Water Under the Bridge

Chapter 23

12th February, 2023.
Lagos, Nigeria.
3rd Person POV.

The cafeteria was quiet, the silence broken only by the clink of silverware against plates and the low murmur of hushed conversations. The five of them sat at a table in the corner, their eyes cast down at the food in front of them.

The atmosphere is gloomy, as if the bright, fluorescent lights in the room were doing little to dispel the darkness that hung over it. They were all picking at their food, their body language tense and withdrawn.

"Jacob, you're sure you didn't see anything strange?" Jasmine asked her twin with tears in her eyes.

"No, Jas. She told me to wait for her after we finished talking cause she wanted to go to the toilet. After some time, I heard screams and saw two guys pushing Arielle into black van,"he replied gloomily.

"Oh, God. Arielle," Jasmine sobbed and Joshua pulled her in for a hug.

"Guys, I think we should visit her mum after school," Keziah suggested.

"What? She might just end up throwing us out of her house. We were with her daughter when she went missing," Aaron replied.

"We just have to try. That's the least we can do for her, show her our support," Joshua said and the rest of them nodded in agreement.

<><><><><><>
Miss Benson opens the door, and is surprised to see her daughter's friends standing on the doorstep. They look concerned, their faces full of worry. She tried to smile, but it was a feeble attempt.

"Come in," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. They stepped inside, and she closed the door behind them. They all stood in the foyer, unsure of what to say when Jasmine speaks up.

"We're so sorry, Miss Benson. We should have been more watchful," she said, her voice trembling. Adenike gave her a weak smile in return grateful for her daughter's friends support.

"I'm glad you guys are here. It means a lot and I appreciate it. The detectives are in the living room. Can you guys stay a little to answer some questions?," she asked.

" Yes ma. We would like to be of help," Joshua answered and she led them to the living room.

The detectives were sat on a sofa and the five of them sat opposite them while Miss Benson sat in an armchair. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap and crossed her feet.

One of the detectives then spoke up, his voice even and calm.
"We're going to ask you some questions, and we need you to be honest with us," he says. "Do you understand?"
They all nod, their faces pale and serious.

"Who was the last person with Arielle. Let's begin with you," he said and his partner took out a notepad to jot his statement.

"I-I was," Jacob stuttered.

"How did you lose sight of her?"

"She asked me to wait for her after we finished talking and I saw her screaming and being taken away in a black van."

After countless questions, the detectives said they were leaving and will get in touch with Adenike. She thanked them and turned to her daughter's friends.

"Thank you all so much for coming here. I hope we find Arielle soon."

They all hugged her goodbye and she went to the kitchen and sat at her kitchen table, staring blankly at the wall. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her shoulders were slumped. The room was silent, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall.

She became lost in her thought, her mind consumed with worry and fear. Mide was capable of anything and she knew she had to save her daughter fast.

The days since Arielle went missing felt like an eternity. Time seemed to have stopped, and the world around her was frozen in place. She couldn't help but wonder where that monster, Mide, had kept her daughter and if she was okay.

...•••...•••
Arielle's POV.
13th February, 2023.

I opened my eyes, disoriented and groggy. My head was pounding, and I could barely make out my surroundings. I was lying on a cold, hard floor, and the air around me was damp and musty. I tried sitting up, but my body felt heavy and weak. The walls around me were stone, and the only light comes from a small, high window. The floor was covered in dirt and cobwebs, and I could hear the scurrying of small creatures in the darkness.

Where am I?
What happened?

My eyes widened as I realized that I had been kidnapped.
Jacob!
Jacob was with me too! Is he okay?

As I tried to take in my surroundings, I realize that I was in a cage, made of rusted iron bars. I could barely move, and the bars were too high to reach. My heart started to race. Fear gripped me, and I began to panic. I call out, hoping that someone will hear me, but my voice is hoarse and weak. All I could hear was the echo of my own cries.

"Nobody's going to hear you. We're alone, child,"a small voice said weakly.

I squeaked in fear and turned to my right where I saw another figure in the darkness. At first glance, I thought it was a shadow, but as my eyes adjust to the dim light, I saw that it was a woman. She looked so small and fragile and her eyes were closed.

What is she doing here?
Why is she in a cage, like me?

I stare at the woman, my heart pounding in my chest. Her features were so familiar, but I couldn't quite place them.
Suddenly, it hits me like a bolt of lightning and I closed my eyes to remember the picture placed on the headstone of Keziah's mother in the cemetery.

She had the exact same features like the woman in the picture. I was so sure of it, this was Keziah's mother who was supposed to be dead!!
But now, she is in a cage, in this dark cellar. I couldn't believe my eyes. I call out to her, my voice trembling.

"Mrs. Adams?"

<<<<<<<<<
Hey fam!
I've had a lot on my plate but I forced myself to produce this chapter today.
Sorry for keeping you waiting and I hope you like this chapter.

I love you all. You're chosen by God and he has amazing plans for you life.

See y'all next chapter!