Chapter 21: The Trap

 

Zinhle, Amogelang, Kea, and Bonolo were desperate. After Lulu’s death, everything felt like it was falling apart. They couldn’t sleep. They couldn’t eat. The fear never left them. Then one day, they got a message from a private number. “If you want this to end, meet me. One last task, and you’ll be free.” They didn’t know what to do. They were tired of running and hiding. Maybe, if they did what the message asked, this nightmare would finally stop. The message gave them an address and instructions. When they arrived, they found a large delivery truck parked behind an old warehouse. A man in a hoodie handed them keys and a sealed envelope. He didn’t speak. He just pointed to the truck and walked away.

Inside the envelope was a note: “Drive this to the next location. Do not open the back. Do not stop. Do this, and you're free.” The girls were scared, but they felt like they had no choice. They got into the truck and started driving. The road was quiet. The air was tense. But halfway through the drive, they heard noises coming from the back of the truck. Crying. Whispers. Movement. Bonolo wanted to stop and check, but Amogelang shouted, “Don’t! We were told not to open it!” Then, just a few minutes later, flashing blue lights appeared behind them. Police. They pulled over. Four police cars surrounded the truck. Officers with guns told them to step out with their hands in the air. Zinhle shouted, “Wait! We didn’t do anything!” But the police didn’t listen. They pulled the girls out, one by one, and handcuffed them. One officer opened the back of the truck—and what they saw made everyone freeze.

Inside were several young women. They were scared and tied up. Next to them were large bags filled with drugs. The officers looked at the girls in shock. “This is serious,” one officer said. “You’re under arrest for drug trafficking and human trafficking.” “No! Please! We didn’t know!” Kea cried. “We were set up! Someone tricked us!” But the police didn’t believe them. One of the officers began reading them their rights. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court…” Tears rolled down their faces. This couldn’t be happening. They were trapped. Set up by the same person who had been haunting them for months. Themba. And now they were behind bars. The game wasn’t over. It had only just begun.