YoungWatttpadWriters and Eniola1207oladejo

“It’s a woman,” Muda said

“Don’t shoot!” the sergeant ordered sharply. “She might be useful.”

I shrugged, lowering my gun.

Useful. Right. She looked more like a cornered animal than anything remotely useful. Still, I obeyed, even though my fingers hovered near the trigger.

Her knife didn’t drop. Just like my patience.

“You might have to hold her,” I said out loud. “She looks like she’s going to kill us.” My voice laced with sarcasm.

And yet, I meant it.

“That’s what people of your tribe are—useless murderers,” I added, turning toward her.

Her eyes flared, and her voice lashed back in Hausa. “Kamar kai daban ne, biri (As if you’re any different, monkey).”

The insult shouldn’t have stung. But it did.

“She’s feisty,” Muda said with a chuckle beside me.

“Guess she’s not who you expected to find,” he jabbed my side.

The sergeant joined us. “Tell me, my most trusted Private,” he said to me, voice thick with mockery, “is there anyone else?”

“I’m alone,” she replied.

I didn’t believe her.

“Mun san karya kuke yi (We know you’re lying)” I said in Hausa.

I gestured to the others, and they grabbed her. She didn't fight, not really. It was strange. Like she was... calculating.

Outside, we tied her beside the boy we had captured earlier. I saw the flicker in her eyes when they met his—shock and relief tangled together.

That was all the confirmation I needed.

The sergeant checked his watch. “It’s late,” he said, rubbing his temple. “We won’t make it back to base before midnight. We camp.”

He pointed at me. “Salisu. You interrogate them. You’re on night watch.”

I rolled my eyes as he walked off. Of course. Babysitting duty.

“I still think we should go after the others,” I told Muda as we sat by the fire.

“In the dark? You want to trip over branches or get shot by one of ours?” he said, shaking his head. “We wait. If they’re nearby, they’ll return to her at dawn.”

I stared into the flames. It made sense. I hated that it made sense.

“Fine,” I muttered.

---

At first light, I approached the sergeant. “We move. They’re hiding, but not far.”

He nodded. “Stay sharp. Take the girl. She’s our bait.”

I looked at her as we cut her rope. Her eyes were calm. Too calm. I didn't like it.

“Muda, watch the boy,” I ordered. “I’ll handle her.”

I pushed her forward through the bush. “Move.”

She walked without protest. Not even a glance back.

The others trailed behind us in formation. I kept one eye on her and the other on the trees. We were being watched. I could feel it.

An hour passed.

The men slowed for a break, lowering their rifles, wiping sweat from their brows.

Then she moved.

Quick. Deliberate.

“Stop!” I shouted, grabbing her arm.

She yanked it back, eyes locked on me. And then—her foot landed. Hard. On the metal edge.

Click.

I froze.

“No.”

Her gaze didn’t shift. If anything, her mouth twitched into the barest hint of a smile. She had led us here. She had known.

“Uju!” the boy screamed from behind. His voice cracked through the trees.

In that moment, everything made sense.

She had wanted us all here. Every step she'd taken. Every word she'd held back.

I lunged, grabbed her waist, yanked her back—

BOOM.

The mine exploded in a flash of fire and screaming sound.

---
OMG! I shouldn't have done that 😭. Anyways Thanks to everyone who is supporting the book.
If the stories of Salisu and Obianuju touched you, please let me know in the comments. Your votes and comments motivate me to make this story continue