as my own son.

Gbenga: Don’t you dare tell me that trash. You did nothing but exploit me. You used me for your evil deeds and left me to always clean up the mess.

Idowu: Of course, we’re you expecting me to clean it up?

Gbenga: No, I wasn’t but, you never asked how we managed to cover up some of your dirty jobs. I just called to let you know that, I will find you and I will kill you.

Hearing those words from Gbenga put fear into Idowu, Gbenga was not someone who would bluff. Every word he said, he meant it.

Idowu: Is killing me that necessary? I swear, I will never come near that house again. I will disappear, you won’t even know I exist. I won’t ever be a threat to your position, I promise.

Gbenga: This is bigger than you being a threat, the thing is, I don’t want you to exist anymore. You have done lots of bad things that mustn’t go unpunished.

Idowu: And, since when did you become a judge?

Gbenga: Since, I became the leader.

Idowu: Okay, I will pay you, anything at all, anything you want.

Gbenga: Because of our past relationship, I will be sincere with you. Even if I collect billions of naira from you, I will still hunt you down.

Idowu: (yelled) Gbenga!

Tina heard Idowu’s words to Gbenga. She was astonished that Idowu would stoop so low to beg Gbenga. Gbenga was way younger than him, not someone who would control him that way. James was less concerned about their conversation, Laura and Victoria were the only ones he could think of as he was seen pacing forth and back. He only wanted a better life for his family but, he had only succeeded in putting them in danger.

Idowu: (angry) Gbenga, don’t you dare forget that I trained you.

Gbenga: (smirk) you trained me well. I used to love you like a father, later, I don’t know what happened, it just altered to hatred. I hate you so much. You can hide all you want. My men will find you, they will bring you to me alive and I will kill you myself.

Idowu: So, my men are your men now?

Gbenga: Exactly! That’s how life can be. What’s yours today might not be yours tomorrow. (ended the call).

Idowu: Gbenga! Gbenga! Gbenga!

Tina: What did he say?

Gbenga: I need that Client as soon as possible. I need to leave town.

(brought out his phone to call the client).

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Ola had driven a distance, ignoring all the questions from Laura. When Laura noticed she was being ignored, she started crying.

Laura: You didn’t wait for my mummy.

Ola turned his face from the road for a few seconds and looked at her aggressively before saying,

Ola: Look here, if you cry, you won’t see your mummy again. (turned his face back to the road)

Laura: (softly sobbed) But, I want to see her now.

Ola: (yelled) I’m driving, when we get to our destination, we’ll come for mummy.

Laura: (sobbed louder) but, she said, we should wait for her.

Ola pulled the car to a halt by the side of the road in anger and turned to Laura.

Ola: Look here, I’m not a friendly uncle. I will hit you if you ask me stupid questions again.

Laura: Where is my mummy?

Ola: Your mummy knows what to do, if she wants to see you again. For now, keep shut. If you ask me any questions again, you will never see your mummy again.

Laura stared blankly at Ola, she didn’t know what he meant by not seeing her mother again, although, she understood what those words meant but, she didn’t know why he was saying it. The condition was to keep shut or never see her mother again and she wanted to see her mother again, so, she kept shut.

Ola started driving again.

Ola: Kids, very stupid things, that’s why I don’t need one.