The next morning, the sun hadn't yet risen when the captives stirred awake.
The previous night, most of them couldn't sleep. The ones who slept didn't get more than a few hours of sleep.
The air was heavy with anticipation, thick with a quiet tension that clawed at every breath. There were only two things that could happen today. Today would either be their day of deliverance… or the day they died.
There was nothing in between. The decision was already made.
The die was cast.
Each heartbeat echoed louder than the last in the silence of dawn. They exchanged uneasy glances, the room brimming with a fragile mix of dread and hope, as if even the walls knew what was at stake.
Mr. Akin's deep voice finally broke the silence.
"Good morning, everyone," he said calmly.
"Good morning," came the hushed chorus of replies.
He stepped forward, his eyes sweeping across the room. "Today is the day. Brace yourselves, we need to be strong. Stay focused and be ready for anything".
"Remember, this isn't just for us. It's for our families… for the people waiting and praying out there. We have to make it out".
A few moments of silence followed, then a roar erupted from the captives; not loud, but fierce and full of determination.
"Yes!" "Yes!"
The outburst, however, proved costly as one of the armed guards burst in, rifle cocked, suspicion etched across his face.
"What's going on here? Why are you all shouting this early?" He barked.
"It's nothing," Mr. David replied smoothly, no sign of unease showing in his facial expressions or voice. "Baba J leaving yesterday made us regain our hopes of survival. We're just trying to stay hopeful".
The guard stared at them for a long, tense moment before leaving. But the warning signs were already there. The captives had drawn attention.
"Today is the fifth day," Mr. David said once the guard was gone, his voice low but urgent. "If we don't escape now, it's over for us, especially we older ones. They plan to execute us tomorrow".
That grim truth hung heavy in the room, deep and full of meaning. Everyone knew the window was closing, and with it desperation flared.
Captain Scar hadn't visited that morning, which was unusual. Instead, one of the regular guards entered with a black nylon bag.
"Take. Eat," he said curtly, dropping the bag on the floor.
"Thank you, sir," the inmates chorused, their politeness catching him off guard. He hesitated, glared at them with narrowed eyes, and then left without another word.
Outside, he muttered to his fellow guard. "Those hostages are acting strange today".
"Yeah. They seem… hopeful," the other replied, suspicion in his voice.
Ken, listening at the door, heard everything. Their behavior was being noticed, and that didn't bode well for their plan. They had to tread carefully now.
"Come eat, Ken," Mr. Akin called. "You'll need your strength for the battle ahead".
Ken nodded and took a loaf. It was dry, almost like chewing sawdust, but nobody complained. They needed every bit of strength they could get.
Mr. Akin, tall, bearded, and built like a soldier radiated courage. Just standing beside him gave the others a sense of security.
As they ate, one of the new inmates stood up. His eyes were steady. His voice carried conviction.
"I want to be the one to lead the armed men to the bushes".
Heads turned. A stunned silence filled the room, thoughts going wild.
"What are you saying, boy?" Mr. Akin asked, frowning. "We already agreed I was going yesterday".
"I know. But you're needed for Captain Scar. He won't go down easily, and you and Mr. David are our only real fighters. The rest of us… we're just boys".
Hearing that, the room quietened down.
He paused with it, then added. "I'm fast. Faster than any of them, I can outrun those guards. Trust me, I'm ready. I was born for this. You can count on me".
Mr. David stepped forward. "Do you understand what you're volunteering for? If they catch you, or shoot at you, you might not make it back".
"I know," the young man said without hesitation. "I'm ready to give my life so the rest of you can escape. If I die, I'll die a hero".
Then, he forced a smile. "Don't worry though, I won't die. I'm sure".
A heavy silence followed. Respect filled the room, mingled with fear.
"What's your name, son?" Mr. Akin asked.
"Kelvin," he replied.
"Well, Kelvin," Mr. Akin said softly. "For this act alone, you've earned my respect. But we need to be sure this is the best plan".
…
The clock ticked louder with every passing second, each minute felt like a lifetime. Time was no longer a constant, it was a storm pressing in on them.
"Tick tock, tick tock," someone muttered, trying to lighten the mood but he only made it worse.
The hour approached.
"5:55," Mr. David said, staring at the clock. "It's 5:55pm. Five minutes to go".
Everyone stood, their hearts beating like war drums. There were 14 of them; two grown men, Mr. Akin and Mr. David, five boys, including Ken and Kelvin, two adult women, including Madam Benita, and then five girls, including Sandra and Jessica.
It was just a few days but it felt like a lifetime. In this time, they've gone through so much together, and now they neared a crescendo.
Madam Benita stepped toward Kelvin and gently cupped his face. "Are you sure, dear?"
"Yes ma'am," he replied with quiet strength, gritting his teeth.
The woman embraced him, offering quiet thanks and a swift prayer. It was a solemn moment and that hug, it was their way of saying goodbye without saying too many words.
After all, time was not on their side. Once it started, they had to be fast and decisive or they would all die today.
"That's enough," Mr. David said. "It's time".
The clock struck six.
The moment had arrived.
And then… it started.