CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 23

Mnotho stands up so fast the chair behind him shakes. His breathing changes, sharper and louder. His hands tremble, not from fear but from pure boiling fury. His eyes look wild, angry, focused on one thing only.
"Where was he calling from?" he asks the man again, voice tight.
"I traced it to a small food joint in town, but it's night now. I'm sure it's closed," the man answers carefully, still staring at his laptop like he's scared to meet Mnotho's eyes.
That is all Mnotho needs to hear.
He doesn't care if it's midnight or morning. He doesn't care if the place is closed or crawling with danger.
He is going to get Nikky.
And he is going to beat that man into a pulp.
He grabs his phone and keys at the same time, movements sharp and impatient.
"Baba… where are you going?" Bonga asks, even though he already knows the answer. His voice cracks a little.
"To get her," Mnotho snaps.
His voice is low, dangerous, the kind of tone that makes the whole room freeze. Bonga sighs, rubbing his face, shaking his head helplessly.
"We don't even know if he's still there," the man warns softly.
"I don't care," Mnotho says, already walking toward the door. "If there is even one chance she's close, I'm going there."
His tone leaves no room for argument. He means it. Every second, every minute, every hour matters to him now.
Diamond steps forward quickly. "But what if he sees you? What if he hurts her because of you?"
Mnotho stops for half a second. Just one painful second.
Then he shakes his head slowly and looks at Diamond with eyes full of heartbreak and rage.
"I'm not sitting here while she bleeds in a room somewhere," he says. "I'm going."
Bonga moves in front of him too, trying one last time. "Baba, think. Please. If you rush in, you could ruin everything. Let these people search first."
Mnotho's jaw clenches so tight it looks like it might break. His eyes shine with tears he forces himself not to blink out.
He can't sit around doing nothing.
Not after seeing those pictures.
Her eyes. Her pain.
Her blood.
It is all still printed in his mind like it is carved into him.
"I can't," he whispers. His voice cracks slightly. "I can't just watch pictures of her suffering. I need to move."
He pushes past them.
"Okay, I'm coming with you. I will call the guys to follow us there," the tech man says from behind, grabbing his laptop and Diamond's phone and rushing after him.
Mnotho doesn't answer.
He doesn't look back. He just keeps walking.
Nothing will stop him now.
Not warnings. Not fear .Not logic.
He is going to that place, even if it is empty, even if it is dangerous, even if he has to tear down walls with his bare hands.
Because the thought of doing nothing, the thought of staying behind while she suffers, hurts him far more than whatever waits for him in the dark.
.
.
His mind is racing. This can't be the same people he once stepped on. This can't be his rivals. Or can it?
He's not sure anymore. Maybe his enemies followed him. Maybe they saw him picking her up, dropping her off, watching her every day.
But that doesn't feel possible.
He shakes his head hard, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turn ashy. His eyes stay locked on the road.
The person who took Nikky is someone from her circle.
Someone close. Someone she trusted.
And that thought alone makes Mnotho sick. He does not trust anyone, not even Diamond, and she is supposed to be her friend. He trusts no one.
The fast-food joint is somewhere in Johannesburg CBD. When he hears that, his already naked and exposed heart starts pounding even harder. That part of town is dangerous. Especially for women. Drug lords. Human trafficking. Robbers. Violent, unpredictable men.
It is unsafe in a way that turns the stomach.
He is terrified. Terrified that anything could have happened to Nikky already. Terrified of what she might be going through.
And he knows deep down that if anything happens to her, he will never forgive himself.
Never.
He can almost feel her fear in his chest.
He knows she is scared and alone. And that rips him apart from the inside.
"One of our boys just arrived there," the man behind him says, snapping Mnotho out of his thoughts. "The place is still open, but there are too many drunkards. It is near a bottle store."
Mnotho does not answer. He just nods tightly and keeps his eyes on the road, jaw clenched, breath shallow.
He hopes he is not too late. He hopes they find this bastard.
He hopes Nikky is still alive.
.
.
The place has only five people when Mnotho walks in.
The doors creak behind him.
The ceiling lights kept flickering.
The air smells like old oil and old chips.
He looks around slowly. No cameras. No mirrors. No blind spots covered.
He sighs, annoyed and irritated, the frustration tightening across his shoulders. One of his guys has already slipped into the bottle store next door to check if they have CCTV there. Mnotho stays focused.
He walks toward the counter. A woman behind it looks up and smiles warmly.
"Hello sir, welcome. What would you like to have?" she asks.
"Nothing. Can I please speak to the manager or the owner of this place?" His voice is low, clipped, sharp.
The lady frowns. "He is not here. Can I assist you with something?"
Mnotho sighs again, jaw tightening. He is angry. He is worried. He is thinking of Nikky… her tears… the blood… the way she looked in those pictures. Again. Again and again.
The pictures were clearly not taken here.
This side of town is too dark, too rusty, too broken. Those photos had more light, more clarity, more space.
Still… It is a lead.
He will take anything right now.
"Do you have any CCTV cameras? Front or back? Because I can see there are none here." He waves his finger around the shop, frustration bleeding through every gesture.
The doors open and one of his guys walks in.
"Close the doors," Mnotho commands without looking. The guy obeys immediately, locking them inside. The few customers stare, confused and uneasy.
Mnotho ignores them.
He turns back to the lady. Her eyes are wide now, confused, maybe even a little scared.
"Sisi, are you going to answer me?" he asks. His guy steps beside him, silent but intimidating.
"Only outside," the lady whispers.
Mnotho nods slowly, then smiles, but it's not a friendly smile. "I'd like to see the footage please. And I'm going to close this shop now. Don't worry, I will pay."
He glances at his guy. "Did you find anything?"
The man nods and opens a small plastic packet. Inside is a phone.
The phone they were tracing.
"I found it in the bin inside that bottle store," he says. "We can wipe for fingerprints too. It is worth a shot."
Mnotho frowns. His stomach twists. Something feels wrong.
"Very suspicious. Is he trapping us?" Mnotho mutters, eyes narrowing.
"I don't know," the guy replies. "Maybe he wanted one of the drunkards or workers there to find it so they would get caught by us. Then we would assume it's them."
Mnotho stares at the phone for a long moment, then nods slowly.
It makes sense. This bastard is leading them astray.
He is smart. Too smart.
"Okay," Mnotho finally says. "Do what you have to do. I am sure we will find something and find Nikky. For now, let's check the CCTV footage."
His voice drops, low and heavy, carrying both hope and heartbreak.
Another night is passing.
Another day without finding her. Another hour where she could be crying somewhere… bleeding… scared… calling for him.
He feels it breaking him from the inside, but he swallows it down and follows the lady to the back.
Because he will not stop.
Not tonight. Not ever.

•••••

[KUKHOKONKE]

I have Nikky's bracelet with me, the item I asked Diamond to give me. I am hoping it will help me find her or at least give me a small vision of where she is.
But nothing comes.
No dream. No vision. Nothing.
It's frustrating. I feel useless. And tomorrow I have to go to Bergville for my biggest first task. I asked Cothoza if he could come with me, but he said no. He can send the twins instead, but I refused. I don't want those girls near me, and now that I have found Diamond again, I don't want them near Diamond either. Or my family. Diamond.
I feel bad for her. She is hurting. She is scared. I should go check on her, but everything is falling apart at the same time.

I decided to work from home today. Y3 is a mess because of Paul's family drama, and honestly, I didn't feel like going in. The meeting with Josh's brother-in-law and the lawyers about the land sale went well, at least. I still need to contact the bank about the loan. I am in a hurry. I need to build as soon as possible. Too many things are happening at once. I feel like I am running out of time.
When I finally reach my apartment, I unlock the door and step inside. I'm tired. My mind is full. I just want to sit down for a moment.
But as I walk toward the lounge, I stop.
My whole body freezes.
There is a child standing in my apartment.
A little girl. Wearing tight clothes, like someone forced her into them.
She is smiling at me. Smiling.
And waving like she is greeting an old friend.
My heart jumps. My breath disappears.
What the hell…?
The door was locked.
Completely locked. So how did she get inside? And whose child is this?
I take a slow step back, my hand shaking as I reach for my phone.
Something is not right. Not right at all.
As I try to reach for my phone, the child giggles softly. Her tiny finger lifts and she points toward the balcony where I keep my plants.
I frown, blinking fast. My feet move on their own, like something is pulling me forward. I walk past the child and head straight to the balcony. My eyes land on the plant Cothoza gave me.
I gasp. I pick it up quickly.
It is growing.
New leaves. New life.
It was not like this when I left.
Not even close. My stomach twists.
What is going on here?
I place the plant back in its spot and rush toward the lounge. I need to talk to this child. I need to understand what she wants.
But as I reach the lounge, she is already running toward the door.
I run too, calling out for her, but the moment I step outside, the entire space changes.
It is no longer my building.
The air shifts. The walls melt.
I am standing in a long, beautiful hallway. Soft lights. Clean floors. It looks like a place I have never seen before.
The child is still running, her small feet tapping against the floor. I follow her. I do not know why, but something in me says I must not lose her.
She stops near a door. She points again.
I step beside her and look inside.
There is a person lying on a bed, sleeping or unconscious. And next to them is a woman holding a large 5-litre bottle. The liquid inside looks dangerous. It could be paraffin. It could be acid. I cannot tell, but the energy around her is awful. Vile. Jealous. Dark.
Her face is hidden, but I can feel her intention. She is thinking about pouring that liquid on the person. She is deciding. Planning.
The child tugs at me. Hard.
Her glossy eyes are filled with pain.
She is connected to that person.
I can feel it.
Her fear. Her sadness.
I step closer for a better look, trying to see the face of the person on the bed.
Then… Something wet taps my face.
Once. Twice.
I blink and suddenly I'm no longer in the room.
I'm back in my office.
I lift my head sharply.
Paul is standing there.
He is smiling, holding a bottle of water.
My heart drops.
What the hell is wrong with this man?
"I took a picture of you slacking around," he says proudly. "Good luck pleading your case to the board. Poor wizard with fake abilities. Nx." He clicks his tongue and walks out, leaving me soaked, confused, and furious.

•••••

[DIAMOND]

Nikky's phone has been ringing non stop.
Ntobe. Then Letsatsi.
Then Ntobe again.
The sound fills the whole room. It crawls under my skin. I just stare at the screen, frozen, not knowing whether I should answer or just switch it off and throw it somewhere.
It keeps ringing… and ringing… and then finally goes silent.
I sigh, but it is not relief.
It is exhaustion. A heavy, burning exhaustion.
This cannot be happening.
Mnotho took my phone because he thinks the kidnapper might call me again. So now I am phoneless, trapped, useless, and losing my mind.
I drop Nikky's phone on the counter and drag both hands through my hair. Nicole is angry that I took the day off. She can make it unpaid for all I care. At this point, I might as well look for another job because I am going to snap at that woman soon.
I am restless.
I cannot sit here doing nothing.
I know Mnotho means well, but I want to help. I can help. I should be helping.
I stand up. No.
I am going to his place. I need to know what is happening. I need to move.
But just as I take a step, there is a loud knock on the door.
My heart jumps.
My breath catches. Did they find her?
I rush to the door and swing it open, hope burning in my chest…
And freeze.
I frown so hard my face twists.
Snothando.
Her lipstick is perfect. Her clothes are neat. And she looks annoyed, not worried.
"Why are you looking at me like that? What happened to my friend?" she snaps and shoves herself past me like she owns the place.
Rage burns in my stomach.
She turns around sharply.
"I am asking you, Diamond, what happened to Nike?" she says louder, voice sharp and dramatic.
I let out a bitter chuckle and step closer to her.
"Do not play with me, Snothando. I am not in the mood. Get out," I say, pointing at the door.
But she laughs loud and wicked like this is a joke to her. She does not move.
"Or what?" she mocks. "Are you going to beat me up? Huh? Do not act like you can do something. You failed to protect her."
My jaw locks so tight it hurts.
"I am going to kill this woman," I whisper to myself.
She keeps going.
"And you know what? Her family knows. Ntontobeko knows," she says proudly, like she is happy about it.
I blink hard, my heart dropping.
What did she just say?
I stare at her in disbelief, anger rising fast and hot.
"What… what?" I breathe, stepping closer. "Did you tell them?"
She tilts her head and smiles.
"Me? Tell them? No. The kidnapper did," she says. "He threatened them not to call the police."
She is lying.
She is lying straight to my face.
Before I even think, my hand shoots out and grabs her neck. Hard.
She gasps, eyes wide, hands clawing at mine, but I squeeze harder, pushing her back against the wall.
"I am going to kill you," I say, and I mean every word.
Because if anything happens to Nikky…
if anything happens to my friend…
Snothando will not leave this flat alive.

A loud urgent voice cuts through the rage fogging my head.
"Diamond, stop!"
Strong hands yank me back. I stumble, breath sharp and wild, and suddenly Paul is behind me, arms locked around my chest like a restraint.
Snothando collapses against the wall, coughing violently, sucking in air like she almost drowned. Her eyes are wide, terrified.
What the hell is Paul doing here?
I fight against him, my muscles shaking with pure anger.
"Paul, let me go. I want to kill this bitch," I hiss, my voice trembling. My whole body is vibrating. She told them. She told them. That is why Ntobe and Letsatsi were calling like that.
Paul tightens his hold.
"Please, Dee. Calm down," he murmurs, trying to steady me.
Snothando wipes her mouth, her eyes burning with hatred.
"I am taking you to jail for assault," she spits out. "I will ruin you. Kiss your law career goodbye."
She snatches her bag from the floor with trembling hands and storms out, slamming the door so hard the walls shake.
I stand there breathing like I just ran for my life. My eyes burn; anger mixed with something heavier and darker, sadness. Fear. Helplessness.
"Get out, Paul. Leave," I snap without looking at him.
He doesn't move. Instead, he presses a soft kiss on the top of my head, gentle like he is trying to soothe a wild animal.
"I'll talk to your friend," he says quietly. "I'll threaten her. She won't get you arrested."
He lets me go slowly and walks out, closing the door behind him.
I stare at the empty space where Snothando stood moments ago, my fists still shaking.
I don't care what she does. I don't care what Paul says.
I will kill her. I swear I will.

••••••

Paul is the one who called Nikky's sister and brother-in-law this morning after catching Nikky trying to escape. It pissed him off more than anything she has ever done. That was her punishment, a reminder that she listens to him or she suffers the consequences.
So when he steps into the parking lot and sees Snothando kicking the tyre of her car in frustration, a dark idea slides into his mind. A perfect idea.
She needs to be punished for threatening Diamond's career like that. Especially in front of him.
Diamond once told him about this famous Snothando, the chaos she brings, the poison she spreads in both her life and Nikky's. And now everything makes sense to him. Snothando is a problem. A big one. And problems can be used.
He walks closer.
"Calm down," Paul says sourly.
Snothando whips her head toward him, eyes still blazing with fury.
"I didn't like what you did back there," he continues, voice low. "You don't get to threaten Diamond like that."
He leans against her car as if he owns it, owning the moment.
Snothando lets out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Paul, mind your business. You saw what that crazy bitch did to my neck," she hisses, touching the red mark.
Paul flinches, not out of fear, but because if they weren't in a public space, he would have wrapped his hands around that same neck and squeezed until she stopped talking.
"Look, Sno," he says, lowering his voice. "How about we go for a ride? There's something I want to show you. Something you'll appreciate."
A wicked grin curls on his lips as he studies her.
Snothando blinks, thrown off. "What do you want to show me? And what makes you think I want to get in a car with you?" she snaps, irritated.
Paul chuckles softly, too softly, and takes a slow step toward her.
"I can't say it here," he murmurs. "It would be dangerous. Come on, Snothando. We can actually work together perfectly. Diamond is not your enemy, and I know you don't care about her."
His voice is gentle. Too gentle. The kind of tone a snake uses when luring something warm and naive closer.
Snothando's expression shifts. Her fury cools into curiosity. "What are you talking about?" she asks, calmer now.
Paul offers her a warm smile, convincing, charming, almost comforting if you didn't know the monster underneath.
"Come. I promise you, you'll like it," he says softly. "We'll use your car though."
She stares at him, suspicious, but curiosity hooks her deeper.
And that is all Paul needs.
.
.
Snothando gasps softly the moment her eyes land on Nikky, who is lying on the couch, fast asleep and unaware of the danger around her.
Paul warned Snothando as soon as they entered,
'Keep quiet. If Nikky hears you, she'll wake up and ruin everything.
So Snothando stands still, frozen, eyes fixed on Nikky like she is debating with herself whether to scream, run, help, or stay. Her expression shifts through shock, confusion, disgust, fear, and curiosity.
Paul watches her carefully.
He knows what she is thinking.
He knows what she will choose.
And he knows how to use all of it.
Snothando hates Nikky.
Diamond knows Snothando hates Nikky.
Everyone knows Snothando brings chaos wherever she goes.
If things go wrong, she will be the first suspect.
Not him. He is not close to Nikky.
People will wonder what he could possibly gain from kidnapping her.
Diamond, of course.
But no one knows that.
Snothando suddenly panics and grabs Paul's arm.
She pulls him outside and slams the door shut behind them.
Her breath is unsteady.
Her eyes are wide.
"Why," she whispers, shocked and trembling. "Paul, why would you do that?"
Paul scoffs as if the question bores him.
"Why not," he says calmly. "It is none of your business. I have my reasons."
Snothando gasps again, louder this time.
"I need to know. She is my best friend," she insists.
Paul steps closer, frowning as if offended.
"You have no right to say that," he snaps. "Best friend? Please. You do not even like her. Look at you. If people did not know better they would think you and Nikky are twins. You copy everything she does. You are a clone in the making." He lets out a soft, mocking laugh that makes Snothando's stomach drop.
"Do not act like you care," he says, voice suddenly calm again. "This is a safe space. You and me. Working together. I will not judge you."
His tone is gentle now. Smooth. Manipulative.
The voice of a man who knows exactly how to bend someone until they break.
Snothando's eyes dart around nervously.
She will not look at him.
Her chest rises and falls quickly.
Paul watches her, a small satisfied smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.
She is getting it.
Good.
She will take the fall if things go sideways.
He will make sure of that.
But first, Nikky needs to be moved.
After that, he will go to Diamond, pretend to be the hero, and tell her Snothando will not press charges. He will comfort her, play the victim, pretend he is worried about her.
And then, step by step, he will get what he wants.
He turns around with a slow confident smile.
Now he has to go home, convince those old men to cremate Thabang, and then find his father.
Because now, he gained something new.
Something far more valuable.
A partner in kidnapping.
His little demon.

••••

[NIKEZINKOSI]

This psycho took everything, knives, forks, even the plates.
He thinks I won't escape again.
He's wrong. I will. Especially after he called my sister and threatened her like that.
He's paranoid that Mnotho's people will find him, apparently Mnotho hired some private intelligence team, so now Paul wants to move me from this freezing place.
He cleaned the whole library, took every object that could help me, but I still managed to sneak a small spoon.
It's useless, maybe. But it's all I have.
Snothando's perfume still lingers in the air. I don't know if it's real or if I'm hallucinating from hunger, pain, and cold. My stomach is empty, my body is shivering, and my period is tearing me apart. That fool didn't even bring food. I don't know what hurts more, my cramps or my life right now. I look at the pile of books I arranged earlier.
PAUL MASEKO.
I spelled his name with them.
If Mnotho's team ever makes it here, they'll see it. They have to.
Paul said he won't come tonight, something about his cousin dying. I didn't bother to ask. I don't care. I sink onto the floor, staring at the books.
Maybe this will work.
Maybe someone will notice.
A laugh slips out of me, half hysterical, half exhausted.
My life feels like a badly written drama novel.
How did I end up here? Kidnapped, hungry, cold, and bleeding.
Maybe God is punishing me. Maybe it's karma. Maybe it's because I'm dating a man the same age as my young uncle. Who knows? My luck has always been questionable.
A faint banging sound snaps me out of my thoughts.
I freeze. Then I slowly stand, spoon tight in my hand, as if this tiny thing could stab anything except yogurt.
I move toward the sound. All the doors here are locked. He made sure of it.
The banging gets louder the closer I get.
Then I see them. Two children.
Standing at a locked door, banging with their small fists.
They turn when they hear me.
They smile.
My heart drops straight to the floor.
Did he kidnap children too? What is wrong with this man?
I rush to them and fall to my knees, dropping the spoon as I grab their tiny hands.
They're ice-cold. So cold that my throat tightens.
"Are you okay?" I whisper, voice shaking.
They don't speak. One of them just points at the locked door.
I stand, shaky, pick up the small gold spoon.
Will it work? Probably not.
But right now, it's all I have.
And I have to try.
.
.
The spoon bends as I try one last time.
My hand is covered in tiny scratches, my fingers shaking.
I hold the door knob and twist.
It opens.
A breath escapes me, almost a laugh. I turn to the kids and smile, and they smile back, small and hopeful. We step inside quickly.
It's a study. No time to waste.
I rush to the desk and start yanking drawers open. A pen. I grab it.
Next drawer.
My eyes widen.
So many phones.
What the hell is he doing with all these phones?
I pick one up. The screen lights. I jump back with a scream, falling to the floor with the children huddling beside me. My heart is racing, but I check the screen again.
It's connected to WiFi.
Thank God. Thank you, Jesus.
I don't know Mnotho's number, but maybe Diamond…
I check the phone. There's a SIM card.
Please let there be airtime.
There is. Thank you, God, again.
I dial Diamond's number, pressing the phone hard against my ear. I bite my lip so I don't cry from nerves.
It rings twice.
Then an unfamiliar voice answers. "Hello."
No time. No explanations. This stranger must help me.
"Hi, it's Nikky. I have no time. Where is Diamond?" I rush out.
There's quick muffling on the other side, like the phone is changing hands.
"Peaches, is that you?" Mnotho's panicked voice fills my ear.
My heart sinks and rises at the same time.
I missed his voice. My eyes burn instantly.
"Nikky?" he calls again.
"Baby, you need to help me. I don't even know where I am," I say fast, breathless.
"I know, love. Stay on the line for a moment. We will track your location," he says softly.
"You have no time…" I begin, but something slams into me from behind. Hard.
My hand slips.
The phone flies out of my grip.
My ear rings from the impact.
My head hits the floor.
My heart breaks into pieces.
There goes my chance of being found.