C17 ESCAPE WHILE PREGNANT

Concern etched on their faces, they decided that it was time to take Hazel away from the escalating tension within the household.

"Hold on. Hazel's face masked her inner joy. Do you mean am leaving this house?" She asked

"Hold on everyone! Beatrice silenced them and stood up. Don't you think we're overreacting? Mother?" She faced her mother

"Hazel's life is at stake here. She said and they both glared at her, the baby's also. Look I don't have time to explain but Bea, I need you to trust me" she concluded looking at her daughter

"What?! That is..."

"Am not asking, am telling. Her mood changed swiftly Hazel get a coat, you leave right now"

...................

Late in the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Beatrice, Roselle, and Hazel secretly packed a few belongings. Beatrice spoke in a hushed tone,

"I think they're all busy now, Hazel it's time to leave"

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"Hazel, Beatrice called out and she paused, here, she handed her a lamp, Follow this tunnel, she instructed urgently. It'll take you outside the community, into a forest. Once there, find the first wooden house you see and wait for me there."

Concern etched Hazel's features. "Aren't you coming too? Is it safe for you to stay here?" Beatrice handed Hazel a medallion necklace with a solemn expression.

"This would keep you safe, There is still something important I need to do. Wait for me, I'll be as quickly as I can." She concluded and left Hazel

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"Oh my! Bea? Why are you here?", Roselle spoke in a hushed tone

"I just came to give you a hug" she said and enveloped her in a warm embrace

"Ohh, why are you acting like this is the last time we would see. It isn't right?"

"Of course not" Beatrice sniffled

"Alright I need you to take care of yourself, and Hazel, and the baby. Do ..." Suddenly the door opened with a loud bang. Carl stood outside with Marshal, angry lines etched on his forehead, as his eyes scanned the room.

"Mother!, Beatrice! Have any of you guys seen Hazel?" He asked, his question more like a command

"N———no, she should be should be in you guys room" Beatrice answered

"Don't be silly, if she was there I won't be asking" he barked.

"As you can see love, she isn't here either." Roselle assured him

"Marshal! Take your men, begin searching for my wife. If you can't find her before dawn, you loose your heads. Get going quickly." He commanded them

"Where the hell has she gone to? Hazel barely leaves the house, unless she goes with someone."

Beatrice stared at her mother, seems they're about to get screwed. Roselle frowned at her daughter, shit! She shouldn't have come back here.

"Bea?" Carl called her

"Yeah?" She raised her brow

"Could you come with me to go search for Hazel? His expression softened. You seemed to be the closest to her, so you could know where she might had gone." He pleaded

Beatrice became frightened. She had screw up her mother's plan, Hazel must be waiting for her, she had already kept her waiting for long now.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Where the hell was Beatrice? Frustration washed over Hazel. She had been waiting two hours now. She was drained and bored from waiting.She began thinking that Bea had changed her mind and decided to return back. No! She can't. Frown lines etched on her forehead.

Grabbing her little bag, she decided to go inside the wooden house. Surprisingly, aside from the squeaking the wood in the house made when she walked, the house wasn't as bad as she thought. She had pictured it to be termite infested. Placing her lamp beside the bed, she noticed the house had a couch, an old dresser, a single bed and a poster of an old lady.

Hazel settled on the bed, and let her gaze study the room...bored and disappointed, she laid down on the bed.

.

.

.

The night gradually began unfolding as dark clouds slowly began to cover the sky.Figures were seen parading the forest, seriously on the lookout for something.

"I can assure you, there's no how she would go here" Beatrice said nervously, walking beside her brother and Marshal. Alongside their henchmen who held torchlight for them.

They came to a halt under a tree. "We should split out, so we could cover more grounds. Carl suggested. Here, he handed one of his men a torchlight. You two go with Marshal, others should go the other way. You two come with me. Let's go Bea" he ordered his sister

The four of them strolled till they came in front of an old wooden house.

"I think we should check the inside" Carl suggested

Beatrice tummy tightened. Hazel was supposed to wait for her inside this house. Damnn! Her heart began to pound faster. As they approached the house beads of sweat formed on her head.

"E...er...m. guys, this house is too old and the insides might be bug infested. Are you sure we should go inside?" She asked scratching her arms dramatically

Carl gave a thorough look at the crusty house. "It looks preety old. But we should check inside to be certain." He continued walking

Beatrice continued "It could be creepy, and dirty. There could be termites and snakes and..."

"Bea! Carl exclaimed. Could you be quiet were there already!"

~~~~~~Inside the house~~~~~~

Hazel woke up with a startle. Her body drenched in sweat. Gosh how long has she slept? Where the hell was Bea? She silently hope she hasn't really bailed on her and gone back. Hazel wondered how on earth she would go back to Carl and begin explaining she really didn't run away.

He won't be so merciful. Gazing at her lamp it was almost out. And she had no oil left. The place suddenly became chilly.

[Bea!] The sudden voice outside alerted her. Her heart began thumping. That was Carl's voice. Gosh, they must be searching for her now. Her body became stiff as she heard the footsteps approaching. No! She has to do something. Studying the house one more time, there was no place she could hide. Screwed! Hazel silently began murmuring prayers ----

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The door opened with a loud creak, and footsteps were heard as they walked in. They wooden floor made loud squeaky noises as they paraded the house scattering furnitures in desperate search.

"Sir, I don't think she's here" a deep voice spoke

"Are you sure you've searched everywhere?" His voice was stern laced with disappointment

"Very sure sir" he nodded

Clasping his palm on his head. Desperate lines etched on his forehead. Beatrice watched him, he looked helpless and fragile. A pang of guilt washed over her face. Shivers ran through her spine. No! She shouldn't feel this way, Carl never valued Hazel while she was with him. But if Hazel isn't here, where the hell was she? She began to think where she must have ran off to. "I think we should leave now?"

Gosh! Carl became solemn. He had lost her. Stumbling backwards, he kicked an oil lamp. "Fuck! Grabbing the lamp he tossed it against the wall, and it shattered. Wow Bea, he looked at his sister, that lamp was hot. Which means Hazel must have been here. His eyes widened. Right?"

"Ermmm there's a possibility anyone must have been here. You can't be sure it's Hazel." She nervously chipped in, going to check the lamp

Carl glanced around once more."The bed! You didn't search under that bed, do it right now!"

"Yes sir" he replied as he began moving towards the bed. Squatting, he raised the sheets up, suddenly ------

"Ahhhh, a piercing scream came from a woman. All their gazes turned towards the direction of the scream. Oh my gosh, am hurt. The glass from the lamp" Beatrice raised her bleeding fingers.

"Bea? Carl moved closer to her. The man left the sheets and moved closer to her. You should not have touched the glass, you know you're clumsy." He replied wrapping her bleeding finger with a clean white clothe.

"We need to leave, this place creeps me out" she said faking tiny sobs

"You're right, have you checked under the bed?" He asked the man

"What the hell Carl! Bea raised her voice, glaring angrily at her brother. You still wanna check? I've told you, there's no way Hazel would hide under the stupid bed! With anger she moved over to the bed and flung the sheets over. See? She asked him . Good, now let's get the fuck out of here!" She said as she half dragged her brother out of the house.

.

.

.

Almost traumatized and heart thumping loudly, Hazel let down the dark sheets she used as camouflage, and crept from under the bed. Beating the dust from her clothes, she heaved a long sigh of relief trying to digest all that had happened.

How? And why was Beatrice alongside her brother searching for her. Well, seemed the entire plan has been ruined, after all Beatrice never wanted her to leave her brother in the first place. Pulling her bag from under the bed, she dusted her dress one last time. And moved towards the door. She pulled her hand away from the knob and retreated as she heard footsteps approaching quickly.

Suddenly the door banged open and slammed on the wall behind with force. Hazel stared at the person, mouth agape.

"Oh... Beatrice struggled to breath with her mouth wide open. Ohh... OMG...I ran nonstop all the way here. Hazel grab your bag and come with me quickly!" Beatrice told her

.............

Hazel, emotionally drained and frightened, nodded in agreement. They left the house quietly, leaving behind an uncertain future for Carl and a brewing storm within the family.

The night air outside was cool as Beatrice urged, guiding Hazel to the back of the house. She illuminated the garage with a flick of a switch, then pulled off a sheet revealing a posh benz.

Hazel's eyes widened in surprise. "You drive that? Who are you, really?"

Beatrice winked playfully. "Consider me your sensei. Hop in. Are you ready for a little adventure?"

"What choice do I have?" Hazel shrugged

They stepped into Beatrice's car, the engine purring softly. The moon light twinkled in the distance, offering a glimmer of hope for Hazel's uncertain future.

"Beatrice?" Hazel dragged her attention

"Yeah?" She answered still fixing her eyes on the road

"How did you manage to loose them? She asked raising her eyebrows inquisitively. It wasn't easy as I thought yeah?"

"Ohh, she half laughed. Don't worry, they're safe. I just put them to sleep with a little something. She grinned suspiciously.

Hazel frowned. "I hope they'll be fine?"

"Yeah yeah, don't worry your beautiful head". She glanced at her for a second, before fixing her eyes back on the road.

As they drove away from the imposing community, Hazel's thoughts were a chaotic mix of emotions. She felt a pang of sadness for leaving Carl behind but knew it was necessary for her well-being. Beatrice glanced at her sympathetically, understanding the turmoil in Hazel's heart.

"Everything will be okay, Hazel. We'll find a way to navigate through this. Beatrice reassured her, her eyes focused on the road. You deserve happiness, and I will make sure you find it, away from all this chaos."

Hazel managed a weak smile, grateful for the support she found in two women who had become her refuge....