Roses and Thorns – Episode 37

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

“Step on it Man” Joel shouted at Okenwa as soon as they left Asaba town. The detective had insisted that Okenwa should take over the steering as he knew the farm house very well. There were 30 men on the whole Journeying to the forest. 15 soldiers and 10 police men were all in one long coaster bus, Joel, the detective, Chidiebube, Okenwa and Udoka occupied Joel’s car with Okenwa on the wheel.

“Calm down captain, we will soon be there” Okenwa assured as they got to the highway just after they left Asaba town, Joel read all the sign posts on the road nodding at each of the names of the villages they passed. Okenwa finally diverted into a recently cleared path, Ebube turned back to check if the long coaster bus was at a close range.

The car came to a halt, Joel jumped down from the car giving Okenwa that look of “Can we please leave them and go?.” A black Highlander was already parked there before they came. The detective waited around for the coaster bus to arrive, the men got down from the car all dressed in their uniforms, guns in their hands and smile eluded their faces.

“We will all match to the farm house in silence and make sure you get ready to sh00t at anyone who tries to interfere” the detective said and they all nodded in unison. “Let’s go” he said as they formed a single line because the path was narrow. few minutes after walking, they left the narrow path and found themselves in a broad and cleared piece of land with a cottage situated at the center.

“We are here” Okenwa said with a shrug. Joel tried rushing to the cottage but was dragged back by the detective.

“You don’t need to rush Captain, we will send the men in” he told him with a sigh.

“Oh God” Joel muttered, annoyed. The detective signaled three of the police men to check the cottage but before he could finish, the door of the cottage opened and Ezenwa came out whistling happily. He froze on seeing them and within a split second, he took to his heels, one of the soldiers aimed at him and shot his leg, he fell down with a groan.

“You did well Agile” Joel said walking to where the stalker laid, blood oozing out from his leg. “Where is Melody?” he asked him but got no reply, he punched his face and shouted “Where the heck is my Melody?” The stalker groaned in pain, lifted his hand and pointed towards the southern direction of the cottage.

“Agile, take five men with you and go check it out” Joel said not shifting his gaze from the stalker. “your end has finally come, i will make you pay for all the pains you caused those innocent ladies” He spoke in agony. it didn’t take long, the soldiers he sent came back.

“Boss, we found her, looks like she is dead” Agile spoke, he had Melody’s body in his hands.

“Melody?” Joel shouted running towards the soldiers who all wore sadness like a cloth. His stomach turned on seeing her frail frame lying dead with a thin clothe covering her brea$t, he shifted the clothe and covered her brea$t very well “Melody, am sorry i came late but am here now, wake up please” his eyes burned as the tears gathered, when she didn’t respond, the tears dropped. “Noooo,” he roared like a wounded lion. “I failed again, history has repeated itself yet again, just like the time of Mercy” with his eyes bloodshot, he ran to where Ezenwa laid and stomped his wounded leg with his shoe.

“What have you done?” he kept on stomping his leg with his shoe, Ezenwa continued groaning and moaning in pain. “You raped her? that innocent girl was still a virgin, you screwed brain. you killed her, she was my life but you took her away from me” he stomped and stomped and stomped till the sole of his white sneakers got covered with blood.

“We need to do something, otherwise he will ki*ll him” Chidiebube said to no one in particular. Okenwa hurriedly walked towards the soldier carrying Melody, he held her wrist for a while and then screamed “I feel a pulse” he looked at everyone. Joel looked back from where he stood “I feel a pulse” Okenwa said again. Joel ran towards him like a raging bull.

“You feel a pulse?” he asked again to be sure.

“Yes, but very fainty and we might lose her if we don’t hurry to the hospital now” Okenwa replied slowly letting go of Melody’s wrist. Joel pulled his Polo and carefully wore it on her, he took her from the soldiers hands and muttered “My Melody, please stay with me, don’t go anywhere Bambi” he ran off, her body firmly placed in his hands.

The detective signaled three police men again to go bring the stalker, but then Chidiebube shouted.

“The killer is mine” he walked towards Ezenwa, the police men stepped back. He eyed him and said huskily “You just stepped on the Lion’s tail, you have incurred the wrath of the captain and no one can be able to save you. you made a mistake, man, by touching his girl, I so pity you” he hijacked his wounded leg and dragged him on the ground walking to where the others stood, they all turned around and left the place hurriedly.

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