Unexpected Trouble - S01 E04

Story 11 hours ago

Unexpected Trouble - S01 E04

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 4

Unexpected Trouble Episode 4

Livinus was lying on the wooden bench in the cell when two police officers came in and called his name. One of them tapped his leg and said, "Oga, stand up. You get visitor." But when he followed them, they didn't take him to the visitor's area. Instead, they led him into an office. A senior officer was seated inside with two other junior officers standing beside him. Livinus stood in front of them, confused. "Sit down, the officer said. Livinus sat slowly, wondering what this was all about.

The senior officer leaned forward and spoke in a low voice. "Young man, we know you didn't kill that girl. The story no add up. If to say you be killer, you for run. But you came to report the matter yourself. That tells us something."

Livinus looked at him and nodded. "Thank you, sir. That's the truth. I didn't harm her. She just died in her sleep."

The officer nodded again. "Yes. But we get problem." Livinus raised his head. "What problem, sir?" The officer sighed. "This matter don reach public. Press dey everywhere. We need to clean am up."

Another officer stepped in. He looked at Livinus directly. "Listen, we go talk to you like our brother. You wan go home, abi?" Livinus nodded quickly.

"Yes, sir. I just want to go home. I want to clear my name." The officer continued, "Then bring one million naira. Once you drop am, we go release you before autopsy result come out. We go tell press say we don find nothing against you." Livinus blinked several times. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Sir, I don't have that kind of money. I don't even have N10,000."

The senior officer leaned back in his chair.

"Then stay here and wait. When the autopsy result come out and people still dey point hand at you, you go know say police no be your mate.

Livinus joined his hands together. "Sir, please. I beg you. I am innocent. I don't have anybody to help me. I just want justice."

The officer shook his head. "Justice dey this country, but e no cheap. You no get money, you go suffer." He waved his hand. "Take am back inside." One of the junior officers pulled Livinus up and led him away.

Back inside the cell, Livinus sat quietly in the corner. Other suspects were talking, laughing, and arguing, but he didn't join them. His clothes were dirty, and he hadn't had a bath in two days. His thoughts were full. He remembered his mother in the village. If she heard what was happening, she could fall sick. He thought about Melinda's smiling face and wondered why things had turned out this way. Then he heard someone calling his name again. It was one of the officers. "You get visitor. Come out."

This time, it was really a visitor. When Livinus entered the waiting room, he saw Uche, his close friend from work. Uche stood up Immediately. "Livinus! What happened to you? You look horrible." Livinus managed to smile. "My brother, na God hand I dey."

Uche sat down. "I heard everything. The story is everywhere. People are saying you used Melinda for rituals." Livinus shook his head. "That's a lie. She just died suddenly. I reported to the police myself. I didn't do anything to her." Uche looked worried. "I know you. But this thing don spoil your name."

Uche looked down, then spoke softly. "Management has sacked you." Livinus sat still. Uche continued, "They said they don't want to be associated with this type of case. They said until your name is cleared, you can't come back. "Livinus placed his hands on his lap and stared at the ground. Uche added, "I tried to defend you, but nobody wants to listen. Even your department head avoided the issue." Livinus looked at him. "So I don lose my job too? As if this pain is not enough?" Uche nodded sadly. "That's how things are now."

Livinus stood up and walked to the window. He looked outside but didn't see anything. His voice was low. "I don't even know what to do again. My name is destroyed. I'm locked up for something I didn't do. Now I've lost my job." Uche stood beside him. "I brought you food. I also brought small money. Maybe it can help you with anything you need here." Livinus turned and looked at his friend. "Thank you, Uche. At least know one person still believes in me." Uche placed the bag on the table. "Just be strong."

After Uche left, the officers took Livinus back to the cell. He carried the food and money with him. He sat in the corner and opened the nylon bag. Inside was a bottle of water, a piece of bread, and a pack of rice. He ate slowly. Other suspects were watching him. One of them said, "You lucky say you get friend. Some of us no get anybody." Livinus nodded but didn't speak. After eating, he lay down again and stared at the ceiling. The sounds around him faded as he drifted into his thoughts.

Late that night, the officers came again to check on the suspects. One of them stopped at Livinus' spot. "You still no get the one million?" he asked. Livinus sat up and shook his head. "I told you I don't have that kind of money. The officer hissed. "Then enjoy your stay here. Hope say autopsy no bring wahala for you." He walked away laughing. Livinus lay down again.

His eyes were open. He could not sleep. The room was noisy, but his head was even noisier. He just wanted the nightmare to end.

To be continued