“Boss?”

Zali turned his chair and stared at the fat short man standing across the table in front of him.

“Yes, what is it, Shorty?”

Shorty tapped his fingers against his leg.

“We leave in five minutes,” he said.

Zali stood up from the chair, walked over and stared out the window.

“Good…” he said, then paused. “Is everything on Khate’s side in place?” He asked without looking back at Shorty. “If he decides to drop me, I’ll make sure he never gets to see the light of day again. He is my one and only chance of getting back at that kid.”

“Yes, boss. He’s got everything in place. He got us a house outside of Parkview where we can hide out and no one will recognise you.”

“Good. And, his daughter? Is she ready?” Zali asked, walking over to Shorty.

“Yes, boss. She knows what to do.”

“Perfect. Let’s go then.” Zali said smiling.

***

Raise the alarm!! Make sure every exit is locked!! Raise the alarm!! Make sure every exit is locked!! Raise the alarm!! Make sure every exit is locked!!

We cant let him escape!! We cant let him escape!! We cant let him escape!! We cant let him escape!! We cant let him escape!! We cant let him escape!!

Raise the alarm!! Raise the alarm!! Raise the alarm!! Raise the alarm!! Make sure every exit is locked!! Make sure every exit is locked!! Raise the alarm!! Raise the alarm!! Raise the alarm!! Make sure every exit is locked!!

Sir!! Yes sir!!!!!!”

Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet! Teet!

***

I slowly turned over onto my belly, stretched my arm out and grabbed my phone that was lying on the bedside table. With my face in my pillow, I turned off the alarm.

As it was summer, daylight had arrived early. By six o’clock the sun was shining brightly through the window. I continued lying there for a while. I felt tired and wished I could lie there all day.

It was only the second day of the week but already I was feeling tired. I guessed it was yesterday’s game that had made me so tired. Couldn’t I just lie there all day, I thought to myself.

But then I started thinking about school and Mr Khate’s request. Who was she? What does she look like? What type of girl was she? Damn, of all the kids in class and he had to go and choose me to babysit her, I though. I guessed he was probably just wanting to get back at me for not paying attention. Damn!! I though to myself as I got dressed. I’m no babysitter or tour guide. Mr Khate obviously doesn’t like me too much. Sam had laughed all the way to my house yesterday, thinking about it.

I spotted Mr Khate at the front of the office building. When he saw me he started to walk away.

“Sir,” I shouted, starting to run after him.

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to hear what I had to say.

“Can’t you choose someone other than me?” I asked.

Mr Khate looked at me closely. “No, I want you to help her,” he said in a deep voice. “You are perfect for the job.”

I looked at him, confused. “But sir…”

“Look, I don’t want to hear one complaint from her. If I do, then you will be in trouble, my boy,” he said and walked smartly off.

When the bell rang I rushed to class. When I entered I noticed something – at the back of the class a girl was chatting to Justin. I couldn’t see who it was. Justin noticed me staring at them. The girl turned around and smiled. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“What the hell??” I said out loud.