She lit the firewood and threw the bush rat, grinning admiringly as the rat turned into meat.
After roasting the meat, she placed on the pan and began to slice.
She could feel his eyes on her.
Mark Williams!
Her very own replica.
He was the chief of that community and the fact that he never had a boy was not felt because of Belinda Williams.
She had hunted down lions and other wild animals, bringing it for the king.
She had lived all her life in the community.
Only her twin sister had lived in the city.
Belinda had no interest in the city.
She loved the communal life where everyone from different homes would gather in a circle and talk like one family.
Amelia would always rattle about the city anytime she came back for holidays but Belinda was not interested.
They were identical twins but with different interest.
But just last month, their whole world had changed.
Amelia had been accused of murder and she was in jail because there was no proof that she didn't kill Edward Charles.
According to the report, they were having an hot argument in the office when the security man entered and saw Edward Charles lying in cold blood at the doorway.
The smile on Belinda's face disappeared as reality dawned on her concerning her twin sister.
She absently sliced meat and passed to Mark Williams, who looked also very deep in thought.
He sighed deeply. "Amelia can not rot in jail".
Belinda chewed on the meat with a hard look. "I will find the killer".
He shrugged. "Of course, we are all going to...".
"I will take Amelia's role and find the killer".
He was confused. "How?".
"The killer of Edward Charles is in Bower Bound organization. If I don't work there, how will I find him?".
"But...they won't allow you work there because everyone sees Amelia as a murderer".
She grinned mischievously. "I am going to tell them that I have to take the role because of my poor family. They will be scared to reject me because of public relations ".
"Public relations?".
"The fact that the murder case is still under investigation doesn't make me a murderer's sister. My sister has not been confirmed guilty yet. That is why I have to be very fast".
He sighed deeply. "You have always been more intelligent than your sister, so I know you will do well over there. The only thing I am bothered about is how you will be treated".
"Dad, I am sure you know how strong hearted I am".
He nodded thoughtfully. "You were the one that comforted I and Amelia when Jennifer died. I admire your strong nature".
"Eat your meat, father ". She sliced more meats and distributed to other community women also sitting at the fireside.
***
Belinda opened the door of the house Amelia had lived.
It was a one room apartment.
Houses in the city were very expensive and she knew her sister couldn't afford a bigger house because of their big responsibility.
Belinda couldn't get a decent job in the community that paid her enough to sustain the home and she couldn't leave their father in the community alone and go to the city with her father because he was partially blind.
She had worked at Whitman bank, the largest bank in the community but had to quit because it was not giving her time to take care of her father.
She had also worked at Pressa bank, the bank close to their house but still the same.
She decided to start teaching since it was the only work that gave her time for her father.
She had taught in Otogbo community school and earned so little, while she did some carpentry side hustles to be able to put food on the table.
Amelia had used her salary in clearing the debts they had acquired after their mother's failed surgery.
Because of the debt, she barely had enough money to send back home.
Belinda had even occasionally sent some money to her from the community.
Keeping up with the pressing life of the city and their mother's debt, it hadn't been easy for Amelia.
Belinda's heart bled at the fact that her poor sister had to get involved in jail after the hardship they had gone through.
She knelt down at the middle of the room. "Lord Jesus, please save my sister. Help me gather evidences before she gets sentenced in Jesus name".
She had placed one of the community women in charge of her father's well-being.
She stared at her reflection in Amelia's small mirror at the dressing table. "Belinda, I know God will help you through this". She told herself confidently.
Her phone rang. It was her father. "Hello daddy".
"What time did the train arrive at the city?".
"Fifteen minutes ago. I had to stop by at Amelia's jail to get the exact location of this place".
"You should have called immediately you entered the house. I was worried".
"I am sorry father. I actually wanted to call after taking my bath".
"No problem, Belinda. What are you planning to eat right now?"
"There is cheesecake in Amelia's fridge".
"Is it not spoilt?".
"It has fungi on it but I will brush it off".
"Are you sure you won't fall sick?".
She chuckled. "How many times have we eaten fungi and we are still stronger than the rich people? By the way, has your new nanny made your hot bath?".
"She has. She is really doing a lot".
"I am happy you are fine. I will talk to you later dad".
She disconnected the line and packed her hair.
She had lied to her father that there was food in Amelia's fridge but there was absolutely nothing.
She didn't want him to worry about her.
She sat on the bed and arranged her files for tomorrow.
The interview at Amelia's place of work was tomorrow.
***
Amelia Williams stared into space as she stood holding the bars.
Her eyes lit in pain.
His last words screaming in her eardrums..."Help me...help me...".
She winced as she recalled how he closed his eyes...forever.
How could she kill the man she loved so much?
How could she kill the only man she was existing for?
Hot tears trickled down her cheeks.
She winced at the discomfort she had put her family in, especially her twin sister.
They had both grown in the community and studied the same course in accounting, not knowing that in future they would have to use that to their advantage.
Belinda was a genius in school but she was more drawn to hunting in the community because she was so good at it.
But how was she going to cope?
She had resigned from her teaching job because of the matter at hand.
Amelia wondered how her sister, who had no detective experience would be able to help her.
Even if she didn't believe in Belinda as a human, but she believed in her God.
Belinda had always had this strong Christian faith that always helped them especially when they needed it the most.
She believed in God but wasn't as close to him as her sister.
"Lord, even if it is not for me, please help my sister". More tears welled up in her eyes and she winced again.