The Truth Revealed

The operation room indicator glowed red, signaling an ongoing surgery.

Kendrick sat in the chair outside the hallway, his eyes red-rimmed and his heart heavy with pain and worry.

He slumped forward, his elbows on his thighs, and rested his head in his hands, his eyes staring blankly into thin air.

Kendrick's mind raced with dark thoughts of Mandy's condition, his head spinning with the haunting image that had met him at the scene - her lifeless body lying on the ground, her head soaked in blood.

The pain was almost suffocating, and he couldn't shake off the looming fear that Mandy might not survive.

It was already 19:56 pm, and the doctors were still in the operating room, fighting to save Mandy's life after her prolonged arrival.

Meanwhile, the female police officers were interrogating the stubborn girls, trying to extract information about Mandy's whereabouts.

The girls remained handcuffed in their cell, enduring relentless slaps and beatings all over their bodies as they refused to yield.

"I can see you girls are too stubborn!" the lead officer yelled.

"What do you gain from keeping this a secret? Do you want more pain?!" she sneered.

One of the girls, her lips bruised and swollen, pleaded, "Ma, we didn't do anything!"

But this only infuriated the officer further, her face reddening with rage.

"Get me the boiling water!" she barked, her demand making the four girls' eyes widen in terror, their faces pale with fear.

"Ma, please, Ma, please, don't do this to us!" Mary's sister begged, her voice trembling with fear, her eyes brimming with tears.

But the officer remained resolute, her expression unyielding, refusing to listen to their desperate pleas.

The boiling water arrived with alarming speed, and the lead female officer seized the kettle with a tight grip.

She turned to the girls, her eyes glinting with a creepy intensity that made their skin crawl.

"Are you ready to start talking?" the officer asked.

But before she could continue, Mary suddenly erupted in a fiery burst of fear and anger.

"What do you want from us!" she yelled, her voice trembling with rage.

"We've told you we don't know where she is! Let us go already!"

"Mary! Be quiet already!" Deka yelled, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and warning.

But Mary refused to back down, her gaze locked in a fierce stare with the officer.

The officer smirked, her expression twisted in cruel amusement.

"Oh, okay," she said.

With that, the officer slowly stepped closer to Mary, her eyes locked onto hers.

She grasped Mary's shirt collar with a tight, unforgiving grip, and then pulled her in with a sudden, violent jerk.

The force was so abrupt that Mary's head snapped forward, her face inches from the officer's.

"Hey, let go of me!" Mary yelled, her voice rising in shock as she struggled to break free, but the officer's hold was unyielding.

Mary was pulled closer to the cell bars, her feet scraping against the cold floor as she tried to resist. But the officer's strength was overpowering.

"Looks like you're very stubborn," the officer said.

"And I'll treat you accordingly."

With a sudden burst of force, she slammed Mary hard against the bars, the impact sending shockwaves coursing through Mary's body like a jolt of electricity.

"Argh!" Mary yelled, her cry echoing off the cold cell walls as she felt her bones crunch on impact, her vision blurring from the pain.

The officer's grip remained tight, her fingers digging deeper into Mary's collarbone, as she leaned in closer, her hot breath whispering against Mary's ear.

"You better start talking, or I'll start with you," the officer growled.

Then, with a sudden burst of violence, she pulled away and released Mary harshly, shoving her backward.

Before Mary could even react, two other officers outside the cell grabbed her by her shoulders from behind and slammed her into the bars, pinning her in place.

"What is this!" Mary yelled, her head twisted sideways in protest, her body straining against the officers' grip.

"This is called treating you according to how you deserve," the officer responded, her eyes fixed intensely on Mary.

"You better release me, or you'll regret this!" Mary yelled, struggling to wriggle free, but the officer just let out an amused laugh.

"Fool," she spat, her face transforming into a stern mask.

With that, she lifted the kettle above Mary's head, the steam rising like a menacing cloud.

"Start talking, or you'll get it," she hissed, the kettle poised to strike like a deadly serpent.

Mary began to tremble, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I didn't do anything."

"Shut up, Mary!" Deka suddenly exploded in a fit of rage, tears gushing out of her eyes like a river.

"Shut up already!" she repeated.

The officer slowly retreated, taking the kettle away from Mary, and turned her attention to Deka, who was being restrained by other police officers.

With a calculated motion, the officer handed the kettle to a nearby colleague and clasped her hands together behind her back, her eyes fixed intently on Deka as she began to walk towards her.

"So, tell me everything you know," she said, as she drew nearer.

"I will, but only if you promise you won't hurt any of us anymore," Deka responded.

The officer nodded hesitantly. "I won't, unless it's absolutely necessary."

Deka shook her head. "No, promise you won't hit us even if it requires you to do so."

The officer's brow shot up in indignation. "Who do you think you are to dictate how I do my job?"

"If you don't promise me that, then I won't tell you anything," Deka said, her voice filled with fear.

The officer's expression turned cold.

"And if you don't talk, I'll continue hitting you," she stated bluntly, her hand stretching out to the side.

The other officer swiftly handed her the kettle, which she took with a deliberate slowness, her eyes never leaving Deka's face.

Deka's eyes bulged in terror as she saw the kettle, her heart racing wildly in her chest.

"So, what's it going to be?" the officer sneered.

"Uhm...uhm..." Deka stuttered, but the officer's face twisted in disgust, and she turned around to Mary.

"You ladies make me sick," she spat, then slowly began walking towards Mary.

"D-don't come any c-closer," Mary warned, her voice trembling with fear.

But the officer ignored her plea, advancing until she was standing right in front of Mary.

Mary's eyes were fixed on the kettle as it was lifted above her head, its contents threatening to spill.

Her body began to shake uncontrollably as she darted frantic glances between the officer and the kettle, her eyes wide with terror.

"Don't do this!" Mary pleaded.

"If you don't want me to, then you should talk now, or you'll pay dearly," the officer responded.

"But I didn't—" The officer began pouring the scalding water onto her head.

Mary's cries of agony echoed through the cell as she struggled to free herself from the rope that bound her to the bars, but it was no use.

"Ahhh!!!!" she screamed, her body thrashing in torment.

The lead officer showed no mercy, relentlessly pouring the scalding water onto Mary's scalp, eliciting agonized yells and screams from Deka and the other girls.

"Officer, please!" Mary's sister begged, but the officer callously ignored their cries, turning a deaf ear to their anguish.

She would only cease her cruel torment when one of them uttered the words, "I'll tell you the truth."

Meanwhile, Mary continued to scream and writhe in excruciating pain, her eyes clenched shut as the boiling water seared her scalp, causing her unbearable agony.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you the truth! Please, just let her go!" Mary's sister suddenly yelled.

The officer's gaze snapped to her, and she immediately paused, withdrawing the kettle from Mary's scalp.

Mary was left to continue crying, her body shaking with sobs, as the officer slowly turned back to face the girls.

A sinister smile spread across the officer's face. "Start talking," she said.

The girl hesitated, her gaze fixed on the floor, before stammering, "okay."

The officer's eyes narrowed. "Go on," she prodded.

Mary's sister glanced up, her cheeks stained with tears, and continued in a shaky voice, "A...a lady."

The officer's gaze intensified. "What lady?"

Mary's sister hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I-I don't know her name. But she gave us an order...to kidnap a girl."

The officer nodded for her to continue. "And that's exactly what you did? Nothing more?"

Mary's sister nodded, her eyes welling up with tears again.

"Y-yes, that's all. We didn't hurt her or anything. We just...just followed the lady's instructions."

"Okay, so where is the girl?" The officer pressed.

Mary's sister frowned, her tears suddenly drying up as she hesitated, unsure if she should reveal the location.

The officer's expression turned stern, her displeasure at the hesitation clear.

"Do you want me to continue?" The officer asked.

Mary's sister quickly shook her head, her eyes darting around the room before settling back on the officer.

"N-no, I'll talk now."

The officer nodded curtly. "Go on."

Mary's sister took a deep breath before responding. "We kept her in a room..."

The officer's frown deepened at Mary's sister's evasiveness.

"What room? What's the address?" she demanded.

Mary's sister sniffled, before reluctantly responding.

"It's...it's an abandoned lodge on our school campus, located on Ikeze Street."

She paused. "Someone is looking after her there."

Just as the officer was about to press for more information, she suddenly turned to her colleague.

"Officer Ola, are you taking notes?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Officer Ola responded, visibly holding a pen and notebook.

"You," the officer said, her gaze fixed on Mary's sister, "are coming with us."

With that, an officer swiftly stepped forward and opened the cell door, allowing the lead officer to exit.

The officers, still restraining Mary's sister with handcuffs, flanked her as they pulled her out of the cell.

Mary's sister's eyes darted anxiously between the officers, her voice trembling. "Wh-where are we going?" she stammered.

"You're coming with us for further questioning. Let's move," one of the officers replied curtly.

As they led Mary's sister away, Officer Ola approached the lead officer, her eyes wide with concern.

"Ma'am, should I prepare the interrogation room?" she asked quietly.

The lead officer nodded curtly, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Yes, Ola. And ensure the recording equipment is set up. I want every word, every nuance, captured."

Officer Ola nodded and hurried off to prepare the interrogation room, her mind racing with questions.

Why had the girls entangled themselves in such a mess?

And why were they refusing to tell the truth from the start?

Officer Ola couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the story.

...

As the door to the interrogation room closed behind Mary's sister, the lead officer's expression turned steely, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She sat down in a chair, her elbows resting on the table, and spoke aloud, "Let's get to the truth."

With a curt nod, she gestured to the seat opposite her.

"Take a seat."

Mary's sister slowly walked over to the chair, her eyes fixed on the officer, and hesitantly sat down with a slight frown.

"So, you're involved in the kidnapping," the officer stated, her gaze piercing.

"What's your story?"

Mary's sister hesitated, her voice trembling.

"I-I was told to delete the CCTV footage from the restaurant that showed her being taken. I was just following orders."

The officer's eyes narrowed. "You were told to delete the footage containing her kidnapping?" she repeated.

"Please respond immediately," the officer said.

"Whose orders were you following?"

Mary's sister hesitated before replying, "Our leader, Deka, gave the instructions."

The officer nodded curtly. "Very well. Now, please clarify: whose orders were you following to kidnap the girl, and what was the motivation behind this action?"

Mary's sister's eyes darted around the room, attempting to avoid the question.

However, the officer slammed her fist on the table, making Mary's sister jump, and pulled her gaze back to hers.

"Answer me!" the officer commanded.

"Whose orders was it?"

"I-I can't disclose that information," Mary's sister stammered.

"Really?" the officer replied, her brow raised in skepticism.

"You're refusing to cooperate?"

"Uhm...I-I'm just following orders."

The officer smirked. "Fine, we'll revisit that question later."

She paused, then continued, "Moving on... You stated that you left the girl at an abandoned lodge on your school campus, under someone's supervision, at Ikeze Street, correct?"

Mary's sister's eyes widened in surprise, impressed by the officer's precise recall of her earlier words.

She nodded sharply. "Yes."

"Very good," the officer said.

"Now, you're coming with me to search for the girl," the officer added.

"And then, we'll return here to continue your interrogation."

She stood up, her eyes fixed on Mary's sister, her gaze cold.

"Let me be clear: don't even think about trying to be clever or deceitful. Any foolishness or attempts to hinder our investigation will result in severe consequences."

Mary's sister nodded reluctantly, her gaze fixed on the table.

"Stand up, let's leave," the officer instructed.

Mary's sister slowly glanced up, her eyes lingering on the officer's face before she stood up from her chair.

She watched as the officer walked around the table, past her, and straight to the door.

Then, she followed closely behind, mimicking the officer's steps, as she opened the door and walked out of the room.

Another officer trailed behind, forming a small procession.

They traversed the corridor, their footsteps echoing off the walls, and entered the bustling squad room.

There, Richard and Emmanuel were pacing beside her desk, their eyes fixed intently on the approaching trio.

But then, a female officer swiftly approached the lead officer, halting their progress.

"Ma'am, are we departing now?" she asked.

"Affirmative," the lead officer replied.

"Prepare the vehicle and notify my team that we are leaving immediately. Additionally, ensure that the witnesses are thoroughly interviewed and that we identify the mastermind behind these events."

The officer nodded and promptly departed to carry out the instructions.

Then, she walked straight to her desk and began scribbling some notes.

"Did she say anything about her whereabouts?" Emmanuel inquired.

"Yes, she did," the officer replied, not looking up from her writing.

"We're heading there right now, so please stand back while we leave."

She finished writing, closed the book, and looked up at Emmanuel and Richard.

"May we accompany you as well, please?" Richard asked, his eyes pleading.

The officer's expression turned thoughtful, and she repeated her earlier response, "It's your choice, but I advise you to stand back and let us handle this."

Emmanuel shook his head. "We appreciate your assistance, but we'd like to come along, please."

The officer's gaze lingered on them, her brow arching slightly.

"Alright, fine," she conceded.

"But," she said abruptly, "when we say stand back, we mean it. Please be smart enough to listen."

The boys' faces fell, and they exchanged uneasy glances before nodding reluctantly.

"Got it," Richard said.

....

Soon enough, the convoy was on the move, with Emmanuel and Richard following closely behind the police cars as they navigated the dark evening roads, their car lights illuminating the path ahead.

Guided by the directions of their captive, they drove relentlessly until they finally arrived at the university.

From there, they continued to drive deeper into the campus, eventually making their way to the abandoned lodge, where they finally came to a halt.

The police officers exited their vehicles, torches and weapons at the ready, and escorted their captive forward, her movements restrained as they led the way.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel and Richard emerged from their car, utilizing their phone flashlights to illuminate the path ahead, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding environment.

As they trailed behind the police officers, the crunch of leaves beneath their feet served as the only soundtrack, echoing through the stillness.

The group proceeded in tandem, their footsteps synchronized, until they reached the entrance hall of the building.

There, the doorway to the hallway yawned open, inviting them to venture further.

With flashlights held aloft, casting beams of light into the darkness, they stepped forward.

The air was heavy with the pungent scent of blood and oxidized metal, and the only sound was the distant hum of the fan blades rotating.

"Which room is she in?" the lead officer whispered.

"Straight ahead," Mary's sister replied. "We're almost there."

Her heart racing wildly with fear, her eyes remained fixed on the eerie surroundings as they cautiously approached.

The hum of the fan grew louder, their flashlights dancing across the walls, until one of the officer's beams landed on the ground, revealing a pool of blood at the threshold of an open door.

Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the grisly sight, her gaze frozen in shock.

"L-look," the officer stammered, her light trembling slightly as she struggled to keep her beam steady.

The lead officer directed her gaze, using the officer's beam to guide her attention, and when she saw the blood, her eyes snapped open in disbelief.

"What happened here?" she muttered to herself.

Emmanuel and Richard exchanged brief, worried glances, their view obstructed by the officers.

Though they couldn't see what was happening, they sensed something was amiss.

"What did you do to her?" the officer asked Mary's sister.

Mary's sister, clearly traumatized, stared blankly, unsure how to respond.

She was just as bewildered as Emmanuel and Richard, her mind racing with questions.

How did the blood get there? What had happened?

Could her sister, Deka, or maybe the other girl know something about it?

"Tell me," the officer demanded, shaking Mary's sister out of her trance-like state.

"I-I don't know what happened here, I swear, I'm confused myself," Mary's sister stammered.

The officer's frown deepened.

"What do you mean? How can you not know?" she pressed, her head gesturing towards the blood.

Mary's sister shook her head.

"I swear I don't know, I was out deleting the CCTV footage, I wasn't even around!"

The officer's grip on Mary's sister's arm tightened.

"Wait till we get back," she warned.

Then, her gaze shifted back to the blood, and she felt an intense urge to vomit.

"Let's go in," she said.

The rest of the police officers murmured in unison and stealthily began walking forward, their footsteps eerily silent.

As they crossed over the blood pool and into the room, Emmanuel and Richard's eyes widened in horror.

Emmanuel's hand instinctively flew to his mouth, and he staggered back, his eyes fixed on the gruesome sight.

"What the hell happened here?" Richard asked, his voice shaking.

"Please don't let it be what I think it is...please don't let it be..." Emmanuel whispered to himself, his pleas muffled.

But then, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, followed by a loud clatter from the room, sending chills down Emmanuel's and Richard's spines.

They hastily crossed over the bloodstained floor, their hearts racing, and joined the officers gathered in a corner, their faces grim and somber.

But Richard and Emmanuel couldn't see what had caught the officers' attention, and their imaginations ran wild with worst-case scenarios.

The officer who had screamed now stood with her trembling hands covering her mouth, her eyes wide with fear as she stared down at Faustina's lifeless body.

The lead officer advanced cautiously, relinquishing Mary's sister to a fellow officer.

She leaned forward, her upper body inclining slightly, and delicately extended her index and middle finger.

She placed them in front of Faustina's nose, pausing for a few moments as if time itself had paused, then withdrew with a slow, sorrowful gesture.

Straightening up, her gaze remained fixed on Faustina's face, her expression a mask of solemnity.

Then she shook her head and whispered, "She's dead."