The Apple Of Distraction

Chapter 3: Chione Dakarai

For the first time in her life, Isabella had to go for two whole days without a single bath; she felt terrible and miserable about it.

Mr. Rasarani whom she had come to understand as the leader of the gang was suffering from a severe typhoid disease, but being a wanted criminal, he couldn't go to the hospital himself for treatment instead, he had sent his boys to go apprehend a doctor and she had fallen victim to the mission.

Although Reo had promised Ella of her safe return once the treatment was a success, but something else bothered her; that was the harsh treatment the gang exhibited towards her inmates. She couldn't stand how they were often starved, scolded and beaten, but then, she could do nothing to help with the situation. Twice she had to share her little food and water with them or offer a medication.

The gang often disappeared with her inmates at dawn, and returned at dusk. Lordia constantly stayed back with Mr. Rasarani for his treatment, except for this morning. She had to Ella’s surprise followed the gang, leaving behind a convalescent but armed Rasarani.

In the past, Ella had heard tales of how gangs never let their captives go alive after discovering their hideout. Right now, lying on her bamboo bed in the room she shared with her inmates, Ella prayed she doesn't end up suffering such similar fate. She was still lost in thoughts when a faint feminine voice from afar jolted her back to reality.

“Get your hands off me!” and then the voice trailed off.

Quick, Ella sat up on her bed wondering who it was. Then she stood, and checked Mr. Rasarani in his room, but he was fast asleep as a result of the sedative contents in his medication.

“Let go of me!” the voice came again.

A part of Ella wanted to keep off and mind her business, but the other urged her to go on and check it out.

With an indecisive mind, she picked up a white penknife from her kits’ bag and tucked it in the pocket of her trouser. And then quietly, she headed to the direction of the voice.

A stroll down the dusty track brought her face to face with them. Ella was able to recognize the girl, the victim. She was one of her inmates; a brunette in her early twenties. And it didn't surprise Ella much that the girl’s assaulter was One Eye.

“Leave us alone!” snapped One Eye still groping his victim’s arm.

Ella stood her ground. “The girl said you should let her go and I’m on her side. Do let her go, buddy,” she half-pleaded, wondering why the girl was away from the group in the first place. Could Reo and the others be aware of this?

Neither Ella nor One Eye knew when the girl summoned courage and yanked her arm free from One Eye’s grasp. He didn't see that coming, and when his other hand tried to get hold of her again, she ducked and ran over to Ella. Encouraged by the girl’s bravery, Ella stepped in front of her when she saw One Eye begin to advance at them with menacing steps, his blood-shot eyes fixed on the girl.

“Stay away from this, doc!” he growled.

“No, you stay away from her!”

“-If you stop me from getting to her, I swear, I’ll kill you!” he threatened and pulled out a revolver.

Ella gasped at sighting the gun. She stepped forward, exposing the girl once again to her assaulter. “Alright, you can have her,” she declared.

She relaxed until he was two steps closer to recapturing his victim, then she brought out the penknife from her pocket and slashed deep across his right arm which held the gun. He dropped it out of sheer agony and staggered backward.

In a flash, Ella picked up the gun and tucking the penknife into her pocket, “I said stay away from her!” she scowled and raised the gun steady at him.

“You b***h!” he gnashed, taking a look at the already bleeding wound, and then surprisingly, he turned and began to retreat.

Ella sighed off relief. After disintegrating the gun, she turned her attention to the girl. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I am. Thank you,” she smiled and Ella reciprocated.

“Isabella, Isabella Ray,” Ella extended a hand.

The girl took the hand, “Chione Dakarai. I’m so grateful you came to my rescue, he was about to r**e me.”

“It’s okay Chione, you’re safe now.”

The girl nodded.

“Chione, why are you away from the group?”

“I ran off,” she replied and suddenly her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost. “Doc, look out!” she alerted.

Sensing danger coming from behind, Ella reached for her penknife, but she wasn't swift enough to avoid the rageaholic One Eye who had suddenly flashed out of nowhere.

He impinged on her, sent her crashing and rolling on the ground, in this course, she lost grip on the knife. When she managed to stand again on her feet, he punched her stomach and she dropped to her knees, clutching her stomach hard in total agony. And then he bent and pulled her hair to make her stand, his back to Chione who was now sprawled on the ground.

He was at disadvantage and didn't see Chione crawl and retrieve the penknife.

With the speed of lightning, Chione jumped high and drove the knife deep into his neck, and that was it!

He staggered, his hands holding frantically at the knife, releasing his grip on Ella at once. And then, he dropped to the ground, dead!

“That’s for my brother!” Chione rasped after the dead man, then she walked over to a bewildered Ella and helped her to her feet. “Let’s run away,” she suggested.

“Do you have any idea where we are?”

Chione shook her head, “I’m afraid I don’t, but I’ll definitely try to escape than spend another night here with these tomb raiders.”

“-You said tomb what?”

“These men you see abduct persons and force them to raid tombs against their will. If you try to escape and fail, they’ll murder you in cold blood when they recapture you.”

Ella saw Chione struggle to hold back tears. “So, let me get it straight. Your brother tried to escape and they killed him?”

Slowly, Chione nodded.

“Oh!” Ella cried, covering her mouth with her hands. “I’m, I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you don’t get lost or killed?” she asked, frowning at the imagination.

“Like I said, I rather die trying to escape than to die in the hands of these merciless criminals. And, and I miss home.”

Ella understood her, she made sense. Everyone deserved to be with their loved ones rather than to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with these criminals.

“Okay, Chione. They’ll be coming back anytime soon or their boss might wake up, if you say you’re leaving then go now. You don’t have enough time to waste.”

Chione’s face beamed with joy. “Aren't you coming?”

Ella shook her head, “I pledged to treat their boss, I won’t break my promise.”

“As you wish!” Chione said and hugged Ella. “-Goodbye doc,” she bade and then, spun to her heels.

Chione gone, Ella glanced at the dead man once more almost afraid to go near the body. Back in the compound, she checked Mr. Rasarani again, and breathed out relief to find him still asleep.