As the days unfolded, I found solace in the world of books, my newfound interest in reading and writing becoming a refuge. My dear readers, this is why you find yourself immersed in these words. One afternoon, unexpected visitors disrupted the rhythm of my days.
"Kamari, someone is here to see you," the guard announced. Setting aside my belongings, curiosity led me to the visitor, and to my astonishment, I found Aamina sitting there.
"Wait, you are alive," I exclaimed, my disbelief evident. She responded calmly, "My name is Asmaa Kowg."
Silent communication ensued through our eyes, a secret language we had developed over the years. Concerned, Asmaa inquired about my well-being.
"I'm sorry, you look so much like my older sister Aamina Kowg, but she died recently," I shared with a heavy heart.
"It's fine; many people have said that. I was Aamina's friend, and she told me to give this to you," Asmaa explained, handing me a paper. I unfolded it, revealing Aamina's words: "Nwannem Mari, ọ bụ m gịrị namnho thaghị a, ọ bụrụ na ha sị na m balaba ya kọọrọ n'ime Rosewood, ha na-ekwupụrụ nhu mma dụ. Mgbe ọ bụla na-ekwupụrụ na onwe ha, ahụrụ gị anya. A hụrụ m gị ka ị bụghị ị gbak rọ nụ lọ Rosewood, kwok mama nụ "Ahu Rũ mị nụ lọ Rosewood"."
Shock and sorrow gripped me, Asmaa left with a subtle smile, leaving me to face the inquisitive guard who requested the note. Recognizing the language barrier, I handed it over, knowing its contents were rendered useless to him. Exhausted, I retired to bed, only to awaken the next day in an unfamiliar, ominous setting—bound to a chair with an armed woman and two men behind her.
"Hello, Kamari, how are you?" she inquired, feigning a casual tone. My response was met with evasion. "Who are you?" I questioned, to which she cryptically replied, "You don't need to know. But what I do know is why are you digging into my business? Is it nice or fun?" Her words hung in the air as she menacingly grabbed a chair.
"What do you mean?" I sought clarification, to which she retorted, "Oh, you didn't know? The Instagram account. You're going to get yourself killed. It's better to stop now." Defiant, I asserted that I would never cease my pursuit. She sighed in apparent resignation, declaring, "Do whatever you want with her."
Two menacing figures approached with sinister intentions. "Before we kill her, we should have some fun," one suggested, finding agreement from his companion. Their intentions became chillingly clear as they attempted to strip away my defences.
"NO, GET AWAY FROM ME, HELP! SOMEONE! ANYONE!" I screamed, my pleas echoing in the dimly lit room.
The other man attempted to silence me, covering my mouth with his hand, but I fought back. I sank my teeth into his hand, prompting him to yelp, "This bitch just bit me!" Enraged, he seized my hair, his tone turning menacing, "We were going to go easy on you, but you just bit me. You can forget about it."
The room hung heavy with tension as the unfolding events marked a disturbing turn, and I braced myself for what lay ahead, determined to resist and endure whatever trials awaited me.
Kamari's Mom's Point of View
"I'm here to pick up my daughter, Kamari Kowg," I announced anxiously at the front desk. The receptionist responded with a disconcerting revelation, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but someone checked her out earlier today."
A surge of panic gripped me as I demanded, "What? Who?" My breathing quickened, and I could feel the onset of hyperventilation. "No, umm... uhh..."
"Mrs. Kowg, are you okay?" the receptionist asked with concern just as I felt the world around me blur. The weight of uncertainty overwhelmed me, and before I knew it, darkness claimed my consciousness. I had fainted, succumbing to the shock of the unexpected news about Kamari's disappearance.
"Auntie, wake up! Auntie! Auntie!" I urgently called out to her, my voice filled with concern. Gradually, her eyes fluttered open, revealing a dazed expression. Asmaa, I recognized her.
I inquired about my surroundings, and she gently explained, "You fainted. That's what the doctor said." Concern etched her face as she continued, "Um... doctor, I gotta go find Kamari. She's missing." An urgency fueled my words, but Asmaa insisted, "Wait, Auntie. You need to rest. I filed a missing person report, and they will tell us if they find anything."
The gravity of the situation weighed on me as I processed the news of Kamari's disappearance. An unsettling mix of fear and determination fueled my desire to find her, yet Asmaa's reassurance offered a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty.
"We will be right back, don't move or will... Kill you," they warned as they exited the room. Seizing the opportunity, I wasted no time attempting to free myself from the tight restraints. Gratitude flooded me as I remembered Amina teaching me survival skills. "Thank you, Amina, for teaching me survival skills. I love you, sis," I whispered under my breath.
Successfully breaking free, I sprinted towards the back of the building, desperate to evade my captors. As I emerged into the open, their frustrated voices echoed behind me. "Ugh, where is she? I told you!"
Without looking back, I raced towards the street, fueled by the instinct to escape. Spotting a cop car, I approached with a plea, "Can you please call the Rosewood Police Station?" The next thing I heard was, "We have found Kamari Kowg." The relief was overwhelming, and as my consciousness wavered, I blacked out, the tumultuous events finally taking their toll on me.
"We need assistance in here, stay with me, Kamari," a voice urgently called out, breaking through the haze that clouded my consciousness. The words resonated, offering a lifeline in the midst of uncertainty.
"We are losing her, Kamari. Stay with me, don't you dare close your eyes," the voice pleaded urgently, the gravity of the situation hanging in the air.