Amihere rushed to the place where Mamle was giving a speech concerning her artwork. Looking at her from the end of the auditorium, he was stunned to see her face shine like the sun. Suddenly, Mamle stopped short and stared hard at him. Everyone turned to look at the person she had focused her gaze on. Amihere was slightly embarrassed. Noticing how much he had disrupted the programme, Mamle made a few comments to gain the attention of the crowd once again. Amihere quickly exited the auditorium, breathing heavily. Mamle was inclined to follow her but thought twice about doing so. Her composure in these moments was all that mattered. Without it, there would be further disruption and damage.
"Amihere," she called. Amihere quickened his pace and sat in his car, driving away as swiftly as possible, not thinking about where he was going.
I should have spoken with her after the programme. Why did I run away like that? I want her to be herself, to live like a normal human being once again. How would I convince Dome and the others that I saw her? Would I tell them what happened?
Amihere was at the hospital today recounting his experience to whoever would listen. His cowardice was beginning to show in his speech and people were beginning to doubt him. Dome intervened to save the situation because a troubled man would not be able to save himself from impending disaster.
"Come here man," he said to Amihere, sitting him down gently. "Take a drink and look at my face." Amihere peered up at him. "Do you know me?" he asked.
"It's Dome," he replied.
"Then why did you not come to me first?" he asked.
Amihere leered at him. He was right. Sitting straight and leering at him strangely, he couldn't believe such a kind man had just helped him snap out of his stupor.
"Both of you seem to be okay," he said.
"Yes we are, but we still have an agenda," replied Dome calmly.
"Do you think the Doctor will clear you soon?"
"I think less about that. This is my home now. I love the place. The people are good to me." Amihere ogled doubtfully at Dome. Was he being evasive? Why wouldn't he be when he had suffered so much cruelty from the people he trusted? Could he not get over it?
"Dome, one of these days, you might have to get out of these walls. It's not your home and neither is it your world." Dome kept goggling, startling Amihere.
Who wrote the letter that tore Mamle and Dome apart? That person is surely in a lot of trouble! Insanity is tough punishment enough. The questions were unending and investigations were ongoing. Akosua, the supposed culprit was now on the run. Officers searched high and low for her. Certainly, they must get to the bottom of the matter. Where could she be hiding? Where were the most possible safe spots for her? Adotey was already angry that the officers did not do a thorough job before putting them in prison. They were too quick to apprehend him, forgetting about the others, all because he masterminded everything. Akosua had the time to flee whilst they were busy questioning him. Did she know that she was the reason for the breakup of the relationship? To re-phrase the question: Did she know Mamle would always remember her as the boyfriend snatcher? Somehow, by intuition, she had fled for her life. Adotey was going through struggles of his own in his mind and refused to cooperate anytime the officers came bombarding him with questions.
Am I also going to end up in a psychiatric institution like Mamle and Dome?
"We could reduce your sentence if you're willing to cooperate," said the investigators, sensing his unwillingness to co-operate. That made him lighten up a little bit, yet wary of their tricks.
"I took a great risk to personally apologise for my errors and you could not consider that, why would you now want me to cooperate with you? I am very angry with you!" Adotey turned his head away from them, buying time and trying their patience.
"It's up to you, boy. It's only an offer. We have other alternatives. If we find an answer, our offer will no longer hold." Adotey's demeanour changed all of a sudden, knowing he had better reconsider his stance.
Akosua, well aware that the police were on a manhunt for her, confessed to her mother about the mix-up.
"Mum, before anyone surprises you with questions, I didn't do anything with my friend's fiancée,"
"Oh my God! I told you these people were not good for you, didn't I?"
"Yes, Mum. But they were so helpful."
"Say that again and I'll send your head spinning. Are you not the one in the hot soup now?"
"I'm sorry, Mum."
"Say that to the officers when they come searching for you."
"Are you going to give me away Mummy?" Akosua was on her knees begging her mum, holding her feet and weeping loudly.
"You are hard of hearing, Akosua! See the disgrace you have brought upon this honourable family!"
Should I end my life as Afrakoma did? I can't bear this shame anymore. What's worse than a disgrace? The joy of life has disappeared from my heart.
"Hi! My name is Adjeley!" said a voice beside her as the hand lifted her from the floor. Akosua had walked far away from the house and was almost in the middle of nowhere.
"Stop weeping. Life is already hard. Weeping will make it worse."
"Thank you."
"May I know why you're here alone weeping?"
"I don't think I can tell you without compounding my problem," she said
"Oh! Don't be so pessimistic!" Adjeley sat down beside her and put her arms around her shoulder.
"It seems like you're the only one who does not know what is trending…"
"I don't need to know. I want to hear from the horses' mouth."
"I set up a friend of mine."
"And you died as a result?" Akosua gawked at her. "Don't look at me like that. At least you're still alive?"
"But I can't stay in my own house. Nobody wants me anymore. They think I'm a failure, useless!"
"And you're compounding it by saying so?"
"What else can I do?"
"You're supposed to be in prison now, aren't you?"
"How do you know that?"
"The same way you knew that everyone had heard about what you did. Anyway, I'm not here to condemn you. I just want you to know that I'm with you. I've been there before."
"How can you be so sure?" As soon as Adjeley identified with her situation, her face lightened up a little bit. Sitting up and willing to hear more of what Adjeley had, it seemed this conversation was going to be interesting.
"Take a look at this." Adjeley showed her a paper, which was folded in her backpack. "Read it!" Akosua eagerly gulped down its contents. It was from her friends.
Dear Akosua,
We knew the bearer of this note would certainly find you so we decided to send help whilst you struggled to keep yourself concealed.
Perhaps, you may be found soon, we don't know yet but we hope you do find some relief with this letter and from this great woman.
Akosua peered at the woman standing beside her who had tilted her head to help her take a closer look.
"You escaped?"
"Yes. Anything is possible. Your friends are fine. How do you feel?"
"I miss them but I wish I could turn back the clock and undo what I did."
"Too late!"
"Say that again."
"I'm sorry Mum ….."
Afua sat in her cell, pensive. Her parents had told her the last visit was the final one; that they were never going to see her again for choosing to run with the wrong crowd.
"Hei girl! I can tell you're not yet used to life here. Come over!" Hesitantly, Afua rose to heed her call. Ever since she was dumped in this lonely prison, this voice was the kindest she had heard.
"Don't be afraid of me. I'm harmless!" she said, encouraging her to quicken her pace.
"What's your name anyway?"
"Afua."
"What a nice name. It's simple though. Why don't you find a nicer one like A-Gyee or terror A or A -Chick? It will make you sound more acceptable here." Why would I want to be accepted over here? I'm already condemned?
"My name is Ex-Gee. I was once the best student in the whole of Africa." That's a lie! Thought Afua, "yet, here I am. I console myself with these" The well-built and fair lady pulled out some weed from her pocket. "That's how we survive!" her eyes reddening and her voice becoming hoarser." Here,… try some…" Afua shook her head and turned away. This woman could be bad news, plunging her into more of a mess than she already was.
"No thank you, "she replied. " I'll be fine."
"You never will be until you try this!" she said, as the prison warden held her hand. Afua heaved a sigh of relief. Good riddance! The warden had spotted her from afar and was determined to rescue the innocent newcomer from danger.
"Hei! You over there! Would you join us for a match this weekend?"
"No, thank you. I'm not interested." The short, stout and muscular middle-aged man sized Adan up.
"We do not take no for an answer. We find and we keep. I have found you and I want you in. Get ready!" Adan's knees grew weak as thoughts of himself in a ring with men far bigger and tougher than he crept into his naïve mind. Another man let himself into his cubicle.
"Are you the one who just signed in for the wrestling match?"
"No, I didn't!" his eyes open wide in astonishment.
"Just shut up! We'll wake you up every morning at five am and prepare you for the task ahead." Adan began to sweat profusely.
"And remember not to eat just before sleeping." How did he know his secret? Were they watching him?
Adan crept under his bed early in the morning. It could be a good way of hiding himself. The two men seemed too serious about their plans which did not appeal to him in any way.