ACT NINE
Beneath the inky, ominous sky, Sekinat found an exhilarating joy coursing through her veins. It felt as if her prayers had finally been answered the moment the enigmatic Hat Man, with a nod of approval, set her free. The night was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by her hushed footsteps as she expertly navigated from one shadowed building to the next. Her path was fraught with peril, for most of the people she encountered were daunting figures, armed to the teeth and ready for any unforeseen danger. A few even paraded around the area, flaunting their menacing presence.
Sekinat sought refuge behind a crumbling structure, praying she would go unnoticed. Stealth was her only ally in this treacherous game of escape. An hour slipped away, and she began to question her whereabouts. The buildings and surroundings seemed eerily identical, casting doubt on her every step. Still, determination surged through her as she continued her silent journey, passing by countless individuals who could bring her doom or salvation.
Meanwhile, in the Hat Man's clandestine throne room, an air of tension hung like a shroud. He sat upon a makeshift throne, savoring a brief moment of respite, the crimson tip of a cigarette glowing in the dim light. With deft hands, he tended to the wound on his chest, a memento from a recent skirmish. Just as he began to unwind, a subordinate barged into his sanctuary, unwelcome intrusion at its finest.
Hat Man's eyes blazed with fury as he swiftly aimed his gun, leveling it at the intruder, a chilling reminder of his deadly reputation.
Hat Man: (ice in his voice) "How many times must I remind you imbeciles to knock before entering my domain?"
The subordinate, trembling on his knees, his face a mask of sheer terror, stammered an apology.
Subordinate: "I beg your forgiveness, boss! Urgent news forced my hand. Please,
spare my wretched life!"
Hat Man: (a dangerous glint in his eyes) "You know I despise repeating myself. Do you understand the consequences of a third warning?"
His subordinate, still trembling with trepidation, stammered, "Y-yes, sir! I wanted to share with you the latest news in town about the woman you saved..."
Intrigued, Hat Man lowered his weapon and signaled for his subordinate to proceed.
Hat Man: "Show me."
The man quickly retrieved his phone, his fumbling fingers navigating to the news he had recorded.
Hat Man scrutinized the footage, his enigmatic gaze studying the screen. As he absorbed the unfolding events, a calculated hum escaped his lips.
Hat Man: "Hmm… interesting."
He dismissed his subordinate with a curt nod, a sinister grin playing upon his lips. But, in the very next moment, his impatience materialized into a brutal reality. A single gunshot rang out, the bullet finding its mark in one of the henchman's fingers. The man's anguished cry pierced the air.
His Man: "Yehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! My hand!!!!"
Hat Man maintained his eerie composure, his cold eyes fixed on the wounded subordinate.
Hat Man: "Next time, let this pain serve as a reminder of my warning. Now, leave
my presence and ensure that you don't desecrate my sanctum with your blood. If
you do, you'll clean it with your own tongue."
The injured henchman, his hand bloodied and throbbing in agony, struggled to exit Hat Man's room, his wails of pain echoing down the corridor.
But Hat Man wasn't finished with him yet.
Hat Man: "Get back here and take your finger with you."
Crawling back on the floor, the injured man gingerly picked up his severed finger.
Hat Man: "Good."
With the subordinate finally out of his sight, Hat Man strolled over to the window, inhaling the night air as he indulged in a sinister chuckle.
Hat Man: "So, those are her parents, huh? It seems they're rather well-off. That explains why she was foolish enough to think she could escape this place alive." He tossed his spent cigarette aside and selected another from the pack.
Hat Man: "They're offering a handsome sum of 5 million naira to anyone who finds her, aren't they? Hmm... I'm quite sure she should be dead by now. But I have a peculiar desire to lay eyes on her one last time, even if it's just her lifeless visage.
She holds a special place in my heart."
A chilling laughter, as dark and enigmatic as the night itself, reverberated through the room.
Hat Man: "My dead heart."
********************
In the shroud of the moonless night, Sekinat continued her desperate quest for freedom within the perilous community. With every weary step, her resolve waned, yet she clung to her faith, never allowing Ayatul Kursi to escape her lips. Then, in a sudden and shocking turn of events, her very next step ignited an intense burst of light that illuminated the entire vicinity, leaving Sekinat both stunned and terrified.
Sekinat: "Subhanallah! What have I stumbled upon?"
As the echoes of her wonder resounded, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears, compelling her to seek refuge.
One-Eye Man: "One more step, and you'll find your early grave."
Sekinat, trembling with fear, froze in place and sank to the ground, her voice quivering.
Sekinat: "Please, sir, don't kill me."
The One-Eye Man, armed and dangerous, moved closer to her, his gun poised menacingly.
One-Eye Man: "What are you doing here at this hour? Are you an intruder?"
Sekinat: "No, no! I'm not an intruder."
One-Eye Man aimed his weapon at her head, his intent clear.
One-Eye Man: "Speak, or die."
Sekinat struggled to find her voice.
Sekinat: "I am... I... am... I..."
The One-Eye Man, growing impatient, prepared to pull the trigger when Sekinat's desperate cry pierced the night.
Sekinat: "I'm from Hat Man!"
The mention of Hat Man sparked a flicker of recognition in the One-Eye Man's gaze. He cautiously retrieved his phone and scrolled through social media, searching for answers.
One-Eye Man: "Are you a missing girl?"
Sekinat, her voice laced with desperation, confirmed her identity.
Sekinat: "Yes, yes, sir! Please, help me. All I want is to be free."
A wicked smile played on the One-Eye Man's lips as he contemplated his next move.
One-Eye Man: "There's no place for you to call home, even though I'm tempted by that 5 million your parents would give me. Well... come with me. But there's a condition if you want to survive."
Sekinat: please anything sir…. I will do it.. I will do anything please.
One eye man: anything?
Sekkinat: yes sir.
One eye man: very clever girl… (he hijack her hijab and drag her on the ground towards a building as sekinat shout of pain but he turn a deaf ear)
Sekinat: (struggles to breathe) please…
One eye man: (he locked the room) now you said you will do anything right?
Sekinat: (not bold enough to say it anymore) yess.
One eye man: now pull off your clothes lets have some fucking time then I will reconsider to save you.
Sekinat: (shocked then she scan the apartment hoping to see where to escape) please sir I don’t want to do this.. I will do anything else but not this please.
One eye man: as you can see me… I don’t shout! Just do as I say and you wont die.. ok? Now do it. (he moves closer to her) or should I help you to pull off? Am a very generous person when it comes to moment likes this.
Sekinat: noooo!!! Please (she steps back) somebody help me!!! Please sir.. please don’t do this..
One-Eye Man, fueled by aggression, attempted to forcibly remove Sekinat's hijab as she struggled to catch her breath, desperately clinging to the fabric. His menacing intentions were clear.
One-Eye Man: "I can see you aren't going to cooperate with me."
With a chilling resolve, he brandished his firearm, directing it at her trembling form.
One-Eye Man: "Now, remove it or you die."
Sekinat, her voice quivering with fear, implored for mercy.
Sekinat: "Please don't kill me, please."
As the One-Eye Man prepared to count to three, his finger edging toward the trigger, Sekinat summoned unexpected courage and fired a shot from her concealed firearm, concealed beneath her hijab. The man howled in agony as he crumpled to the ground.
One-Eye Man: "You witch! You shot me!"
Sekinat, in shock at her own actions, struggled to comprehend the gravity of what
she had done.
Sekinat: "Subhanallah! What have I done?"
Gasping for air, she hastily regained her feet, her heart pounding in her chest.
Sekinat: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shoot you. I was aiming for your leg, not your abdomen. I'm so sorry."
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears, and she hastily retrieved the One-Eye Man's gun and fled from the building, seeking refuge.
Sekinat: "Oh my God! I just killed someone. Ya Salam!"
Overwhelmed by guilt and disbelief, she covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes brimming with tears.
Sekinat: "Sekinat, what have you done? Ya Allah, forgive me. Please, forgive me. I was only trying to defend myself."
Observing from her hiding place, she realized the building was now swarming with hostile figures.
Sekinat: "Ahh! They are many. Ahhh! Sekinat, you are in grave danger."
Racing against time, she sprinted for her life, but her escape was thwarted as she slipped and struck her head on a sharp stone. In an instant, she lost consciousness.
***********************
Day break
Sekinat's senses gradually returned to her, but the world around her remained a blur. The distant cacophony of voices grew louder and more menacing with every passing moment. Her brain was a foggy mess, and her body ached with sharp, cold pains that seared through her.
Struggling to regain her composure, she summoned every ounce of strength to pry her heavy eyelids open. To her horror, she found herself bound to a tall, looming tree, an audience of hostile onlookers clamoring around her. Their deafening roars reverberated in her ears, amplifying her fear and confusion.
Sekinat's heart raced, and terror welled up within her as her surroundings came into focus. Her gaze fixated on a large blade ominously placed before her, a stark symbol of impending doom. The sight sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't contain her anguish.
She wept openly, her tears flowing freely as she begged for mercy. Her hijab had been forcefully removed, leaving her in a tattered gown that barely provided any cover. Vulnerable and exposed, she cried out in pain, her voice echoing through the chaotic crowd, pleading for someone to help her.
888
Suddenly, she sighted the Empire as he majestically ascended his throne, followed by his wife and daughter. That's when she realized she was definitely going to die this time. She gazed into the crowd, hoping to spot the mysterious hat man and his crew, but they were nowhere to be found. This heightened Sekinat's fear as she continued to cry for mercy.
The Empire commanded, "Silence everyone!" The crowd obeyed, but Sekinat couldn't stop weeping. The Empire addressed the assembly, "We have gathered here today to pass judgment on this intruder, named Sekinat, who killed one of my men last night as she attempted to escape my empire." The crowd chuckled, and the Empire continued, "Do you really think you can escape from my den? I offered you an opportunity to live, which you rejected. I let that pass, but this time, you have the audacity to kill one of my subordinates! You sure have the guts. Now, you shall die."
Sekinat pleaded, "Please, I don't want to die. I'm begging you. Have mercy on me. I'm ready to do as you say, please."
The Empire, his anger unabated, roared, "Silence! Before I silence you! There is no one last chance for an intruder. Cut off her head!" grammar and clarity improvements while keeping the character presentation intact:
Sekinat: "Noooooo!!!!!! Hat man, please come save me... please!! You are all I've got, please... I don't want to die... please, Hat man." Some men untied her and moved her to the death zone. "Please, I'm begging you... I don't want to die. I promise to do as you say from now on... please." She screamed with all her might, tears streaming down her face. "Please, Hat man!"
The men placed her head on a wooden block as they prepared to release a large blade. Sekinat, giving up on being saved, closed her eyes and began reciting her shahadah, "Lah ilaha illallah!" As they were about to release the blade, a voice stopped them, and everyone turned to see where it was coming from.
Hat man: "If you dare let go of that rope, you are all dead!" He walked in with determination, his footsteps echoing loudly. "My lord, I agree to your condition."
Sekinat, finally opening her eyes, whispered, "Hat man."
Empire: "And you promise to abide by the deal and rules?"
The crowd grew confused with the sudden change of mind in the Empire, wondering if something had happened between him and the Hat man. This left the hall filled with loud murmuring as they tried to make sense of the situation.
Hat man: "Yes, my lord! I agree, and I accept the deal..." He bowed once again and moved to Sekinat, pulling her head out of the wooden hole. "Are you okay?"
Sekinat, tears streaming down her face, couldn't control her emotions. "I'm sorry!
I'm really sorry for not listening to you..."
Hat man tightened his fist in anger but swallowed his words. He turned to the
Empire's men and ordered, "Take her away."
Sekinat, confused and anxious, asked, "Take me where? I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to be with you, please. No, Hat man, please don't punish me again." They began to drag her out of the hall.
Empire: "An excellent choice, Hat man! You are and will always be my brave warrior." He stood tall as the crowd bowed to him. "See me later in the night." The Empire majestically walked out of the hall with his family.
Hat man, with a respectful nod, replied, "Yes, my lord." ************************
AN HOUR EARLIER
Hat man burst into the throne room. "My lord! I heard you captured one of my subordinates."
Empire replied, "Yes! And what about it?"
Hat man bowed his head aggressively, showing his concern. "You don't look happy with me."
Empire responded, "I'm fine, your highness. I'm just worried about her wellbeing."
Empire continued, "Not for long, because she will be executed in an hour. So don't worry, she won't cause you any troubles again."
Hat man insisted, "But, sir!"
Empire declared, "That girl has been a thorn in my side ever since she rejected my offer. Now, this is an opportunity to eliminate her for good." Hat man pleaded, "But, my lord, I don't want her dead!"
Empire asserted, "That's not your choice to make, but mine."
Hat man persisted, "I don't want her dead! I just want her by my side. This is the first favor I've ever asked from you, despite putting my life on the line in many wars for you. Why can't you grant this one wish for me?" Empire silenced him with a stern command.
Hat man, showing respect, bowed. "I'm sorry, my lord."
Empire: (concluded), "Just because I made you the head of my army doesn't mean you can make decisions without my consent. She crossed me, and those who do that don't live twice. But I spared her once. Now she's had the audacity to kill my men and escape from my den, and all of this happened because of you. So you better stay quiet while I deal with her, or you will face my wrath."
Hat man, his fist clenched, bowed his head and said, "I’m so sorry, my lord, for the troubles I have caused you. I didn't mean to give you stress, but I brought her here for the greater benefit of this empire. She is a skilled surgeon; she saved my life twice. As a token of my gratitude for all the great things you've done in my life, I've decided to offer her to you. But before that, I need to prepare her mentally for the transition. I just want you to trust me, my lord. Furthermore, this presents a great opportunity for us, as she is now willing to do anything to stay alive in this situation she's found herself in. Thanks to you, my lord. I hope you can understand my plans and reasons so we can work together."
The Empire exhaled softly and commented, "Very convincing and genius!"
Hat man expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, my lord. I hope you will accept my gift for your better health and a long life."
The Empire considered the proposal, "But we must stage a little drama in front of the crowd to make it appear as though I'm the one who made this decision and suggestion, not you."
Hat man agreed, "It's a deal!"
The Empire's face lit up with a bright smile, and he beckoned, "Come here, my boy!"
Hat man, with a smile, ran up to him.
Watch out for the next episode!