ABBY:
Now, let’s pause here.
The moment Chief’s wife looked at me in surprise when I said I had never been intimate with a man—that was the day I truly understood my innocence… and my gullibility.
Her entire demeanour changed. Her voice softened as she leaned closer and asked again if I was telling the truth.
I nodded, and with trembling hands, I explained how I’d come to live with Madam J—carefully omitting the fact that I had blackmailed my way into Lagos and stayed by playing games.
She listened. Then sighed.
“Abby, my dear girl,” she said. “You’ve been led astray. A young girl like you deserves a better life. Give me a moment.”
She left the room.
Thirty minutes later, she returned with a gentle smile and said, “From today, you’ll live with us. Like our daughter.”
My eyes widened.
“My driver will take you to your village to inform your parents. Then you’ll return immediately. You’ll resume school and live the life you deserve.”
Now, I know what you’re thinking—thank God for me, hallelujah, finally!
Well… let’s see what happened.
When I arrived back in the village, the driver brought a truckload of food and an envelope filled with cash from Chief for my family.
My father was ecstatic.
He hugged me tightly and said, “You are a child of good luck! Look at these blessings you’ve brought us!”
But my mum wasn’t smiling.
She folded her arms and asked, “Why does this family want to take care of you? How did you meet them? I’m not comfortable with any of this.”
Before I could even answer, my dad snapped, “Of course you’re not comfortable. I break my back every day just to feed this family, and now, finally—finally—someone sends us food, clothes, money, and even a letter saying we’ll receive a monthly allowance… and you’re here asking questions?”
He turned to me and said, “Abby, well done. Go and flourish. You’re on the right path.”
And my mum, quietly, with sadness in her eyes, simply replied,
“Is she, though?”
Hmmm…
CHRIS:
Thomas and I didn’t sleep a wink.
Those four hours went by like four minutes. Around 4 a.m., the two guides returned and said, “Wake up, everyone. Freshen up—we move again.”
For those of us already awake, we quickly brushed our teeth and washed our faces. Those still trying to wake up eventually joined the queue.
Funny how I look back at that moment now—how surreal it all felt.
I can’t even explain the mix of emotions Thomas and I were feeling. Anxiety. Fear. Gratitude. Hope. And again—fear.
As I brushed my teeth, I could feel the eyes of the guides on me, silently urging me to be quick.
Two minutes. That’s all I took. Then I stepped aside for Thomas.
I rolled up my mattress, packed my bag, and for a brief second let myself imagine the future:
The life I’d have abroad. The luxury. The look on my parents’ faces when I started sending money in foreign currency.
The wife. The children. The cars.
That daydream didn’t last long.
Suddenly, the guide shouted, “Change your clothes! Put on your boots and headscarf!”
These were the items they’d told us to buy. Everyone got dressed quickly.
Then the guide yelled, “Let’s go. It’s almost daylight.”
We filed outside. It wasn’t as dark as when we arrived, and I tried to adjust my eyes.
That’s when I realised something…
The bus was gone.
Others began looking around, confused.
Then the guide stood in front of us and said:
“Guys, welcome to the second step in your journey to a better life. From now on—we walk. No more bus. This is the beginning of the desert.
“It’s a long and dangerous journey, so keep up.
“Ration your food. The next stop is a Bedouin camp—three days away.
“If you choose to stay behind, the bus won’t return for another two months.
“Good luck.”
Hmmm…
