"I'm traveling to Africa today. I'll spend three days there. I'm going with my driver. You can locate the house now , can't you?" Jude Kam announced that morning when he dropped me at school.
"You know you don't have to worry about exams. I'll clear that off. So you can stay home tomorrow, till I'm back."
I was quiet.
"You also have the chance to go out with your boyfriend. But trust me, I won't get your whore ass out of any trouble."
"He's not my boyfriend!"I slammed the door of his car and walked into the school.
I was desperately searching for Damien in the crowd of students in the exam hall. I found him in his usual position and sighed. The exam that day wasn't as good as I expected it to be. Though I'd studied them with Damien before, I just could not concentrate on it. I literally submitted a blank paper. I wasn't bothered though. I had a lot on my mind and all I did was watch him scribble away on his paper. I could not wait for the end of exams that day.
*
"How was the exam?" Damien asked when he joined me at the table. He had some things to sort out with the class teacher, so he was late. At least, he was "busy" that day .
"Don't ask me. Cause my answer will disappoint you. "
"I understand." he said. The table was empty. I was reading a book, my mum's book.
"Ain't you gonna eat?"
"Was waiting for you. Get us food, bro."
He smiled and left the table. He was back in a moment. That surprised me though. The queue at the food vendors' place was just too long. He must have used "influence" or "charm".
" Kam is traveling today. Would be gone for three days." I said. "I can't help but find it strange."
"You're paranoid."
"Not that."I winced. "He asked me to find my way home today. It's..."
"It's okay."He held my hands across that table. His warmth pacified my soul. "Everything is gonna be alright Paige. I'll be fine. And you. It is God who protects us, okay?"
I nodded.
"Andra wants to speak with you. Add her."He scribbled her number on a piece of paper and gave it to me.
"Thanks."I smiled. "Is Liam really going to go back to her after school?"
"He will."
"You mean that jerk has a heart!"I laughed.
"He does. He's the way he is because he also has a story."
"Hm."
"He lost his parents when we were in junior high. That was when he changed, became the bully you know now. He lives with his uncle, a Mafia boss, a jester in short."He laughed. "Liam got influenced by him. Though he hates his uncle very much, he didn't realize he was becoming more like him every day, until the incident with you."
"When I pushed him off the stairs."
"Yes. He thought he deserved it. He betrayed our friendship for a little fun."
"How long have you been friends? You two. "
"Middle school I think."He winced.
"Wow, "I said. "I didn't really attend middle school. I lived on an island then, with my dad. We had a castle there. I had a private teacher there. I'd love to visit the beach some other day, you know. When I have the chance."
"What about today then?"
"Oh no!"I spat. "It can't be today. Maybe in the future. Let's focus on exams for now. You have a scholarship at stake."
"I'll get it anyway. It's not at stake. We could go today, Paige."
I frowned.
"Oh, I get it. You're still scared."
"Who wouldn't be scared?!"
"You should not be."He sighed. I marvel most times when I suddenly leave him speechless. "Fine! We will go some other day."
*
I was on the back of his bike when I observed a car following us. I wasn't this observant, but today I needed to.
"We're being followed, Damien."
A black SUV was following our bike, they rode right behind us. I tried to have a good look at them. The driver wore a sunshade. That made me more paranoid. Damien wasn't responding to me.
I had to scream as loudly as I could.
"We're being followed, Damien!"
"Come on Paige, you're paranoid!"He said. "You know what? You need to see a doctor. Today."
He changed the direction of his bike.
"Where are you heading now?" I cried, dead scared.
"The hospital. I know a hospital around here. Just hold on to me Paige, you'll be fine."
I would have gone silent if the car hadn't turned on us.
"Damien."I called out beneath my helmet. "Look. Just look through the mirror yourself. That black car followed us again. "
He checked and then somehow believed. I know he didn't immediately.
"Okay."He slowed down a bit.
"Don't stop!"I warned him.
"I need to be sure we're really being followed." He pulled off his helmet.
"Oh my Goodness Damien! Listen to me!"I cried.
"Oh, they stopped " he gasped. "You're right..."
"Then move!"
He set the bike in motion. I screamed at the speed at which he rode.
"Calm down, we'll be safe." He still sounded calm even when the harsh reality stared at us.
"Just move!"
The more we moved, the more I knew it was a goose chase trying to escape these people. I've cried my eyes out already. I blamed myself continually, somehow I knew who sent them. A part of my mind wished it was just a dream. Wake up Paige!
Then he suddenly stopped the bike.
"What?! Move!"I yelled.
"No. We can't run. It'd be a waste."He said. "I'd call the police. He took out his phone."
The car stopped behind us and the men in it came out heading towards us. Damien had dialed the number but I doubt if he had the chance to speak before our bike was known down by a gunshot. We landed on the ground. Before we could think, the men, six of them, came upon us . I do not know what they had placed in that handkerchief, but as soon as they brought it to my face. My world blurred out.