Morning came and it was time for her to go with Shadow to the seamstress. This time I'll watch and make sure of the path. Shadow was not to let her out of his sight. They had walked for what seemed to her like an hour when he uncovered a car they used to get to town. It took them about another hour to get to the town nearby. In all her estimation, it would take her about the whole night to get to this town the next time. She wondered all the while why the car was not parked closer to the hide out.
The seamstress was a very nice man with grey hairs on his temples and a very slow smile. He took all her measurements with care and patience. Tears flowed down her cheeks even as memories of her father flooded her mind. What could be going on at home now? She was sure that the search for her would still be on. Her family would do anything they could to make sure that the search for her was thorough and would not be called off until they found her or were certain beyond a reasonable doubt that she was dead. The police alone would have concluded the search and declared her dead even just a few days later but she knew that her family would refuse to accept the news of her death without seeing a body to bury in the family grave yard.
As it turned out, the trip to the town was solemn. No one spoke to her and she didn't get a chance to speak to anyone. Even the old man who made her dress was not to talk to her. For a moment she caught his eyes and he looked away. It was obvious that he wanted nothing to do with her. Could that be because he was afraid of Shadow? If so, did he know them then? This could mean that she had a chance and someone could report to the police of her whereabouts if they knew she was missing. She hoped against all odds that it would play out exactly as she had thought.
On their way back, Shadow chanced a look in her direction. She looked out the window with deep concentration. ''Are you thinking of a way of running?'' he asked almost with a mocking laugh.
''I wouldn't think of that if I were you. The consequences are far graver than anything you will experience here'' he said with a note of finality she didn't even have a chance to beg him to drop her off somewhere. They got back to the hide out quietly. She went into her room and immediately started plotting her way out. She would go the way they had walked until she would come to the village they had visited that afternoon. It was going to be a very long walk and she wanted to get all the rest she could before embarking. So right after she ate, she went to sleep.
The knocked on the door both shocked and annoyed her. Who would want to see her at this hour of the afternoon? The master never knocked- he 'owned' her anyway. His pompous air was so annoying she could just kick him in the groin though all the other guys knew better than to come to her on their own. Usually all messages were delivered to her verbally from the door, not that she had received many messages but that seemed to be the preferred way of doing it around here.
She stood in the door way and peeked out. ''Ah Okon, is everything ok?''
Okon stood there with a large tray in his hand. ''Na master say make I give you dis food. Em been ask me make I cook am in the morning but dat time you don komot'' he said.
''What is it'' she asked.
''Na pette. E sweet well well.'' He said with a very wide grin.
Okon spoke very fast and only in pidgin English and Altine had to ask him to slow down sometimes.
It was not hard to notice how he always wore a smile even when it was obvious he was not happy here. Did he just grow complacent or didi he really like it here? Would that be her case as well? She resolved it was not going to be, she would rather die trying to escape than settle for this God-forsaken place and even more God-forsaken responsibilities.
The food was good, very good and it didn't come as a surprise to her since it was a well-known fact that anyone with a name like Okon, would have culinary expertise- the Calabar people unarguably prepare some of the best Nigerian meals. She made a note to talk to Okon when she returned the plates. It occurred to her that she could ask him a few things and maybe get some pointers from him. He could have tried to escape himself but his face made her wonder what still kept him here.
''Ah! Maram, you for wait make I come carry the tray from the room.'' Okon was almost going to cry.
''Haba, it's no big deal. I can't eat and leave you to clear the dishes.''
She dropped the tray on the make-shift slab in the kitchen. ''Okon, can I ask you something?''
''Ah maram enytin at all'' he said 'madam' like he was saying 'maram'.
Altine laughed wistfully. ''How long have you been here?'' she asked. ''Ah maram, e don tey oh. E be like e don reach one year'' was his less than educated response.
''Have you ever thought of running away?'' was her next question.
As if on cue, he responded with a loud ''Ah' before he held his mouth as if he had said the taboo word.
''Master people dem go catch you and you know say na die be dat. Dem no dey mercy for person oh. I don see wen dem kill one girl wey she try run before. Ah, dem shoot shoot her so tey all her belle comot dey for ground.''
''Ok that's enough. How well do you know this bush? Abi you have never even left this small house since you got here.''
''Ah maram, na wah oh. If anybory even hear wetin we dey talk na die be dat oh. Me I wan jus do make I comot for here.''
This guy is too full of drama she thought to herself. There has to be another way and someone else who can help or else, I'll have to do this on my own.
It was going to be long and dangerous but she was ready for all that. Tonight is going to be the night, tonight and not tomorrow night .
So she set out, midnight it was as she had planned it all. In her head she had the route sorted. Somewhere about 300meters she had to make a left. It was this turn that took her all the way to the parked car. Of course she wasn't going to use the car-God knows she would have loved to but she never learnt to drive even when her oldest brother suggested it. Fear had not let her, now she thought it would pale to what she felt in these bushes.
This was not going to be easy. She could get tired or found out, worst still she could get caught and killed. All these thoughts came to her but she had made up her mind she was going to die trying. She had not made any preparations like carry food or any other clothing apart from what she had on. She had on a pair of sandals and the gown she had worn when she was captured. She wasn't going to take with her any souvenirs.
She took off when she thought everyone had gone to bed. It was nice and quiet and only the sound of wild life echoed in the dark. The sounds alone were enough to dissuade her but she wasn't going to give up. So, on she went into the dark until she disappeared.
''Shadow, go and get her and make sure you don't hurt her.'' The master said exasperatedly.
Shadow was going to enjoy this. He was going to let her think she was getting away and go the other way and block her just to bring her back to the camp. He gave a short laugh and took off slowly. He knew the forest more than anyone in the camp because he was the most restless and adventurous of the group.
He made his way through the clearing and into the bushes where the road forked. He kept on until he got to where she had made a right. Knowing she would go the way they had gone to town on, he made a left and headed for the snake pit. He made a turn just before he got there as he walked a few meters and right into Altine.
''Oops, sorry were going somewhere?'' He asked nonchalantly.
''Not anymore I guess'' was her smart reply.
''Tell me one reason why you think I was not asked to kill you in this forest.'' He replied.
''Well I can't think of any except that the master would like to kill me himself so I don't think he did.''
''This is your lucky day. Next time I assure you won't be so lucky.''
Quickly, he led her back to the camp. She both hated and dreaded the response she was sure she would get.
The master was outside waiting when they got back. He took her by the hand calmly and led her to his room. It was so practiced she knew he had done it before. She wondered what other poor girl has had the rare 'privilege' of being the master's 'wife'. Why he had that smug look like he just did her a favor by not killing her was beyond her.
''Are you not going to kill me?''
''I see you are really looking forward to it''
She was quiet before she asked him ''now what?''
''Now we go to bed'' he answered as he indicated his bed and made her lie in it. He secured the door after which he slept off. She laid down eyes wide shut in the still darkness of the well stuffed room. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Had they seen her walked out or had they anticipated she would try to run? The men at the camp had not hesitated in making her know the consequences of trying to escape. So were they saving the killing show till the morning? Why did the master act so calmly? She was getting really annoyed at the cool way he had received her. Perhaps it'd have been easier to see his rage because this confusion was too much for her to bear. Then to worsen the matter, he had put her in his bed. What was that supposed to mean? He knew she was not going to try another escape tonight but still chose to keep her close. This frightened and angered her and the more she thought about it, the stronger her feelings until she thought she was going to be choke with them.
''Aren't you going to sleep?''
When had he awakened? ''Good night'' she answered curtly.
He gave a low chuckle. This was going to be interesting.