"Please put that gun away, you don't have to shoot anyone Leigh." Divvy Jaas bit his lip and tried to calm Lihle down."
"Shooting her will only make matters worse, just come with us and let's get this over with," said the police lady as she stepped forth, handcuffs hanging from her finger.
"Right or not, you won't be making any arrests, plus we have an investigation pending so there's no need for any arrests officer," Dee Monique stepped forth from the carpet and let her Prada pierce the peak of the climax.
"Detectives, we have the right to follow protocol, Lutho and Sethu here," who then proudly shook their head, "have opened a case and my colleagues and I are here to solve the problem."
"Agreed, I heard them beat up Lutho, I stood by the door and listened, but do you really have to arrest her?"
"Stop testing my patience Nandi, plus I'm sure you officers wouldn't mind a token of appreciation, I know you aren't compensated accordingly by the state..." Lihle put the gun down and signalled for Thapelo to rush up the stairs.
"Either that or..."
"Or what Dee Monique...?" Sethu and Zimi interrupted simultaneously.
"Donnel's throat tightened and he swallowed his pride and stood silently next to Colette, whose inaudible whisper brushed against his cheek and drew his eyes from the shocking possibilities which unfolded before them. He looked at her and allowed her hazel irises to peep though the windows of his soul, whilst he also stood before her and watched her eyes widened, disbelief and fear hiding in her pupils. Landing a kiss in her forehead lowered her brows and left her smile blossoming despite the dark, pregnant cloud that loomed overhead.
"...is that my partner and I can attest to the benefits of Lihle's kindness, and how she rewards us splendidly for our services."
"I won't stand here and let you put my integrity into..." His tone changed quickly when Thapelo jogged down the stairs with two bricks of money against his ears. "But I suppose you have a point, the state does indeed take us for granted, plus Lihle did what she did to save her relationship.
"What garbage is this?" Disgust showed on Sethu's face.
"We've already opened a case, and you know that!" Lutho said as one of the officers turned against him and fondled his chin in contemplation.
"Officers, welcome to the good side, your first assignment is to dead with this snitch of a lady infront of us, too bad I won't have anyone to play tennis with now," Lihle filled her cheeks with breath and released it.
Nandipha sighed and threw her apron in Thatho's face before running up the staircase, dropping her red barret in the process as she stamped on the glass stairs loud enough as though intending to break them, her ass proving worth a watch. Before two cops ran after her, the tall lady and the short man running like a pair of protesters as they chased after her.
Thapelo was left giggling as he landed his hand on Thato's shoulder in order to support him through the embarrassment. Detective Divvy Jaas grinned as he stirred his glass of whiskey.
Whilst Sethu chose to remain by Lutho's side and aid him in scolding the two remaining officers who'd just thrown betrayal in their face. Lutho's anger return all over his face as his crutches' bottoms hit against the floor, challenging his desire to hit any of the officers with them. Sethu by his side as she helped him strengthen the argument, while also helping him to keep a tight grip and contain his crutches' balance.
"And as for you Zimi, I think it's time you learnt that actions have consequences, said Lihle as she walked towards her former best friend.
Until Colette pinched at him, "Look out the door," her whisper was soft enough to sprinkle onto his soul, and reach his intuition. Signaling his obedience, only for him to look to his right and throw his gaze over Sethu's shoulder, only to see a bold figure emerging before stopping in the doorframe, which succeeded in highlighting his tall, slim figure, before he barged in along with the sun, whose brightness had now reached its peak for the morning.
"Babes you came! sang Lihle as soon as she saw him, a second before shock hit his face and left his mouth slightly ajar. Just as Lihle's voice made the officers move aside turn to the door to face the guest of honor.
"Karabo wait!" Sethu quickly grabbed and held his hand; even further damaging Lihle's image when she quickly told him that Lihle is actually the one who shot him and responsible for his amnesia"
"Tell him it's true Donnel," Colette's voice fell on deaf ears as Donnel's attention remained trapped in his thoughts.
Seems like seeing Letho holding a gun like that had drove him back to the night of the shooting, leaving his thoughts strangled by replays of the moment that he was shot. Suddenly he felt his breath slowly down, his pulse shooting up, though for the sake of Colette he remained strong. At least enough to close his eyes and face up, waiting for a sense of calm to befall upon him.
"It's true, said the voice in front of him courageously, she shot you and your brother 3 months ago and has been dating you just because she..."
"Felt bad but also wanted you to serve as your brother's replacement," Caroline's voice, as she adds on to Zimi's statement and walks between the two officers to stand behind Karabo.
"Quick to pint fingers yet you yourself helped me frame Zintle in order to hide the truth, and protect Katlego from prison..." Lihle stops and smiles at Thato. "For he's the one who shot and killed Catherine, is he not?"
"Then I'll personally kill him myself, I swear."
"Shut up Katlego, we're done letting the seeds of hatred w planted in our lives consume us. And thank you for the money that you pumped into my account to help me feel better, but I'm done partaking in this cycle of lies." Caroline felt half of the burden evaporating from her soul.
"But when you actually think about it, all this sounds familiar. In fact she's told me all about it but now that I'm sober... I still don't give a fuck." He laughed and walked towards Lihle before giving her succulent lips a slimy smooch, before they both filled the room with giggles.
"You two psycho's who make a great Joker and Harley Quinn for sure, you truly deserve each other," Sethu added before she and Lutho turned around to walk out, accompanied by defeat.
"So just like that you two walk away, and as for you Karabo, you've already moved on." Zintle barged with a fiery attitude. her red skirt swirled around her thighs. Low enough to highlight and expose her femine figure, and still match with her shiny Carvela's as her powerful stride, alongside her resilient voice... Left everyone overwhelmed by the pangs of guilt which had suddenly stung their cheeks.
Her question had left thunderstorms of tension barking within the atmosphere, not forgetting the powerful and lasting expression which deepened pits of conspiracies which had befallen her 3 months prior. Leaving Donnel and Colette's emotions running high especially when she stood next to Sethu, and shot a scary look at Lihle, before they rushed towards one another and faced off in front Karabo...
Before he stepped between them in order to avoid a Catfight. Thato and Thapelo watching from a metre away whilst trying to persuade one another to get involved despite neither of them actually wanting to. Colette, on the other hand, holding on to Donnel's arm to stop him from getting involved. Like why would she let her new boyfriend get involved with her ex's battle, the same ex who dumped her and made her cry herself to sleep for whole damn week.
_______________________________________________________________
Several screams and chary chants faintly rang, and startled him out of his deep sleep, also reviving the pangs of hunger that now inhabited his stomach. His brain still drugged, his vision still faulty as he felt a cold sensation beneath his body, before turning to the left and making out the pool of red around him.
His bed wet, the sheets beneath him bloody red, until he added to them by moving towards the edge of the bed. His left leg bandaged but possibly bruised and battered. The searing pain within his kneecap jumping up and down with every movement he made. Rushing towards the door as he placed one hand in head head, to ease the pain that drove him mad.
His left ear ached, its pain shooting and disrupting his ring of recent thoughts, but quickly bringing to his mind the last gunshot that had sent him to sleep. It was as though its eardrums had been turned outside in, and the only thing he could hear was a replay of memories, even when he pressed against the door, trying to assess what stood behind it.
Looking back to the bed and seeing his blood scattered across the bed with wild abandonment, he quickly felt his wavering heart drop into his stomach before opening the door and slowly making his way along the passage, planning to get away, but the closer he got to the stairs the more the voices that climbed up the stairs beckoned him to come closer, despite his rhythmic struggle of stepping right, and then pulling his burning left leg. Exhaustion pouring into his lungs with every breath he took, his life limping out of his body with every exhalation, and step, he made.
Only the the walls and portraits of the hallway bore witness to his careful, measured moves. Sweat running across his struggled facial expression as he kept making his way towards the staircase, now a few metres a away, his small goatie now mingling with sweat that had run down his past his forehead, down his face and even his jawline. Until he stopped and let out a pointless whisper, pressed against the cream wall on his left, before looking at the thick carpet that cushioned his footsteps, and seeing his Shadow swimming in its blue hues. His breathing erratic and panting. Before one voice visited and explored the paths of his hearing senses...
_________________
"Deeds done can't be changed and as you can see, Karabo and I are inseparable now, hence you have no right to be here Zintle."
"Actually I do Lihle, I got a text from Katlego inviting me here, and I'm here to see him.
" Uhm Zintle sweetie, I can explain what happened, It wasn't my intention to pressuring you into..."
"Shut up Thato, you're just a hyena in a purple suit, I'm glad WE didn't go any far." Zintle sounds pissed but she still smiles in the midst if that. "And as for you Karabo, my question is did you fake your amnesia. Her tone warmed up Donnel's soul with curiosity.
"Leave Katlego out of this Zintle, this is between You and Me, and I would like to squash this bad blood between us and apologize for wronging you in anyway, especially sending you to the Looney Bin, its just that your crime had to be punished. " Lihle's eyes roamed around Zintle's face as she licked her lips slowly, opening her arms to hug Zintle.
"You never fail to amuse me girl Lihle, and what about your crimes, if you think you can get away with toying with people's lives then think again hon." Zintle rolled her eyes and folded her arms, before blowing a kiss at her archenemy, her black lipstick matching the black polar neck that covered the half bottom of her neck.
"Actually she can, said a young lady in a pink suit as she came from the hallway, but will she?" A cute laugh followed her word's exit, as her wide, white hat shielded her face.
"This can't be, you're supposed to be in Pretoria, it's not December yet," Thato took a step back, backwardly climbing the stairs.
"Oh yes it is, Zimi called me and told me of how you've turned my life upside down Lihle, or should I say impostor." She blew her left fingernails and took off her hat, exposing facial features which strikingly resembled Lihle's.
"Sis, I can explain, but then again why should I, just because I'm a year younger than you doesn't make you better than me, I'm mother's prodigal daughter and you're just..."
"Her favourite child? No Lihle, I'm your twin sister, and mother loves us equally, but not for long... I personally told you to take care of Katlego and Karabo, just for a little while." She said sternly, "but you just had to deviate from the plan didn't you?"
"Unfortunately, I've thought about it and I've changed my mind, Karabo I'm keeping, I love him." Lihle laughed and pulled him closer, only for Zintle's slap to land on her chee too.
"Lethabo, I honestly tried to warn her, but she didn't listen," Dee Monique stepped forth and finally disposed of the silence that had swelled beneath her tounge.
In Donnel's ear, Colette whispered something silly, but he didn't hear it. He was too busy thinking as to what was playing out before his eyes. The only answers which he had, dying in his brain as they kept on multiplying and stamping on each other as they raced through the processing department of his brain. Leaving the factory in a mess, until one logical explanation stepped forth: Lihle probably met up and began dating Katlego through the information that had been provided to her by Lethabo before Lethabo left for Pretoria.
Despite everyone else's shook voices, Donnel chose to Listen Sethu and Lutho whose tone painted Lihle with the brush of karma, even though such a thing hadn't even occurred yet. Until Lethabo told Thapelo and Thato to choose a side, which they soon did, just like Zimi, and redeemed themselves. Leaving Lihle surrounded by a pack of wolves. Hateful, hideous hyena's surrounding her, their eyes tearing away the pride which formed her second skin.
Left without options, left lonely and anymore power within her name, she turned to Karabo, and handed him her gun after planting a fantastic kiss upon his lips...
"Shoot me Karabo, I deserve it, I almost killed your brother last night. I left him laying in a pool of blood, sadly he might be dead.
"No, don't!" said Lethabo and another voice at the top of the staircase simultaneously, before it's cough followed, entailed by the sounds of sirens which slowly emerged, coming from outside.
It was Nandipha as she stood, trapped in the arms of the two police officers who'd been sent to chase after her. Though she seemed unshaken, her spirit untamed; yet only her heart shaken by her heavy breasts and heavy breaths. Shortly before a raging Katlego limped to the scene and grabbed the gun of the short policeman who seemed preoccupied on Nandipha, silently lusting over her judging by the was he leaned into her and held onto her. It was then when he ordered the tall cop and the short, perverse cop next to Nandi to leave Nandi and head down the stairs, before coming across Lihle, and another; similarly to the dream of. two Zintle's which he'd had before.
With impulsive instinct he pulled the trigger against the one next to Thapelo, who then dived infron of her, his thigh coincidentally cushioning the bullet from Lihle's body, before the other Lihle tried to find solace from Colette's body, which was also shielded by Donnel as he tried to escort her to the couches. Nevertheless, Katlogo shot at Lihle once or twice but failed to hit the target, and before he knew it the other two cops that stood behind Sethu and Lutho were now during bullets at him too, before a sharp pain raced through his chest and through the middle of his upper, right back. Just as the tall policewoman rushed back with an impulsive intention, making him sacrifice his balance in order to throw her a left punch. Which he did, before gravity pulled him into his pool of regretful thoughts as he tumbled down the glass stairs.
Zintle watching as his blood rained upon, and stained the, staircase, before Katlego landed on top of the cop, his head on her belly as their bodies formed a partly perpendicular letter T at the very bottom of the stairs, as his neck and head pressed against her tummy, which pushed it up with her every breath. His half naked body badly bruised. Karabo, Zimi, Zintle and Nandipha rushing toward him. Donnel too running to him, his hand held with Colette's.
Meanwhile Caroline's was about to rush to him, behind Lutho and Sesethu when she felt a lukewarm hand grab her shoulder. Only to look around and lose her mind when she saw Catherine's features highlighted in the young lady behind her, another prestigious woman behind her, as she watched from the corners of her eyes.
In that very instant, Katlego heard her scream. Horizontal drums of pain banging against his spine and ribs. His left knee's bangage torn, his lungs in need of breath, his mind in need of healing, pangs of hunger heating up his stomach, before a ring of concerned faces hung above his gaze, before their tears dropped alongside their heads and hands.
His body too numb to feel their hands, his ears' listening senses halved, before his heavy coughs shut his eyes closed before hearing Dee Monique, Divvy Jaas, Lutho, Colette and Sethu shout; "No Don't!"
Those two words mingled in several voices, tones and vocal paces. Paces slower than that of the rhythm of heels that tick tocks into his eardrums, before the gunshots finally ensure.
[Nandipha watching from a distance away, wondering it it's Mrs Mayor, Lihle, Lethabo or Donnel himself who'd succumbed to the bullet]
(end of play)