Catherine

Morning came and it was time to go to work, Catherine hopped into her car and was about turning on the ignition when she heard a little shuffling of feet and a cold metal pressed against her neck.

Catherine was lover of action movies so nobody had to tell her it was a gun but unfortunately,she had no fighting skills so she sat still in her car.

"This will hurt a little"The raspy voice whispered,she felt the butt of the gun against her head and then she blacked out.

***
Catherine slowly opened her eyes,she shut it back at first attempt and tried again,her head felt so heavy and her body was so stiff. She looked at her body and realized that her hands were tied at her back and her legs to the chair.

It was no use struggling,she was tired and weak and the ropes were expertly tied.

Catherine took in her environment despite her blurry vision,the whole place smelt of what she couldn't place,there was no window,just a door and the room was devoid of anything.

Catherine's stomach growled,how long had she been held captive and why was she kidnapped, surely she had no relations that were politicans and she wasn't even rich,many more questions kept popping up in her thoughts.

Catherine noticed her shoes were no longer on her feet,she didn't want to imagine her face or hair.

"Ah,I can see that you are awake"A voice from the door said. Catherine turned her attention to the person at the door and fear and surprise gripped her.

"Aunty Rose!"

"In flesh and blood baby"The woman said.

Her aunty was no longer looking fat,she was looking lean like an athlete. She was dressed in a sport wear and she was still rocking her low cut and then Catherine noticed the tattoo on her shoulder.

Catherine estimated her aunty was over 40 but the woman looked half the age.

"Why are you doing this?"Catherine finally spoke out. She didn't even realize that her aunty was already out of prison.

"Well let's just say payback,you took my freedom away from me Ifunnaya,for 7 years I stayed in prison all because of you"

"But you caused it,you were maltreating me!"Catherine rised her voice sternly but a punch on her mouth silenced her.

Catherine could taste the blood in her mouth,it tasted like death to her. Her aunty was standing over her and scrutinizing her.

"And I realized you have an habit of taking things from people and so now,we are taking your life from you also"

Catherine shivered at that.

"Aunty please, I've not offended anybody, please"Catherine begged again,maybe her Aunty's conscience was deep down and more begging will unveil it.

"You think so?"Aunty Rose asked with a wicked grin.

"So the little rat can beg" This time it was another person,to say that she was shocked was an understatement, Melody dressed in an Ankara jumpsuit walked in.

"I warned you didn't I? I told you to stay away from him but you wouldn't listen and look at where it has landed you,let's see how you'll be able to come close to him again"Melody had a devilish smirk on her face and all Catherine wanted to do was to wipe it off.

"You know keeping me here will not make George love you,rather he'll be more focused on looking for me meaning less time for you to do anything"Catherine reminded her.

"Let's just see what will happen"Melody replied instead and moved to go out but Catherine stopped her

"Melody"

Melody turned around at once and Catherine cleared her throat.

"George loves me and I love him too, there's nothing you can do about it"Catherine told her and Melody hid her anger with a snort.

"Rose,just kill her quickly,the bitch is still cocky cos she's alive"She said instead and walked out of the room.

***
George
(First person point of view!)

Catherine was not picking her calls, Catherine was nowhere to be found, Catherine was not coming to work, she was not at home and it had being two days.

I couldn't wrap my head around the thought of her going missing or being kidnapped. I reported the case already and according to them they were working on it.

I couldn't sleep most times,all my thoughts were centered on Catherine,I wanted her back, I wanted to tell her lots of things,I wanted to hold her,there were lots of things I wanted to do.

"George calm down,you haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon"Melody brought me out of my train of thoughts.

"Melody just let me be"I told her pointedly.

She dropped the plate of whatever she prepared and drew closer to me.

"George I know you hate me,I know you don't love me but I really do and I won't allow you kill yourself because of anything, Catherine will surely be found, who knows if she's on vacation somewhere with a man and you are here beating yourself up?"

That idea never crossed my mind but I waved it aside,there was no way she was going to go on a vacation and her friends wouldn't be aware.

"She's not on any vacation,my guts just tells me she's not safe" I replied instead and focused on my phone.

"Ok but you have to eat so you'll have strength to search for her"She cajoled me again,this time she was pouting.

"Look Melody,am not just hungry"I tried to protest but she was having none of that, she opened the plate of jollof rice just the way I liked it and scooped a spoon.

"I'll feed you if you don't pick up the spoon and start eating"She threatened with a smile tugging her lips.

"Fine"I raised my hand in defeat and took the spoon from her,I gave her a little smile in appreciation.

"Don't worry, Catherine is safe wherever she is"She assured me and I nodded.

***
The search continued but there was no lead,nothing.
There was no call yet from anyone requesting for a ransom and God knew I was ready to pay any amount to see Catherine again.

"Nigerian police can be very slow"Natasha commented from her side of the sitting room. I was with my mum and my sister discussing what we could do.

"And you said nobody has called you yet?"My mum inquired and I nodded in confirmation.

"This is really serious"My mum sighed and then hissed in annoyance.

"But I really do not know what this country is turning into,this is clearly a case of kidnap, Catherine is a very good girl and I wonder what she has done to be abducted?"

"I'm just sick and tired mum,am really tired of this all thing"I whispered and laid my head on the cushions better. I'd even cancelled all appointments cos I'll not be at rest.

"Don't give up son, she'll surely come home safe very soon"My mum assured me.

Natasha moved to my couch and placed my head on her shoulder. Maybe she really knew our drained I was,no words were spoken but I felt comforted.

We were still in that state when the buzzing of my phone broke us apart,I checked the number but it was unknown but I went ahead to pick the call.

"Hello George,we are just putting this call across to you so you can hear the voice of your beloved Catherine before she dies"The husky voice said and then I placed it on loud speaker so my mum and sister could also hear.

"Please don't do anything to her, just name your price and I'll send it right away"I tried to bargain,the room was already getting hot and I was feeling tensed.

"I didn't call you to discuss anything to you but I only wanted you to hear the sound of Catherine's voice one more time"The man cut me off rudely

There was a little rustling at the background before I  heard the stifled cries of a female,it was Catherine no doubt and my blood boiled in anger.

"George"She was almost whispering

"Catherine, I've missed you so much, please baby stay strong"I tried to encourage her but Catherine was crying and the man had snatched the phone from her.

"Please name your price"I  begged again but the line went off and I was left in a state of confusion.

"George quick get into my car,I know someone who can track numbers,the guy is going to distroy that sim card"Natasha said urgency laced in her voice

We both ran into Natasha's's car and then Natasha hurriedly drove to a place I  could recognize as "computer village"

We got out of the car and Natasha led the way. The whole place was clustered and packed with spoilt gadgets. Young boys focused on their jobs of repairs.

"Natasha welcome"A middle aged man welcomed her with a smile. He was wearing a packet shirt that was over starched,blad hair and rabbit ears. He led us into another part of his shops where I could recognize all the brands of computer,some young boys were simply typing away.

"Natasha this guy doesn't look like a professional"I whispered quietly to her hearing.

"Don't be too fast to judge"She replied instead.

The guy sat before his computer and requested for the number, after one or two taps,he called Natasha's attention

"The sim card have being destroyed because I've not been able to get the location so that means I'll have to hack into the database of this network because only then can I access their location which means your bill has increased"He informed my sister

"Just go on"

More clicks and serious faces from him and a smile finally graced his face. He printed out the location and I huffed,it was an hour and 30 minutes journey cos it was at the  outskirts of the city.

Natasha quickly made a huge transfer and I watched as he smiled again in satisfaction. As we got to the car I couldn't help but feel giddy about the whole thing.

I opened the driver's side but Natasha was not moving.

"Aren't you coming inside?"I asked her clearly worried

"Go get your girl George,right now"

"But.."I tried to protest cos I also loved my sister.

"I'll be fine." She assured me

I knew it was an order and she would surely be fine,so with a smile,I nodded and drove away.

***
Just in case you didn't read "My Naija High School Story"before clicking on this book,Aunty Rose maltreated Catherine for years because her parents died in an accident. With the help of George's mum,Aunty Rose went to prison for child abuse and she was sentenced 7 years imprisonment.
Well Melody is working hand in hand with her and here we are 🙃

I just like siblings relationship,they fight and all that but they got each others back.

Tell me what you think about this chapter🙃

Love ya😍