Silence! There was no description whatsoever, just deafening silence. She cowered, bringing her legs closer to her body and she sat in the darkness. This was the world she had known in the last five years. She was chained to the cement floor and could only move as far as her potty.
Imani was 13 years old when she was taken. She had just gotten back from school. Her mum had called to tell her that she was going to be a little late but there was food in the fridge. Imani had showered and settled into her alone time. She was watching some high school musical when she heard a noise coming from the back. She got up to check and noticed that someone had pulled out the vents. Before she could turn and call for help, he grabbed her, tossed her into a van, and drove off.
Since that day, she has not heard from her mother. Imani crawled forward a little, she was thirsty. After she had a cup of water, she crawled to her little mattress on the floor. Six months ago, he had given it to her for her birthday. He sang her a birthday song and brought her a little mattress.
Imanii had her back against the cold wall as strings of tears streamed down her face. She cried every time she found strength because she felt better for a few minutes. He told her that he was her father. According to him, her mum ran away with their baby so that he would not be in her life.
Five years had gone and nobody had seen or heard from Imani. Many people accepted that she was dead and she had given up too. Nobody would ever find her.
A few hours later, she heard some rustling. She brought her legs together and hugged them tight. When the noise seemed closer, she shut her eyes, waiting for whatever was coming to hit her.
She had probably shut her eyes for a few minutes because she opened them to two bright rays in her face. Someone was asking her if she was okay. By now, she was fully conscious of her environment. She saw two coastguards cutting off her chains. She tried to say something but a weird sound came out of her mouth.
"You are okay. You are safe now," one of them said to her, patting her back.
"I'm Jimmy and that is my partner Fred. We are coast guards. What is your name?"
She looked up at him and then proceeded to stare into space. He looked concerned.
"Don't worry, we are going to get you out of here safely." Fred pulled her chains and she flinched. Her hands felt very light and it felt weird. Jimmy pulled her up and tried to lead her out, but her legs gave way. She collapsed to the floor.
Jimmy pulled her up again, but this time, he carried her on his shoulders and moved up the little staircase to a tiny doorway.
A heavy metal door was shoved to the side and Jimmy had to bend a little to get to the doorway. At the other end was a small living room, bright and neatly arranged.
Then Jimmy proceeded to the main door so that he could get Imani to their coastal van. The moment Fred opened the door for his partner and the pale girl, the rays of the bright light of nature hit her. Imani let go of Jimmy's shoulder and put her hands out, trembling. She had not seen the sunlight in the last five years.
A few drops of tears ran down her face as she realized that she had a chance to see her mother.
When she opened her eyes, she saw the man who claimed to be her father who had terrorized her for years being taken in handcuffs and forced into a police car.
Jimmy carefully placed her in the van and proceeded to drive her to the nearest police station along with the police car that took Imani's kidnapper.
Sitting in the back of the van, Imani took a long deep breath as Jimmy drove her through a whole new world of hope.
Thanks for reading,much love 😘