'How would he ever treat Zainab like this? It's all my fault. But today, I'll correct it all. I'll expose those two wicked brothers of mine. They should be punished for-'

Just then, he saw a couple of strange men opened a big black sack. They brought out a young child from it, a four year old girl with bald head and then they strangled her to death. The three of them laid her down as if they wanted to seprate her body parts for a ritual.

One of them held two sharp cutlasses, then the other one whispered something to the others. Immediately, they looked around and caught Idris staring right back at them. He swallowed hard as the hefty men turned to him.

He looked confused... Not knowing what to say or do.

"Good evening s...ssir." He managed to say but with so much effort, his voice still sounded low and shaky.

Immediately, he stood up from where he was sitting and ran away.

He ran as fast as his tiny legs could carry him but his slippers cut. He had to leave it and continue running. There was a bushy path around the area, so, he couldn't run into the bush except he followed the way forward. The three of them were stronger and faster. They overcame him in no time, squeezing his tiny hands to the back.

"Please, don't kill me!" He cried.

One of them with a deep scar across his face grabbed his head and turned it back. Idris's neck twist so fast that the fell down unconsious. They carried him inside the black sack and took him to an old truck packed along the road. They threw him in the booth and rode off. By this time, it was dark already.

***

After prayer, Mr. Abdulahi couldn't still find Idris, his beloved son. He was hoping, maybe he would meet him in mosque but he didn't. Where would Idris go? He's not a baby... He's just a 12 years old. He asked his neighbors and checked everywhere but Idris was nowhere to be found.

"I left him with both of you! How can you say he disappeared just like that?" Abdullahi faced Ibrahim and Isah.

"I don't know dad! He was angry for the fact that you were beating Zainab!" Ibrahim reported.

"He said he would stop you but you locked the door! He just raged out... Only God knows where he went to." The other supported his talk.

'It's all that girls fault. God! What have I done?' he thought to himself in confusion.

Soon, it was time for Isha prayer. Mr. Abdullahi quickly informed the imam before prayer. After Isha'prayer, he made the announcement of the missing boy in mosque. In case anyone sees him or has an idea of where he could be. One old man said he saw a young boy walking towards the riverside alone. Although,Mr. Abdullahi wasn't convinced that it was his son, all he wanted to do was to go and find out.

It was dark and chilly, Mr. Abdullahi ordered Ibrahim and Isah to go home and wait for his arrival. They were hungry already so they went to the kitchen to take anything available. They served themselves the Semovita and melon soup and ate to their satisfaction while Zainab warmed the salty porrage in a small pot and ate before going into her room again.

Although, Ibrahim and Isah laughed at her, she didn't pay them any attention. They would definitely get exposed someday. She hissed and locked herself in her room.

She heard about Idris disappearance already so, she kept on paying for his safety and that he should come back home that very day.

A group of men decided to follow Mr. Abdullahi to look for this son at the riverside that night. The walking distance between the mosque and the river is about ten minutes to and fro so, they held their touches and lamps as they moved.

On the way, they saw one leg of Idris's
slippers. They were frightened that something wrong might have happened to the young boy and headed directly to the riverside. But instead of meeting Idris, they met the dead body of the four year old girl, lying lifelessly beside the river.

Everyone were so shocked with what they've just withnessed. The country is becoming more scarier by the day and people are becoming even heartless. Now, where is Idris?

Everyone sympathised with Mr. Abdullahi as the imam advised him to report the case to the police immediately. 

Some returned back home while others followed him to the police station that night. That evening, the police officers available extorted money from him to make a stay and send signals to find his missing son.

"Where do I write the statement sir?"

"You can meet my colleague." He pointed at a female officer sitter by a corner.

He went to meet the woman.she was busy copying q report from a book.
"Good evening ma." He greeted.
"I would like to make a statement for my missing son."

"When did this happen?" She frowned, still concentrating on her writing.

"Just this evening. About two hours ago."

"I think you should wait till tomorrow sir, reports are made after 24 hours of missing persons."

"He's only 12 years old ma. Please, help me out. You're a woman, you should understand what I mean." He begged.

"Okay, fine.' she took out a book and placed it in front of him. "Can you write the statement yourself?"

"Yes." He answered.

"Good. You have to pay for the writing materials."

"What? It's free!" the Imam advised but Mr. Abdullahi didn't want to waste any more time. He knew Amina would run mad if she learns about all of this. So, he dipped his hand into his pocket and handed the female officer a #200 note.

"This one too small now. Add something."

"These people are theives!" The Imam poured out in fraustration. "His son is missing and what are you doing?! Collecting bribe?! You're asking for an Illegal money you wicked woman!"

"Imam, please calm down now."Mr. Abdullahi begged him.

"My brother is a D.P.O in Lagos so I know about these things very well!"

"What are you trying to say Mr? You're calling me a thief right?!" The woman questioned angrily. "I'll arrest you now an nothing would happen. See this man o! Don't you know where you are?! Mteeeew!! "

"Sorry, ma. Just forgive him." Mr. Abdullahi pleaded abd dipped his hand into his pocket. Handling her another #500 note again that makes it #700.
"Take this madam and don't mind him." Mr. Abdullahi begged.

"Mteeeew! She hissed and collected the money. You for come teach me my work now, oloshi!" She buttered and finally took down the statement.

***

Words and Translations

-Iman: Leader of a mosque.

-Oloshi: Yoruba word for fool.

***

Enjoy reading  and please, don't forget to press the tiny orange star ★ at the end of each chapter to notify me you've actually read it… So! What are we waiting for! Continue reading this story of family, adventure, mystery and plot twists and leave your comments.