Chapter six 

Zaria’s POV 

I had just closed from work when my phone rang. I was tired, and all I wanted was to go home, eat, and sleep. I almost ignored the call, but something made me pick it up.

“Did you forget the order?” a voice said from the other end. 

I looked back at my phone. The number was unknown. Then I remembered—this same number had called me earlier when I just got back from school. I didn’t pay much attention then. But now… it was late.

“I will bring it tomorrow,” I said, trying to sound calm.

“Please, I can’t wait till tomorrow. I need it tonight,” the voice said again.

This time, it still felt like it was behind me, even though I was holding the phone to my ear.

I didn’t like this. Something felt wrong. Everything in me told me to say no.

But then I remembered the money, the woman had offered a lot—more than I usually earn in days. I needed the money. I couldn’t say no.

“Please come now. I will be waiting,” she said.

Before I could change my mind, she ended the call.

I stood there for a moment, thinking. Then I sighed and went back into the shop. I had already packed the order earlier, so I just picked it up. My hands felt cold, but I ignored it.

“This is not the first time,” I told myself. “You’ve done late deliveries before.”

Still, something didn’t feel right.

I locked the shop and walked to my bike. The street was quiet. Too quiet. I got on my bike and started the engine. Then I drove off.

The place she asked me to come to was along the old school road, I knew that area.

It was close to the school and students knew the old school area was not safe at night.

I had gone there a few times for deliveries, but I never stayed long. People always warned me to be careful.

But tonight, I pushed those thoughts aside. “I just need to drop this and leave,” I said under my breath.

The road was dark as I drove. The wind hit my face, and I held the package tightly. My eyes moved from side to side, watching everything.

When I finally got to the place, I slowed down and stopped, the place looks more quiet, guess there was no one there.

I frowned. “She said she would be waiting,” I whispered.

I got down from my bike and looked around. The place was empty. No cars. No people. Nothing.

A strange feeling settled in my chest.I quickly brought out my phone and dialed the number.

It was off, my heart dropped. “What the heck…” I muttered.

I didn’t waste time. I quickly got back on my bike, ready to leave, but before I could move, a black car suddenly stopped in front of me.

I gasped, for a moment, I felt relieved. “Maybe it’s her,” I thought.

But that feeling didn’t last, the car doors opened, and five men stepped out, my body went cold. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice shaking.

None of them answered, they just stared at me and then they started walking toward me.

I got scared and took a step back, they followed then I took another step, they followed again fear grew inside me.

“Hey… how are you?” one of them said, smiling with what I saw his smile was not friendly.

I didn’t reply. I kept stepping back, suddenly, one of them pushed me hard, I fell to the ground, pain shot through my body.

I looked up at them, and what I saw in their faces made my blood run cold hatred. 

“What do you want from me?” I asked in a low voice.

They laughed, the sound was loud and cruel. “We want your life, stupid fool,” one of them said.

Before I could react, he hit me hard on the face.

"Ahhh " I cried out, tears filled my eyes as I looked around, hoping—praying—that someone would come and save me.

But the road was empty No one was coming.“Please… let me go,” I begged. “I will give you whatever you want.” I added. 

But my words only made them angrier. “What do you think you can offer us?” one of them said, slapping me again.

They dragged me like a thief to the middle of the road. My body hurt everywhere. One of them poured water on my face, and another punched me hard in the stomach.

I screamed. At that moment, I felt completely hopeless. “Moon goddess… please help me,” I whispered in my heart.

They kept hitting me that I felt like I was going to die.

Two of them pulled me up. One of them grabbed my clothes and tore them, I tried to fight, but I had no strength left.

My vision became blurry, I could barely see their faces, but still I could tell what they were about to do.

They were holding their phones and wanted to take pictures. “No… please…” I cried. “Let me go…”

They held my hands apart, stopping me from moving, I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

I could felt it maybe this was the end I closed my eyes. 

Then suddenly a bright light hit my face. I opened it gently Its headlights were on, shining directly at us.

The men paused. I tried to see, but everything was still blurry.

The car door opened, someone stepped out.

I lot of thought run through my mind, I didn’t know if he came to help… or to make things worse.

“Let her go,” he said, His voice was calm, but strong.

For a second, I felt hope.Maybe… just maybe… someone had come to save me.

The men laughed again.“Or what?” one of them said. “What will you do? Kill us?”

The man didn’t reply.He just kept walking toward us, then I noticed there were two of them.

“Get him,” one of the attackers said.They all ran toward the two men. But was knocked down 

They started groaning and bleeding the others started to panic.

The two men holding me suddenly let go, even with my blurry vision, I saw fear on their faces.

Then they ran, the others followed, within seconds, they were all gone.

One of the men turned and walked toward me, I tried to stand, but my legs were weak, I started to fall, but he caught me.

He lifted me into his arms, like I weighed nothing, I looked at him, trying to see his face, but everything was still blurry.

"Moon… goodness… please don’t kill me,” I whispered weakly as my eyes slowly closed.

And then everything went black.