TSAKANI

The gents are dead with laughter as we look at the sketch. I don’t what on earth this is, but hhayi maarn these are three faces in one paper. Disaster this one, I don’t really know how to move on from here. This is a mess, even Mndawe couldn’t help himself, but laugh. I shake my head this all feels like a complete waste of time with this pace I don’t think we will find bubbles anytime soon. We still have a long way to go.

“Yoh, this is worse than Rasta’s work. This is total bullshit! It’s either you girls give us a clear description of Antony or I will kill you right here, in those very same couches you are sitting on,” I click my  tongue. “Excuse me I need some air, and when I come back I want to see Anthony’s face not that nonsense I see here.” I walk outside this is really not going anywhere we are running around in circles, and this is fucking me up. I walk around my garden trying to calm myself down, trying not to think so much about what bubbles might be going through wherever she is. Fuck! I need to keep it together.

“You have a beautiful garden, mine doesn’t even look this beautiful. How many times do you take care of it?” Ludo ask this standing next to me.

“Thanks. Three times a week.”

Him: “Nice. If only I had time. So, care to tell me about this girlfriend yours?”

Me: “What do you want to know about her?”

Him: “Everything.” I don’t know why, but I trust him, and somehow his presence gives me a sense of belonging. There’s this unexplainable connection between us, it’s like I’ve known him for years, yet I only met him few hours ago.

He nods after me telling him everything about bubbles, her work & all I did not leave anything out.

Him: “So, the person we need to find is Sol not Antony. It’s clear that Sol sent this Antony guy to do this dirty job for him hence he, Sol made sure that he leaves 5 days prior so that you will not suspect him. All I can tell you is that; he is a fool and his stupid. He didn’t think this through, he really didn’t because if he did he would’ve left maybe 2 or 3 months ago, so that all this bullshit wouldn’t have linked with him, if he did that then Antony was going to be the first suspect in bubbles disappearance. And maybe we would’ve figured that he abducted her because he found out something that included bubbles, for example; let’s say he found some papers that Sol left lying around carelessly or stached them somewhere obtaining important information, maybe like bubbles would be the one taking over the club once he’s time has come for him to depart this earth, and she kept her where Sol would’ve never found her. Then he would’ve persuade Sol to give him the club, and so forth. And obviously Sol would’ve given him after so much consideration, and stuff. Are you getting what I’m telling you mara?”

Me: “Yeah, I understand you completely man. I get what you are saying.” He is right yazi. This means that we must stop sketching Antony and sketch Sol instead. Why did I not think about this? Guess it’s true when they say; you can’t think like everyone else, and this man here just thought a whole different thought, a thought that makes perfect sense. At least now things are promising it won’t be hard tracing Sol when we have a picture. But then, there’s this thing that is still bugging me. Him. Who is he? And why do I feel so connected to him? It’s like he is my long lost relative or something.

Him: “I’m Ludo, and the reason you feel the connection you are feeling with me right now is because we share the same beast that resides within us. The only difference is that I get to be physically him, and you- you get to be him spiritually, he will never show himself to you, but he always reacts when there’s something he doesn’t like.” He reads minds now? Jesus! And who is this him that he keeps mentioning? “You sure have a lot of question running through your mind, worry not because you will find answers to your questions soon, but for now let’s focus on finding your bubbles before things get out of control.”

Me: “Are we somewhat related?” He laughs. I had to ask, if we are related or what, and if we are; how are we related?

Him: “No. We are not related. We just share the one residing within us. Now, let’s go, and sketch this Sol. You need to be strong for your bubbles, and I command you for going all your way to find your bubbles, you must really love this girl, and I have no doubts that the one residing you made the things to be done, once he has chosen & marked there’s no turning back” he laughs walking away leaving me shaking my head like a fool. I follow after him.

“Ek’se Ludo. Where did you see us running?” He chuckles as Batista asks him this question immediately as we step inside the house.

Him: “Around.”

Batista: “Around where?”

Him: “The world.”

Talon: “Awusho uyicavile le beast le enyenze umrivithi le ehlathini?” (Tell us; did you see the best that caused chaos the by the bush) A smile flashes across Ludo’s face.

Him: “Ngiy’cavile ntwana, and besides I was hunting daar.”

Batista: “And you just stood there and watched?”

Him: “Yeah.”

Batista: “Well, at least now they will believe us that we did see a beast.”

Talon: “So, awudlanga phansi wena nakutshuneka daai dang?” (You didn’t run away when that happened)

Him: “Nah, I didn’t.”

Talon: “Mxm, masimba lawa owakhuluma manje wena saarn. Beyizokubhubhisa leyanto wena ngabe awukho la nou.” (You are talking rubbish, that would’ve killed you- you wouldn’t have been here now) Ludo laughs.

Me: “Change of plans bafwethu. We are sketching Sol now. Time for games is up, we are on a mission to rescue bubbles, make sure that your passports are ready. Aranele, Zama. You girls can leave we are done with you.” Zama gets up, but Aranele doesn’t her gaze is fixed on Ludo. “Ek’se, bring your friend to life nihambe la njengamanje.”

Ludo: “Chill. I’ll take care of it.” He walks toward her, and stands before her looking at her straight in the eyes. I growl unexpectedly making Aranele jump screaming, and she starts shaking uncontrollably. “Leave.” he hisses. “And next time don’t look at me like that because my wife will kill without a care in the world, and for your information I am a happily married man, out.” She hurries out of the house with the help of Zama of course who was pulling her by her hand.

Leon: “What the hell just happened?”

Me: “I would love to know too.”

Mndawe: “Sol’s picture please I don’t have the whole day I have somewhere else to be urgently.”

Talon: “Respek your olders saarn.” Mndawe just stares at him.

Him: “Masingajwayelani amasimba skhokho asazani.” (Let’s not get familiar with each other we don’t know each other)

Talon: “Yhe? Uthini? Uyangazi ukuthi ngingubani mina? Uyangazi?” (What are you saying? Do you know who I am? Do you) he takes out his okapi from his pocket opening it using his sneaker.

Me: “Not in my house. There by the streets, hhayi la. Do what I’ll paying you for, and Talon go and catch a breather outside.”

Him: “Yoh, ngizom’cisha lo mina. Sies maarn.” (I will kill him) he clicks his tongue and walk out.

Batista: “We should consider doing a movie because wow we have some serious impressive acting skills, and great actors up in here!” I laugh handing Mndawe my phone showing him Sol’s picture.

Lee: “I agree with you there. Anyone feel like playing cards?”

Batista: “We are game. TK?”

Me: “I’ll pass bafwethu.”

Ludo: “Don’t stress yourself much we will find your woman.” I nod. I have hope that we will find her, but in which state are we going to find her in? Will I find her in a good state of mind? Unharmed? Moreover sexually violated? Damn, I really don’t know, but I need to find her. Oh, yes. I must also send Lindiwe Sol’s picture I’m sure her contacts will help too.

★»★«

LUXOLO

Day 4 in this dead room. I’m hungry, I’m weak, and I’m perched. I swear to God I’ve lost some weight, and the smell of these dead bodies ain’t helping because they bring more than 50 bodies daily I wonder where do they get them, in fact, why don’t they burn them? Because this sight is sickening. And inhaling the smell will really do some serious damages in our lungs, and shit. Milan, have been sleeping for a couple of hours, and I must say that sis here loves her sleep I don’t even know how she does it because I can’t even close my eyes for few seconds, all I see are dead bodies. Milan gave me her jacket to wear since this room is very cold, and she’s left with her military jumpsuit. I get up from the floor stretching myself, we’ve been planning our escape, and how we are going to kill all these fuckers without them seeing us coming, and possibly recruit some few ladies to be part of us. We are going to cause some serious havoc around here.

My feet stumble upon something

and that something makes a clicking sound. I shift my feet slowly, and bend down to see what it is. Oh, it looks like some secret door of some sort. Curiosity gets the best out of me, and I pull up the tiny wooden knob as it makes some creeking sound, I yank it up fully, and when I look down all I see is darkness but I can see some few metal stairs, and I go down using them slowly, and I’m trying to be careful since my body is still in pains. My heart beating out of my chest, and sweat forming on my forehead with every step I take my heart beats out of my chest than it normally does. Finally, my feet touches the cold ground. I move my hand over the wall I’m looking for some switch to switch on the light, but I find none. Fuck. If only I had a torch with, dammit. But either way I move my hands on everything I touch since I can’t see, but I can tell what some are just by touching them. Ouch, I bump my toe into something, and the pain is unbearable as I let out an unexpected scream, shit. 

The room brightens up as the light blinds my eyes making to shut them for a few seconds, I must’ve touched the switch somehow by mistake. Upon opening my eyes, and surveying the room seeing all that I’m seeing leaves me speechless, and not believing it. This room is full of gold; gold statues, tables, chairs, the wall is covered in gold too like yazini I’m surrounded by gold. I walk around the room taking in all this gold, I’ve never seen so much gold in my whole entire life, well, I did in movies though. I wonder how rich is Nikolai, and where did he get so much gold from. This is too much gold. I walk around the gold table, and there are stacks of papers sprawled on top of the table, I pick some, and browse them. Bingo.

I close the door tightly as I step out of the basement taking a deep breath, I did switch off the lights even though it was a struggle at first, but I did manage. I place the map tightly on my chest, at least now we will find a way out of here, and know all the secret passages. The phone is in my pocket, well there’s no network coverage here, two pockets knives are settled very well on my other pocket, and some few cash. How can I forget a handful of diamonds, I had to take all that I will need, and besides it’s not as if like Nikolai will notice anything. Milan is still sleeping she’s even snoring, but she steers as the door opens, and more bodies are thrown in. Sighs. I close my eyes, and look up. I want to be out of here.

“Wakey wakey slaves.” One of the guards wake us up by kicking us. Milan sits upright looking pissed off, and the guard just smiles showing us his ugly teeth; people working here have ugly teeth maarn, yasis. Or maybe it’s their basic requirements when they hire them, ai I would never know. I’m sure their mouths even stinks.

“Fuck off!” Milan tells him. He laughs.

Him: “You don’t get to tell me to fuck off you slut! I own you, and now I’m going to have fun with you, and remember that no matter how much you scream no one will hear you, and no one will come to your aid. Once I’m done with you Milan, I’ll have your friend.” He laughs.

Her: “Danny boy, just leave me alone. I’m no longer that old Milan that you knew back then, that old Milan who used to sleep with all of the guards in exchange for protection.”

Him: “You are still our slut here Milan. We can do whatever we want with you, and you know that Nikolai doesn’t give a fuck about you, or everyone around here. He only cares about himself, and his reputation all of you don’t mean nothing to him, nothing at all. Now, be a good girl, and give me a good fucking time!” He unzips his zip, and yanks Milan up, and pins her against the wall his hand on her neck. He tears her jumpsuit, and buttons fly in the air leaving Milan stack naked! I don’t dare interfere because I know that Milan will deal with him accordingly.

He forces his tongue inside Milan’s mouth, and Milan tries fighting him, but his grip is so tight on Milan’s neck, and her eyes roll inward, her mouth gaping open for oxygen as he gripped his neck tighter. I get up from the floor as I see that he is overpowering her, he pushes her down, and her head hits the ground with a thud. He tries parting her legs.

“Open your legs you slut!” Milan is still not giving in, I slip my hand in my pocket, and come out with a pocket knife I don’t want his blood on my hands, Milan must kill him herself they clearly have some unfinished business. I hand her the pocket knife, and give them my back facing the wall, I don’t want to witness this. Hearing him groan cleanses my heart, and a smile creep out of my face as he groans some more until it becomes completely signs, and Milan’s heavy breathing is what’s audible.

“Help me you bitch! That man almost killed me!” I turn around laughing, and help her up.

Me: “Well, you are still alive, and that’s all that matters.”

Her: “Whatever. Let me strip him his clothes, and get us out of here.”

Me: “Where will we go?”

Her: “You will see, and we will come back here tomorrow early in the morning so that when Nikolai comes he will find us here.”

Me: “And we can go over this map that I found somewhere here.”

Her: “You found what? Girl, let’s get out of here before they throw in more bodies.”

Me: “The uniform suits you.”

Her: “Thanks my love. I got the keys,” we step out of the dead room checking the coast, and it’s all clear. We take the other direction. I pray that we don’t get caught, yerrr the risks I’ve been taking ever since I’ve been here, yohhh, hhayi. Ku burd. But ke this is survival of the fittest…