Wife Incognito part 1 by Zara Iko

Naya had never been any far distance from her village before, talk more of travelling out of her country, Ndovlo, where the son of the king had his mind set on marry her. Before then she was just an ordinary village girl and daughter to a village chief. She had been groomed from birth for marriage. Often as she was growing up, her mother would scold her when she didn't do things properly  saying things like “if the soup you are making isn't delicious enough and your husband sends you packing, me and your father will not accept you back. Or Naya is this how to clean a house if you clean your husband’s house like this nobody should call my name that I didn't train you properly” and so on. Naya hated terribly to hear her mum say these things. Sometimes she would reply her mum saying, "if I am meant to get married to cook and clean so my performance can be appraised then I don't think I want to get married” her mum will quickly counter her “No Naya, you have to get married, this is why you have to learn now so by the time you get married you will already be an expert and there will be no complaints.”

Naya loved to be flattered and Kenny knew how to. She would spin around slowly in response to his flattering utterances- “My young, beautiful, fresh, well endowed Maiden-untouched, not tampered with, fit for a prince like me. Kenny’s parents did a very good job of selecting the perfect wife for their son -Tall; smooth skin, cherry lips, large expressive eyes, slim waist, large hips with well rounded breasts and a firm backside. Naya was the kind of girl that will make the heart of any warm blooded man pump faster. From the first day, he set his eyes on Naya he liked what he saw. When his dad asked him to come home to meet his wife, he planned to make it so difficult for his parents so they would give up trying to get him a wife, but then the  moment Naya walked into the room dressed in her native attire showing off the beautiful skin on her shoulder, arms and legs, he quickly changed his mind. She greeted his parents and other relatives and curtsied in front of him to welcome him. Impressed with what he saw he held her up with both of his hands and embraced her in affirmation. Everyone present had smiles on their faces being very pleased with his decision. For Naya’s family, his accepting her would be a change of status but for the royals it would mean their son will become a man.  The relationship grew gradually from then, Kenny wasn’t fazed by the age gap or her lack of exposure.

After learning about plans to send Naya out of the country his mum confronted him “Kenny I don’t know about you staying back and sending your wife abroad, you know she’s not the most exposed person”

“Mum that’s harsh”

“But it is true; remember I and your father choose her for you”

“Yes mum but I am the one marrying her, and I want to send her for a short holiday so she can see the life I live there. mum asides from being a prince, I am a very successful dentist”

“Well I still advice you do not send her abroad until after the wedding, then both of you can go together, you can also lavish her with all the money and other things your being a successful dentist can afford” his mum said with sarcasm.

Kenny, the second of three children, and only son born into the royal family of oil rich Ndovlo. A beautiful island nation attracting people from around the world for business and tourism -beautiful coastal cities with some seven star hotels and resorts, beautiful beaches with clear blue water, green grass areas, forest space with fattened animals. However, Ndovlo still struggled with the woes of most countries-uneven distribution of resources. The villages where a far cry from the cities- rough roads, poorly constructed buildings, generally much more under developed compared to the cities.

Kenny belonged to the privileged of the society and enjoyed the best things from birth- he moved to the United Kingdom after his high school and attended a top ranking university. He worked in a government hospital after graduating then set up a private dental clinic with his best friend Dave from the university in London, and was doing well with intention of extending his service to Ndovlo. His bride to be Naya had a different upbringing. Her dad a village chief to a village close to the king’s village had all his children attend public schools in the village because that is what he could afford. Naya the first of six had only just graduated from secondary school when the king and his wife noticed her during the king’s 35^th anniversary on the throne.  Actively involved in the village dance drama group she caught the royalty’s eye when she led the dance and presented the king and his wife with a gift from her village –looking fresh, beautiful and untouched a bride fit for the future king, his parents immediately made inquiries about her.

The preparation for her holiday in London she had to travel away from home , she waved her family farewell as she and Kenny travelled together to the capital city, Figora, so she could process her travel documents, her best friend Nima accompanied them. Sapphire, Naya’s mum shouted as they drove off “remember what I told you my daughter”. Curious Kenny asked “What did your mum tell you Naya?” she turned to her friend Nima, too embarrassed to say anything they both giggled , but the young royal persisted and Naya told him her mum said she should not let him have sex with her, Kenny raised an eye brow then smiled.

Hilda, Kenny’s mum was there to welcome them when they arrived at the palace in Figora; the guests from the village were stunned at the splendour in the palace. It was nothing like they had seen before, better than what some movies had portrayed the palace to be.

Nima and Naya were ushered into separate rooms next to each. Tired from the distance travelled- five hours from the village to city; the road out of the village had pot holes so the start of the journey was a bumpy one, it got better as they approached the cities. Kenny had given her enough time to rest and freshen up before he went to her room. It is the first time they would be alone together, they spent the evening talking; gradually they loosened up to each other. Kenny loved her naivety and funny nature she entertained him in a good way he could just sit all day and listen to her. She told him about how she imagined the palace would be and how she imagined life in the palace was. Long before she met him she had heard the ridiculous stories about the life of Ndovlo royals, she never imagined she would one day be living in the palace and preparing to marry the prince. As they talked he leaned forward and kissed her softly being cautious in case she felt uncomfortable, but she welcome his lips , he kissed her more passionately and she responded holding the back of his head with both her hands. They savoured each other’s lips then she brought her hand to his chest and pushed him away gently from her looking away from him shyly. He turned her face to him

“Why Naya?”

“You heard what my mum said, u know I can’t”.

 He didn’t push further he was happy she went that far with him, he had imagined it would have been more difficult to get her to loosen up with him.

It took two days to get her travel documents ready. She couldn’t believe she was holding her own passport in her hand; she opened it and saw her Visa stamped on it. “Kenny this is my first and it has happened because of you” he smiled and pulled her to him. She kissed him sweetly as if to say thank you. They intended for a quiet evening at the palace with Kenny’s parents and were in the balcony enjoying the evening’s breeze when Kenny’s friends arrived and he had to leave Naya with his parents. Immediately he left, his folks wanted to know how the two had been getting on. With his mum Hilda being the more inquisitive of the two she began questioning Naya.

“The little time you have spent with my son, what do you think about him?

She had never been alone with them, so she struggled with shyness. She answered looking down at the floor

“He is nice and respectful of me, nicer than most boys in the village”.   

The royals laughed.

“Naya you should loosen up with Kenny’s father and I you are almost part of the family now” Hilda said as she urged Naya on.

“There is a lot I need to learn but he has been so helpful and patient. I am looking forward to meeting his sisters. He talks about them so much. He said Sarah the younger of the two is a year older than I am”.

After they had talked for a while with Kenny still absent, Naya was uneasy about him not inviting her to meet his friends and she asked his parents why they thought she wasn’t invited to meet his friend. Hilda told her they had planned that the evening was for them to get to know her but she could go and join Kenny.A maid was called on to take Naya to Kenny. Without knocking Naya opened the door to the room where Kenny was with his guest and found Kenny giving one of the guests a kiss on the cheek and a cuddle, upset by what she saw, she walked out.

Uneasy by how upset Naya was, he went straight to her room after he saw his friends off. She jumped off the bed and attacked him “If you have all of them why do you want to marry me? This are the kind of girls I see on TV and want to be like. Are they not models?”

“They are just friends we all went to school together; if I wanted any of them I wouldn’t have come to the village to get you Naya. You don’t have to get jealous you hold the key to my heart” He said attempting to calm her down. “Kenny I want to look like a model too, so you will love only me. When I travel to London, will I become like them?” She asked so naively. He laughed and said to her “I love you just the way you are. Lets enjoy our evening together you know you have to get back home tomorrow or your parents will think I have kidnapped you”.

Maiden name By Zara Iko

At about 3am, Tina woke up from sleep, her husband John was away on a business trip. She could hear that the front door of the house was being fiddled with. Her room window was above the main entrance of the house, so she could her clearly. She lay still on bed shaken, hoping that the fiddling would stop, but it got worse, she heard clearly the voices of the people- they were men and definitely more than one. The fiddling got louder and the voices sounded more agitated, still she lay frozen with fear on the bed. Then a big bang, the door to the main entrance of the house flung open.

Tina jumped off her bed, and ran fast to her children’s bedroom, jasmine the eldest of the two had gotten up to put on the light, asked her mum as she saw her mum rush in “mum is daddy back?”. Tina shook her head, grabbed her and moved to the bed where her son, Albert, sat looking at both of them with sleepy eyes. She yanked him from the bed but the weight of both of them sent them all crashing back on the bed. She carried both of them again, tip-toeing out of the room, but she heard the footsteps of the men on the corridor leading to their rooms. She locked the door and sat on the bed holding the children tightly in her embrace that they almost choked, but they were despondent and stayed silent; the fright on their mother’s face sent the message.
There were no voices, just footsteps. Her heartbeat increased more rapidly as the footsteps grew louder. They checked the first room which was hers and her husbands’ one of the men said “there is no one here” and moved again to the next and repeated same “empty too”.  Finding the rooms empty seemed to agitate them; their pace increased to the children’s room which was securely locked. They shook the door violently attempting to open it. Tina’s imaginations ran wild-horrid pictures  of their blood splattered on the wall and floor of the room.Her grip on the children got tighter as she imagined more horrid scenes, they winced in pain but Tina didn't let go. She was brought back to reality as the door flew out of its hinges.

John was to be back from his trip on the evening of the previous day but because of the infinite demands of his wife and kids; he had stayed back one more day to do some more shopping. They spoke to him before going to bed and were expecting him back the evening of the morning they were being attacked.

Tina sat back on the bed helplessly as five hefty men all clad in black with facial masks and guns in their hands entered into the bedroom one after the other. One of them, appearing to be the gang leader stepped in front of the others and stood right in front of her. The kid's grabbed her so tightly that their fingers pierced her skin. The front man pointing his gun at her head asked, "Where is your husband?”
“He is not here”, she replied quickly.
He grabbed her by her arm and jerked her off the bed. She pushed her children off her and far from the armed men.
"What is your name?" She replied "Tina Delaney".
 The room went silent then the leader turned back to look at the others. The smallest of the gang members started off complaining,
“We shouldn’t have taken this job it wasn’t well planned, and yeah it’s just to go in do the job and out then we get paid but this is a mess now”.
The leader shouted at him “shut up!” then turned back to Tina, “Do you know your neighbours, what is their family name?” “No, I don’t. I don’t know my neighbours.” “Wow, this Robson’s are lucky. What a waste! First nothing to identify the target with, then uncertainty about the house address not knowing  if it house no.9 or 10? “We will be lucky if we are not caught today, well it’s our first job and we will only get better,” the gang leader said. He turned back to face Tina, "you are damn lucky we wore our facial masks otherwise you and those Robson's would be goners. Have you got any money, jewelry, valuables?"
"Yes. They are all in the bedroom", she responded. They rushed into the bedroom, gathered all they could find and left the house.

Once she was sure that they were out of the house, Tina rushed into her bedroom and saw the mess they had created. Lying on the floor was the month’s electricity bill she planned to pay later that morning addressed to John Robson.
She rushed back to her children’s room. Still in shock they had not moved from the position she tossed them, she fell to the floor crying. She had come pretty close to dying but somehow her confusion and fright had saved her.

The gang had moved to the neighbours’ house and were told the house of the Robson was the one they had just left. They hurried back to the Robsons but by then they police was on the ground, surrounded with no means of escape they surrendered.

Still on the floor crying she felt a hand touch her and she shook in fear but she calmed as she saw it was a policeman.

“What’s your name ma’am?” “Mrs Tina Robson”
“Are you alone” she shook her head saying no. She pointed to her children. still on the spot she tossed them. The policeman called the paramedics to check up on the children as soon as they were done they led all three of them to the living room.Seated in the living room with her children by her side, the police continued questioning her.
 “Where is your husband madam?” “He isn't in the country”.
“His name please” “John Robson”
“Are they your kids?” “Yes they are-Jasmine and Albert”
 “They wanted my husband he was supposed to be back yesterday; they were in the right house. I got so confused with fear I mentioned my maiden name” Tina said in disbelief.
 “You were really lucky. we are not going to leave you and the kids here on your own tonight you will have to come with us, we will call your husband later in the morning" the policeman said as he led them out of the house.

Full moon part 4 by Zara Iko

“For the umpteenth time it was not my imagination, Fredrick was standing behind this tree,” Nelly said pointing at the spot she saw Frederick. The police scanned the area thoroughly but did not evidence of anyone’s presence. They led everyone back into the house, asked that all doors be locked. In case anything strange is noticed they should give the police a call immediately. Nelly stayed awake all through the night too scared to close her eyes; she got so tired that her eyes gave in to sleep, but she forced it back open, her sleepless nights continued and by the third day she was a nervous wreck.

Nelly and Amy hardly spoke to each other since they argued.Trying so desperately to get talking with Amy again without being the one to make the move, Nelly went on a hunger strike and by the 2nd day she succeeded and Amy broke the ice.
 “The way you are going Nelly one would think you have given up”.Nelly said nothing and continued mopping at the ceiling. Nando busied himself reading a sports magazine while Hazel assembled her princess castle -one of the many indoor toys her parents bought for her to keep her busy so she wouldn't miss going out to play much. 
“Nelly I am talking to you.  If I permitted everything you did, ignoring your wrongs would it make me a good sister?”  Nelly said nothing but shifted her gaze to Amy “at least I have your attention” Amy continued “I can’t watch you go on this way” Nelly cut in “you did not have my back, you supported Frederick for trying to kill me” 
“you know you are acting like a spoilt brat Nelly, it’s not about taking sides, that I did not agree with your decision doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision it is my opinion, you have a right to your decision and action. The deed has been done let’s move on I need you to survive, I love you”.Nelly burst into tears reached for Amy’s hand squeezed it then smiled at her sister –Amy’s reassuring love released some tension that had built up in her. All three women slept in the same room that night, Nelly slept peacefully with her sister and Hazel while Nando slept in the guest room. 

The coming weeks brought a rapid occurrence of events- Deen carter who had been charged with attempted murder was on trial, Nelly was present at the  court proceedings, evidence after the other where presented convicting Deen of the crime,  he maintained that Nelly hired him to kill Frederick, the conversation between him and Frederick was aired and the boys who  had driven by that night witnessed against Deen- it was obvious he lied , so he had to confess all –Nelly smiled as the jury found him guilty and his sentence read to everyone hearing “ .......you are hereby jailed for life......”.the judge hit the gavel and the case was closed. Nelly smiled and left the courthouse with joy. However, her joy was short lived because as she lay on her bed to sleep with Frederick still on the loose. her fear came alive again.

“I can’t wait for all this to end, I want my life back. I am tired of living in fear what could possibly be the end of this - me or Frederick dead or him in jail. She walked to the back of the house, screaming at top of her voice “Frederick come and get me” continuing her screaming “if you can hear me now come and get me” Amy grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the house “you have gone crazy, what would you do if truly he comes after you, try not to get yourself killed you are talking to a raging lunatic who will stop at nothing till he gets, employ wisdom” Amy said to calm her down.

Two months passed since Nelly saw Frederick and every night since then she would look out of the same window expecting to see Frederick there but she never did. Desperate for something to happen Nelly became more daring she would leave the house alone, a stroll around the neighborhood, window shopping at the mall her eyes opened to what she had been missing being locked up in the house in fear, she talked less about Frederick and moments spent mopping into the air in deep thoughts reduced; she shared more fun evenings with the family telling stories, sharing jokes, helping hazel with homework and even cooking for the household. As she settled she realised all the rich friends she spent some evenings with wining and dining had abandoned her. Right now she had only Amy, Nando and Hazel, she and Amy had been orphaned years ago. Nelly reached out to her two best friends from the university she had not been very close to since she got married to Frederick – her busy life as Frederick’s wife, organising and attending various functions and events exposed her to a new circle of friends. Nadine and frank had gotten married to each other and were well aware of what was happening embraced their friendship like there had been no break.

Nelly decided while she was going out more often she would need more clothes and money. She and hazel were invited by Nadine, frank and their son to a children’s movie premiere. Hazel had been so excited before she left for school about their outing Nelly could not even think of disappointing her. Nelly called for a taxi to the house she and Frederick used to live in, she asked for the driver to wait a bit. Still afraid of being in the house alone she looked round, everything was pretty much the same way she left it the last time. She hurriedly put some clothes in a bag, opened the drawer she kept her jewellery- gold, diamonds, ruby and pearls arranged in their sets dazzled back at her; she had even forgotten she had some of these things. She picked up the 24k gold set Frederick bought her during their first year wedding anniversary trip to Dubai.

Frederick tailed her to the house; he sneaked into the house without notice. Making his way upstairs, he heard footsteps from the front of the house, he hide behind the main door because it was wide open. “Ma’am it is more than fifteen minutes I have been waiting and we start to charge waiting time after fifteen minutes” the taxi man speaking loudly so Nelly could hear. Immediately Nelly rushed down “I am done” she pulled the front door shut and locked with the key not even realizing Frederick was there. A few seconds later, Frederick stood by the window and watched the taxi drive away.

The evening was going wonderfully well. Hazel had been so excited sitting in the same movie theatre with some of her favourite actors, her eyes shone bright like a crystal throughout, Hazel’s joy was viral and it caught Nelly, they were both so excited- Nelly could see hazel was joyful just being out with other kids after too many days muddled up in the house with adults. After the movie the duo decided they didn’t want the evening to end yet, they sent Nadine, frank and their son off, hopped into a taxi and headed to a travelling funfair a few miles from the cinema. It was half seven in the evening, still bright-longer days shorter nights -the duo were going to make the most of their outing, “Hazel look what I have got” Nelly flashed the content of her bag at hazel” surprised hazel opened her eyes and mouth wide then she yelled in excitement “woohoo” jumping up and down. Nelly answered her saying “we can spend as much as we want I still got some in the house. “That’s our little secret” and then winked at hazel. They arrived at the funfair hazel ran wild in utter bliss; Nelly could hardly keep up with her. Hazel talked and moved as though she was on fast forward, she became more hyper as she topped up on candy. Two hours passed, exhausted and ready to call it a night Nelly brought out her phone to ring up a taxi, she saw over thirty missed called from Amy and Nando. They were due back home hours ago, she started to wonder why she didn’t call to inform them that they would be later than expected; perhaps she didn’t want to get discouraged. She dialled Amy back, just then someone grabbed the phone from her hand, she felt a sharp object poking her back and Frederick’s mouth on her ear “if you make any noise the kid will be punished for it” she looked sideways and saw Frederick had his grip on hazel “just turn back give me a hug like we are old friends and everything is ok” Nelly turned back shaken, she couldn’t bring herself to hug Frederick, hazel didn’t look scared she was unaware of what was going on. Frederick repeated “hug me or she pays for it”. “Hello, hello” Amy’s voice came through the phone; Frederick cut her off placed the phone in his breast pocket. The environment was rowdy people moving in groups interested in their own fun and not worried about other there. She shut her eyes tightly and hugged Frederick, it felt horrible. He smiled and patted her back. “You two must smile until we leave this place”   Frederick said as he led them out of the park, they had gone unnoticed all evening but they looked weird with the plastered smiles on their faces they were made fun of by people they passed by, one of the louder voices screamed “this family must be stoned, their kid too” and the others burst out laughing at them. 

Nelly had been waiting for the confrontation with Frederick for a long time unfortunately it came when she least expected it, especially with hazel being there. “Frederick please let hazel go” Nelly said as she saw hazel try to wiggle her way out of Frederick’s firm grip but he didn’t “uncle Frederick” Hazel said as she usually called him my hand hurts but he didn’t answer Hazel, she wiggled more trying to free herself he still didn’t let her go instead he used both his hands to hold her still, then he gave her a smack on the face “if you do that again I will give you more smacks” she sobbed and nodded.

Nadine and frank and a host of others had joined Amy and Nando in the search for the missing duo. Information had been passed on the police radio describing what they both looked like, what clothes they had on and the possibility that they could be in the company of a man describing Frederick.

The police went to the mall where the cinema is located, surveillance showed both of them get into a taxi, the taxi driver was contacted and he said he dropped them off at the funfair. The securities at the team park were alerted - Amy, Nando and the others converged at the theme park and then started to sweep through. By then Frederick had gotten them far from the fair to a deserted footpath, he let Nelly walk free but he still held hazel firmly so Nelly followed him like she was hypnotised. “You are free why don’t you go, I got hazel here in your place,” Frederick said and laughed wickedly. Nelly went on her knees grabbing Frederick by the leg “No, no, take me, it is me you want, I am the one who hurt you not her” Frederick kicked his leg free and continued walking. “Frederick I did not cheat on you, I used a sperm donor from the cryobank” “Frederick stopped and looked back at Nelly angry. His eyes had turned red with anger she had just pressed his wrong button “you lie, I know you know I couldn’t have been responsible for your pregnancy” his eyes were wide open he was in a rage. She walked towards him pleading, she dipped her hand into her bag hanging from her shoulder, she had a pepper spray she carried everywhere. She stood right in front of him and sprayed the pepper in his eyes. He released hazel using both his hands to rub his eyes. Nelly push hazel “run, run fast and run the way we came, get help for me”. Frederick stumbled after hazel and fell down because he couldn’t see.

With hazel gone Nelly mustered every ounce of courage, she could engage in a daunting confrontation with a man twice her size.She had the advantage, he could not see. “you are every bit a liar and a cheat that you accuse me of being. You never told me about the vasectomy, you knew how badly I wanted a baby and you pretended to want one too, I didn’t cheat on you Frederick I would never have” she was standing in front of him. He tried to open his eyes but she sprayed the pepper in his eyes again he groaned in pain swinging his hand at her, he hit her on her head and she fell to the ground. He moved forward searching for her then he stepped on her, he bent down grabbed her legs stood upright and tried to kick her but she landed a hard kick on his groin first he fell on his knees howling in pain and holding his crotch .She got up, picked up metal laying close by and hit him hard on his back. He fell flat on his tummy, she hit him again  and was going to the his head, at that moment a policeman arrived with hazel pointing  a gun at her “drop your weapon and get on your knee” he said, she dropped the metal and went on her knees he rushed to her and handcuffed her. Frederick still lay on the ground helpless. Eventually, more policemen arrived in police cars and they were both taken away in handcuffs.


A year later, with Frederick locked in jail for life without parole, Nelly had done well picking up the pieces of her life. She had taken over all that belonged to Frederick, sold the house they both lived in and bought one close to her sister’s. She found love in the policeman that rescued her the night she beat Frederick up, they were preparing to tie the knot and expecting their first child.

Full moon 3 by Zara Iko

There was pandemonium in the hospital. More Security men were alerted, and they including the two policemen searched for the strangler. The medical team was in the room trying to resuscitate Nelly while Amy stood still in front of the room crying, unaware of what was going on. Nando searched with the policemen for the man they suspected suffocated Nelly.


Minutes later the door to Nelly’s room opened and she was wheeled out hurriedly. “Nelly!, Nelly!!, oh my God, where are you taking Nelly to”? Amy screamed, trying to push through the medics and hold Nelly back. A nurse stopped her while the others wheeled Nelly out of sight. “Ma’am, she’s been resuscitated. She’s being wheeled so she can get stitched up again. Please come with me, you can stop crying now. Our team is doing their best to see she is alright after this”. Nando walked in to meet Amy, nodding his head to affirm that they did not catch the man. His vision blurred with tears, he stopped where he was, stretched out his hands and Amy ran into his embrace. “I can swear it is Frederick,” Amy said.


A Month and a half passed after Frederick’s second attempt. Nelly had been discharged from the hospital and settled in her sister’s house, and was in the process of getting her life back together. Her therapist played a big part in her recovery, but her paranoia was rooted in the fact that Frederick had not been caught and could be anywhere. That alone gave her nightmares. She was aware the house, she shared with Frederick was empty, but there was no way she was going to live there especially not on her own. It had been confirmed that the man who tried to kill Nelly was Frederick lodged in the hostel as Marcus Marsden. Surveillance cameras had traced him coming out of the hotel and fingerprint samples from the hotel room had matched with  Frederick’s. He was a wanted man. A successful businessman who had abandoned all he has and running from the law for attempting to murder his wife twice. Frederick cut her off financially. Her credit cards had been blocked and the little money she had saved up was used to clear up the hospital bills. Nando and Amy catered to her, She was like a child again. She lost her confidence, peace and focus.


The wind whistled, the leaves on trees clapped to the rhythm of the wind, rain poured down continuously and heavily, yet it was a full moon.An unusually bright night for the weather. Every other person in the house was deep asleep except Nelly. She sat in the family living room writing down a list of her prized possessions left over to Frederick’s house, she had to go and collect when suddenly, the front door swung open and  Frederick entered into the house with a shovel in his hand. He wore a black suit, white shirt and black tie and water dripped from him on to the floor of the living room. His black shoe was covered in mud and it stained the living room floor. His hair covered his face so she couldn't see his eyes. He launched at her but missed, she jumped from the chair and ran out through the back door which was the easiest thing she could do since he blocked the way through the front door and climbing the stairs would lead to a dead end. On bare feet, the rain poured on her and her night dress soaked clinging to and exposing her body. Frederick launched at her with intent in his eyes. Behind the house are big oak trees and behind the trees a lake. She paced towards the lake with Frederick behind her. Because of the speed she was running as she saw a pool of water too late and she fell right into it. Frederick was right by her before she could make the next move, but still she tried to raise herself up. He landed a shovel on her back so hard she  fell right into the pool again and drank the water from her nose and mouth. He pulled her out, she coughed to get her breath back. He laid her on the floor face up, took off his clothes then he got on top of her. She woke up from the dream screaming. Nando and Amy rushed to her,
 “It’s only a dream,” Amy said, holding her. Nelly looked round and the weather was calm. “I won’t feel safe until Frederick gets caught, ” she responded.


The uncertainty of Frederick’s where about and the frustration of having to live life so cautiously had taken its toll on everyone of them. The bubbly Hazel that loved to spend weekends outdoors with her friends running wild and free in the park was trapped in a world of paranoid folks. Nelly had barely stepped out of the house and the few times she did, she went with a company, sometimes she feared even her own shadow. Weekdays
Were the worse, She placed so many panic phone calls to the police that the police resolved to have a police car parked outside the house from the time the others went to work until they returned.


After much thought, Nelly Summed up courage with the help of her sister, brother-in-law, and Hazel, they went over to the house she shared with Frederick. A locksmith accompanied them. She lost her keys and she had not been to the house since the night she first got attacked. She stepped into the house and she staggered back almost passing out. The events of her last night in the house flooded  her mind. Inside the house was dark, the curtains were closed, the windows shut and all the lights switched off. Amy pulled the curtains open and dust filled the air, the whole house was covered with dust and spider web. Holding her sister tightly, they walked upstairs together, leaving Hazel and her dad down. Upstairs looked the same way it was when she and Frederick lived as a happy couple except that everything was covered in dust. She entered their bedroom and Frederick’s smell was still strong in there. It frightened her, she held her sister's tightly. "Let's leave Amy, I feel he is still here". Amy held her firm and said "No, it’s just his open perfume bottle; there is no way anyone is in here with all this dust”. Nelly stepped ahead of her sister and looked around the  room; everything seemed to be in the same place she left them months ago. She flashed back to the good times she and her husband shared in that same bedroom that now looked deserted then tears welled up her eyes. She thought to herself, “I will not cry. I have shed enough of tears”. She chuckled and opened her eyes wide until the tears dried up. “It was nice having all those fancy clothes, jewelry, first class flights overseas. Who would have thought an ordinary bank cashier like I would have had all this”? She spoke in a low tone to herself. Standing in front of the dressing table, she looked at her left hand, she still had her wedding ring, she slid her fingers  round, shut her eyes tight, released a sigh and took it out. Immediately she felt lighter like some weight had been lifted off her, finally the only thing that still connected her to Frederick was gone too. She placed the ring on top of the dressing table and turned to Amy, “let’s leave”. 
Isn't there anything you want to take back with you Nelly? 
“Not today”. 
As both walked out of the room, she noticed Frederick’s wardrobe wide open and the safe in it slightly opened. Some papers sliding out of it stopped it from shutting properly. She walked over while Amy went down to meet the other two and pulled open the door. It would have been empty but for the papers. She read through the papers and discovered Frederick had a vasectomy years ago. She thought to herself, no wonder he never seemed bothered when she worried about not getting pregnant. . No wonder he wasn't pleasantly surprised when she announced to him she was pregnant, the night before he first tried to kill her. No wonder he was so bent on killing her, he must think  she cheated on him. She felt the sharp pain in her heart and she released a cry. Her strong resolve not to cry was broken by this piece of information. She sobbed hard, but quietly. Meanwhile, Amy noticed Nelly wasn't behind her; she rushed back to the room. Nelly hearing Amy’s steps hurried back on her feet cleaned her tears returned the papers back to the safe walked to the door where she met Amy “I am right behind you sis”, Nelly said smiling. She felt the weight lifted off her after she took off her wedding ring had been put back on her.

That evening after dinner, Hazel sat on her father’s laps watching TV in the living room. Amy busied herself with the dishes while Nelly sat in the kitchen with her sipping tea.
 “Amy I have something to tell you. You've been the best sister I have always had. Nando and Hazel have been so wonderful too. You all have adjusted your lives to accommodate me”. Amy turned back to look at her sister 
“Before you continue Nelly are you planning to kill yourself”? Amy demanded. 
“Hell no” Nelly replied. 
“What’s up with the speech”? Both sisters laughed. 
Nelly put her serious look on again.
 “Amy I can’t keep it any more. I have not been perfect at all. I have made mistakes that would push my husband to want to kill me. Amy pulled up a chair and sat by her sister; she was done with the dishes. Nelly continued, “at night before Hazels fifth birthday, I told Frederick I was pregnant. He didn't seem excited at first. He looked rather angry but he pretended to be happy. Afterwards, the only question he asked was how many months gone? I told him I was two months gone, then he smiled. We watched a movie in bed together; I slept off on his chest. I had to leave early the next morning to help prepare for Hazels party. We seemed fine. I found out earlier today that Frederick had a vasectomy years ago,so he knew he wasn't the father of my baby.
 Amy used both hands to cover her mouth, shaking her head too in disapproval. 
"Amy I didn't cheat on Frederick. I went to the Cryobank. I wanted a baby badly. I am thirty five with no kids. When would have been a better time to have a baby? I got desperate and my husband didn't care. I did what I had to do to make myself happy, to feel like a complete woman”. 
“Nelly you were wrong to go behind your husband’s back and get pregnant like that”. Nelly snapped back at Amy “I didn't tell you all this so you can judge me”. 
"Look now, you have messed up all your lives. The poor man has turned into a psycho killer thinking his wife has been cheating on him." Amy fired back both raising their voices. Angry, Nelly got up excusing herself to go to bed. 
"No, Nelly, I am going to bed, it’s been an exhausting day”. Amy stormed out of the kitchen. Sad and angry, Nelly sat back in the kitchen for hours thinking deep and crying. Drained of tears she got up to go to bed. She went to wash her tea cup and opened the curtain just above the kitchen sink. There he was, Frederick, standing by the oak tree behind the house, looking directly at her in the dead of the night giving her the “I see u” sign. She dropped the cup and screamed aloud, Amy and Nando with hazel on his hand scampered into the kitchen.

Full moon 2 By Zara Iko

Recuperating at the hospital, Nelly felt safe with her sister. Amy, Nelly’s older sister had not stepped an inch out of the hospital since the night Nelly was taken in. Amy barely rested her fatigued body since the incidence happened the same night her daughter’s birthday party took place and she was still knackered from the party's preparation. The strain on her face disappeared the moment Nelly opened her eyes when she regained consciousness. She squeezed Nelly’s hand and kissed Nelly's forehead. Nelly smiled and hot tears poured down her face – with a weak voice she said to Amy’ – “He tried to kill me Amy" "I know Nelly" Amy replied fighting her tears from rolling and putting her fingers on Nelly's lip to stop her from talking. 

Mummy!!! ...Hazel screamed as she jumped on her mum whilst her dad stood behind her. Nando kissed Amy and walked into the room with a basket in his hand which he handed over to his wife. She unpacked the basket. They brought fruit salad, chicken stir fry and noodles. Amy smiled at Nando “Its Nelly’s favourite”.

“I know!  Hazel told me and we cooked it together”, Nando replied.

 “You are my rock Nando”, she kissed him more deeply. Hazel spotting the duo ran in-between them and said “Mummy it was me who cooked it not Daddy”. Amy picked her daughter up ruffled her a little bit and said, “I know you did it Hazel”, putting her back down.

Nando stood over Nelly took her hands in his and spoke to his wife, “after you informed us she had gained consciousness we hurriedly prepared to come over hoping to catch her awake”. Amy replied, “The doctor put her to sleep after checking up on her because she was totally drained emotionally. She has been crying”.

“Have you been crying too?” Nando asked raising her head to look at her face. "You know you can’t do that in front of her, you should be her support system”.  

“Angrily, Amy responded raising her voice a little, “I couldn't help myself, I am a little emotional myself. Today for the first time I saw the stab wounds when the nurse attended to them, I almost lost my only sister”. Sensing her anger and trying to avoid any more exchange of words he moved closer to her “I know, I’m so sorry”. He held her in his arms and she let loose of more pain and wept helplessly. After about 20 minutes of crying she released herself from his embrace went into the bathroom, washed her face, cleaned it with a towel and came back out feeling a lot better. 

“Nando I think you should leave now, the little woman is already in Dreamland”, both looking at Hazel already snoozing  on the chair beside Nelly. Nando picked her up, kissed his wife goodbye, "I will see you tomorrow” he said and left the hospital.

 A week passed and both sisters discussed all that happened on that fatal day, trying to unravel the mystery behind Frederick’s erratic behaviour, still an explanation eluded them. Amy stayed close refusing to leave her sister for even a second. Frederick was in police custody as at the last time Nando went to the Police Station, there was enough evidence to pin him down for attempted murder.

The next morning both women sat together watching television and discussing general issues, when they heard voices behind the closed door of the private hospital room, then a knock at the door. “Hello doctor, we weren't expecting you now”. 

“Hello Amy” he smiled and handed a card over to her 

“I met a detective hanging around the corner with two other policemen, he wanted to come over to have a chat with Nelly but I told him he would have to come back  another day when Nelly is fit enough to talk”.  I think she is fit to talk, however it is totally up to her, when she is willing, we would allow them in. Our job is to protect and ensure the health and safety of our patients while they are in here”. 

“Thanks, doctor”, Amy replied.

 After the morning check up the doctor left. Amy took a peak at the corridor and spotted the two policemen standing guard a few feet from Nelly’s room.

Two days later, the detective visited at Nelly’s request. He shook hands with Amy and introduced himself as detective Cooper. Nelly sized him up in a glance. He was totally different from what she had expected; he was short, stocky and wore a tee shirt and leather jacket on jeans.  He was completely bald and only had hair on his eyebrows. He had on what was supposed to be white sneakers but had turned brown.

The detective pulled up a chair right beside her, brought out a pen and notepad from his jacket and started talking to her. “I am detective Cooper, the detective in charge of your case”. She nodded her head in response, and then Cooper proceeded. 

“Ma’am, can you please relate all that happened prior to your arrival here?” Nelly then recaptured the events of the fateful day up until she was rescued.

“Ma’am has your husband grieved you to the extent that you would want to kill him?”The detective asked.  Agitated by the question she responded hauntingly

“Is he the one lying on a hospital bed with stab wounds?  Was I the one caught driving away with a knife that had blood stains on it? - my blood stains?” Cooper continued “Ma’am do you know a guy named Deen Carter?”

“No” Nelly answered. “Why should I know him?”

 “He came up to the police station yesterday and gave himself up as the person you hired to get rid of your husband”.

“What! Are you for real? Nelly asked. The detective then reached for his wallet and brought out a picture a little bigger than a normal sized passport photograph. “This is he Ma’am”. Starring at the photo wide-eyed Nelly yelled in surprise. “This is the man Frederick hired to kill me; I didn’t, Frederick did”.

Cooper rose up from his seated position and left the hospital without saying another word leaving both women shocked.

“Is he for real Amy or am I being punked?

“He seems to be pretty serious Nelly; we will get to the bottom of this”. Later that afternoon in too much suspense Amy gave Cooper a ring but it went straight to voicemail.

Frederick paced up and down the house he had shared with Nelly; somehow he had managed to be out of the police net. The once bubbly house filled with love had turned to a big empty cold house with no life. All the fun memories were overshadowed by the memories of the night he tried to kill his Nelly. His plan had gone terribly wrong and he sensed he was in danger of going to jail if another plan wasn’t hatched as quickly as possible to send his estranged wife to the world beyond. Too restless to stay in the house he dressed up in a disguise so he wouldn’t be recognised and headed straight to the hospital where Nelly was. A few miles from the hospital he packed his car and walked around the vicinity of the hospital; it was in a high brow area and quite busy. He noted the restaurants, bars and hotels. He did a little bit of shopping while, studying the environment. One that really caught his eye was the hotel directly opposite the hospital. A few hours later he checked into the hotel as Marcus Marsden a businessman in town for a few days for a medical check-up. Later that evening Frederick, incognito passed by the hospital and finally rested in a bar not too far, in sight of the hospital studying police patrol, the traffic in and out of the hospital finally he retired to the hotel.

About 8 am the next morning Frederick was out and already on his way to the hospital when he sighted Nando just in front of the hospital entrance, he hurried to catch up with him giving him a good distance, so Nando wouldn’t sense he was following him. He trailed Nando, got into the same lift with him, all the while Nando being in a hurry not to get to the office late gave no attention to the others in the lift with him. It was too early for a visit but he had to deliver fresh clothes to his wife. He stepped out of the lift on the third floor and Frederick stepped out with him. The lady at the reception stopped Nando

“Sir it’s not visiting time yet, please come back at twelve”.

“You know what, he replied, hand this over to my wife in room 304 I would be back later to see her. It’s just fresh clothes in here”.

“Oh sorry sir you can go in then, didn’t know you were close family”. He made his way to the room. The lady turned to Frederick “Can I help you sir?”

“No thanks, I am with him, will just wait for him outside. He will be out soon we need to hurry to work” she smiled and returned to her desk while Frederick entered the lift and went back to his hotel room.

The walk back to his hotel was the best walk he had had in months. His plan seemed easier yet he had to find a way to sneak into his wife’s room without being caught out.

 With no word from detective Cooper for over two days, he returned to the hospital and headed straight to Nelly room. “Ma’am after thorough investigation you are charged for the attempted murder of Mr. Frederick in collaboration with Deen Carter, confused Nelly stammered.  Reading Nelly her rights, “Ma’am you are under arrest anything you say will be used against you in the court of law............... you will continue your treatment under security on discharge you will be escorted into police custody where you will be await further proceedings”. He then headed out of the room. Amy rushed behind him shutting the door after her. “Detective Cooper what about Frederick?” “Is he still in police custody?

“No he was released yesterday”, He turned his back and left. Fear gripped Amy at the thought of Frederick being free; surely he might make another attempt. She looked at the two police guards who had their back to her.

Throughout that day she had been nervous. The thought of Frederick free and possibly even in the hospital sent chills down her spine. Nando arrived at the hospital straight from work; his wife had called him panicking. Not wanting to let Nelly know the situation of things, Amy excused herself and Nando for 10 minutes to go to hospital’s café for teas “If you need anything, press the panic button.”Amy said.

“Take your time guys” Nelly responded.

Peeking out from the visitor’s rest room Frederick headed straight to Nelly’s room as the couple got into the lift. Earlier, he had been waiting for someone familiar going up to see Nelly so he could tag along. He sighted Nando from the nearby bar as he drove into the parking lot; quickly he made his way to the third floor exchanged pleasantries with the receptionist and asked to use the visitors’ toilet while he waited for his friend Nando to come up. “Your friend has stepped out” the receptionist said he smiled at the receptionist “yea I saw them get into the elevator I will be in with Nelly”.

“Ok sir”, She replied.

“Hello officers”, Frederick greeted the police men. They nodded in response; their job was to stop Nelly escaping arrest, not to interrogate or stop visitors going in.

He got into the room; Nelly had dozed off watching television. She felt someone standing by her, she opened her eyes “Hello, I am Marcus Marsden” he said taking off his disguise and laughing. She fidgeted, but before she could yell, he placed one of his hands over her mouth then yanked her off the bed, then giving her a kick on the belly bursting open the stitches from the stab wounds. He was too powerful for her. “You thought you had escaped me whore. You lying, cheating bitch! Nah this time you won’t be lucky”. He slammed her back on the bed, removing a pillow from underneath her; he pressed it hard on her face. She struggled for about two minutes and went still. Frederick pressed on for another two minutes to make sure she was really dead. He took off the pillow felt the pulse on her hand and there was nothing. She was not breathing and she had no pulse. He laughed hysterically put his disguise back on and headed out of the room. He smiled at the receptionist and walked to the lift. As the lift opened he stood face to face with Amy and Nando. Amy sensing something thought “Nelly” she ran quickly to the room. Frederick got into the lift and disappeared from the hospital afterwards. Amy found her sister in the room lying lifeless. She pressed the panic button screaming and pulling Nelly frantically. Immediately the medical team arrived pushing Amy and Nando out of the room.    

Full moon part 1 By Zara Iko

With the whole of her might, Nelly dug her heels into the ground as she increased her pace running for her life. After a while running with no one behind her, she stopped to catch her breath. Would have been dead silence but for the cricking of crickets and the chirping of birds. The night was unusually bright being that it was a full moon. Realising her environment she felt a sharp pain on her right foot, she raise it up and blood was dripping out.  She seemed doomed, pain not only emotional but physical as well. 
Attending to her foot, she noticed a flash of light get brighter and brighter, she looked at the from her teary eyes and noticed a car approaching with speed. she pulled out the piece of glass protruding out of her skin so she could run instead before the car got close, but the pain was overbearing so she fell  groaning in pain. Lying by the side of the road crying she shut her eyes and reminisced about the event that led to her fleeing for her life and landing on the side of the highway.

The fateful day, Nelly left the house early to help her sister prepare for her niece’s 5th birthday party. The day had gone so well until she arrived home after the party. She entered the house quietly so she could surprise her husband who could not make the party because he had work to do. However what she met was a greater surprise from Frederick an older gentlemen, two decades her senior, handsome, suave and a chic magnet even at fifty-five. 

She met  him while she worked as a cashier in a bank. Frederick really had his way with the ladies; he charmed her with the experience he gathered from wooing women even before she was born, he provided for every and any of her need, showering her with gifts of the finer things plus all of his affection until he had her hooked on him then he proposed and married her.She got to the front of his home office wanting to sneak in and give him a cuddle  but what she was hearing made her freeze in front of the door. Backing the door Frederick didn't notice she was behind him,he was on the phone“Nelly should be back soon I know she would give me a ring before she gets here, so start coming here now. I will put things in place before both of you arrive. I become a widower today. Let me continue to brush up my acting skills. See you soon and remember I want it quick and painless”.

Disheveled by what she heard, she stepped back silently as he continued with his pretense mourning. She quietly went down the stairs. Getting to the front of the door, she peeked out of the window and saw a truck pull up in front of the house. Fear spiraled through her.Pulling herself back together, she decided to make a run for it without her car so she does not attract any one's attention. Nelly swung the door open, poised to take off and went for it. She didn't even get out of the house when a huge frame appeared in front of the door. She slammed right on it  and landed right back in the house. The noise attracted Fredrick's attention and he rushed down to her pretending to try to save her. Frederick in panic mode said to her “we are being robbed!” signaling the mercenary who had a machete in his hand to do the deed. Nelly shaken, got back on her feet, looked her husband in the eye and said “you don’t have to pretend Frederick, I know your plan". What have I ever done to you to make you want to kill me! I will disappear from your life you will never hear from me I promise. No one will ever hear about this I promise! Please let me go!” she said as she went on her knees grabbing Frederick's leg tightly. Fredrick reached for her neck with his right hand and held it tightly, raised her back to her feet and at arm’s length distance from him. Nelly squeaked in pain trying to wiggle her way out of his grip, but his grip got tighter, his intent in his eyes. Whatever the reason was she could not phantom. Just as Nelly slipped from consciousness, he threw her to the floor live a pack of rubbish and approached the mercenary, “now I want a quick stab to her heart but first hit me, I need to look like I struggled.” Landing a blow across Frederick’s face, he fell to the ground and was helped up immediately by the mercenary. Back on his feet he called on the mercenary to help him create a mess in the house like there had been a struggle. In the process of their creating a mess, Nelly came back to consciousness and with the speed of light made it on her feet and out of the door running for her dear life. The noise from her heels attracted their attention and they chased her frantically.

Lying by the side of the road, Nelly was brought back to reality by the sound of a car door getting shut. she opened her eyes and saw a hand reaching to grab her.He jacked  her to her feet and she recognised it was the mercenary, then she heard Frederick's voice saying, “bring her to the car! We have to take her back home, I reckon we haven’t attracted any one's attention yet”. As he pulled her to the car, she raised her head and looked up at the sky, the full moon shone brightly. As if energised by its light she freed herself from his hold, but still unable to run she fell right back to the ground. A group of drunken teenagers driving by saw Nelly sprawled on the road and the mercenary reaching to lift her up, pulled up their car demanding to know what was happening , they made a lot of drunken noises but  Fredrick flashed a gun at them and they scrambled back to the car and drove off. Pulling her back to her feet, Frederick felt he was wasting time, he rushed and grabbed her from the mercenary, holding her by the neck with his left hand, collected the knife from the mercenary with the right hand and said to her, “the only way I can be happy again is you dead. You are a burden, besides I would rather have you dead than you running off to be with another man". Using the knife, he pierced through her belly. He was watched as life eased out of her and then he Bundled her bleeding body into the back seat of the car, the mercenary sat in the front seat and they drove back to the house.

Arriving at the house he got down to drag Nelly out of the car, he met the door opened; and she was nowhere to be found."Take your car, i will go in mine.she couldn't have gotten far i will met you back here" Frederick said to the mercenary.  Frederick drove back through the path he came from. He fell upon a small gathering, packed his car and went through them. As soon as he saw Nelly he thought it was a perfect situation. He would pick her up, put her at the back of the car again and her blood would stain the car making whoever investigated her blood stains believe he got there as he tried to rescue her, hence the blood stains. With her in the car he would dash to the house and set things in order, wasting enough time so she bleed and didn't make it to the hospital alive. In the midst of the crowd he put up an act  wailing  and screaming “that’s my wife,Nelly! That’s my wife! Please help me , get her to my car!”

At the back of the car with no energy left, she opened her eyes, looked into the eyes of one of the by-standers eyes,shaking her head as if to say "no, don’t let him take me". Trying to understand, he scanned through the car. The light from the full moon shone brightly so he could see a silver object protruding slightly from the under the front seat of the car with blood stains on it. The car started moving, quickly he jumped right in the front seat screaming “call the police there is something going on here”. he pulled out the knife from underneath the seat,  pointing it at Frederick's neck, he asked him to stop the car. Men from the Fredrick's  side of the car forced the door open and pulled him out of the car before he could increase speed.escape. The police arrived quickly at the scene with an ambulance. Frederick was held down on the ground while Nelly was removed from the back of the car, strapped on the ambulance bed, about to be wheeled off. A police man walked up to her and said, “Just nod your head. Is he, pointing at Frederick still on the floor- responsible for this?” she nodded in affirmation and was wheeled away. Frederick was handcuffed and taken away.