Pearls of Love (Episode 16)

'Nobody should move', I said to Ann and the kids. "Kelp calm"

Peter and Pat held my legs very firmly. I'm sure their eyes were shot too. Situations like this makes you know the worth of your close ones.

I didn't speak, I was watching every move the man made. I knew he wasn't alone, and just then, three others came out from other rooms, one was .45 pistol, while the others had automatic guns rifles.

'What do you want?' Ann spoke up.

And that was one of my problems with her, too bold even in circumstances that you shouldn't display boldness even if you are a natural bold builder. She knows not fear once it has to do with her right. But I had told her several times that you don't claim right with thugs, with crooks and armed robbers. I wouldn't be able to watch anybody hurt her.

'Hey Ann', I stopped her, calculating every move the first man was taking towards us.

'Yes what do you want?" I asked the man boldly.

'Money', he replied.

'Money- how much?' I asked. I easily get fed-up with people riding over me.

"You must have a lot", he said.

"I don't, but I want you out of my house".

The man laughed, a very thundering laughter, and I hated him even more, they were cheap crooks, they were only lucky to be in possession of guns. I wished my family wasn't there; I would have put up a fight with them, but here, with my wife and kids, no, I couldn't do that and risk one of them being shot.

'How much do you want?' I asked authoritatively and anger in my voice this time.

'Don't talk to me in that manner" he said forcing the gun to my head.

I saw Ann's expression changed and I knew she was going to react if the man should hit me with the gun in his hand, I wasn't scared of the man, nor the rest of the robbers, I was scared of what Ann may do and the reaction that may follow from them.

I didn't talk, I looked straight at him the same way he did, wondering how they got into the house.

'All your money', he replied.

I was angry and I wanted them to leave my house immediately and so I decided to let him have the whole money in the house.

'You'll get it', I told him

"But it's upstairs".

"Don't try to be smart", he warned and I knew he meant it, but I wasn't scared.

'We already saw the safe upstairs, make sure you disconnect any secret alarm, if there is any, or else you risk the life of your family'.

'Let’s go" I told him holding Ann and my kids along.

'No, they stay here', he commanded.

'We go together. I'm not leaving sight of them', I told him.

It all suddenly happened at once. Someone came from my back hit me very hard with the butt of a rifle, he kicked me, and I fell down along with Ann and the kids. I was infuriated and wanted to fight with them, but was kicked down. Ann got up and made to rush at my attacker but I held and pulled her down. The entire hoodlum came at us, like they were at the point of shooting but for their leader we would have been shot.

'Ann, please stay with the kids here, let me get them the money'.

I didn't like the treatment we were getting, so I was anxious to let them have the whole money and leave us in peace.

'Don't touch my family again', I warned this time.

'Keep shut', one of them shouted at me.

'Now move', he puts the gun on my head while I led the way. I was angry and all I wanted is for them to leave. I opened the safe and allowed them take the money while I stood apart.

'Get it out', the man told me.

I got the whole money and put on the bed. He counted the bundles while the other hand pointed the gun at me. I would have made a jump at him if not for Ann and the kids downstairs; I wouldn't risk their lives for anything. These were cheap thieves, but I hate taking risk especially risk involving the life of people that are closest to me.

'Is this all you've got?"He barked out.

'Yes', I replied calmly.

'Come over and pack it into this bag', he pointed one of my small bags on floor. I did as he commanded and gave the bag to him.

'Now move', he ordered.

I led the way back, down the stairs to where Ann and the kids were under watch by two gun-men. I had never experienced such in my life before and it really baffled me that I could be that helpless.

The man that followed me upstairs soon went over to where Ann was standing.

'Are you sure this is the whole thing you've got in the house?' He asked her.

'Yes', she replied. 'If that's what my husband told you'.

'Hmm, I see', he turned to me

'You have such a beautiful wife', he touched Ann's chin.

'Don't you ever', Ann brushed his hand away.

'How dare you?' he tried to roughen her, it was then I lost control of myself, this time, I rushed at him not minding what the outcome would be, nobody harasses my wife to my face. I was already on him throwing punches into him when I heard a loud bang explode in my ears. Stars appeared in my eyes and the next thing I heard was Ann's scream and quick steps running away.

I guess I must have been like that for hours because by the time I came to, there were cops in the house and some of Ann's colleague to attend to us. I didn't see Ann well, but I don't think she was very hurt, because I hear her talk but could hardly hear what she was saying. A bandage had been tied around my head and it ached badly. Somebody placed a cold towel on my fore head and I tried open my eyes fully to see. It was Esther, one of Ann's colleagues in the hospital.

'It’s okay Dan, just take it easy'. She said quietly.

Categories: Short Stories & Articles

Pearls of Love (Episode 16)

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