Charlotte's p.o.v

It was once a haven of peace a few days ago. How fast I became a hostage only my broken soul could understand.The same people l had embraced with dozens of smiles and warm hugs. Everything had now turned upside down... I was in violent whirlpool being dossed around like fragments of pepples.

Why? I had already spent days in bed in the damp store. Awaiting for dark rewards my screwed fate had for me.

I don't know if her body had been laid to rest. I wish I had talked to her earlier when I realized that she was not well. She decided to take it in her own hands and I had to face the wrath of the beasts who would not give me a chance to speak.

She was so selfish to have left me in this alward state.

My body was still aching... I can't tell what they did to me. I constantly felt that they had turned me into their punching bag even after I had blacked out.

Being an introvert, the idea of having lots of friends was never my thing. I liked keeping things to my own. My only loyal friend, Lourine, was miles away. I knew this tragic news would never get to her sharp ears or worse if she would ever hear from me again.

I can't tell how disappointed she will be when the news would ever get to her. But my sharp instincts discarded the trash.

Somehow there was a glimmer of hope even if it wasn't going to last forever. For the first time since the tragic incident... I felt lively. The more I tried to remember the last time I ever saw him the more I got lost.

Rotimi became the non-flickering flame in my life when I badly needed one. Apparently I didn't want to let him know I was already impressed. I had not yet entertained the thoughts of dating before.

I wasn't just interested with the whole thing.

I was still trying to flash back the past moments guys had tried to hit on me when the sudden soft knock followed by the loud ringing phonecall interrupted me. That boring ringtone was familiar. One thing was certain... Trouble was about to manifest. I was dead.

"Yeah... Yes... Mmmh ... Wait I will be calling you back later... Yeah," he said monotonously before he terminated the call.

"And ... What are you doing here with this culprit?" He frowned as he pointed at me. There and then my heart skipped a beat. I wished I could disappear in th bed like a ghost.

"She's... I mean just came to check on her," Rotimi confidently replied.

"Just get out!" He barked with dissatisfaction before firing his angry gaze at me.

I remembered my medical career. I had just got an internship in private hospital in Los Angeles. At this rate I was going to lose it... I had already lost down the gutters. Moments of my childhood memories with Monique flashed through my mind.

As sweet as there , to the gutters they sunk together with my superb career and dream.

We were friends... We used to be until something cliqued in her mind. I don't know what... But her attitude changed when I graduated. Her attitude towards me suddenly changed but I wasn't moved.

The man I had l always looked upon towered over with doom spelled all over his red face.

He paced to and fro as if he was possessed before he punched the hall in rage. I froze beneath the bed sheets as I fearfully watched him walk towards me.

He slowly dipped his thick fingers in the pockets of his woolen jumper and posed while gazing at me at me again. Fear almost squeezed life out of tensed body. It would be an understatement to say I was shaken.

"Her ghost will haunt you for the rest of your life, clumsy idiot!" He cursed wrathfully as his square jaws tensed with terror. I made up my mind and waited for the worst. I could feel warm tears find their way to ears.

He slowly fished the Colt pistol from his pockets. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I waited for the worst.

"No ... Please ... No...Dad..." I stammered breathlessly.

His face flushed with anger as he cockef the pistol. For once I knew my appointment with God was going to be fixed the hard way.

I knew he was heartless but not this way... My own dad.

"The same pain you took her to through... Am sure she begged you the same way you are doing. But your evil soul couldn't allow you to spare her life," he was foaming as he lowered the cold pistol my head.

I held my breath and waited for last sound... For the hot metal to penetrate my skull once and forever.

The cold wind blew through the window in one way or the other to bid me goodbye forever. His phone rung again but he ignored and cursed instead. The second time he picked the call and walked to the window.

He didn't say a thing except glanced at me severally in the midst of the conversation.

"You are lucky in the meantime but am going to ensure you pay for you evil deeds. Your's will be the most painful, right!!" He barked as he returned the pistol to the pocket.

I tearfully shook my head in the affirmative lest he changed his mind and did the worst. He slammed the door and stormed out of the room.

Whatever the call was about... Whoever the caller was. They deserve an accolade from me. I scanned the room for anything suspicious before I tried to get out of bed.

The pain was just too much. It travelled in each organ of my body with much cruelty as I bit my lower lip. I couldn't remember the last time I put something in my mouth... The wave of hunger almost threw me to the floor.

I limped to the window and peered through the transparent curtains. The familiar neighbourhood reminded of the days I used to be free. The days I used to be me ... Before I became a prisoner under the same roof I called home ,prosecuted and persecuted by my own people.

I was too close to the neighborhood yet too far from the peace I longed for in my heart. The mafias would just ensure I got skinned alive as they watched to their satisfaction.

The new wave of pains struck me again as I firmly held on the window toll my weak fingers became grey. My head was spinning.

I limped to the door, tried to open it but it was just too difficult to. Where I was going? I tried again and I was about to retreat when it creaked open. Even if I decided to run away they would still locate and kill me.

I just wanted to put something in my mouth. I had just limped a few minutes in the corridor when a piercing sound made me to hold my breath.

"Don't dare make a fool of yourself. Stop right there before I do something stupid now!" she ordered loudly almost screaming. I was midway in the empty corridor before her scathing voice made my blood boil.