The van was very quiet. I couldn't move a muscle as a result of the way Johnson pushed me into the van. I am sure my bones must be crushed into powder form by now.
Twenty! Does it mean there are nineteen other people in this van.
Oh no! I have been kidnapped. I must get out of here. What if they take me to their den? I don't have any body to call to pay a ransom for me. They would kill me out of anger. Or worse still, what if they are ritualists? They would cut my private parts and use it for their ungodly acts.

Ah! I am finished!
Why did I leave Aunty's house. I should have just stayed there and awaited anything fate decided to throw my way. I need to get out of this van.
But how-

The bus came to a halt and I could hear the front doors open and close. Then the back door was open.

"Start taking them inside the warehouse," came a female voice.

That must be their boss.

"Yes, Madam," Johnson answered.

I could hear the sound of things being dropped on the ground.

"Johnson! Something dey worry you?(Is something wrong with you)," the boss sounded pissed.

"Madam nor vex(Madam pls don't be angry)," Johnson begs.

"You wan ruin my goods abi? Nor try me o(Do you want to destroy my goods? Don't do it again)," she warned.

"Abeg nor vex(Please don't be angry)."

I was lifted gently and placed on the ground gently. Is this the same Johnson who threw me like some sack of potatoes?

"Open the sacks!"

"Yes, ma."

My sack was open and I greedily breathed as much fresh air as I could.
Johnson helped me up and loosened the ropes binding me. I looked around and I saw other girls looking around too in fright. Most of them were around my age while the rest looked older.

We were surrounded by trees and bushes.

"Now move into the warehouse. Start walking. Move it! No time!" Johnson and the other man ordered as they started pushing us towards a building made with wooden boards and zincs.

We entered the building and we were made to spread out. I began shivering as it was getting cold.

"Finally, this set is here. Our agents have been disturbing us since last night. Let me take a good look at them," a woman in her early thirties walked towards us. She was wearing a blue denim jeans, white shirt and combat boots. She was on braids and had a nose piercing.

She moved from one girl to another, checking them as if they were goods for sale. She stopped when she got to me.

"Interesting! Lady Koko you got me an Oyinbo girl(white girl)," she smiled showing a set of dimples.

"Yes o! I was lucky early this morning o. But she's not an oyinbo girl. She's from mixed races," Lady Koko, who was the woman I saw earlier, explained.

"It doesn't matter. Look at how her skin is shining. Hmmm. She's a muslim," the lady observed.

"Yes, does it matter?" Lady Koko asked?

"No o!" she turned to face me and ordered, "Remove your veil!"

I couldn't do that. My veil was my dignity. My last bit of dignity I had left in me. My Hijab is my pride.

"I cannot do that! You will have to kill me first. I cannot remove my hijab," I stated staring her in the eyes.

She didn't blink. She just stared at me for a few seconds and turned to face Lady Koko, " You brought me a lioness. It is not possible for two lionesses to be in one den. One has to leave. And you my dear has to leave. But you can't because I need you. I need the miney. You will fetch a very good price for me."

"I said am not removing my veil," I spat in fury. Who does she think she is?"

Who do these people think they are.

I was blinded by the pain from the slap she gave me next. It drew blood from my lips. I spat it out and glared at her. She was not done with me yet because she kicked me next and I fell on the dusty floor. She kept kicking me especially on my belly. I clutched my belly in pain.

"Stop, please stop," I begged weakly.

"Remove your hijab! Remove it!" she screamed at me as she kept kicking me.

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I recoiled into myself trying to protect my body from her stinging kicks. She dragged me up and gave me a dirty slap on my face.

"Are you ready to remove your hijab?" she demanded.

I looked at her and saw defeat written on her face. I smiled inwardly and gathered as much blood as I could gather in my mouth. With much energy as I could muster, I spat the blood on her face. She pushed me away while one of her men ran to her to wipe the blood off her face.

"Just let her be, Lioness. She can wear her veil if she wants," Lady Koko said as she walked up to me, "But I doubt you will be needing it by the time you get into the surprise we have for all of you."

"Now look here, you worthless piece of shits. Anyone of you that tries escaping will be killed personally by me. Don't even think of it because I promise you all, you will have a painful death as punishment. You will stay here for the main time until the agents start coming to buy you in groups," Lioness stated and walked out of the room.

"Now, follow me," Lady Koko commanded as we all followed her out of the room in fear.

Assalam alaykum waramatullahu wabarakatu. Good evening. I hope you enjoy this chapter. If you enjoy it, then please support it by voting. I apologise for the late update. 😘