Fake Identity

6 Fake Identity

By the time the numerous tests were done and over with, Zara felt like she’d been put in a pulley system and stretched beyond her elastic limit. The doctors couldn’t have been anymore invasive. They poked at her, taking samples after sample that it hurt. And, God, the many questions they asked!

Now, her entire body ached and she reeked of disinfectant and latex—she had no idea how the latter came about.

With a sigh, she turned the corner and entered the neighbourhood she stayed in. it wasn’t busy. The street was always a bit quieter during the evenings except for the roadside sellers who had stands to sell their barbecue, meat, roasted plantain and even bean cake they tossed out of the oil at the moment.

Zara stopped near one of the stands, eyeing it for a while. She was tempted to get a few for her siblings. She was sure the food from yesterday would be enough for them if she and Dominic ate half rations. It would nice to surprise them a bit.

But, she reconsidered. Though Aaron had offered money so she could pay for her transport, she didn’t want to waste it. The cakes would have to be suspended till she got the job—if she passed the tests. She’d been told the results would be available in two days.

Turning away from the stands and the ear-piercing yells that came from across the street, she jogged towards the apartment. Apparently, some of the street boys were doing some jogs in preparation for football practice.

She’d often watch some of their games with Dominic. Only Daisi felt that football was a waste of energy. She’d rather read books all day than watch professional leagues.

As she walked by, Zara glanced at the pole at the side of the street. The words of Festus still rang in her mind. She wanted to be sure that her siblings weren’t actually hugging the pole like he’d said they would. Her heart calmed when she found the pole in its usual solitude.

However, she wasn’t all calmed. That wasn’t the only pole on the street. Several others lined up till the junction and she feared that Festus had thrown her siblings to those ones. She hoped the landlord would give her one more week. She was sure she’d pay up by then.

As she walked by an alley, strong hands grabbed her, yanking her into the slightly dimmed alley. Zara yelped but a piece of cloth was thrown over her mouth, muffling her screams. She struggled but the hands grew strong.

Her brain froze and her body shrank in fear, her heart thumping wildly. She tried to scream again but shivered when she felt more hands grip her. That wasn’t one person, but three…

It wasn’t uncommon to have street thugs in these parts but it wasn’t common to have them this early. Usually people complained of being mugged towards midnight. What did they want with her?

The hands threw her and she crashed against the wall of the alley, whimpering. The cloth was taken away from her mouth, allowing her fresh breaths. She shuddered, pressing her back against the wall, hoping it would swallow her. She was panting, cold sweat trickling down her temple.

Three men loomed over her in the dark. She couldn’t quite make out their appearances but she very well saw the determination in those fierce, bead-like eyes. They stared at her like a knife about to sink into a fragile fresh. She gulped.

“What…do you want with me?” she asked, quivering.

“Nice that you asked,” a voice said behind the three men and they backed away a bit to reveal another man. He’d been obscured in the dark and she hadn’t seen him.

However, Zara froze when she heard that voice. She had no need to see the face of the man who was addressing her. The voice gave away a lot and that sent tremors down her soul. With trembling lips, she said, “Ethan? What are you doing?”

“Nice that you asked, again,” he said, chuckling. His jovial yet wrinkled face loomed before her. He had that sparing smile that characterised him, making him appear serene all the time. Nothing could get this man angry. But, he was the worst of men, Zara knew.

“I believe we have business to discuss,” Ethan said, sighing. “A lot of people think that when they owe you, they can just run and outsmart you. Unlike them, you’ve been obedient, Mara Charlescare.”

Zara felt cold all over. “Don’t call me that!” she snapped, feeling her anger rising bit by bit. She hated that name. hated the last name even more! “My name is Zara and you know that. Stop with Mara or Amara and stop calling me Charlescare!”

“Hmm,” Ethan said, amused. “You’ve grown backbone, Mara. It wasn’t too long ago when you came to me, begging to have your name changed. So, Peacegiver it is?”

She snorted but Ethan didn’t mind that. He turned away from her. “I understand you, Mara. Charlescare didn’t do a good job with you and I get why you’re hiding. But, will you hide all your life? Look at me, I changed my last name to Field. You know why?”

She shook her head, gritting her teeth. She hardly believed that someone so jovial and kind like Ethan would be a monster on the inside. His greying hair almost made him look like a grand-dad.

Ethan sighed. “It’s a long story really. My family did to me what Charlescare did to you. They made me…into a monster. As an act of goodwill, I kept the name they gave me but changed to Field. Like a field, I am wide and fertile. That’s why people borrow from me.”

“Ethan,” she said, voice weak. The man was still looming over her and the three men behind him look so imposing those hefty chests and fierce eyes. They could easily snap her neck in that alley and no one would dare move a finger. “I know how it looks like but I’ve been working really hard to get your money. I swear.”

“I believe you,” he said. “But, I’m not a really patient man. I want my money back, Mara Charlescare otherwise I’ll be forced to take collateral.”

Collateral… Zara froze on hearing that. “One week,” she said, trembling. “Just one week more and I’ll pay you all the money I owe!”

“I wonder how that can be possible,” he said, tapping his chin. “$10,000 is a lot of money for you to save up in a week. How do you intend to do that?”

“Trust me, please,” she said. “You know me, Ethan. You helped me when I was in danger from Charlescare. I won’t lie to you!”

Ethan turned aside, pondering for a while. Then, he nodded at her. “You know why I like women? They have a lot of bargaining power than men. I’ll be lenient with you for one more week. If you don’t give what you owe, I’ll be forced to take back my investment.”

“Investment?”

“Your sister, Daisi,” he said, smiling. “I know that part of the money I gave you was used in treating her. Now that she can barely walk, I could take her and use her for my grand schemes. It would settle your debt. She’s my investment, Mara.”

Mara shuddered, feeling her stomach lurch in the oddest possible ways. He…was planning to take Daisi? No! There was no way Zara would let that happen.

“I’ll pay you,” she said, firm. “Stay away from Daisi!”

“As you wish,” he said, then waved for his men to lead the way. “You know you owe me your life, Mara? That fake name you have, that fake life, that fake…identity you wear? It belongs to me totally. Without me, you’d be prostituting for Charlescare by now!”

Zara sighed. Too bad she was going to be prostituting real soon. Ethan left her in the alley. She stood there, numb and weak, her heart pounding.