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**The Locked Room**
“Get away from me!” Sarah screamed, crawling backward across the floor until her back hit the wall.
Chief Okonkwo laughed, a deep, guttural sound. He tossed the towel aside, standing in just his shorts, his old but surprisingly strong body on full display.
“You don’t have to make a fuss, Sarah. It is our tradition. A good wife obeys her husband and her father-in-law. This is how we keep the family strong.”
“This is not tradition!” she cried. “This is madness! Your son sold me to you for fifty million naira? Is that what I am to you people — a commodity?”
The old man stepped closer, his eyes hungry.
“Not a commodity. A beautiful, ripe fruit. Fifty million is nothing for a woman like you. Stop fighting. Let us enjoy this. Your husband already agreed.”
Sarah’s mind raced. She felt sick with betrayal. The man she loved had sold her body to clear his debts.
But she was not going to be a victim.
As Chief Okonkwo moved closer, she lowered her voice, pretending to surrender.
“Sir… let’s do it. I’m ready to take the money.”
The old man paused, surprised, then smiled widely.
“You are ready?”
“Yes, sir,” she said softly. “There’s no point struggling. We can enjoy it. It’s just one time, right?”
“Yes,” he nodded eagerly, his guard dropping. “Just one time and everything will be settled.”
As he loosened his shorts and stepped forward, distracted by his excitement, Sarah summoned every ounce of strength she had. She kicked him hard between the legs with all her might.
“You animal!” she screamed.
Chief Okonkwo howled in pain and collapsed to his knees. Sarah didn’t waste a second. She sprang to her feet and ran toward the bedside table where Emeka’s second phone was charging. She grabbed it just as the old man started getting up, fury burning in his eyes.
“You dare kick me? You will regret this!”
Sarah’s hands shook as she tried to dial the police. Before she could finish, Chief Okonkwo charged at her. She hurled the phone at his head. It connected with a loud crack, stunning him momentarily.
She bolted into the ensuite bathroom, slammed the door, and locked it.
“Open this door, Sarah!” he roared, banging on it. “You cannot hide forever!”
