LUXOLO

Immediately as my head hits the pillow someone knocks on my window, and whoever they are seems to be in pain judging by the way they are hissing. I get off bed, and walk toward the window, I slightly open the curtain, and I see Lindiwe clenching her teeth, she seems to be in serious pain. I step out of my room, and go and open the door for her, she gets inside blood coming out of her thigh but it’s not much, I widen my eyes, and take off my PJ top, and press it on her thigh.

“What happened to you?”

“Gun battle,” hissing.

Me: “Gun battle? Where? And how did you get shot?”

Her: “I will tell you when I’m feeling better.”

Me: “Don’t you need medical attention?”

Her: “The bullet have been removed, I just need to lie down. Mind getting me anything to numb the pains?”

Me: “Tell me what happened first, and I will get you those painkillers,” she sighs.

Her: “Let’s go to the bedroom before your mother comes here,” I nod, then I help her up. She’s limping, but the mask is still intact, strong mask this one. We get to the bedroom, and I tug her in bed.

Me: “So, what happened?”

Her: “Why are you up anyway?”

Me: “I was bathing. Masha.”

Her: “Well, remember I told you that I’m going to a house party right?” I nod. “I did go, then boma 01:00am we received a call that there will be gang shooting taking place just outside Middelburg around 02:00-3:00am, anyway Mich told us that we are leaving immediately after the call came through, I didn’t want to go, but then again I couldn’t let the gang down. We took our weapons, and vruuuh. Satheleka ke kule game ye nyawo, by the time we got there besekuqhuma is’bhamu vele, ahh nathi safika sathela left, right & center, then someone threw teargases on the floor, and that’s when I got shot I don’t even know who shot me, but I’m glad that I’m still alive.”

Me: “What was the shooting all about? All of you guys went there just to shed blood? I’m sure innocent people have lost their lives.”

Her: “No, it’s not like that. We went there because Mich had a score to settle with the Black Chain gang.”

Me: “Still. Innocent people lost their lives because of this stupid Mich of yours. Why couldn’t she set a day, and settle the issues she has with this black gang than to mingle herself with the other rivals? That’s called being a coward in my vocabulary. She’s a bloody coward, taking advantage of the situation; how disgusting can she get? She’s full of shit, and wena next time learn to choose battles wisely, don’t go whichever way the wind blows you. Uzaze ufele amanyala, for example; look at yourself now, you got shot because uthanda indaba zabantu, you got yourself mixed up in a battle that was not yours Lindiwe!”

Her: “I’ve learned that the hard way, and besides even if I refused going with them, Mich would’ve put a bullet on my skull. You never say no to her, ever,” she shrugs.

Me: “At least you ain’t me, I would’ve told her where to get off, bekazonya sesi lakimi strong futhy. Anyway, I’ve been meaning to ask,” she nods. “How did you end up being part of this M.K women’s nonsonso gang?”

Her: “Well, let’s just say I wanted some action in my life since it was boring, plus Anthea & Lorna were busy with their families they hardly had time to participate in this gangster shit anymore, so one night when I was bored I decided to go to Michelle’s house. Yoh, Michelle used to make my life miserable back in high school, making fun of me, and everyone at school will laugh even if the joke was not funny they were supposed to laugh, or else they would’ve been suspend. She had the school eating at the palm of her hands, after all her uncle was the principal,” I guess she means as Nandi not Lindiwe. “I knew that the security there was very tight, kanty nging’bani mina? I jumped over the fence, and used tazors to taze the guards, they never saw me coming, and I made my way inside the house, the sliding door was slightly open. Bitch was fucking with some big pot-belly dude on top of the couch, I laughed clapping hands when I saw the man squeezing his wrinkled ass going deeper as Michelle was telling him, and Michelle’s legs were stretched out. Michelle screamed when she saw me, and she pushed the man off her. She started shouting at me, and asking me who I am, and how did I gain entrance whereas there were guards outside. I told her straight up, that I killed them. The man stood up, and disappeared in that house.” I nod.

“I reminded her about how she used to bully me back in high school, and how she made fun of me before the students, and her peers. Haike, since she was bullying a whole lot of us she didn’t know who I was, well, literally. She tried running, but I pulled her by her hair, and she fell on the floor, we started exchanging blows uyashaya yena shame. We fought, and fought till my hands grew wary, and so did hers… We laid on the floor, tired. She was really impressed about me, she started telling me about her gang, they were still in the early stages though she needed more ladies, and since I wasn’t doing anything interesting in life I agreed, that’s how I became part of the gang. But Anthea & Lorna weren’t impressed, they wanted me to further my studies and make something out of myself, but me & school were never really best of friends, so yeah. One thing I know though is that once they come back in the game is game over for me, and the others out there. They will slaughter us, and feed us to Simanye, by the way don’t ask who Simanye is because he is unexplainable.” I nod.

Lindiwe sounds like a person with a lot of baggage, or maybe learning about the passing of her mother and her brother, not forgetting being sold to slavery disturbed her somehow, or maybe it’s just me, but she seems like a troubled child.

Me: “Oh, for how long have you been part of the gang?”

Her: “2 years now, we’ve been traumatizing innocent people for as long as I can remember. We shed blood for the fun of it, but now I have fear- fear of the unknown.”

Me: “Fear? I didn’t think of you as someone who fears something,” she shakes her head.

Her: “The gates of bloody war have been opened, this morning the warning was sent, people better brace themselves because it’s going to rain bullets, and people baptized with blood. Can you believe me if I tell you that there were more than 5 gangs present there? Everyone was thirsty for blood, it’s been long since rivalry blood was shed,” my nose flares.

Me: “So, in this oncoming blood shedding war, innocent people are going to get killed? People who don’t know anything? Who have no business in this gangsterism shit of yours?” She nods. “Now that’s bullshit, you all better find something else to do, or better yet, go and book a stadium for this blood shedding war of yours, and leave innocent people out of it, ngathi ninokunya nyana kulama gang wenu,” shaking my head. “Anyway, let me go and fetch you those painkillers.” Wawu, I get up from the bed, and walk to the kitchen, I remember seeing my mother putting pills in the cupboards earlier on. I get her a glass of warm water, then walk back to the room, and give it to her.

Her: “Thank you.”

Me: “You don’t have to thank me,” I get under the blanket, and get lost in my own thoughts, something must be done about this blood shedding war that’s coming it sounds quite scary if you ask me. But what can be done? Hmm, I just wonder, and whatever the case may be. My mother must be moved away from here before afela amasimba angawazi. I look at Lindiwe, and she has closed her eyes. I shake my head, and lean my head on the headboard…

★»★«

VUYO

Today I’m going to the club again, I’ve finally found a way to get that young girl out of that place. I’m in the kitchen making myself something to eat when Cindy steps into the kitchen with a notepad in her hand she looks shaken.

“Babe have you seen this?” Yeah, we are working on fixing our marriage, it’s still early ages, so I can’t really say where this is going, but I’m hoping for the best

and should it happen that- that girl is my daughter, she will have to accept her, I still haven’t told her about though. I, first want to make sure if she’s really mine. 

“Seen what?” She hands me the notepad, and it’s a video. A massacre video, a massive shootout taking place in some club. Damn, what the hell is going on. “Where’s this?”

Her: “Club Gazol, just outside Middelburg.”

Me: “Who initiated the shootout, and why?”

Her: “I think it was some gang rivalry of some sort, but someone said that they are sending a message. Blood will be spilled, and people will die we must brace of ourselves.”

Me: “What the actual fuck? Brace ourselves for what? We have no business this gang bullshit of theirs!”

Her: “I know. But no one it’s safe, no one.” I watch the video again, and a man wearing all black with 3 thick black chains around his neck appears, he grins, his teeth are fucking messed up, and they are chocolate too.

“I’m from the black chain gang, and this is us sending a message to you, to all of every gang members out there we are coming. Blood will be shed, and all the women & girls will be shipped, and sold to slavery. The men and the young boys we will recruit them to be part of our gang, be prepared. This that is happening here it’s us sending a warning, you won’t see us coming, but we are coning!” And the screen goes blank. WTF just happened?

Me: “This is some messed up shit, and you know what’s more scary about this?”

Her: “We don’t know when they will attack, because it’s very clear that it won’t be soon because people are already alerted, and they will tighten their securities, and stuff. Just when we are relaxed, boom. They start attacking.”

Me: “Exactly. These people are clever, right now they are instilling fear in us, and I think it’s working.”

Her: “I’m even thinking of taking leave, or resign all at once.” I shake my head.

Me: “Don’t. What if they start attacking after 2-3 years from now?” She chuckles.

Her: “That will never happen, that’s too far. Give them a year, if not 6 months from now.”

Me: “Yah neh, this is a mess.” I need to save that girl and move her far away from here before this blood shedding war starts, and I hope my parents are safe there at Zithobele village the war won’t affect them, I still need to fix things with them.

Her: “I need to check up on my parents, I will see you later,” she kisses my cheek, and walks away.

Few hours later I’m at club Vixen. I make my way inside, and it looks as if like they are moving, or something, and the club is empty.

“What’s going on?” I ask the barman who is busy wiping the tables.

“Adele wants to tighten this club’s security for the war that’s coming, haven’t you heard? It’s all over the news.”

Me: “I heard. We are living in a fucked up world.”

Him: “Tell me about it,” shaking his head.

Me: “Where’s Adele?”

Him: “Sh… Oh, here she comes.”

Me: “Thank you.” I walk up to her. “Adele.”

Her: “How can I help you Vuyo?”

Me: “I wanted some morning service.”

Her: “I’ve moved the girls from here this place is no longer safe for them since the black chain gang is initiating to start war, I don’t want them getting caught in the crossfire.” Fuck, now what?

Me: “So, we can’t get any more services?” She nods. “What must we do when we want to release?”

Her: “You have a wives Vuyo.”

Me: “They refuse giving us sex, hence we come here.”

Her: “You will have to wait maybe 3 months before the business takes off again, we are really not sure when these gangs will attack. And besides I also have to sharpen my members.”

Me: “Fair enough. So, the girl you gave me the last time. Is she also gone?” Adele really doesn’t waste time, the shooting was announced this morning, and she’s already moved the girls? Wow, talk about serious protection ahead.

Her: “Yeah, she too. Why would I leave her? Anyway, she wanted to spend some more time with you, I wonder what did you do to her. Your name was always on the tip of her tongue, always Vuyo. When things go well, you will be the first person to have her,” she gives me a smile, and I nod. I’m so disappointed. “Oh, before I forget she left you something, and told me to give it to you. I’ll be right back.”

She comes back, and hands me a small box wrapped with a beautiful wrap.

Me: “Thank you, and goodbye.”

Her: “You are welcome, and please be safe.”

Me: “You too.” I walk out of the club, and step inside my car. I unwrap the box, I open it, and it’s a strand of her hair, head of a toothbrush, and a small paper, I open it… And it’s an address, accompanied by a message that says I must save his little brother, and keep him safe at all times. I close my eyes, and bring my engine to life then I drive off, since I failed rescuing her, I might as well rescue her little brother. She loves him, a lot. I wonder where did Adele take the girls too.

★»★«

TSAKANI

I’m home to see how my mother is holding up after seeing the morning news. I can’t believe that the black chain gang have initiated a blood shedding war with everyone, I thought that it was only last night where they were said to attack the Slayers because a forbidden relationship that took place, it was always known that the slayers must not date in the black chain gang it was their mantra, I guess feelings escalated, and they caught knowing very well that it’s forbidden, in fact they were not supposed to cross each other’s path because it always ends up in death. Now, everyone will suffer for things they have no idea of, things they don’t know only because a dick & pussy got united. I was also surprised to learn that more gangs joined the party, this is messed up.

What I’m sure of though is that, even if they sent out a warning they won’t attack immediately, and as for me, I will not run around securing my house, and looking over my shoulder that’s not my style, but I will have to move my mother, and my siblings away from here until these fuckers starts attacking. I drive inside the yard, and park my car in the driveway, and step out of it, I find her sitting in the kitchen drinking tea un bothered by anything.

“Mamzo.”

“Boy boy. How are you?”

Me: “I’m good mom, and you?”

Her: “I’m fine too. Are you here to check if I’m safe, or you are here to ask me if I saw the morning news?” I laugh.

Me: “A bit of both. Where’s everyone?”

Her: “Kedibone left few minutes ago, she’s going on a vacation with friends.”

Me: “Friends? What friends?”

Her: “I don’t know.”

Me: “And you agreed?”

Her: “I didn’t. She left me a note,” I shake my head.

Me: “What? How dare she?”

Her: “Stop bickering. Kedibone is 29 years old, she knows exactly what she’s doing stop worrying about her.”

Me: “I can not be not worried about her Mama, have you seen the news?”

Her: “I did, and if she dies I will gladly bury her I’m covered insurance wise. Stop worrying about her, and start worrying about finding a girlfriend before we all die from this war that’s coming, it’s still fine if you are playing for the same team you can introduce him, I just want to see your partner.” I laugh.

Me: “I’m not seeing anyone currently Mama.”

Her: “But is there someone that you like?”

Me: “No, not really.”

Her: “So, you are going to die single?” She wiggles her brow.

Me: “No Mama. I won’t die single.”

Her: “Guess I should take your word for it, but I really want grandchildren, in fact I’ve found a perfect girl for you. Her name is Amogelang, and she’s a churchgoer, very humble, and beautiful too. Plus she greets you 20x a day. You will most definitely like her, and I’ve already told her about you. She seemed intrigued by you, and I think she loves you.” I shake my head.

Me: “I hear all that you are saying, but the biggest question you should be asking is; will I be able to mark her?” She shifts her lips to the side, and look at me.

Her: “You know what. Forget about her. When are you moving me away from here, because I know that’s why you are here for Tsakani.”

Me: “Very soon.”

Her: “Good, because I can do with some fresh air, and hopefully when all this upcoming war is over you will be having a girlfriend. Are you aware that you are the only one who doesn’t have a girlfriend, let alone a child out of all your brothers?”

Me: “And you know the reason why.” She shrugs.

Her: “Coffee?” I nod. The door flies open, and it’s Sabelo with his wife, and their 3 kids her womb is blessed, oh, and she’s expecting again, these two are a perfect example of ‘be fruitful & multiply’ or whatever the saying is. “Running away from the upcoming war?”

Sabelo: “Better safe than sorry. Did you see all those bodies on that floor? And those people mean business!” Sabelo is such a coward nina.

Her: “I see. Get yourself settled then, I was about to make coffee for this single man here, can I pour for you too?”

Sabelo: “Yes please. When are we leaving?” I laugh.

Me: “Leaving to where?”

Him: “Place of safety, I know that you are capable of finding us one until this is all over, and my wife here must give birth peacefully.

Me: “I will let you know.” Guess, I have work to do, and plane tickets to book.