Chapter 7 THE SHOT

Meanwhile at the Dino's kidnappers' den, the men were confused about what to do. Their boss asked them to do whatever they wanted with him. What could that mean? Was he no more interested in his captivity? They made up their mind to use the situation to their advantage. They knew who he was. He was the son of the late rich politician and General, General Martins. They heard it that he left behind a lot of properties.

"Hey...seems person the person that asked us to capture you in here is not interested in you anymore. Now, we can only release you on one condition.

Give us, the three of us 500,000 each."

"500,000?" Dino asked.

"Yes. You got a problem with that?". "Of course not. But I also have a condition too." Replied Dino

The men were already annoyed. "What is it, you Bastard?" One of them said.

"Tell me who sent you."

"What. Are you mad? How dare you give us such condition?"

If you tell me, I will double each of your money". Dino replied.

The men looked at themselves for a while, and thought that this was a good offer they should not miss. They had been thinking of travelling out to Paris for years now and settle down there. That large sum of money would just be perfect for them. One million each! And that would be three million. "You have to promise not to tell anyone. If you do, we will come to your house and slice your throat." Said Thungba, their leader.

"I promise." Dino said

. "It's the Head of the Liba Army, General Lati". Dino wasn't shocked. He nodded his head. He had earlier suspected he would be the one

"Now take us to your house, the bank or wherever. Write us a cheque." Thungba said

"Of course, untie me". Dino said.

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General Lati was able to locate his daughter's kidnappers and through the CCTV camera that was planted at the high way road she was kidnapped. The CCTV camera captured the plate number of the car, the kidnappers drove that day. General Lati promised himself that he was going to shoot the kidnappers to death once he found them.

Lati got to the kidnappers' den, he went with his friend, BG. Camp and some soldiers. The place seemed to be well secured with thugs. Lati in anger shot at three of them, when they refused to let him entrance. The remaining guys simply retreated and took to their heels. The soldiers were standing outside. Lati and BG. Camp went in. They met Nopaz. "Where is my daughter? Lati asked fiercely. He was pointing a gun at him.

"Excuse me"? Nopaz replied as though he did not know what he was talking about.

"Take me to my daughter now or I shoot you to death. Get up now", he screamed. Camp also yelled at him. Nopaz was scared. He was just a spoilt child. He had no strength to face the army. He knew his thugs had been killed. Only one of them was left standing beside him. He was actually a guard and he was afraid to face the soldiers. But Nopaz was still not ready to give into them. No one would take Mitah away from him just like that

"what are you talking about gentlemen?"..

Nopaz said.." Do we look like gentlemen?". Camp screamed at him, he shot a bullet in the air and Lati went ahead to shoot Nopaz in the arm. He threatened him he was going to shoot him finally if he didn't tell him where he kept his daughter. Nopaz screamed in pain and he finally surrendered. He held his arm and led them to a room. Lati was scared seeing what his dear daughter had turned into. Her hair was looking unkempt and she was looking very shattered. She cried and Lati untied her. He hugged her passionately before he turned to Nopaz.."You idiot! what did you do to my daughter why did you kidnap her?".. He aimed the gun at Nopaz ..Nopaz raised up his arm and he said he kidnapped her because he loved her. Mitah held her father's arms and asked after her child. Her father said he was doing okay. General Lati further said to

Mitah. "Don't worry my dear, I am going to kill this bastard today" Nopaz begged Lati to save his life, claiming he did not hurt her but Lati saw some bruises on her face.

"Really? you raped me two days ago and yesterday when I didn't allow you, you hurt me on my leg and face!".Mitah protested tears in her eyes

When Lati heard that, he was suddenly filled with anger and vengeance."You raped my daughter?How dare you! You thwart! No one hurts my child and goes scot free". Mitah told her father that he should not bother to kill him, but instead he should hand him over to the Cops.

But Lati did not listen to what she said. He insisted he was going to kill him.

"Someone raped you and you are telling me to let him live?!"Lati said trying to pull the trigger

"I am sorry. Please don't kill me. I have learnt my lesson please. I have let go of her already and I promise not to hurt her again. " Nopaz begged touching his bleeding arm that was shot. "My dad is Oliver Basin. Just let me go"

"Oh...., you are the Minister's son and that makes you think you can handle people however you like?!Lati yelled at him. "Do you think I care if your father is Minister or head of state,you dumbass!"

"Dad, don't please. Just hand him over to the cops. If you shoot him, it won't change anything". Mitah said.

"The cops? Do you think the cops would do anything to this bastard. He is a freaking Minister's son!" Lati was not ready to heed to what Mitah said he aimed his gun but Nopaz was smart enough, he quickly held Mitah as an hostage, snatched a gun from the thug behind him and pointed it at her head.

Mitah was shaking, she was scared. "Let go of me".

"Ask your father to drop the gun and I will let you go peacefully. I was feeding her even though she refused my food most times. I just want her by my side."

"You are a bastard. You just made a fool of yourself. Let her go! I will still shoot you Trust me". Lati said still aiming

"Lati. Just leave this bastard for now.

This is a complicating situation now. Do not shoot. Let's drag him in the Van and punish him at our base." Camp told him

"Dad don't...this is dangerous". Mitah also said frightened. Nopaz now pointed the gun directly at her neck. "Don't worry Mitah. I never miss my target. This boy will be shot. Put your mind at ease "Lati was still hesitant. Never would he allow someone that hurt his daughter like that go Scot free. Camp decided to just watch.He felt he was a trained soldier, a general. He was his boss even though they were friends. He had also handled multiple situations like this efficiently. So he knew he could handle the situation was why he aimed. That was his choice and he respected it. Few seconds later, Lati aimed and shot, the bullet landed hit who? Lati was confused, shocked and disarrayed. His other colleague, Camp had screamed "No!" But it was too late. Lati had fired. Camp screamed because Nopaz had quickly forcefully pushed Mitah in front so the bullet could hit her instead. The bullet had landed on Mitah's body.

Lati saw his daughter in a pool of blood. He thought he was hallucinating. He dropped the gun. He stood there with chills all over his body shocked for some seconds; thinking he did not just do what he did, he went over to her "Mitah...... Mitah, wake up please. I know you are still hanging there right?" Lati said, his hands shaking. BG. Camp also shook her body but there was no response. Nopaz stared at Mitah. His hands got immediately frozen as he dropped the gun. He couldn't quickly phantom what he has done. He just knew he was scared for his life was why he pushed Mitah. He and his guard seeing the situation of things tried to run away in an attempt to jump over the window.

"Stop right there!"Camp shouted at them aiming his gun. But they refused and Camp shot at them. They jumped over the window and a loud fall was heard from beyond. Camp was not sure if they were dead or not. He quickly moved over to where Mitah was. He shook her several times, there was no response. He felt her pulse. It was still moving slightly

"Oh my God!. What have I done? Did I just shoot my daughter?" Lati said fully bending over to her "Camp!..Look at her!"

His brain, body and soul were no longer working in unison. It felt like he was going crazy

"Calm down Lati, an ambulance will be called now. But I warned you about this I warned you not to shoot. That situation was delicate, I know you have handled situations like that before but this has to do with your daughter! You should have been patient and not let your anger overpower you" Camp replied worriedly, he was also shocked at the outcome but he tried to compose himself. He immediately ordered the officers outside to call an ambulance. Lati was staring at his daughter in cold blood. He did not believe a day would come when he would shoot his own daughter.

"Just calm down. Please" Camp said again

"Camp, you know I shot that bullet at her. I just..I hope she is not dead yet.

My God! ." Lati cried. His whole world felt as though it was coming to an end.

"Lati, regardless of everything it was a mistake. You missed your target. It wasn't deliberate. It is very sad but you have to be strong This is a secret between us. I promise. The other officers did not witness this. The abductors shot her Lati and not you". Camp tried to assure his friend.

"Shut the hell up Camp! You're telling me nonsense!..No!!! He screamed in tears. Soon, the ambulance had arrived and Mitah was rushed in and the ambulance headed to the hospital. Lati was pacing all over the hospital. He was behaving like a crazy man. Shaking vigorously beating his chest hardly. The most capricious thing, he thought he would do his child. He was in a world of pain, or what is the worst thing that could happen to him? His child was shot and not only that, he had shot her with his own hands. He was praying hard. He hoped Mitah survived this. He was filled with sweat. Camp saw how disturbed Lati was. He touched his shoulder. "Whatever happens, Lati ..... This is not your fault."Camp uttered sadly. The doctor got to them. Blood stains were on his white coat. His face looked unwelcoming. Lati's heart was beating fast and abnormally. It was like he was about to receive a life sentence.

"I'm sorry General .. We really tried our best to save her but, it's very unfortunate. We lost her. Please be strong" The doctor replied as he patted him. Lati slumped down immediately to the ground until he finally collapsed.

• *******"*A sad scene right there but the story is just about to get more captivating readers.**†*!