CHAPTER 44
LILY’S POV
I had to call my best friend, Jane. I needed to tell her what happened and ask if she had any idea how Robert might have found out my location. It had been ages since we last spoke-I couldn’t even remember the last time. Since we moved here, she and her family had only come by for a visit a couple of times even though Jane had promised the kids they’d come live with us after we got settled that time I was released from prison, and we were preparing for the trip.
I didn’t have any intimate friends in this place to confide in. No shoulder to cry on. Nowadays, I hardly make any friends because of how busy I am with work and the kids. In tough times like this, Jane was the only one who could console me and make me feel better. But she wasn’t around so there was every need for me to console myself before I got home. I don’t want the kids to see me like this.
I turned my attention away from the window. I wanted to take my phone out of my handbag and place a call through to Jane but I couldn’t find my handbag. I looked around but still couldn’t find anything. It was then that I realized I had forgotten it in Noah’s office.
“Fuck…” I muttered under my breath, digging my fingers into my hair.
I had to go back. I didn’t mind paying the taxi driver extra. I couldn’t leave my handbag at Noah’s office-not after he’d fired me and turned his back on me. I didn’t want anything else connecting me to that company. Plus, my phone, credit cards, and other important belongings were in it.
“Sir, please, you have to take me back to where you picked me up-I forgot my bag…” I began, but my words trailed off as the driver suddenly made a turn to a street I didn’t even know existed. I thought I’d become familiar with this part of the city because I passed through it every day to come to work, but this road was completely new to me.
My brows pulled together. What was happening? Why was he taking this path? It was lonely with no single vehicle or person passing by. What happened to the main road we usually took?
“Sir…”
As if expecting my question, he quickly reassured me. “Relax, this is just a shortcut,” he said in a calm, steady tone. “There was a bad accident up ahead, and it’s causing a huge traffic jam. If we stick to the main road, we’ll be stuck there until nightfall.”
His explanation calmed me a bit. Inwardly, I sympathized with the accident victims, hoping they were okay. I know how busy the main road can be with everyone driving like the city was under attack. But still, I needed to head back to the company and get my handbag. I can’t leave it there along with my other belongings. The kids and I are leaving once I get back to the house. As such, I needed my phone, my credit card and every other thing inside for the trip even though I hadn’t thought of the place we were going next.
“Sir please you have to take me back to where you picked me. I need to get my handbag. There are some important personal belongings I need inside it to make a trip this evening,” I said persistently, letting him know how urgent it was.
“Sorry, but it’s too late for that.”
“I don’t mind paying double the fare…”
“It’s not that,” he said with all his attention focused ahead.
“Excuse me?” My brows furrowed in confusion.
Briefly, he turned to look at me, his eyes suddenly turning dark like he bore evil intentions. He started laughing maniacally as he returned his gaze to the windscreen. “What I meant to say is that today is the day you die!”
Pressing his foot harder on the gas pedal, he made a sharp U-turn. The tyres of the car screeched noisily against the tarred floor, emitting smoke, the strong Sulphur-like odour of burnt rubber filling the air. The car fishtailed wildly as it accelerated causing me to fall back against the seat and even bump my head on each side of the doors.
Fear like none other crept into me, my breath coming out in short, shallow pants. I had never been caught in this kind of situation before. What had gotten into this driver? He was friendly when I got in; why was he now saying I’d die today?
I managed to pull myself up, holding the head of the driver and passenger’s seat for support because of how fast the car was moving.
“Where are you taking me?!” I questioned loudly, my heart racing in sync with the vehicle’s increased speed.
But he didn’t answer. Instead, he kept laughing maniacally, panic welling up inside me.
I tried to open the doors to dive out. I knew it was a recklessly dangerous thing to do with how fast the car was moving. I’d sustain a lot of injuries, but at least I’d live. I’d get to see my kids again. But to the greatest dismay, the doors wouldn’t budge. He must have locked them from his side.
“Stop the car!” I screamed in panic but he wasn’t listening. He was like a man possessed. It felt like he wasn’t human again because I don’t understand why he would want to kill me when I have done nothing to him. “Stop the damn car, you’re going to get us killed…”
“Oh no,” he shook his head sinisterly like a psychotic freak. “You are the one that is going to die. I’ll make sure to give you the death you deserve the gloriously peaceful experience of drowning in the sea.” His loud and sinister laughter filled the car, echoing in my head.
Looking ahead, I could see he was approaching the edge of a bridge at full speed. This maniac was going to throw us off the bridge.
“You bastard!” I cursed with gritted teeth. “Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you?… Please I have kids waiting for me at home…”
“It’s of no use,” he said darkly with no hint of emotion. “Nothing you say or do will make me pity you and stop this car. I suggest you sit back, put on your seat belt and get ready to say hello to hell,” he added, pressing harder on the gas pedal as the car surged forward, the world blurring into a frantic rush.
I crashed into the seats, my heart pounding in my ears, even racing faster than the vehicle. Instinct kicked in, and I remembered everything Alison, my cellmate in prison had taught me stay calm to stay in control. Life is full of dangerous situations so always be ready to face them head on. Wrongfully imprisoned for killing a drunkard who tried to force himself on her, she grew to be rebellious, and fearless and developed a deep-rooted hatred for foolish men and rapists. Having spent many years in prison, she taught me some of the skills and tricks I needed to survive prison life.
Clinging on those words, I tried to calm myself amid the chaos. I needed to act fast. I had limited options. The driver was in a vulnerable state. I could easily kill him by snapping his neck, strangling or garroting him with my hairband, or even striking him with the heels of my shoes. But I was no murderer, and killing him wouldn’t stop the car. I needed to think again and find a better option.
But it was rather too late as the man took off his seatbelt, about to open his door and jump out, leaving me to suffer the consequences of his reckless ride and face the horrors of death alone.