*BETRAYED*

*TEN YEARS AGO*

*THINGO*
I look at Qiniwe

And she smiles

I know she’s trying to assure

me

That all is well

And everything will go well

According to plan

But I have this uneasy feeling

And one thing my mother

always said , was I should
never ignore my gut feeling

Something will go wrong

I can just feel it

But I don’t want to
disappoint my sister

I know she’s trusting on me

I have to put on my big girl

panties on

And just focus on the

mission
Ali : we go in , get the
diamonds and the cash

Keith : and you should be

ready for us

Qini : don’t worry guys

She chuckles patting their

shoulders
Qini : she’s got this

Ali looks at me

Keith : I hope so , cause my

ass is not going to jail

Qini : no one is going to go

to jail , we do this fast and
clean
Keith : alright

Ali : enough chit chat , let’s

get rest and at dawn we
strike

He grabs his gun and walks

out

Keith pulls Qini to the side

I can’t make out what he’s
saying

But he keeps turning and

looking at me

I look away

Like I am not looking at them

But judging by Qini’s facial
expression

I can tell there’s

disagreement

She finally walks over

And he shakes his head

walking out
Qini : are you okay ?

Me : I don’t trust them

She smiles

Qini : come on , they are

willing to help us do this

Me : we could have done it

without them
She chuckles

Qini : we need them , let’s

remember why we are doing
this

I heave a sigh taking a deep

breath

Me : don’t remind me
Qini : good , then we go in
tomorrow and do what we
need to do . And we leave

I nod slowly

I am not in agreement about

this

If I say I am , it would be a lie

As much as I want to hurt
that bastard where it hurts
the most

But still

I think tomorrow is not the

day

But , my sister is sure

Maybe I just need to trust
her
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I knock slightly on the door

Without an answer I in his

office

It’s the female fragrance that

engulfs my nostrils

He’s surely at it again

As he always is

He’s not even ashamed at

work

I shake my head

And dart my eyes to the

couch

He’s getting dressed

While she picks her clothes
off the floor

He has become a pro at this

You can’t even hear a single

sound , coming from his
office

He annoys me like no one

Dad : can’t you just …don’t
just stare , walk out she’s not
dressed

Me : maybe she will know

better , next time not to get
naked for an old man
enough to be her father

Dad : I am not her father

He mumbles that

But I hear him

Abby puts on her clothes

And she walks over to the

door

I glare at her
And she walks out in shame

Me : what is wrong with you

?

Dad : don’t give me a lecture

He picks up a fragrance spray

And sprays in his office

Me : you really should be
ashamed of yourself , you’re
an old married man . But
you’re still fucking girls ,
enough …

Dad : they are not my kids ,

so spare me . And next time ,
don’t just walk into my office
Me : oh so you know it’s still
an office , a work place . Not
a fucking brothel

Dad : what do you want ? It’s

my office , and my company I
can do whatever the fuck I
want to do

I chuckle
Me : sure you can

He puts his hands inside his

pants pockets and looks at
me

Me : I so hope one day , you

get what you deserve

Dad : if you have nothing to

say , get out
I say nothing further

And walk out of his office

.
.
.
.
*QINIWE*
I close my eyes

And say a silent prayer

For everything and anything

Mom and dad I hope I make

you proud
And I hope you don’t hate
for the life I’ve taught Thingo

I know , if anything you

wanted more and better for
her

But brutally , your lives were

taken from you

And you were taken from us

From the shadows , we have
been watching

And now , it’s time the past

comes back

You may be sleeping where

you are
Yet , I hope still you’re
looking after us

If one thing , let the past not

sleep with you

I open my eyes

And lean over taking the

picture from the bedside
I look at it

Me : once we were happy

And they didn’t deserve to

die like that

They didn’t deserve what

happened to them

I will make all this right

I kiss the picture

And close my eyes

Tomorrow is yet another day

If anything , I pray and hope

my sister makes it alive
Because everything I do , I do
for her
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 02*
*THINGO*
I am up and ready

But I would be lying

If I say , I feel good

Something will go wrong

I just hope , I don’t lose my

sister in this
That Ntazi man , is very
dangerous

Who knows ?

Maybe he already knows

what we are up to

And for all our sakes I hope

not
Qini : cheer up

I let out a fade smile

Qini : after this …we will be

rich . We will have all the
money in the world . Money
that our parents deserved ,
and they were deprived of
I nod slowly

These same diamonds we’re

after

Are the same diamonds that

got our parents killed

And not just any murder

But brutally in our home

While we stood by and
watched

The man wasn’t aware that

we were home

Qini hid me in the wardrobe

And tried to shield me

I remember everything

It feels like it was just

yesterday

Greed got the better of Ntazi

He was not grateful

Our parents were kind

people
They were loving

And everyone in the

community adored them

They found the biggest

diamond ever

That even today

Five years later

Ntazi is still enjoying it’s

fruits

Like the people they were

They took it to him

He didn’t even give him a

single dime
After he promised them a
better life

A better home , and

everything else money can
buy

I remember it all , and it was

later on in the day
That he came to our house
himself

He didn’t even send his

goons to do his dirty work
for him

He came in person

And killed them

It’s like they knew

Because as soon as he
entered our yard

They told us to excuse them

And we went to our room

Only to hear the sounds of

agreements
And next thing we knew , it
was gun shots

We hid in the wardrobe

And when Ntazi left , we

walked back to the kitchen

To find both our parents with

bullets through their skulls
And their blood , oozing on
our white tiles

Qini : hey …

She taps my shoulder

Qini : are you okay ?

Me : I am fine
Qini : we are just taking back
what belongs to us

I nod

Qini : all our lives , we’ve had

to survive . And do things we
never even thought we could
do
It’s this world isn’t it ?

Survival of the fittest

It’s either you join them

Or you let them beat you

.
.
.
.
*QINIWE*
Thingo is quite and reserved

Unlike me , she thinks things

through

I just hope she’s not having

second thoughts right now
Because I’ve had to lie with
the devil

To get what’s ours

I grab my phone

It’s still off

I take out the SIM card and
chew it

Then I spit it out

This is it
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
I call her again

And her number doesn’t go

through

I should be worried I know

But this is unlike her

And something tells me

There’s something that’s not
right

Something is just off

Qini doesn’t just disappear

without saying

Not even without a single

call back
She’s always available

But I know her enough

To know that nothing is

wrong

I don’t know why she’s acting

up
But I should find out

I hope that I am wrong

If something is not right with

her

I know she will communicate

But since from last night

I barely even slept

I can’t shut eye when my

mind starts wandering
around

There’s still a few hours left ,

before I go to work

So I can still try to get some

sleep
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 03*
*THINGO*
Qini : let’s go

Me : do you trust them ?

Qini : yes

Me : and your guy ?

Qini : don’t worry , he’s good
. He doesn’t suspect anything
, besides I am done with him

Me : what do you mean ?

Qini : we’re done , I got rid of

my sim card . From hereon ,
there’s nowhere where he
will find me
I don’t trust this

Qini : remember our plan

I nod

Qini : we stick to it

Me : okay
Qini : we get what’s ours , we
lay low and skip the country .
We never come back

Me : yeah ….yeah I know

Qini : and you know , if we

don’t …

Me : 5 minutes , you will

come out . You have to
Qini : I will do my best

Me : don’t do your best , just

do it

She smiles

Qini : you got it

I take a deep breath

As she gears on

And straps guns on her

thighs

And one goes to her waist

Qini : let’s do this

I grab the car keys

I hope she know what she’s
doing

And she really trusts Ali and

Keith

For both or sakes

Because I don’t even trust

them one bit
We cannot be certain about
their inside contacts

Only they know them

And they are the only ones

who have communicated
with them

I don’t trust this

But I know my sister

Once she puts her mind into

something

You cannot convince her

otherwise

I just have to make sure , I

get us back safe
More so her

I don’t care much about

anyone else

She’s all I have got left in this

world

And I am not loosing her

.
.
.
.
*QINIWE*
She parks the car

And grab the guns

Keith grabs the three bags

Me : we ready ?
Ali : is your sister ready ?

I look at Thingo

And she’s annoyed

I can tell

She doesn’t like these two

Unfortunately , we need
them to finish this mission

Just us together , we cannot

pull this off

I take a deep breath

Me : 5 minutes , and no
longer than that . If we don’t
come out in that time , then
you drive . You keep running
and never look back

I take her hand and kiss it

She nods slowly

I look at the guys

Me : let’s go
It’s still a bit dark

We get out of the car

And run towards the building

As we approach the door

It opens and we run inside

Keith checks the alarms and
he disables them

I look at Ali

He points to his mike

Ali : security ?

Voice : cameras clear , you

have less than 5 minutes
Me : let’s go

We run to the vault entrance

And Keith disables the

alarms

Keith : your guy

He looks at Ali
Seconds later , his phone
beeps

Ali : it’s in

He punches the code in

And the vault opens

We walk inside
Ali : damn …

I grab one bag , and throw in

the diamonds from the table

Me : let’s move guys , let’s

move

I shout
They gather around the
money

I take the last pieces of the

diamond jewellery

Ali : so much money

I look at the time

Me : fuck …let’s go
We grab the bags and run
out

Hopefully we make it outside

before everything goes south
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
“The number you have
dialled does not exist”

Me : shit …

I drop the call

Now I am really getting

concerned

Me : what are you up to ?

Not so long ago

She was busy questioning

me

I barely told her much

And that annoyed her

Now she’s suddenly
unavailable

I love her

And I want her to love me for

me

Not because I’m the son of

the diamond mogul Ntazi
I take a deep breath sitting
down

If it’s money she wanted

She got it all wrong

This is not a diamond mine

And I don’t think , she can

act up
Just because I didn’t want to
speak about my job

Or the company that my

father owns
.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
I tap my foot down

Just a few seconds

Me : come on …

My heart beats so fast

I swallow hard
My mouth is even dry

I look over the door

The last few seconds are over

Me : uhm …

The alarm goes off

Just as the door opens and
they quickly run out

But the door quickly closes

Almost catching the bag that

Keith has

I open the doors already

ready to drive
Me : shit …

Sirens go off , I realise just

how surrounded we are
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 04*
*THINGO*
We should have known

This wasn’t going to be an

easy job

It just wasn’t
How could we have missed
so many security around us

Ali : fuck ….I am not going to

jail

Qini : shut up

Keith : drive ..what the fuck

are you waiting for ?
I step on the accelerator

And turn the car

Just as the other cars move

Ali : oh fuck ..

Keith : Jesus Christ ! I don’t

wanna die
Qini : shut the fuck up !

I turn the car around middle

of the road

A rapid of beeps and sirens

go off

I drive heading back on the

wrong lane
Passing cars that are going
the opposite way

Keith : what the fuck …

Ali : you wanna get us killed ?

I look at Qini

I cannot drive like this

Not with this much noise

Like I’m driving school girls

Qini : shut up , if you want to

live . She knows what she’s
doing

I look over at the cars

More or less five police cars
are coming towards us

I swerve to the side

One car jumps in front of me

And that halts the police cars

About three of them

As they bump into each
other

Keith : oh yes !

Ali : that’s what I am talking

about

The others are still coming

towards us
I look over to far left

And there’s a slight passage

If only I can be able to fit in

I swerve the car

Taking a chance on the

uncertain
Ali : oh shit …

He screams on top of his

lungs

I get through the passage

And the car fits in

I just drive through

Keith : shit !

Ali : this would be much safer

, if you were facing the road
head on

Qini : do you want to take

the wheel ?

Ali : she’s gonna get us killed

Qini : shut the fuck up , stop
whining like a bitch

I pass three streets still on

the same passage

Just causing havoc on the

streets

On the last one

I turn abruptly and take the
road heading North

Qini : you did it

I look at her and smile

She’s proud

That’s one thing I am happy

about
She’s proud

And I made her be proud

For once , in her life she can

say she’s proud of me

After she sacrificed so much

for me
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I walk in the boardroom

And it’s nothing but just

mayhem

Such a stressful environment

Phone’s are ringing off the
hook

The room is just filled with

frustration

Me : what’s going on ?

Mfundo : we have just been

hit
Me : what did they take ?

Mfundo : three million , and

diamonds with 5,6 . Not to
mention the 12 million worth
of jewellery pieces they took
. It’s not just a mere million
or two , it’s a lot

Me : shit !
Mfundo : yeah , you can say
that again

I can see frustration all over

his face

The difference he cares way

too much about this
company
And I just don’t

Me : what do we have ?

Mfundo : we’re still trying to

find out , so far nothing

Me : you know no one can

pull such a big job , without
having help from the inside
Mfundo : yeah , I think so too
. Worse , the cops nor the
security we have could catch
them

Me : how did they escape ?

Mfundo : it was a clean one ,

driver must be very
experienced
Me : mhm

I let out a chuckle

Mfundo : don’t tell me you’re

impressed

I shrug

Mfundo : I need to make a

call
I make way for him

And he walks out

My eyes dart around the

room

And well , the old man

doesn’t look good
It looks like he will have a
heart attack and drop dead
.
.
.
.
*QINIWE*
Oh yes we did it

Clean and smart

We did it
I look at my sister

Me : I am proud of you

She nods with a smile

And I hope mom and dad

are proud of us

They should be
Ali : I had my doubts , but
you did good

She says nothing , I know

she’s not okay

Ali looks at me

I shrug
Me : we lay low now , you
take your money . And you
give whoever you have to
give their share , and you
keep yours

Keith : these pieces are

beautiful

Me : yeah …
I grab the bag closing it

Me : and they are ours …you

know the deal

Ali : yeah …yeah , we know .

We take the money , pay our
contacts . And we keep our
share , the diamonds are
yours
Me : good

This a new start for us

A fresh start

One where everything will

just be so easy for us

And we will never have to

beg for anything ever again
We made it

And I hope heaven is

watching

I wish I can see the look on

Ntazi’s face

When he learns that his

precious diamond
That he stole and killed for

Is now gone

And he will never get it back

ever again

It must be a sight
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 05*
*MFUNDO*
I look at him
Me : you will tell me the truth

Him : I don’t …

Me : those guys , they had

inside Intel . And they were
working with someone on
the inside

Him : it wasn’t …
Me : it was you , and I can
prove it . So I’ll make things
easy for you , either you tell
me the truth . The whole
truth leaving nothing behind
, or you go to jail . Because I
will call the cops on you

Him : I am sorry , I was

desperate
Me : the truth

Him : I know one guy Ali ,

he’s the one who contacted
me . But I don’t know the
rest , it’s the truth

Me : right , now we’re going

somewhere . So go one ,
keep talking don’t stop
Ali : the deal was , I will get
my cut after they’ve done the
job

Me : give me something to
work with , who is he
working with ?

Him : I don’t …
Me : all it will take , it’s just a
press of the button . Your
whole damn life will be
behind bars

Him : his friend , I am not

sure of his name . But they’re
best friends

Me : it can’t only be the two

of them
Him : no , there were other
two

Me : who was their driver ?

Him : I don’t know her , and

the other …

Me : her ?
He nods

Him : the other two were

females , but I swear I don’t
know them . I’ve never even
met then , until when they
came for the job

I move back

Me : I see
Him : you have seen them ?
And you can describe them
right ?

He shakes his head

Him : barely

Now my mind is doing flips

on me
Him : but one …she looked
familiar , like I’ve seen her
before here

Me : with me …

He says nothing but nods

Damn you Qiniwe !

Now this will explain
everything

Why she was suddenly

interested to know about my
job

Wanting to know about my

father’s company

She was fishing

When I first came with her
here

She was barely paying any

attention to me

She was scouting the place

My father will have me dead

If he dares finds out , that I
brought a thief into his
company

I can’t report this

Now I just have to do

damage control

Me : thank you
He nods

I draw my gun out

Him : please no ….I told you

everything I know

Me : and it was so easy , I

can’t risk you telling anyone
what you know
I pull a shit right on his head

He falls off the chair

I put my gun back

And take out my phone

making a call

Nkunzi : sure
Me : I have a job for you , I
need you to tell from some
people

This is the only way , I’ll teach

them a lesson they will never
forget

I will not be played by a

woman
Hell no !

Me : find out where they are ,

two females and two males .
They will probably be in a
safe house , leave no stone
unturned . Retrieve the
money from them , along
with the diamonds . Kill and
spill blood if you must
I drop the call
.
.
.
.
*QINIWE*
Me : now we part ways and
go our separate ways
I look at my sister

Me : if you get caught , that’s

on you

Keith : we won’t

Me : you better not

Ali : so , this is it ?
Me : yeah , we take what’s
ours and you keep what’s
yours

They both nod

This is it

Tomorrow morning , we’re

getting out of here
And we will never come back
to this country ever again

We’ll rebuild our life

And start afresh

.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
I get a sharp pain on my
chest

I struggle breathing for those

few seconds

I get up slowly

Still feeling that pain

But it’s slightly going away

I look around

And Ali looks like he’s just

seen a ghost

I don’t take my eyes off of

him

Seems like something is off

or wrong
Keith : hey …let’s bounce

Ali : I can’t find Polo

Keith : what do you mean ?

Ali : he’s not answering his

call , and it’s unlike him . He
knows he’s supposed to get
his cut
Keith : maybe he’s busy , you
know he must be busy . He’s
head of security , and
millions of rands were stolen
from those people . So he’s
busy doing his job

Ali : no , the first call was

answered but no one
answered
Keith : I hope you were not
stupid enough , and you
didn’t say anything

Ali : I just spoke about his cut

and ….

They both turn and look at

me
I shake my head slowly

We’re screwed

The door bursts open , and

men walk in holding gun fire

One has Qini , and he’s just

dragging her like she’s not
even human
Ali : run ….

Voice : fucking run , and I will

shoot you

I go down slowly closing my

eyes taking a deep breath

Is this how we say our

goodbyes ?
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 06*
*QINIWE*
At this moment

I don’t even care about

myself

But my sister

I pray and hope they don’t

hurt her
That she makes it out of here
alive

I will never forgive myself

If anything ever happens to

her

And this would be my fault

I got her into this

They have us tied down

Both our hands and feet are

tied

They are pointing guns are

us

This doesn’t make sense

They are not cops that’s for
certain

Did we just rob Ntazi , so we

can get robbed as well ?

Something doesn’t make

sense here

Thingo : we’ve been betrayed

I look at Ali and Keith

I shake my head slowly

Me : it can’t be …I trust them.

Thingo : somebody sold us

out

I look down as tears burn my

eyes
One of the guys slaps me

Him : where is the money ?

I say nothing

He slaps me again

Tears stream down my face

I spit blood

Him : trying to play hard ?

He takes out a machete knife

Thingo : please …

She looks at me with sorrows

of eyes
I shake my head

The guy laughs

He draws his gun out , and

without hesitation he pulls
through two bullets to Ali
and Keith

Right between their eyes

I pop my eyes out in shock

Him : you think I am kidding

? I will kill you , so tell me
…where is the money ?

I say nothing

My eyes are looking at Keith

and Ali
Their blood is gushing
through the floor

The bullets must have gone

out their blackheads

Him : now !

I look at Thingo

She’s crying
And she looks scared

Thingo : please tell them , we

don’t have to die because of
this . Tell them …

Tears stream down my face

Me : I am sorry
Him : okay enough , you
think you are smart . Let’s
see

He grabs me roughly

And puts the machete on my

neck

Thingo wails
Him : if she can’t tell me
where the money is , you will
tell me

He says to Thingo

I shake my head

Thingo : please tell him ….

I close my eyes
I can’t bare to look at her

Him : I will kill her

I feel him pressing the

machete hard against my
neck

I swallow hard
Thingo : please ….

Him : tell me now !

Thingo : buried under the

tiles , by the table . Please
don’t hurt her …

I open my eyes and look at

them
The other four guys hurry up
to the table

One kicks it down

They don’t waste time , they

peel off the tiles

I move my one hand to the

back of my pocket
I take out the piece of paper

I slide it in her jean pocket

She looks at me

Me : I love you

Voice : we got in

They all laugh

Him : I told you I will kill you

I feel the machete blade

slicing on my neck

I pop my eyes

As blood gushes out of my

throat
I look at Thingo , as I slowly
go down

She wails in pain

I close my eyes as my head

hits the floor
.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
They laugh grabbing the
bags

One guy looks at me

Him : you must have thought

we are kidding huh !

I spit hard
I look him dead in the eye

Me : I will find you , and I will

kill you all

They laugh

Me : I will kill you all

Tears steam down my face

The door opens

The brightness blinds me

I can’t see clearly

Voice : excellent job

The voice ….

I grab on the voice

It’s that of a man and it’s
husky

Like I’ve heard it before

But I am not sure

I don’t pay attention to such

things
His footsteps walk to me

I feel his heavy presence

behind me

Him : she thought she can

screw me over , fuck love and
all women

I freeze at the sound of a gun

, pointed on my head
I close my eyes , and the gun
goes off
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
I let Nkunzi and his crew take
the money

As for the diamonds

I am keeping them for myself

We left everything and

everyone as they were at that
safe house of theirs
We will put this behind us ,
and go on with life

I can’t believe Qini , she

never striked me as this kind
of a person
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 07*
*NARRATED*
Dr : DOA

He shouts as one writes on

his paper

He walks out and finds the

detective by the door

Detective : and how is she ?

The doctor looks down

Detective : please do
whatever you need to do , I
need her alive . She’s the
only link I have on this case

The Dr heaves a sigh

Dr : I am sorry , there was

nothing we can do . It’s DOA
Detective : what no !

She slaps her hands hard on

the wall

Dr : I am sorry

She turns and walks away

Detective : fuck no !
She paces around

Hoping for some kind of

miracle

But without the only alive

link to the case

She has nothing

And this whole case is dead

She takes a deep breath
walking down the hall way

Inside the theatre ward

The nurses take off their

cloves

And head for the door

As something falls down and
startles them

And they all turn , popping

their eyes in shock
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
I open the door and walk in
He lifts his head , closing his
laptop

Me : sure

I pull a chair and sit down

Mabanga : what ?

I take a deep breath

Me : how is it going ?

Mabanga : I should be asking

you

I chuckle

Me : your father seems like

he’s throwing in the towel

Mabanga : as he should
Me : what ?

Mabanga : what I mean is

….the more time passes , the
less chances he has of
finding his money and those
diamonds

I nod slowly
Me : yeah

Mabanga : so …he should

just give it

Me : seems like he is , and

the cops have no lead . The
security cameras show
nothing , that we can work
with
Mabanga : it is said …two of
those were women

Me : yeah , that’s what I

heard too

He nods

Mabanga : I can’t believe that

, two women have such balls
to rob Ntazi
I chuckle

Me : yeah , it’s crazy

Mabanga : life goes on , he

will find another diamond .
It’s been years , since the big
discovery of the one that’s
been sustaining us and this
company
Me : according to you , do
you think we’ll suffer because
of the loss ?

Mabanga : the company has

made millions over the years
, we still lost some millions .
So we’ll feel it , but it won’t
be bad . And the diamonds
are insured
Me : mhm

Mabanga : but I would say

we have nothing to worry
about , we still have enough
to sustain us . What was
stolen , was a part of the
diamond . Not the whole of
it , and we know the half of it
made money over the years
Me : yeah

I get up

Me : let me get to work , I’ll

see the

Mabanga : sure
I walk towards the door and
turn back

Me : has he asked you

maybe for help ?

Mabanga : with ?

Me : finding the thief’s

He chuckles
Mabanga : why would he ?

Me : I mean …you have

connections

Mabanga : so ?

Me : he knows that , and I

thought maybe you will offer
your help
Mabanga : no , I don’t even
want to be here . As of now ,
I am handing in my
resignation

Me : what ?

Mabanga : it’s time I start

paying attention to my
company
Me : but …

Mabanga : no buts , times

are hard in the oil industry .
And if I don’t pay attention
to what’s mine , I’ll be the
one loosing

Me : okay , he won’t be
happy though . Especially
now that we have taken a
knock

Mabanga : I know

Me : let me go

I walk out

If Mabanga leaves , then

that’s good for me
And he’s not getting
involved

Then the chances for them to

find out , that I found the
money and the diamonds are
scarce

It works for me
That other woman is dead

I don’t even know who she is

Even the guys , I didn’t know

them

Without them , they have

nothing

They can’t find nothing

Even if they find out who
they are

They’re all dead

So there’s nothing

They won’t even stand a

chance to find the money
I can’t believe I was fooled

I thought I was in love

Only the woman had sinister

ideas

But it’s fine now , she’s gone

And no one will ever know

she was connected to me
I might be implicated on this

And that wouldn’t be good

for me

Even though I didn’t know

anything about her plans
.
.
.
.

*MABANGA*
Dad : is this a joke ?

Me : no

Dad : you have been running

your company , for five years
. And you’ve been working
fine here , why now ?
Me : because …

I heave a sigh

Me : why am I even
explaining myself to you

Dad : you’re doing this to

spite me right ?
Me : what ?

Dad : I just lost millions and

millions of money , and you
leave . You don’t even bother
to help us , find the people
who did this

Me : those millions you lost ,

my company doesn’t even
make them in a year . So
please , let me be . I did you
the courtesy of letting you
know , instead of going to
HR directly

Dad : you’re cold and cruel

Me : I am sorry

Now he thinks I’m good

enough
Because he wants my help

Too bad , I am not giving it

It’s time I focus on myself

now
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*TEN YEARS LATER*
*INSERT 08*
*THINGO*
I look at the picture

No emotion whatsoever
comes through
Not even a drop of a tear

I’ve shut out so much

It’s hard to even feel

anything

Only vengeance and fury

filled with hatred fill my heart

I take a deep breath

As the plane lands

I look at the small piece of

paper

This little piece of paper

saved my life

And it gave me a new start

A new life

I chuckle

Even from the grave , she still

looks after me

It’s like she knew

She knew I will live

And she gave me a head
start

I wasn’t even aware that she

took some diamonds out

And put them in a place she

knew , that only I will be able
to find it

And I did
I got away , and left the
country

I started afresh , even if it

wasn’t with her

But now I am back

And I am back for her

I only have 7 days , and I will
get the hell out of here

Disappear off the face of the

earth if I have to

But in those 7 days , justice

will prevail

Because the past doesn’t

sleep
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
Mpho : babe

I look at her and smile

Me : hey
She walks in and closes the
door

I get up and meet her

halfway

We hug , I peck her lips

rubbing her tummy

Me : this is a nice surprise

Mpho : the house was
getting lonely , your mother
went to a spa . Tumi is still a
Mabanga’s house , I was
bored

I laugh

Me : I think we need our

house now
Mpho : at this stage ?

Me : it’s been ….I mean , at

this age with a wife and two
kids . I can’t still be living
with my parents

Mpho : ah

She walks over to the chair

and sits down
I sit down opposite her

Me : Mabanga moved out of

home , when was only 21 . I
can’t , it’s time to leave now .
I have a wife , and two kids

Mpho : and he’s not even

married
Me : exactly , I think now you
get my point

Mpho : yeah you’re right ,

but maybe after I give birth .
Because moving can be
stressful

Me : yeah , but we can still

look for a house
Mpho : that we can do , even
online

I smile

It’s been so peaceful

The past died with its secrets

And no one ever know what I

did
And I got to sell those pieces
in peace

Now I am spending my
money

Without any worries

No one even questions me

about that
My father retired two years
ago

And he left me in charge

My salary is now doubled

I can afford my lifestyle

Without any questions of
where my money comes
from

Even I’ve moved from that

I have a wife now , been

married for five years

We have a daughter , she’s 4

years
And now we’re expecting a
son

Life has been a bliss

.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
All I had to do was get a car

I had to buy one

Renting one would just cause

troubles for me

I don’t even need a place to

stay

I can’t buy or rent one

I will jump from one place to
another

I am tired

I could use a sleep for a few

hours

But , I have to do this

I park the car and get out

I look around before walking

in the building

Hip hop music , is pumping

on the speakers

I look over and switch off the

music
Nkunzi : hey ….

He looks at me

And gets on his feet

Drew : who …no this can’t be

. You’re dead

He’s terrified
Me : I am here to collect
what’s mine , I gave you a
job to do

Drew : this cannot be , you’re

dead

Me : my file

I take out the money and put

it on the table
Drew : how ….

He shakes his head

Me : make it snappy

He reaches on his drawer

and takes out the file
Drew : that’s everything , it
was hard to find everyone .
But I did , and their latest
addresses are there as well

Me : mhm

Drew : I don’t want any

trouble with you please

I grab the file and walk out

I get in the car , and drive off
head off to the motel
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 09*
*THINGO*
I take a sip of the merlot
wine

It’s 03:00Am

I’m awake , and not even

sleepy
I just can’t sleep

I’ll rather keep myself busy

and preoccupied

It’s the first day

And I have no time to waste

I flip through the file

Going through the names

The addresses

And what they’re busy doing

The careers they are in

They seem to be doing

pretty good
Some are even married

It’s the son of Ntazi , married

with a daughter and one
child coming

Now CEO of the same

company , my parents died
for
And my sister died in his
hands

It’s all his doing

I didn’t even know they were

dating

Only years later after what

happened
I got to know the truth

Crazy , he was the

mastermind behind what
happened to us

He robbed his own father

Pity I don’t care much about

Ntazi
But it would be lovely for him
to know what his son did to
him

Me : right …

Someone fucked us up

And it’s the security detail

that Ali got for us
Pity he’s dead

But there’s still the five that

came and killed Ali , Keith
and my sister

And lastly , Ntazi

I cannot and I will not spare

his life
This is all his doing

We’re here all because of

him

Out of the five thugs , two

are doing well

One owns a garage

One owns a bar

The other three , still thugs

And barely surviving

No one will be spared

.
.
.
.
I grab the coffee and the car
keys

Taking the file

I walk out , I’ve already

checked out

And already booked a room

at a BnB
There’s no coming back here
after my day

I get in the car and drive out

I’m just 30 minutes away

.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
I drive slow , looking at the
car

It seems to be following me

Ever since I left the house

It’s an uneasy feeling

I just felt like I’m being

followed
And now , for the past 10
minutes

I see this car following me

It goes at the pace I am

going in

I take a deep breath

And go much slower

I want to see what will

happen

The car swerves

I try to see who’s driving it

But the windows are tainted

I can’t see the driver

It passes me , like it was not

following me

Maybe I am just paranoid

I look at it , to see what

happens

But it goes on to take the N1

I heave a sigh

Me : I must be going out of

my mind

I pick up the pace , driving

up with the road speed

Why am I so jumpy out of

nowhere ?
This is crazy

It’s not like I have any reason

to have anyone follow me

I know I have no enemies

My life has been pretty much

clean
I got scared for nothing
.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
I walk in the bar

And it’s not packed

Surely because it’s morning

And not a lot of people wake
up

And just decide to come to a

bar to drink

A guy walks over to me

Him : good morning

I nod
Him : can I get you
something to drink ?

Just as I’m about to speak

He walks in

And he has his head bowed

down
I shake my head and walk
towards him

I bump into him deliberately

He lifts his head and looks at

me

Him : watch where ….

He pops his eyes

Me : good you remember me

Him : you’re dead

He shakes his head

Him : no ….you’re dead

I shrug , taking out my gun

The screams and the gasps
from the people inside

He raises his hands up in

surrender

I pull up the gun on his face ,

and let out a shot right
between his eyes

He slowly falls down

I turn around looking at
everyone

Some are at the floor

Some on their feet

I see the camera right by the

bar
I look right into it

Putting my gun back on my

waist and walk out

I head over the car and get in

driving off

It’s day one

.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 10*
*AT THE BAR*
Male cop : this doesn’t make
any sense

They have the place wrapped

up

And sealed as a crime scene

The people who were in the

bar
At the time of the murder

Are still around

Some cops taking their

statements

Female cop : everyone is

identifying a woman

He chuckles
Male cop : what woman
walks in a bar , and opens
fire on the owner ?

Female cop : maybe an

enemy or competition

Male cop : can we get the

footage ?
He shouts to the bar
manager

Female cop : I’ve already

requested for it

He nods

He looks at the man

Male cop : this is no ordinary
murder

Female cop : close range ,

and he knew her

Male cop : exactly , he knew

the shooter

They both nod looking at

each other
Female cop : maybe a bitter
ex lover , or someone he
owes

Male cop : no

She looks at him

Female cop : no ?
Male cop : whoever she is ,
she was trying to make a
statement . You don’t just
open fire on someone in
front of witnesses like this

Female cop : mhm , but right

now we’re just speculating .
Let’s wait for the footage ,
and see what we can gather
from there
Male cop : and run a
background check on him as
well , there’s more to this

Female cop : so you really

don’t believe that it’s just a
random murder ?

Male cop : hell no , it’s not

She nods and walks around

Female cop : it was clean , no
mess no clues . She walked in
….

She moves a bit

Female cop : I am guessing

looked around , and just
then he walked in . She
moved towards him , and he
recognised who she is . And
she just pulled fire , no
hesitation whatsoever

Male cop : a cold blooded

killer

She chuckles

Female cop : we’re doing the

labels already ?
He shrugs
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I open the door

He walks in
I haven’t seen him in like a
month

I’ve been busy

I believe he has been busy as

well

Mfundo : and you still live

I chuckle walking to the
lounge

Me : don’t act like this is

normal , we don’t do this

We really don’t check on

each other

It’s like , if no call comes in

That someone is dead

Or sick

Or that something is wrong

We just take it that everyone

is well

Mfundo : I haven’t seen you

in a while , and you’re quite
Me : as always

It’s nothing new

I don’t know why he’s acting

up

We sit down

Me : beer ?
Mfundo : no , I still have to
drive back

I nod

Mfundo : I thought maybe

there’s a woman around here
keeping you away

We laugh
Mfundo : but by the coldness
in this house , I swear you’re
still as single as ever . There’s
no woman touch anywhere
in here

I scoff

Mfundo : you don’t get tired

of fucking around ?
Me : no , and now that you’re
married and settled . It
doesn’t give you any right ,
to think you can give me any
advice . I don’t need it , my
life is perfect as it is

Mfundo : make a child then ,

or you’ll die a lonely old man
with nothing
Me : with a whore ? No
thanks

Mfundo : you will die a single

and lonely man

Me : when the right woman

comes along , I will just know
at first glance
Mfundo : yeah right , and
she’ll be another lonely cat
woman

He laughs

Me : I won’t live that long

Mfundo : what ? You have a

death plan ?
I shake my head

Me : I just don’t wanna see

myself reaching old age ,
that’s why I am living for now

Mfundo : that’s just sad

Me : we all choose our paths

, you chose yours . You want
to die old with Mpho , and
grandkids

He chuckles

Mfundo : yeah that’s a much

better option

Me : and that’s your opinion ,

let’s just agree to disagree
I can’t believe he wasted a
trip coming here

To talk shit with me

Something I am not even

interested in

I fuck around

And I’m fine with that

When it’s time to settle , I will
most certainly do so
.
.
.
.
*POLICE STATION*
Male cop : see , I told you .
He knew her
Female cop : yeah , it is cold

Male cop : she didn’t go to

the bar to drink , she went
there with the purpose to kill

Female cop : and she did

She looks again at the CCTV

footage
Male cop : what ?

They look at each other

Female cop : look at how he

is shocked , like he didn’t
maybe expect her . But a
different kind in a way , it’s
more shock and fear than
anything else
Male cop : who wakes up
and expects to be killed , by
a lunatic woman ?

She shakes her head

Female cop : no I mean , like

he’s shocked as if she’s
someone who doesn’t exist
Male cop : how can that be ?

She shrugs

Male cop : we have to get

this out , because we have no
idea who she is

Female cop : we wait , for the

background for him first .
Maybe we will find
something to work with
there

Male cop : alright

He pulls his chair and sits

down

Female cop : in the

meantime , we will run facial
recognition on her
Male cop : she looks so
young , and harmless

Female cop : the word sexy

vixen , just kept coming up
from the interrogation room
. Clearly , even killers are still
complimented . Crazy huh !

He chuckles shaking his head

Male cop : it’s a crazy world
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 11*
*THINGO*
I park at the gate

And walk heading to the

garage

It’s operating

Workers are working

And there’s a few customers

viewing cars
A couple celebrating

I guess they’ve just bought a

car

I see the door written CEO

It must be his office

I just walk through , headed
to it

A lady runs to me

Her : ma’am sorry , you can’t

just walk in there

She shouts behind me

I open the door

He lifts his head from the
chair

The lady behind me pushes

me and walks in

Her : sir I tried to stop her

He says nothing
But his reaction says it all

The smirk on his face that

night is vanished

He swallows hard

Him : leave ….

He holds to the desk

Her : sir you mean me …I

I draw my gun out

She screams running out

He raises his hands up in

surrender

Him : I am sorry
Me : I am not

Him : please ….I have a wife ,

I have a son and two
daughters …

Me : wish I could give you a

chance to say goodbye to
them , I wasn’t given that
chance either to say
goodbye to my sister that
fateful night

Him : it was just a job , I am

not that man anymore

He darts his eyes to the

corner

I see a camera
I shrug , pulling two pullets
between his eyes

And he falls down

Just as security comes

running

I run to the window , and

jump out
.
.
.
.
*AT THE GARAGE*
The two cops shake their
heads

Looking at the CCTV footage

Hearing what the eye
witnesses are saying

Male cop : what is this ?

He says annoyed

Female cop : no one goes

around killing people for no
reason , especially at places
they own and work at . With
eye witnesses , and footage .
She doesn’t even try to hide
away

Male cop : maybe she’s a

serial killer

Female cop : that is more

than far fetched , there’s no
serial killer that can do this .
She’s not hiding
Male cop : plain sight

Female cop : she’s sending a

message , question is to who
? And how do these two men
connect to her

Male cop : that background

check ?
They look at each other

And walk out of the garage

heading to their car

They drive out to the police

station
.
.
.
.
*POLICE STATION*
Male cop : mhm …you see
what I am seeing ?

He hands her the file

Female cop : they both did

hard time , almost fifteen
years ago . But after that , it
was pretty crimes and
barely even got arrested for
them .
Male cop : some they just
paid fines , others dockets
went missing

Female cop : you think a

gang ?

Male cop : it’s possible , it

can’t just be the two of them
alone
Female cop : I say we try and
find who they could be
connected to , maybe people
they got arrested with . That
could lead to something else

He nods

Male cop : that’s something

Female cop : maybe they
were doing a job together ,
and they betrayed her . And
now she’s come for revenge

Male cop : possible , but she

doesn’t strike me like a hard-
core criminal

Female cop : looks can be

deceiving , she doesn’t look
like she can kill either . Same
as yesterday , she walks in
and the recognition . Then
she goes for the kill

Male cop : she knows them

Female cop : exactly , so if

there’s more we can try and
find them before she does .
And we will be able to catch
her

He nods slowly

Female cop : that facial

recognition is coming , I still
say she looks familiar

Male cop : maybe you’ve

arrested her before
Female cop : maybe , I’ll look
into my old files

He nods

Male cop : the media is

alerted , that will also help

Female cop : sure

Male cop : we have to crack
this case , otherwise the
country will lose faith in us

She picks the file and walks

to her desk while he’s left
looking at the garage video
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
Me : hey babe

She turns and looks at me

Mpho : hey

She grabs the tv remote and

switch it off
I peck her cheek

Me : I am tired

Mpho : long day ?

Me : yeah

Mpho : I’ll run a bath for you

Me : no , let me not disturb
your TV

She smiles

Mpho : just nothing

interesting , but stressful .
Seems like there’s some
woman out there busy killing
people
I chuckle

She gets up and we walk

upstairs to our room
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 12*
*POLICE STATION*
Female cop : yes !

She smiles

Her partner looks at her

Male cop : care to share

She gets up and walks over

to her desk

Female cop : come see this , I

told you I know her

Male cop : seems like we’ll

get somewhere
He gets up and walks to her
desk

Male cop : so who is she ?

She smiles

Female cop : she is dead

He frowns
Male cop : what …who killed
her and when ? No murder
has been reported

Female cop : she died ten

years ago

He stares at her

Hoping she will say she’s

kidding
Because clearly , whoever
this woman is

She’s not a ghost , she’s very

much alive

But she doesn’t say anything

Male cop : okay , two

murders on our hands . A
dangerous and armed killer
on the loose , you think it’s
the perfect time to make
jokes ?

Female cop : Thingo Langa ,

that’s her name . Ten years
ago , she and her sister
robbed the Ntazi jewels .
Along with two other guys ,
as their accomplice . They hid
at a safe house , only days
later they were robbed . The
two guys dead , and the
sister sliced . Thingo , she
was shot . Taken to hospital ,
and she was declared DOA .
Police were alerted , and the
report was made . Turns out
she woke up , doctors
freaked out and she made a
run for it . Right there and
there , she disappeared off
the face of the earth
She hands him the file she’s
holding

He looks at it

Male cop : impossible

Female cop : possible , I was

given this case . Only it went
cold , high orders came to let
it go

Male cop : and now she’s

back

Female cop : I bet my ass ,

she’s going after everyone
who went to that safe house
and robbed them . Killed her
sister and their accomplices
Male cop : I thought no one
ever found out what
happened to Ntazi jewels

Female cop : took about two

years , and the man had
given up then he didn’t even
care

Male cop : rich bastard

She nods

He pulls a chair and sits

down

Male cop : what now ?

Female cop : we’re chasing

after ghost , it won’t be easy .
We just have to find out ,
who robbed them

Male cop : wow !

He leans back on the chair

and sighs
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
News Anchor : Three men
found hanged , and shot by
the Pretoria bridge . It is
believed , these three
murders are the same as the
two murders that occurred
two days ago . Suspect is a
woman , mid twenties . She’s
still at large , the police are
warning people to be careful
. As the suspect is considered
to be dangerous , and armed
. In other news ….

The door opens , Mfundo

walks in

Me : you again
He chuckles taking his suit
jacket off

I switch off the TV

Mfundo : it’s my lunch hour ,

I knew you’re working from
home . Thought I could have
a beer
Me : why would you want a
beer during office hours ?

He shrugs walking to the

kitchen

He comes back with two

bottle

And he sits down opposite

me
He opens one and downs
half of it

Me : do you have stress ?

Mfundo : I think I am getting

old

I laugh
Mfundo : or maybe I’m just
paranoid

Me : okay ….

Mfundo : a few days ago , I

thought someone was
following me

Me : who ?
Mfundo : I don’t know , but
the car passed me anyways .
Today when I was leaving
home , I felt the same .
Maybe I am loosing my mind

Me : that’s strange

Mfundo : exactly ….I don’t

know what’s happening
Me : maybe it’s these
murders going around ,
three days in a raw . Five
men killed , three were found
hanged by the Pretoria
bridge clearly they were shot
before that

Mfundo : damn …I haven’t

really paid attention to that ,
I heard Mpho talking about it
yesterday
Me : so you haven’t watched
the news ?

Mfundo : no , I believe she

said it’s a woman

Me : a hella sexy fine one

He laughs
Mfundo : don’t be a creep ,
you’ll end up falling for this
murderer

Me : in my eyes , she’s still a

beautiful sexy woman . Eyes
don’t lie , nor do natural
looks

He downs the beer shaking

his head
Mfundo : I believe you’re not
sane

He puts the empty bottle

and grabs the other beer
opening it
.
.
.
.
*PRETORIA BRIDGE*
Female cop : it’s her

They look at each other

Female cop : these three , are

the ones who’s file we had
this morning . And two just
came out of jail a week ago
Male cop : so she’s done ?

She shrugs

Male cop : the five she’s

killed , it’s all we could find in
their file . There’s no one else
we found connected to her

Female cop : not entirely

Male cop : what do you
mean ?

Female cop : this is revenge ,

someone betrayed them .
And that’s how they got
robbed

Male cop : who ? She’s killed

them all , there’s no one else
left
Female cop : the head of
security from Ntazi jewels ,
was their inside man . The
day the company discovered
they got robbed he
disappeared , and was never
ever found . My gut tells me ,
there’s another person here .
The security guard must have
sold them out to those
person , and whoever the
person is killed the guard
and robbed these ones

He looks at her

Male cop : how do you even

..

She laughs patting his

shoulder
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 13*
*POLICE STATION*
Female cop : clearly this is
connected to that Ntazi
robbery

She slams the table annoyed

Male cop : calm down

Female cop : no one is willing

to talk
Male cop : maybe they really
don’t know , you did say that
the case went cold

Female cop : I am telling you

right now , someone from
that company knows
something

Male cop : it’s been a long

time
Female cop : how are we
expected to solve cases ,
when the public refuses to
cooperate with us ? I bet you
, someone knows something
there

He shakes his head with a

sigh
Male cop : what can we do ?
Ntazi retired , gave his son
the company . Do you think
he will be willing to say
something if he knows ?

Female cop : I don’t know

Male cop : let’s think this one

through , we can’t rock up
there with suspicions
Female cop : you really think
she’s done ? This was the last
statement , for her . No one
else is left behind ?

Male cop : I thought so , but

now …

He shrugs
Male cop : maybe you’re
right , there’s someone else .
Problem is who ?

She nods

Female cop : a killer in our

midst , and she’s getting
away . Just like that , five
dead bodies in just three
days
Male cop : some will say she
did us a favour

She chuckles

Female cop : she’s a criminal

, just like the rest of them .
And going around killing
other criminals , doesn’t
make her a saint
He chuckles shaking his head

Clearly this is starting to

weigh in on her
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I chuckle
Me : I am surprised you don’t
even know anything that’s
happening around you

He laughs

Me : I am not joking

Mfundo : I mean , it has

nothing to do with me
Me : you think

He nods

Mfundo : I mean …maybe

some guy out there fucked
this woman up . And now
she’s taking her revenge on
all men
I laugh

Me : and that includes you

Mfundo : fuck her !

Me : don’t be an idiot

Mfundo : she wouldn’t dare

come at me
Me : I so hope she does , so
you can spit these words
again

Mfundo : whatever

I shake my head

It doesn’t seem like he’s

going to leave any time soon
He’s been here for hours
now

It’s just minutes before knock

off time

There’s no going back to

work right now

From here I just have to drop

him off
I don’t even want to go there

I don’t want to see my father

In the last ten years , I’ve only

seen him three times

He’s a shitty old man

With despicable behaviour

And I want nothing to do
with him

I don’t even want to go to his

house

I don’t understand why

Mfundo doesn’t move out of
there
He’s a grown ass man

Or maybe he wants to inherit

the house

It’s crazy
.
.
.
.
*MFUNDO*
She looks at me and laughs

Me : what ?

Mpho : consequences of
drinking during the week ,
knowing you have work the
next day

I chuckle
My head is pounding

I don’t even remember when

I got home

Or how I even got home

All I know is that I shouldn’t

have drunk that much
.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
Three days gone

It wasn’t hard for those three

thugs
Found them sloshed in a bar

As much as they were aware

of what was happening to
them

The fact that they were

intoxicated

Just made things easy

And the fact that they still
hang out together

Unlike the other two who

changed their lives

And it’s day four

.
.
.
.
*POLICE STATION*
Male cop : you were right ,
it’s her . She walked in a bar ,
and killed them point blank .
Took the bodies , and
probably that’s how they
ended up hanging on the
bridge
Female cop : how does she
do all of this ?

He shakes his head

Female cop : I mean ….she

was just the driver at that
Ntazi jewels robbery . Now
she’s a cold blooded killer ,
she must have gotten some
training
Male cop : she did disappear
for a whole ten years , who
knows where she was or
what she was doing ?

Female cop : yeah …this is a

tricky one

Male cop : we have to find

her
Female cop : how do we
know where she will be next
? They never see her car
enough , to give us anything
on it . We don’t know where
she stays

She takes a deep breath

heaving a sigh
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 14*
*MFUNDO*
I don’t even think I should
have come to work

But I am here

I just walk past reception

If I have any messages

I will see to it when I get a

chance to
Just not now

Maybe I should have a beer

To cure this hangover

Mpho suggested coffee

But I couldn’t stand the smell

I try unlocking my office
door

But it doesn’t

I hold the handle and it’s

open

Must be the cleaners cleaned

this morning
I walk in and freak the shit
out

There’s a woman standing by

my window looking outside

She has her back turned on

me

I draw my gun out , and

point it at her
Me : who the fuck are you ,
and what do you want ?

Her : to kill you

I chuckle

I don’t even recognise her

voice
Me : very funny , seeing that I
have …

Her : a gun pointed at me

I shrug

Me : are you the woman

that’s been going around
killing those men ?
Her : those men ? You don’t
keep up much with the news
do you ?

Me : nothing that concerns

me , has nothing to do with
me

Her : oh , but this has

everything to do with you …
Slowly she turns and faces
me

My jaw drops , as I pop my

eyes

She’s dead !

Me : what the fuck !

She’s supposed to be dead

Ten years later , I still
recognise her

Me : you’re a ghost

Her : you betrayed my sister ,

and the past doesn’t sleep

Me : she used me , and stole

from my family
Her : your father stole that
diamond from my parents ,
and he killed them

Me : bullshit

Her : see it’s a circle , he stole

from them . We stole from
him , and you stole from us
I clench my jaws

Her : he doesn’t even know

does he ?

I scoff

Me : what’s it to you ?

Her : nothing , I don’t give a

shit . But as of now , he
knows you found those
diamonds and you stole
them . Killing his head of
security , and you and your
girlfriend were in conspiracy

Me : that’s bullshit , and you

know it

Her : I should save the best

for last , if you kept in touch
you would have seen every
single one of those guys you
robbed us with and killed my
sister . They’re all dead

I swallow hard

Me : you …you …

She quickly draws her gun

out
And it’s a silencer

I pull a shot , hitting her

shoulder

She doesn’t even flinch

Two bullets hit me on my

chest
My gun drops

Me : please ….

Blood comes out of my

mouth

I’m in such fresh pain

Me : I have a wife ….kids ….

Please …
Her : my parents had kids ,
my sister was all I had

I watch in horror as a shot

goes through my forehead

I lift my hand to the back of

my head

And I come back with blood

Slowly I go down
.
.
.
.
*NTAZI JEWELS*
She sits down laughing

Causing stares
She raises her hand and
sighs

Her partner walks to her

Male cop : this is a joke ?

Female cop : I should have

gone with my hunch

Male cop : and that was ….

Female cop : someone inside
this building knew
something

Male cop : so you’re saying

it’s her ?

Female cop : come on , this is

her emo . The shots between
the eyes , she makes sure
they’re dead . With no
chance of surviving

Male cop : so he’s the last

one ?

Female cop : unfortunately

he is , and we still don’t know
her . Again , we’ve lost her .
She’s gone , I bet this time
she will become a real ghost
Male cop : this is a big
company , how come no one
saw anything ?

Female cop : even the

cameras

Male cop : how did she walk

in here , without being seen ?
Female cop : I don’t even
care anymore , I am done . I
hope she disappears forever
in her hole , and we can put
this to rest

Male cop : just like that ,

we’re giving up ?

Female cop : what can we do

?
She gets up

Female cop : do you have

any bright ideas ?

He says nothing

She shakes her head opening

the door and walks out of
the office
.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I answer the call

It’s been ringing off the hook

I’ve been trying to ignore it

But it’s a lot now

Me : yes

Mom : Mabanga , please

come to the hospital now …

I didn’t even see it’s my

mother calling

She barely calls

Me : why ….
Mom : now , your brother
was found killed in his office .
Your father heard , and he
had a heart attack . Come
now !

She drops the call

I am dumbfounded
Like that was a prank call of
some kind

I mean …

Mfundo is dead …no ways

That cannot be

No it can’t be
She wasn’t even calling me
with her number
.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 15*
*MABANGA*
I feel like I am in a movie of
some sort
This can’t be …

Just yesterday I was with

Mfundo

And I think for the first time

ever

We spent that much hours

together
We joked and laughed

But now …what’s this ?

Mpho is a mess , she doesn’t

look like herself

I headed to see her first and

the kids
She’s fucking pregnant for
heaven’s sake

She doesn’t need this

I was worried about her

And she doesn’t look good

at all

I hope she can pull through

I don’t understand how no
one saw anything

Is it not insane , how we were

talking about this woman
yesterday

And today , she’s suspected

to have killed my brother
Why ?

Why would she kill him , for

what ?

This does not make sense

And I hardly even believe

that all these killings are
random
But Mfundo ….

As for my father

I really wasn’t worried about

him

I’m only headed to the

hospital right now

He’s a sick bastard

He can’t die because of a
heart attack

I know he will live

It would really be a miracle if

he dies
.
.
.
.
*THINGO*
That damn old man

He just had to be a weakling

And now he’s in a hospital

But I have to lay low for

those last days before I go

I can’t wait for tomorrow to

finish with him
I will have to go to the
hospital and just kill him
there

I am bleeding on my
shoulder

But it’s not as bad

I’m loosing blood though

Even though I am damn
feeling the pain

And I know I cannot ignore

the wound for much longer

But I’m left with no choice

.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
Me : I don’t understand

Mom : your father received

information this morning ,
that your brother was
involved in the jewellery that
was stolen

Me : what jewellery ?
Mom : ten years ago

I chuckle

Me : now you’re digging into

the past ?

Mom : this information was

dropped at the house
Me : surely you don’t believe
that

Mom : Mfundo found the

diamonds , from the people
who stole them and he took
them . That’s what was said

Me : and you believe that ?

This is crazy
Mom : your father didn’t
believe that

Me : at least his mind still

works

Mom : don’t , he believed

that Mfundo just stole those
diamonds
Okay , now I’ve heard it all

Me : now that’s even crazier

than what you first told me

Mom : I don’t know what’s

happening

At least I am not the only

one
.
.
.
.
*IN THE WARD*
Thingo opens the door

The nurse looks at her

Nurse : ma’am no one is

allowed in here
She says nothing but draws
her gun

The nurse screams , but

quickly keeps quite

As she recognises Thingo as

the woman on tv

Who’s wanted
Mr Ntazi opens his eyes

He pops his eyes

Thingo : this is for my

parents , stealing their
diamond and killing them in
their home . And your son
had no shame , he killed my
sister
He opens his mouth trying to
speak

Thingo holds her bleeding

shoulder

And she pulls out four bullet

shots to the chest of Mr
Ntazi
The nurse backs to the
corner crying

Thingo walks out of the ward

.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
I left my mother going to get
coffee
We’re still not allowed to see
him

Someone bumps into me , at

the hospital door entrance

I drop one cup of the coffee

I see blood dripping

Me : what the ….

I look , and I can’t believe

this

Me : it’s you …

I hold her

Dropping the other cup

She must have lost a lot of
blood

She’s slowly going out of it

Me : hey don’t …die here

…don’t …

Her : I ….I’m …
Me : save your breath , you
cannot be seen here .. aren’t
you supposed to be running
or something ?

Her : car ….I must … must ..

She closes her eyes

Me : damn !
I pick her into my hands and
rush to my car

I place her in the back and

get in drivers seat

I drive out in a rush

I’ll send my mother a text

.
.
.
.
*BETRAYED*
*INSERT 16*
*THINGO*
I open my eyes

And look around

I don’t know where I am

I’m a bit fuzzy

But I still damn remember
where I was

At the hospital

And I walked out

But then ….

Me : that guy ….
I move and sit up straight

I’m in a bedroom

Me : what ….

And it really must be a fancy

house
But I’ll say somewhere in the
woods

Maybe a cabin of some sort

Fancy one though

I slowly get up

I notice the bandage on my

shoulder
And it’s clean

I must have stopped

bleeding

Meaning I am patched up

These pants are not mine

Even the t-shirt

I walk out the bedroom

And it’s stairs heading down

I walk down , and well …

I don’t mind that he got me

naked , while he was taking
my clothes off
Me : what a sight ?

He lifts his head and looks at

me

Him : mhm sleeping beauty

is finally awake

Me : why did you bring me

here and help me ?
He gets down from the
counter

Me : if it’s to kill me …

I walk to the end of the stairs

Me : then you should have

done it when I was asleep , if
it’s to turn me to the police
…it’s a very bad move . And I
wouldn’t advice it , I’ll rather
you kill me . For your sake ,
you don’t want me as an
enemy

Him : you’re not scared to

face your consequences ?
Are you ?

I chuckle
Him : make me understand
why ?

Me : I owe you nothing

He shrugs

Him : makes the two of us ,

but I still helped you

He lets out a fade smile

My heart does a flip I’ve
never encountered

I walk closer to him and take

the glass of coke from him

I walk over to the counter

Me : I am wanted , I have to
leave this country
Him : we’re out in the woods
, no one will come looking
for you out here

He turns and faces me

What a handsome man !

I am seriously fantasizing
about him right now
How stupid of me

He’s a no go area

Especially to fall in love for

Me : mhm …

Him : the name is Mabanga

Ntazi
Ntazi he says

Me : Thingo …. Langa

I down the glass of coke

Me : I am not sorry , I’ve

hated your father ever since I
saw him killing my parents .
And he stole the same
diamond they found , and
still took it to him . All he had
to do , was give them a little
something . But he was a
greedy bastard , and he
killed them for what was
theirs . We grew , and we
wanted to take back what’s
ours . And we did , only it
was taken from us . And I lost
a sister , someone I love .
Again I lost a family , at the
hands of your family ..

Mabanga : Mfundo

I nod slowly

The silence is a lot

Me : do what you must , I did

. My sister did , getting into
his bed to fish out for us .
But he had no problem
killing her in front of me ,
and they shot me left for
dead . But make sure you
really kill me , or else I’ll kill
you and I won’t even hesitate
to

He says nothing again

Me : I am hungry

I get down the counter , and

look through his cupboards
and fridge

I take out what I can , and

make a sandwich
.
.
.
.
*THE HOSPITAL*
Female cop : I swear it feels
like no one wants us to find
her

Male cop : this is a damn

bloody hospital , yet no one
saw her once again

Female cop : twice in one day

Male cop : now must we
worry that another Ntazi will
die ?

Female cop : the brother says

he left , to deal with a press
statement . And it’s out , just
a hour ago

Male cop : and he doesn’t

think she’ll come after him ?
Female cop : no he doesn’t ,
in fact he doesn’t believe any
of them are in danger

Male cop : and I thought we

were done with this

Female cop : I don’t know

about you buddy , but I am
done . No one cares to help
us with finding her , she can
kill them all for all I care

She walks out of the hospital

and get into her car

She drives off

.
.
.
.
*MABANGA*
Maybe I am insane

Because I still feel something

for her

Now much worse , as I’ve

seen her

Tv doesn’t do her any justice

Truly it doesn’t

Thingo : are you done

thinking ?

I look at her

Thingo : if you’re not going

to do anything , then let me
go because I must get out of
here

Me : I want to do more than

anything

She stares at me

Me : is there a way , I can

erase everything I think I
know and just meet you for
the first time . Like I know
shit about what you’ve done

She exhales

Her eyes soften

Thingo : please don’t ….

Me : I can’t help it
Thingo : too much bad blood
and you know what I did you
know …

A tear drops down her cheek

Me : with the dead

I walk over to her , wiping

her tear off
Me : i want my start with you

She closes her eyes and

more tears stream down her
face

I walk closer to her

She opens her eyes

Me : I don’t see what they all
see when they look or hear
about you , whoever died
they were paying for their
deeds

Maybe I didn’t know my

brother as much as I thought
I did

As for my father …
Well , I can’t put anything
past that man

I can’t carry their deeds for

them

Maybe this is not how

normality works

I don’t know
But maybe this is mine

She opens her mouth to say

something

But she wails breaking down

I hold her into my arms , as

she lays on my chest crying
This is it

The start

It starts with letting go of this

much

The rest will figure itself out ,

when it does
.
.
.
.
*THE END*