SHOCK
EPISODE 5
WRITTEN BY RUKEVWE MERRY
After the strange encounter with the goons, Daniel couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease. He spent the rest of the night thinking about Daniella’s words and the events that had unfolded. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and he fell asleep.
The next morning, Daniel rushed to school, determined to find Daniella and make sense of everything. He arrived at her department and waited for her to finish her class. When she came out, he approached her, but to his surprise, she ignored him.
“Leave me alone!” Daniella screamed, drawing the attention of her classmates. Everyone was shocked to hear her speak, as they knew she was mute.
Daniel was surprised but persisted. “Please, just give me a few minutes of your time,” he pleaded.
Daniella relented, and they walked to a nearby tree to talk. Daniel admitted that he believed her and shared his own experience with the goons. Daniella’s expression turned from anger to terror.
“Daniel, I don’t want anything to do with you,” she said, her voice trembling. “My life is too precious to involve myself in your family issues.”
With that, Daniella turned and walked away, leaving Daniel worried and confused.
Daniel decided to chase after Daniella, his heart racing with determination. “Daniella, wait!” he called out. “Don’t you think God brought us together for a reason? Maybe we’re meant to fight this battle together.”
Daniella slowed down, her expression softening slightly. Daniel continued, his words pouring out in a rush. “What happened to my parents, it’s the same thing that made you mute, and now it’s making you talk. That means you’re telling the truth, doesn’t it? Please, support me and advise me on how to move forward.”
Daniella’s gaze lingered on Daniel’s face before she nodded subtly. “Let’s go back to the tree and talk,” she suggested.
As they walked back to the tree, Daniella urged Daniel to call his uncle and tell him that everything he had said was just a joke. But Daniel hesitated. “I’ll wait for my uncle to call me first, so he doesn’t get suspicious,” he explained.
Secondly, Daniella recounted the gruesome details of the mur..der, revealing the shocking motive. “They ki!?ed your parents because of their wealth, Daniel. And they even mentioned that they would ki?? you too.” Her voice was laced with surprise. “But somehow, you’re still alive. I don’t understand why they didn’t carry out their threat.”
Daniel’s expression turned contemplative. “Maybe it’s because of the stipulation in my father’s will. I’m only set to inherit the business when I turn 25. Until then, I receive a monthly allowance from the companies, and I also provide my uncles with financial support. To be honest, I don’t know much about the business, and I was planning to transfer ownership to my uncles when I come of age. I’ve already discussed this with them, and they seemed pleased with the arrangement.”
“But thank you, my darling, for coming into my life at the right time,” Daniel said, his eyes filled with gratitude.
Daniella smiled and replied, “I’m sorry you have to be surrounded by ev.! people as family… And sorry for your parents’ dæth.”
Daniel smiled back, his expression tinged with sadness. “It’s okay. But help me get justice for them.”
Daniella’s expression turned determined. “I have a plan. Let’s host a party and reenact the scene of the crime. We’ll make them think we’re just having fun, but really, we’re gathering evidence.”
Daniel’s eyes lit up. “I have an idea. My birthday is in two days. Let’s host a party for my birthday. We can use that as a cover for our plan.”
Daniella’s eyes widened in surprise, then a smile spread across her face. “That’s perfect! We can invite your father’s friends, schoolmates, and, of course, your uncles.”
Within two days, the party was set. Daniel invited everyone, including his uncles, Jude and James.
The party was in full swing when the MC announced the drama performance. The group of actors, including Daniella, took the stage.
The actor presented the title of their drama, “Downfall of W!cked,” and the audience erupted into applause. The actors took their positions, and the drama began.
The scene unfolded with a husband and wife being abducted by three goons, who dragged them to a secluded spot. Two men, played by actors, stood nearby, giving orders to the goons.
“Use machetes to cüt them,” one of the men growled.
But Jude, who was drunk and stumbling, shouted from the audience, “No, no, no! Don’t use machetes! Use gùns! It’s faster…like when James and I kil?ed our brother. Justice…” His words slurred together, and he swayed from side to side.
The audience turned to Jude, surprised by his outburst. Daniella, still in character, asked, “Why guns, sir? This is just acting.”
Jude’s eyes were glassy, and his speech was slow and sloppy. He was clearly drunk.
Daniel, seated nearby, jumped up, his eyes blazing with anger. “What did you say?” he demanded, storming over to Jude.
Jude, still drunk, stumbled over his words. “I-I meant…nothing. Just acting.”
But Daniel wouldn’t let go. He grabbed Jude’s collar, his voice low. “You ki?!ed my parents? Why?”
James tried to intervene, but Jude continued, his words spilling out like a confession. “We had to…protect our interests… couldn’t let him stand in our way.”
Daniel’s grip on Jude’s collar tightened. “You’re admitting it? You ki!!ed my parents?”
James tried to calm the situation. “Jude’s just drunk, Daniel. Don’t take him seriously.”
But Daniel refused to back down. “People only speak the truth when they’re drunk,” he said, his eyes blazing with anger. “You’re finally telling the truth, Uncle Jude.”
Jude stumbled and fell, his intoxication worsening. James slapped Daniel, trying to defend his brother.
“Respect yourself! Don’t accuse your uncle!” James shouted.
Daniel stood firm. “If I don’t respect myself, what will you do?
James’s anger boiled over. “I will ki!! you just as I ki!!ed your father!” he snarled.
The words echoed through the hall, and Daniel’s parents’ friends rushed to the front, demanding answers. “So you ki!!ed your brother?” one of them asked.
James tried to deny it, but Daniella quickly pulled out her phone and dialed the police. “I’ve recorded everything,” she said, her voice firm. “You’re not getting away with this.”
The police arrived minutes later, and Daniella handed over the recordings. James and Jude were arrested, but not before James threatened, pointing at Daniella and Daniel, “This isn’t over. I’ll be back for you both.”
As they were dragged away, Daniel felt a mix of emotions: relief, anger, and a sense of justice finally served.
TBC
