~~Human by Rag Bone man~~~~~~~~
After arguing over which channel to watch, some saying that the RTV news we're filtered, others saying that it would give them hope, other saying that they should watch news on BTN but other saying the channel was blurry, they finally came to terms of agreement and first watched RTV which reported the goods news leaving the depressing part and later watch TV1 which reported ever events with no filter afterwards.
David who was fixing the signal sat down next to his girlfriend who now looked better than she was when she arrived here.
She have figured out that crying wouldn't changed anything in this situation that it only annoyed others and that didn't change that she almost felt like crying every time she remembered that she was here.
Good evening,
Yesterday in the early morning, the general director Gasana Maurice of Rwanda Investigation Bureau called an emergent conference call to inform the country what's really going on and he explained clearly.
The journalist said and the screen turned to a very calm Gasana Maurice
Good morning Rwanda,
I am glad that you all took your time to came here and hear what I am going to say.
It would have been a great deal of genuine pleasure if I ame here to announce happy news instead of this tragic news.
As everyone have seen, this early morning we have received a claim from an anonymous person claiming to have the offsprings of the high figures of our country.
But until now they haven't named the price for their safety and freedom.
We promise you that together as the Rwanda Investigation Bureau collaborating with the national Police, We are doing our best to secure them back in their parents' hands.
And for the abductors we request you to respond upon hearing this...
Ben snatched the remote from Chloe's hands and changed the TV channel to TV1 wanting to avoid seeing his father, his calm demeanor was scaring him but frowned when he saw his face again on the screen but now looking like his insanity was going to surface as now the journalist were crowded around him throwing endless questions at him as he walked toward the RIB building.
Sir, can you tell us why you had to travel to Rusizi with your whole team of detectives? Is it possible that the kids were traveling to Kivu?
I heard that one of the household maids of the victims home participated in kidnapping? Is she being held by the police?
"About that...." He started but to only be cut off by another epic question.
Is it true that Nirere Josiane the mother of Mugesha Hughes committed suicide upon hearing the news?
"Nonsense...."
We heard that Your efforts went to waste in Huye when you couldn't find anything to trace them? Are you sure the investigation will still proceed effortlessly?
"Who told you that?"
Now, why are you hear? Shouldn't you be following trace you found if you have any?
"God...."
Is your Kid also in the victim list? Is that why you are overworking your juniors?
And that was the last thread.
"With due your respect, I cannot disclose private information to satisfy your curiosity, you would have to pass through a police training center to have the right to and I should remind you that in Rwanda that someone talking blasphemy is convicted for five months, no one is committing suicide, no one is being overworked, so please stop this nonsense of circulating fake news adding fire to the fire and everyone rest assured because the government of Rwanda never fails"
"And for the abductors, I want to tell them that their little pull earlier was quite iconic but iconic is when I catch them red handed because my proud waves as policeman may halt but not as a father" He turned to leave but that didn't stop them to ask questions.
What kind of pull are you talking about?
Why would they kidnap them?
Who are the abductors ?
But his secretary Aurore hushed them off.
"He is sad and nervous" Ben remarked as he observed the poker face his father was wearing, he always did that when things went out of his hands.
He passed the remote to Chloe who changed to another channel which was still airing Maurice.
Shema chewed on his Ting Ting which was the only thing that the abductors have left in the spare bag except for his iWatch which his more grateful than anything.
Melissa have already settled in taking responsibilities to care for Rita who was sick help the nurse who is also one of the abductors, she got it as a one the perks of being abducted because she was putting in practice what she learned, at least something to put her mind away from everything, at least something.
Manzi have already learned that the abductors were around fifty all of them around their age but he was not sure since he had not went far from the bathroom, this living room and the sleeping room where they all slept on twin beds and that made him feel like he was back in a boarding school except that his life was at at stake now.
He have assumed that the house was big probably a flat house judging from the long hallway, he couldn't see the outside view as the rooms he have been to didn't have windows, he wondered how he would escape if he didn't know the whereabouts and essential things about this place.
But he couldn't even get out of this place all thanks to the permanent bracelet the abductors have given them which presumely worked as a tracker and only the abductors knew how to unlock them.
Hughes sat down next to Kirabo cracking his knuckles, he was afraid that he would stay here forever, he might even ended up dying if they don't pay the ransom quickly and thinking about ransom only made his heart ache because their captors haven't yet name the ransom and as he recalled, Manzi have talked about how this might be a FDLR and he knew how FDLR could be heartless and reckless to kill them and Hughes still wanted to live, he still had many things to do in his life, parties to attend, girls to date and to spend his recent allowance.
Bill was sleeping in another couch peaceful quite satisfied that he had got his coke, he couldn't careless because he could be doing exact what he was doing at home the slight difference was the change in the atmosphere and constant reminder that they could die lurking around.
Kirabo was still angry but grateful that they have at least left her novels in the spare bag, something to keep her head off the chaos going on the country, she have tried to get over the regret that she should have stayed at home or picked the taxi back to Kigali on time agreeing with her spiritual side that it was fate to be here but she was still nevertheless angry at no one in particular.
Ritah didn't know if she should be happy that she was going to spend her last months living in an empty room with no contact with the sun or that she was here instead of being at home always seeing her mother's sad face as she always remembered that her daughter was dying but always decided that the latter was the worst and on top of everything she was being treated.
Chloe couldn't careless too as all others didn't care about watching the TV and she was left with the remote all the time that she could watch her telenovelas, it have been a great comfort coming with her praying constantly.
Pfumu and Gentleman entered the room with the young nurse, it have been to hard for the golden group to accept that she was also one of the abductors judging by her sweet genuine smile and innocent face unlike Pfumu and she had a nice voice, he name was Lilian.
She came toward Ritah as usual and checked her vitals and temperature and opened her kit.
"It always amaze how our plan worked perfectly" Pfumu observed as she looked around "How you all agreed to go to Kivu! So fascinating!"
"We didn't agree to go there..." Manzi started but fell into deep thoughts.
"Shema proposed that we go there, afterall the price were low" Chloe provided.
Silence.
"Shema, why did you lie that you have lost your ID card and driving license? I found it laying in the changing room next to your wallet? " Hughes asked as he narrowed his eyes at him.
Every head turned in Shema's direction.
"What are you implying?" He raised his eyebrow "I did it so we could have fun and if you remember clearly everyone was satisfied with the arrangement so stop staring at me like that"
"It's only you and Manzi who knew that I used cocaine let alone this certain type" Bill remarked.
"And...." Shema added.
"Only you could have told them or Manzi, even though Manzi is weird he is not cunning....as...you"
"Are you saying that I sold you out? Why would I even do that? I have enough money" Shema cried out.
"As a businessman, money is money and no matter what amount added it is still money and coming to think of it, our parents are rich indicating that they will be paying a huge amount of money" Manzi suggested.
"I would never... "
"You even invited me to add up to your whole golden group, didn't you?" Ben asked as he crossed his arm.
"I didn't force anyone to come here, you came here on your own choice, you had the right to refuse so stop that crap, If I sold you out I would be back in my office investing the money not sitting beside you" He exclaimed.
"Some people are good in persuading department and you maybe one of them" Melissa pointed out.
"Do you think I would have sold my sister out? Are you all finally going insane? I think this place is taking it's toll on you? You are using me as a scapegoat and that's okay, do whatever you want " He cried out and sat down again.
They sat in silence again watching Lilian closing her kit and helping Ritah to lie down carefully, she got out but Pfumu and Gentleman stayed watching them.
But as Kirabo stared at Shema realization dawned her.
"You told me to go" she tried " You gave me a ticket to go home.... You told me to leave"
"Because you didn't belong there"
"You knew that I would try to convince my sister to come with me so the golden rich group would stay.... You fucking knew"
Pfumu and Gentleman looked at each other.
"You betrayed... all...of....us" Kirabo tried to raise her voice but it was failing her miserably."You sold us to the abductors"
Shema smiled his usual smiled popped another gum in his mouth shaking his head slowly as he raised up on his feet slowly.
"Darling, that's where you are wrong because I have brains to gain money in more merrier ways than those filthy ways and I didn't sell you out to the abductors because..."he effortlessly removed the permanent bracelet as if it wasn't even tightly tied on him as others making them gasp in realization.
"I am the one who abducted you"
The total lack of commotion and words confirmed that their brain cells were packing their luggage to heaven.
Shema sighed dramatically.
"Quite the opposite reaction I expected" Shema face palmed himself looking clearly disappointed "Should I have made it more dramatic by pointing a gun on your heads and made that wholesome declaration? I been waiting for this moment for a long time only to mess it up!" He asked tapping his chin in consideration ignoring the astounded people in the room who were trying to form the words to add.
"It was dramatic enough" Pfumu remarked with a lazy eye roll and turned to the people who suddenly finding it harder to close their mouth"I think the time to be surprised is over, now you can close your pretty mouths"
"Look like I under estimated your ability to think, you figured it out too soon" He smiled enjoying their priceless expression "Just kidding, don't flatter yourselves, I was tired of acting, excitement was killing me while I tried to put an a dumpy expression all the the time looks like the online acting class didn't help, Tsk"
"You....." Chloe voiced out her voice shaking with anger.
"Me what? Handsome, beautiful, heavenly, yummy, gorgeous, stunning, breathtaking, pretty boy, delicious don't waste your precious breath I get that a lot" Shema said waving his hand dismissively earning a growl from everyone in particular except from his sister who was practically still gawking at him.
"I always knew what you were a cunning, two faced bitch who couldn't hesitate to stab someone in the back if you got the opportunity.... " Hughes fumed approaching Shema to only be stopped by Gentleman who towered over him.
"And how does it feel to final be right in your whole lifetime?"
"Shema, why can you do this to us? I thought we were beyond friends" Manzi said sadness appearing in his face.
"Because I can"
"That's fucking insane" Ben bellowed.
"Insane! a perfect word to describe me, let's say that I was getting tired of sitting in my office behind my desk with countless pile of paperwork packed and reaching the size of my glorious height and started suffering from attention seeking defect and decided to play this game which have been satisfying my defect lately.....Well not yet"
"You are... sick"Melissa commented, with disgust in her voice, she came near her sister as if she fearing that she might get the communicable disease from him.
"Playing the doctor are we?"
"We at least deserve an explanation at least to why you had to include us all in your sadist games" Bill cried out finally losing his cool once in his life.
"You are quite the catch" Shema replied checking on his watch " and if you allow me, I have to go, I have been entertaining you for too long now I have certain things to deal with"
"You are not fucking getting out of this room without making your intentions clear" David yelled, throwing the remote carefree at the floor for a dramatic effect.
Shema only stared at him in awe trying to figure out something.
"Now..... that's a lot energy for this lazy morning" He turned swiftly to Pfumu and Gentleman " How much sugar does the cooks fucking put in the porridge? Do they know how fucking expensive the sugar is? It is now 1500 Rwandan francs per freaking Kilogram on the market! I maybe rich but not a fucking multi billionaire to feed your asses for too long and you,that remote is an economic good and I don't intend to buy another one" He yelled at them and at David respectively totally ignoring the straight question thrown at him.
Gentleman and Pfumu raised their arms in mock surrender.
"Go and ask Omar, if you clearly remember, we are the babysitters of this golden group not cooks" Gentleman quickly defended her and himself.
"And you..." Shema stalked to Pfumu whose eyes widened "You blew my perfect cover with your rubbish meaningless words, you are going to regret it"
"Before you go psycho mode on me remember that you were bound to be caught anyway "
"But... "
"Brother... " Linda whimpered.
"Not the right time for family bonding sister" Shema said with a dismissive wave.
"Now what do you think I should ask as a ransom? " He asked, he leaned toward the fuming Chloe "Your hand in marriage? Tsk you probably don't how to cook Ubugali my favorite food"
"Just fucking.... go... away" Chloe hissed.
He walked away and moved at Kirabo who was glaring at him with all her existing and non-existing eyes.
"Let it out, I don't want you to die earlier from brain failure" he leaned down closer to her.
"I knew from the first moment that it was hate at first sight" Kirabo replied venom dripping from her voice.
"Didn't see that way when we shared that wholesome kiss" Shema whispered automatically earning the reaction, he wanted from her.
She made an animalistic sound and gripped his t-shirt collar"You fake clone of a human, I will make sure that you regret that you even exist, I will call upon all my ancestors to strike you with a lightning with no rain in mid afternoon" she sneered looking straight in his eyes.
"Violence?... Not your style"
"Then catch this" she threw a punch straight in his face right on his nose and he strumbled backwards.
Gentleman and Pfumu came for his help while other individual like Hughes and David were about to vent their anger on them but Shema raised his hand to stop them.
"FUCK.... YOU" Kirabo added shaking her hurt knuckles.
Shema smiled " Let's go, Our deal here is done"
They left the room closing the door behind leaving the enraged people who were cursing them physically and mentally.
"Is the whole thing prepared already?" Shema asking when they left the room, his personality rotating 180° becoming serious.
"Yes, sir" Gentleman replied curtly.
"Good" he entered the blank room which had a wooden chair and cameras pointed in their direction, he positioned himself in the chair looking straight in the camera.
"Why did you play all along this time?" Pfumu asked curiously.
"I wanted to feel as victim for the last time" he breathed out massaging his nose " for the last time"
"I swear I would kill to know the expression of that cunning director after receiving one of my favorite bible verse" he chuckled "Anyway, I am ready"
1, 2, 3 Cut.
While they pressed the okay button on the camera.
The golden group was still in an emotional turmoil, everyone wondering how they ended up like this, shock, fear, regret, guilt, dismay and hatred taking it's toll on them.
"It's always the perfect ones" Ben remarked, he sat down on the couch feeling exhausted.
"Unexpected turn out of events" Bill exclaimed sitting next to him.
All others sat down looking torn except Kirabo who was still glaring where he left with murder in mind and Linda who was still trying to comphrend what now drove Shema to his limits because she knew that every decision Shema took had a serious reason.
Ritah who was calm the whole time turned on the TV wanting to go out of reality.
But only to see Shema face staring back from the screen.
Hi good morning or good afternoon whatever it is...
Gasps from the viewers, everyone pointing at the screen shocked to see his face, his father, Maurice, the whole elite group and the whole country in general, wondering why he was on the screen and why his nose looked filthy as he have been in a fight.
Ah, about this one Shema said pointing to his nose you see,this early the abductors had to threaten me that they were going to sell me as a manwhore for my beauty fake whimper they wanted to chop one off my ribs and cook me into a soup, I really think they are cannibals judging to the sickly burning smell around the atmosphere....., last night they chopped Bill's leg off and this morning they were going to take mine and I fought back earning this heroic bruise.....
Everyone gasps and pitiful comments about the whole ordeal, how the kids were probably afraid or how they were going to die horrible death.
"That lying snake" Bill hissed.
Shema put on a blank expression.
Just joking...
He chuckled.
Everyone sighed in relief but still worried that the worst was still coming and trying to wonder what he was doing there.
As if he was reading thoughts through camera he replied.
What I am doing here isn't necessary like what I am about to tell you!
The elite group inhaled breathe looking at each other. Shema continued his monologue nevertheless.
You want to know it? What I am doing here not crawled down there in the basement? I would rather not to tell you.... but let me tell you anyway! Secrets are boring.
Leans closer to the camera covering a hand to his mouth as if trying to whisper a secret but the whole country was watching anyway for it to be a secret.
I am the Mastermind
He leaned back with a satisfied grin making balloon pop sounds with his chewing gum.
Everyone waited for him to say that it was a joke the prolonged silence and pop sounds eating their nerves.
Just.... telling the truth.
More gasp and more commotion.
The elite group looked at Kabera who was still trying to grasp the situation at hand while Maurice's brain was strained to hear this new piece of information.
He rolled his eyes and sighs dramatically.
Now I get it when they say that my angelic aura is hard to defy.
Still no reaction from viewers.
How it happened? Long boring story... Pop sounds.
So anyway, about this incredulous situation.... he jumped back to the conversation casually putting on a poker face Message for the grieving parents, go to hell and bring me Satan's crown and you will get your offsprings back.
He frowned looking confused by his own words, he tapped his chin in consideration.
Do I want the crown or the tail?... I always thought I would look more sexier with a tail? Maybe you should bring them both...
Stone silence from the viewers.
And I reckon making a deal with the devil wouldn't be hard considering that you work for him already, isn't it? He asked narrowing his eyes as challenging them.
The elite group gulped.
Oh maybe... Last night I got a call from alshabab... The leader is my best friend big deal duh.... He shrugged with an eye roll I thought maybe we could lend him a land to test his weapon.
No, I guess I want one hundred thousand pure one hundred thousand pure white goats, four hundred horns of elephants a kilogram of Gorilla hair and forty liters of O negative blood group to perform a ritual to make me immortal....pop sounds I recently hired a witch who is quite dramatic she nearly freaked out last night when she saw an owl..... say hi Pfumu!
Pfumu rolled her eyes.
Bad omen, she said, a symbol that one of us is going to die, I hope it's not any of the kids....
The people felt their heart failing at the indirect threat.
Poor David had just contaminated contagious water borne disease, I think it may kill him.
"Is he for real?" David cried out from his seat getting tired from watching the sadist face blurting nonsense over their life.
Back to the business.... Maybe the elite group shouMaybe the elite groupld allow me to prosecute them for their crimes in my trial and whoever found innocent or cooperates in the trial gets back their child afterall they are men who are saints it would be easier?
After all in as told the proverbs 11:21, no matter what, sinners will be punished and the offsprings of the innocent people will be freed.
Been reading the bible lately
It would be an eventful thing for me to do what God wants earning me an exclusive first class ticket to heaven.
So the Minister's shouldn't worry their children will be freed
But are they innocent?
The elite group eyes widened each weighing the significance of his words in their brains.
The golden children frowned in confusion.
"What does.... he... mean?" Rita asked no one in particular.
Another balloon pop sounds.
And I would create a website whereby each and every Rwandan legal adults citizen would vote for who will be prosecuted and choose the right sentence for them according to their crimes.
Deafening silence....
Ugh... That would be boring maybe you should make me the president I would enjoy working in the president hall everyone there look cool and I would like to sign national documents wearing Louis Vuitton pajamas, my favorite brand by the way, Boom bomb in Congo! boom bomb in Uganda! boom bomb in Kenya! totally freak show!
Anyway time to fix my pretty face, going to die bachelor if I stay like this, It's up to you to choose what to do.... even though I really want to have a satanic tail!
Ciao!
The screen went blank.
And he stood up.
"I think you are really in love with your voice" Pfumu commented "That was an exaggerated monologue"
Shema glared at her and she ziped her mouth and threw the imaginary key.
"You should have hit straight to the point..... What you really wanted them to do..... Not giving them impossible tasks" Gentleman remarked.
"Don't worry" Shema smirked "they will choose what I want... The second last option"
"Aim high.... hit low"