VICTIM. CHAP 1

The Ankara wrapper around her shoulder doesn’t provide the kind of comfort she know is impossible to be found. Her teeth are chattering like there is no tomorrow and her insides are frozen like ice. She stares at the blue walls of the emergency room of the hospital; vacantly with her soul hanging somewhere in-between the past and the present. Her brain barely registers the sounds of the occasional nurse tiptoeing around her.  Every time she moves, a stabbing pain goes through her body but she’s so used to it that she barely even notices it. Something warm drips on her skin and she realize that she has started to cry again.

A hard clamps down on her shoulder from behind and she jumps; almost falling off the edge of the bed.

“I’m sorry Bimpe, I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Officer Gbadamosi, I was one of the men who rescued you.”

She narrowed her eyes on his face. He is an older man; maybe around 40 years of age with his police uniform fitted snugly around his body. The badge of his chest read O.A Gbadamosi- the badge should assure safety but her mind still cries for caution- he is a man, he can hurt her. There is a movement behind him and she strains to make out a young man with a wide, fake smile.

“I know this is difficult for you but can we ask you a few questions?”

She wants to scream so badly at them to leave her alone. “I already told the other officer everything that happened.” She answers with a badly croaked voice. The younger officer reached out for the sachet of pure-water on the side drawer and she flinches. He moves back; his hands in the air signifying a peace offering.

Officer Gbadamosi gives her a crooked smile. “I know but we have to go over a few points again.”

She glances around the room for her mother and brother but they were nowhere to be found. She shakes her head to get the fuzziness out of her brain before she turns back to the two officers.

Officer Gbadamosi lowers himself on the chair by the bedside before dragging the chair to a safe distance. Bimpe tries to control her trembling hands and pulls the Ankara material closer around herself. Something is pushing hard against her chest and she’s having trouble breathing.

“Bimpe, you told the other officers who rescued you that two men abducted you?”

Bimpe nods.

“And do you know who they are?” the young officer quips, speaking for the first time since hey entered the room.

She closes her eyes and Kunle’s face flashes in front of her; his cynical laugh before he bends down to forcefully kiss her turns her stomach into knots.

“One of them is Kunle Adelakun.” Bimpe’s voice is hoarse and no longer recognizable. She sounds like a broken robot.

“Are you absolutely sure?” Officer Gbadamosi asks.

Stupid question- Kunle tormented her for three months and his face is forever burned into her mind.

“Yes I’m sure. He and my brother were mates in Olivet.”

“What about the other one?” the other officer asks again, penetrating me with his stare.

A sorrowful sob escapes her throat when she remembers the night he forcefully took her innocence.

“I don’t know.” Tears stream down her face.” I was always blindfolded anytime he’s with me and he never spoke. I have no idea what he looks like.”

The two officers exchange a glance.  “Do you have any idea how old he is?”

Bimpe bites down on her lip when her mind screamed at them to stop the questions. The dull pain in her head pounds so hard the she feels she’s running mad. All she wants is to go home, lock herself in her bedroom and never come out and face the world again. She wishes to die.

“He was very strong with firm muscles. I don’t think he was that old.”

“Anything else that can help us identify him?”

With a sigh, she closes her eyes. Bimpe just wants to forget everything but these people just won’t let it be. They’re forcing her to dip back into those memories she’s trying to block out. 

“Bimpe, do you remember anything?”

She opens her eyes and realizes that she has been quiet for awhile. Officer Gbadamosi wants to hear everything and the only way he’s ever going to leave her alone is if she cooperates. The words are pulled out of Bimpe’s mouth. “One night, he untied one of my hands and forced me to rub his manhood.” A shudder runs through her and she chokes on her words as vomit rises to her throat. “He has a scar on his tummy; like it’s from an operation.” She gives them a weak smile.

He was about to ask another question when a scream from the doorway interrupted him.

“Adebimpe!!!” Bimpe turns towards the voice as tears blur her vision upon seeing her mother dishelved and very gaunt looking.

“Maami.” She wants so badly to run to her mother but she knows her legs will never carry her that far. Her arms fly up as her mother squats down next to her and burst into body wrecking sobs. Bimpe feels partly for safe for the first time since the whole ordeal started.

Mrs. Sanusi mutters words completely muffled by her tears. “Maami I want to go home.”

The nurse enters the room and looks around with disapproval. “Madam, she shouldn’t be out of bed yet.”

My stepfather huffs and I notice his presence in the hospital ward. “You can see that she’s tired and exhausted, Oga police. No more questioning for today. We already asked the doctor if she’s safe to go home and he said we can. Now can we leave?”

Bimpe manages a small smile amidst her tears.  Just as usual, her stepfather comes thought for her. Since her mother got married to him after her biological father’s death in 2003, he and his son have welcomed her into the family and never treated her different. 

Officer Gbadamosi twists his face but didn’t raise any objection. “I’ll have to collect your house address and phone number then, anytime we have further questions to ask, we will contact you. Since she’s done with tests, we will collect the evidence and preserve them.”

Her mother’s hand clutches over her mouth as she break into another loud wail; her face twisted painfully. All eyes were on Bimpe with pity. 

“Whoever did this to you will never be able to hurt anyone again. We will make sure he’s locked up for a very very long time,” her stepfather rants as he paces up and down the length of the ward. The officers get up to leave and all eyes turn to Bimpe again.

It appears at that moment that RAPE is written across her forehead. She has never felt dirtier.

At that moment, she put all her hope and trust in the Nigerian Police Force and her stepfather. Absolutely certain that her tormentors and rapists for three whole months will rot in KIriKiri for the rest of their lives. In the end, justice will always prevail- because that’s how it should be in a sane society.