Nneka's eyes widened in fear. "Madam, oga will kill me if he finds out I helped you."
"Please," Adaora pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "If I stay here, I'm the one who will die. I'll never forget this, I promise."
After a tense moment, Nneka nodded. "There's a small gate at the back of the compound. The guards don't watch it closely. I'll distract them for you."
Adaora hugged her tightly. "Thank you. God bless you."
Grabbing only a small purse with her phone and a few naira notes, Adaora followed Nneka's instructions. She slipped through the shadows, her heart pounding with every step. As she neared the gate, she heard voices—two guards chatting nearby.
"Move quickly!" Nneka whispered, stepping out to draw the guards' attention. "Oga is calling you inside!"
The guards hurried away, and Adaora dashed through the gate. Once outside, she didn't stop running. Barefoot and shivering in her thin dress, she fled into the night, her surroundings a blur of darkness and desperation.
She didn't know how far she had run when she finally reached a main road. A passing motorcyclist stopped, startled by the sight of a disheveled woman in a red gown.
"Please," she begged, her voice hoarse. "Take me to my parents' house. I'll pay you whatever I have."
The man hesitated, then nodded. "Climb on."