CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 24

[NIKEZINKOSI]

My eyes stay glued to the phone, so close to sliding under his bookshelf, so close to being lost forever.
I need it on.
I need Mnotho to trace that call.
I turn quickly, looking for the children, but they're gone.
Vanished.
Did they run when they saw this maniac?
I don't blame them. I look back at Paul.
He's just glaring at me, cold, annoyed, unblinking.
"You don't want to listen, do you?" he hisses, then suddenly screams and drags both hands through his hair like he's ripping it out.
I sit up slowly, inching closer to the bookshelf so I can grab the phone properly.
He pauses. Looks at me.
Takes a step closer.
I raise the pen.
"I'll stab you," I warn.
He laughs. Loud. Cruel.
Amused by my useless bravery.
My left hand closes over the phone, praying he doesn't notice.
"Even if they trace the call, they won't find you," he says proudly. "You couldn't even tell them my name. Stupid slow bitch."
My jaw clenches.
"We're moving you. Tonight. Now."
"Who is we?" I ask, not because I care, but to keep him talking long enough for me to slip the phone behind me, into my back pocket.
He smirks, then grabs me by my hair again, yanking me so hard my scalp burns. He drags me toward the door.
I don't fight, if I struggle, the phone will fall and he'll hear it.
He stops.
Walks back to the drawers.
Closes them. Slowly.
Then he looks at me with dead eyes.
"Where's the phone you were using?" he asks coldly.
I scoff. "You kicked me, Paul. I'm sure it went under your bookshelf."
He kneels and reaches under it.
Nothing.
He turns sharply and storms toward me.
"If you're lying, I'll…"
"You'll what? Kill me? Beat me?" I snap. "No wonder Diamond dumped you. You are crazy."
He freezes.
Stares at me like he can't believe I said that.
Then he laughs, soft at first, then louder, pointing at me like I'm entertainment.
"I'm crazy? Who is crazy? I'm not crazy. I just want Diamond back, and you, you're making it hard for me."
He shifts the blame like it's nothing.
Like he's the victim here.
"I'm not the crazy one," I snap. "You kidnapped me. Locked me in this cold house. Starved me. And you think Diamond will take you back after what you did to her sister? You are stupid."
His expression darkens.
"Listen here," he says coldly. "Diamond belongs to me. No one else. Diamond is my property."
I gasp.
For a moment, I can't breathe.
He continues, unfazed.
"Don't give me that look. You know what I mean. Yes, I went to my dad to find me a good, respectful woman from a good family. A woman I can marry for my image. A trophy wife. A perfect woman."
My jaw drops. I can't even hide it.
He crouches and cups my cheek gently, so gently it makes my skin crawl.
"Women are property," he says softly. "Women cook, raise kids, stay in the kitchen, and obey. That's what you are to your fiancé. You belonged to your father. And your father sold you, cows and all and gave you to your fiancé. That's how it is."
I tremble.
Not from fear. From rage.
"And Diamond is also my property," he continues. "I just need to bend her into what I want. But honestly… I like her as she is. My little secret. My property. She belongs to me. Not that damn wizard."
Wizard?
That name again.
I shake my head slowly. "You're crazy, Paul."
He lifts his chin slightly, offended.
"I'm not. I just hate when weak men, like Konke… think they can take what belongs to me. No. I won't allow that."
He stands, wiping his fingers on his pants like touching me dirtied him.
"And you, Miss…" he says, his voice flattening into something cold and dead. "Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties. And you are part of it. That man of yours will have to deal with it."
I blink slowly, irritation rising in my chest like boiling water. My skin feels hot, my hands trembling, not from fear this time, but from pure disbelief.
"So," I say, my voice tight, "it's perfectly fine for you to kidnap me? Abuse me? Starve me? Hmm?" I tilt my head, meeting his eyes. "Am I not someone's property too? You think my fiancé is just going to clap hands and say God's plan, huh? You think he'll just smile and accept your madness?"
I scoff, rolling my eyes. Paul's analogy is dumb. He's spewing misogyny like it's oxygen.
He chuckles, stroking his beard like he's proud of his delusion.
"I am protected, Nikky," he says in smugness, every word dipped in arrogance. "Your man might have money to hire those little private intelligence units, neh… but me?" He taps his chest. "I have the government backing me up. My father. The whole governance."
His smile widens, satisfied, amused, convinced he's untouchable.
"So sweetie," he continues, voice mocking, "your man won't do anything. No one will. So behave, hmm? Be a good girl. We are moving you now. And when their team comes here, they'll find nothing. No trace. This is a government property, nothing will be investigated." He leans closer, eyes glowing with wicked pride. "I'll make sure of it."
I scoff loudly, louder than I should. I don't argue. I don't beg.
Let him talk. Let him enjoy his fantasy.
We'll see about that.
I blink and my breath catches as the memory slams back into me.
The kids.
Those two tiny, freezing children.
Where are they?
Is he going to leave them here? Alone? Cold? Starving?
"Where… where are the kids?" I whisper before I can stop myself.
Paul freezes mid-step, then turns slowly, irritation sharpening his face.
"What kids?" he snaps. "Nikky, don't start your nonsense."
"There were kids," I insist, voice already cracking. "They were right there. Paul, what did you do to them?"
"There are no children in this house," he says sharply. "Never were. Focus. Don't make me repeat myself."
His tone is so cold, so certain, that something twists deep in my stomach.
Did fear make me hallucinate?
Am I going mad in this place?
No. No, I know what I saw.
I felt their hands. Ice-cold. Real.
Paul steps closer, leaning down, his voice dropping into something low and hateful.
"And you?" he says slowly. "You'll celebrate your birthday as a prisoner. Since you like playing stupid games too much."
I swallow hard, pulse thundering, my fingers inching toward the phone hidden tight in the waistband of my trousers.
He thinks I'm weak. He thinks I'm breaking.
He thinks he's already won.
But he doesn't know… I already took the phone.
And this time, I'm not letting go.

••••

[MNOTHO]

We drive deeper into the remote area. The phone pin,
Gone. It disappeared off the map. Or maybe the kidnapper destroyed it.
I exhale shakily, fear crawling up my spine. I don't even know what they've done to her. God… my whole body trembles with anger and terror.
This land belongs to the government. A government property. Of course it does.
"Sir, Bonga has been calling," one of my men says as our car halts at the gate.
I frown. What now? I swing the door open instantly.
"Talk to him. I'm sure he has something important. I'm going inside," I say sharply.
Yellow Arrows Security, my associate's company, is already breaking down the front door. They've been helping me hunt for Nikky nonstop.
"Sure, let me call him," he says behind me as I slam the driver's door shut and move into the yard.
The gate hangs wide open. My heart thunders.
Please… let them be here.
Guards scatter, circling the yard, sweeping corners with their rifles raised.
The moment we push inside the house…
The smell hits us.
Gas. Thick, burning.
"NIKKY!!!" My voice rips out of me as I sprint down the passage.
The rooms are locked.
I shout her name again, louder, desperate but there's no answer.
Nothing.
Did they leave? Did they take her?
"Sir, we need to move!" a guard shouts urgently. "There's no one here. This house is going to blow."
The words hit me like a punch to the face.
"No!" I roar, fists clenching. "Nikky is here! She can't be gone!"
I sprint from door to door, slamming them open, kicking anything in my path. My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my throat, every beat a drum of panic.
"Sir, the gas, it's spreading fast! The house will blow up!" one of the guards yells.
I freeze for a split second, mind racing. Nikky is here somewhere. I can feel it. She has to be.
"Move fast!" I scream. "Check every room! Break down the doors if you have to!"
The smell of gas hits me full force. It chokes me. My lungs burn.
"Sir, no! She's not here! We have to get you out!" another guard shouts, grabbing my arm. "We have to keep you safe,"
I yank against him, desperate, but more men come running, holding me back, dragging me toward the door.
"Hey! Hey! Stop it!" I scream, but no one listens. We cough violently, our eyes tearing as we stumble toward the car.
Just as I open my mouth to yell again, a deafening bang rips through the air.
The house erupts in fire and rubble. Concrete and splintered wood crash around us. I hit the ground hard, coughing, gasping for air.
"No… no… no…" I choke, shaking, horror gripping me.
The fire reflects in my eyes, orange and red colour dancing on the smoke-filled sky. My lungs burn with every cough, and all I see is the empty, ruined house. Ash swirls around us, and the walls I just ran through moments ago are now nothing but flame and rubble.
I cough again, hacking, trying to push the smoke out, and sit up, staring at the destruction. My chest feels tight, my hands tremble.
"Sir, Bonga wants to speak with you," someone says, holding out a phone. "It's important. We know who took her."
My hands grab the phone so fast, I barely notice the ash sticking to my palms.
"Bonga!!" I shout, urgency making my voice hoarse.
"Baba, I'm sorry… this is all my fault. I shouldn't have gone to Richard," his voice trembles, shaking with fear and guilt.
Richard? My stomach drops.
"What are you talking about?" I demand, standing up despite the coughs, leaning on the hood of the car for support. The guards help each other up, coughing, their faces grim in the flickering light of the fire.
"I… I went to the building to get the names… for people who went to see Diamond today, and the CCTV footage… and I saw a…" His voice breaks, and I can hear the worry cutting through every word.
"Talk, Siyabonga! We have no time!" I snap, my hands balling into fists.
"The person who took her… it's Paul Maseko," he says, voice trembling. "It makes sense… Maybe Richard told him about me and Nikky."
The words hit me like a sledgehammer.
All I see is red.
Everything inside me screams.
A Maseko did this???
.
.
.
I glare at Richard, my blood boiling under the surface. These people… they're really testing me, testing the limits of my patience. But how did his spoiled brat even find out? There's no phone here. He can't move on his own. He's bed‑ridden, trapped in this place, life slowly draining in front of these walls. Micheal would never allow him access to anything, no phone, no tools, nothing. He would never betray me. He knows what's at stake.
I tap my finger against Richard's forehead and remove the oxygen mask. His eyes flutter open slowly, scanning the room before locking onto me. He breathes hard, unevenly. This is my first visit since I put him here.
"Maseko," I say calmly, letting my voice cut through the tense air like a blade.
He tries to speak, but all that comes out is a coughing fit.
"Actually… don't speak," I continue, my tone cold, controlled. "Let me talk for now. When I'm done, then, and only then, you can say your piece." I sit down deliberately, my presence heavy and unyielding, like a storm contained in stillness.
"I really didn't like what you did to my son," I say, voice low, each word deliberate, slicing the air. "The reason you're even here is because of what you did to him." I lean back slightly, folding my hands, my calmness almost unbearable. "You traumatized him. You made my boy cry… because you thought he wouldn't tell me."
He breathes heavily, his only response for now. I let the silence stretch, letting it weigh on him.
"And after that," I continue, my tone sharpening like ice, "you had him, and my woman… followed." I scoff lightly, a subtle, controlled sound that carries the weight of my anger. "And now… you sent your son to do your dirty work."
I see his lips twitch, as if he wants to shake his head. But I ignore it. My eyes bore into him, unflinching.
"Who said you can step into my kingdom and act as you please?" My voice is flat, calm, and lethal all at once. "First my son… and now… you send your son to kidnap my queen."
His eyes widen. A small gasp escapes him. He knows the gravity of my words.
I let the silence sit between us, letting it crush him without me lifting a finger. Then I stand up slowly, still glaring at him, my face blank.
"Look… I'm sure you think I got the wrong guy. Because Paul knows nothing about you and your shady deals. Only Thabang did."
I pause, smirking slightly. "Oh… right. Thabang is dead. I removed him from this earth. He is no more. And your family is definitely looking for you. I know you loved your nephew, so I'm sure you'll want to bury him."
I shake my head with a cold little laugh.
"And I know you love power and money. You'll do anything for it, you even sacrificed your own father for it. Who does that?"
"I…" he tries.
"Shut up." My voice is soft, but sharp. "The place where your boy hid my woman… is under the government's name. Not yours. Not his. And I'm not in the mood for hacking or running around doing a manhunt. I just want my queen back. And you will help me."
The lab confirmed it, Paul's fingerprints were all over that flat. The only question is how he knows Nikky. Maybe he came with a guard she knew and ambushed her. The building owner is questioning all of them. That's the only explanation that makes sense… but right now, I don't care about explanations.
I want to find Nikky.
"As your saviour," I say quietly, leaning forward, "and your god… I will let you live."
I see his throat jump with fear. Good.
"I'll get you the best treatment for your dying body. All you need to do… is betray your son."
His eyes pop open wider.
"You will call him. You will tell him to come see you. And when he comes… me and my team will follow him. He will lead us to where my queen is."
I shrug, calm, collected. "And I won't kill you. And the public won't know about your little fantasies."
I look at him like he's a problem I've already solved.

••••

[SNOTHANDO]

She wipes Ntobe's tears with gentle hands, even rubbing her back in slow circles. On the inside, she feels the urge to roll her eyes so hard they fall out but she doesn't. Not now. Not when the act matters. Diamond is the one who panics, not her. Snothando made sure her own tracks are clean, and of course Ntobe is busy blaming Diamond for not informing them, for "lying" about Nikky's whereabouts.
Let her.
Snothando doesn't mind.
People blaming Diamond only makes her job easier.
"Letatsi went to Diamond's work to talk to her," Ntobe says, sniffing. "No one knows what's going on… They say an intelligence unit was hired, and Diamond knows nothing too."
Snothando only hums, calm as stone. The "intelligence team" story doesn't concern her. She has all the cards, all the information, all the leverage. Let them scramble for crumbs.
"I need to go see Mom," Ntobe says, wiping her cheeks. "I can't tell her anything until we know what's happening."
"I know it's bad," Sno says, voice soft, soothing. "Please don't tell her yet. She'll be crushed."
Ntobe nods and turns to her. "I hope that person doesn't hurt her… Nikky is too fragile."
That almost, almost makes Snothando laugh. Fragile?
Nikky? Please.
But she keeps the mask on, nodding slowly, face full of gentle concern.
"I know," she murmurs. "We'll wait for the kidnapper to call. For now… let's just pray."
"I have to fetch Futhi from school," Ntobe adds, standing up. "We don't know what this weirdo is going to do. I blame that friend of hers. I'm sure she knows who took Nikky. Why hide information from us?"
That makes Snothando smile a small, sharp, private smile but she wipes it away quickly, lowering her gaze.
"You know how Diamond is," Sno says with a shrug.
"I don't care. She's the one who made Nikky move to that… dodgy building. She should have stayed alone." Ntobe's voice cracks with irritation as she fixes her dress.
Snothando simply nods, agreeing with everything. It is Diamond's flat, after all. And Diamond will pay for it, in one way or another.
Sno stands and hugs Ntobe tightly.
"Don't worry. She'll be found," Sno whispers, soothing again. "Diamond must tell the truth about those people she hired. And when Nikky is back, she's moving in with me. My place is safe."
She smiles wide, warm, perfect.
Deep down, she knows the truth.
Diamond will be punished. Letatsi will make sure of it.
And if everything goes as Snothando plans… Diamond might never see Nikky again.

.
.
.
Nikky is smart, Snothando knows that. She knows her too well.
That's why she changed her perfume today, drowned herself in something unfamiliar, then sprayed the entire house with Sphephelo's cologne just to confuse her. Just to trigger that instinct Nikky relies on so much.
Yes, Nikky is asleep, deep asleep.
She was shocked that Paul didn't drug her today. After finding a phone on her, Snothando decided to take matters into her own hands. She had slipped Paul sleeping pills earlier, ensuring Nikky would take them unknowingly, knocking her out so she would sleep and wake up very late. Nikky is stubborn… She needed the extra push.
Sno's gloved hands move silently as she works. Everything she's wearing is new clothes, gloves, even the shoes. She watches too many movies to be careless. She trusts no one, especially not Paul. If they get caught? She refuses to leave any trace of herself behind.
Paul called earlier, mumbling that he's going to meet his uncles for funeral arrangements. Perfect. That means today is Snothando's day to look after their little prisoner.
She giggles softly as she places the seafood boil on the counter, the smell already heavy and sharp in the air.
"This will be your birthday present, babe," she whispers to herself, eyes glinting.
She can't wait to watch Nikky react.
The panic… the swelling… The rash…
The way her throat closes just enough to terrify her.
The memory flashes: when they were kids, Sno and her mother invited Nikky for lunch. They cooked fish and forced her to eat it. They didn't think it was that serious, but Nikky's aunt came storming into their house like a hurricane, screaming that they had tried to kill her niece.
Adults calmed it down, apologised for the sake of friendship, smoothed everything over. And Nikky and Snothando stayed friends.
But nobody outside Nikky's family knows the truth, how deadly the allergy can turn if she doesn't get her epipen fast.
Only her family… and Diamond.
Which works perfectly for Sno.
Diamond will be blamed again.
The kidnapper is Diamond's ex, who will believe Diamond is innocent?
Snothando's smile widens slowly, a wicked glimmer in her eyes as an idea settles into place.
Maybe… she should betray Paul.
Backstab him cleanly.
Become the hero in Nikky's eyes, like always.
Her heart dances at the thought not with love, but with victory.
She frowns when she realizes she'll need to find a way to make Nikky actually eat this. She wanders around the kitchen, eyes scanning every corner, searching for something, anything that can help. She opens a cupboard… then freezes.
Her gaze drops.
A large 5-liter container of acid sits on the bottom shelf.
She scoffs quietly, a dark little sound.
"Acid? Wow," she whispers, pulling it out and holding it up, studying it like it's a gift.
Another idea sparks, sharp and cruel as she remembers one of her father's side chicks once trying to blind her dad with acid. It didn't do much damage because he ran fast and it only burned his feet… but it was bad. Pretty bad.
The memory twists into inspiration.
She stands up quickly, her expression shifting into something wicked. She reaches into her bag, pulls out a pair of scissors, and starts walking toward Nikky's little "prison," steps light… almost excited.

_

As she finishes cutting Nikky's hair, she smiles wide, proud, unhinged. She stands back to admire her work. She knows exactly how much Nikky loved growing her hair, how long it took, how sensitive she was about it. Nikky will wake up with only four braids left on her head.
Perfect.
She slips the scissors back into her pocket and grabs the acid container. A thrill runs through her. She hates it when people compare them, call them twins, say they dress alike, claim they have the same "style." Nikky's confidence only exists because of her. Her personality is only loud because Snothando built her. If Sno wants to destroy that confidence, she will.
Since Nikky is already going bald, maybe she should pour the acid on her scalp.
Or the thighs. Or the arms, yes.
No more showing off her arms, legs, skin. No more being seen.
She's about to twist the lid when she suddenly stops.
A cold shiver creeps up her back.
She feels a presence behind her.
Slowly, very slowly… she turns.
No one.
Her skin prickles, goosebumps rising. She frowns, whispering to herself, "What's going on?"
She looks left, right, scanning the room. Nothing.
Then, a car engine outside.
Her heart stutters. She rushes out of the room, acid in hand, irritated. She told Paul, warned him about using their real cars near the hideout. This man is an idiot.
She reaches the kitchen door just as Paul enters. They almost collide.
He frowns at the acid jug and raises an eyebrow.
"And then?" he asks, confused.
Sno rolls her eyes dramatically.
"None of your business," she snaps.
Paul scoffs and moves past her. Sno follows, annoyed.
"Going to burn Nikky with acid?" Paul asks casually. "You want to leave something permanent on her skin… on her shadow?"
Sno says nothing. Silence is safer.
Paul pauses at the counter and laughs.
"I see you're getting comfortable. You even ordered food."
He shakes his head like this is normal.
"Oh, by the way," he adds with a smug shrug, "Nikky's fiancé will pay the ransom. We'll split the money."
Sno freezes.
Fiancé? Nikky has a fiancé??
Did she get back with Spherhelo?
Her mind is still spinning when something moves outside. Instinct makes her walk to the window.
She pulls back the curtain.. And gasps.
Five cars.
Surrounding the house.
Men in black and yellow-striped gear jump out, guns raised. Her whole body goes cold.
They've been found.
A tremor shakes through her. She turns to Paul, who is still checking his stupid phone.
"There are people outside," she whispers, panic leaking through.
Paul snaps his head up and rushes to the window. His phone slips from his hand.
Sno steps back slowly.
She can't be caught. She won't be caught.
She always survives.
Without warning, she uncaps the acid and throws it directly onto Paul's back.
His scream is immediate, raw, violent, animalistic.
He collapses forward as Sno drops the container, grabs her bag, and backs away.
At the same time, BOOM!!
Both the front door and back door burst open as men storm in.
She gasps, frozen.
She needs to hide.
Right. Now.