Chapter 13 - The Dark Waters of the Volta
The misty river bank near the edge of the resort property was dark, lonely, and silent, save for the heavy, ominous crashing of ocean waves merging with the fast-flowing river currents. The old wooden pier extended fifty feet out into the deep, black water, its rotting planks slick with algae and ocean spray.
Kofi walked carefully behind Julian, his shiny dress shoes slipping slightly on the wet wooden boards. The bright lights and music of the gala were now just a distant hum behind them.
"Julian," Kofi called out nervously, pulling his thin suit jacket tighter around his shoulders as a cold wind swept off the water. "Where are the fireworks technicians? It’s really dark out here."
"They’re right at the end of the pier, kid," Julian said, his voice sounding oddly cold and distant.
Julian stopped moving and stepped aside. Standing at the end of the narrow wooden pier, half-hidden in the dense shadows, was Frank Malone. He was no longer holding a catering tray. In his gloved hand was a heavy metal flashlight.
Kofi froze, his sharp instincts warning him that something was terribly wrong. "Julian... who is that man?"
Malone stepped forward, his heavy boots echoing against the wooden planks. A wicked, raspy chuckle escaped his throat. "You shouldn't have come to Accra, little boy. You should have stayed in the mud."
Kofi gasped, spinning around to run back toward the safety of the resort gardens! But Julian stepped into his path, blocking the narrow walkway with a cold, hollow look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Kofi," Julian muttered, looking away. "If you live, my family loses everything."
"Julian! Please!" Kofi cried out, tears of terror filling his eyes as Malone closed in from behind, grabbing the young boy by his shoulder with a vice-like grip!
"Say goodbye to your inheritance, kid!" Malone growled, raising his heavy flashlight to strike the boy and throw his unconscious body into the swirling black depths below!
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SON!" a fierce, terrifying scream shattered the night!
Amina burst out from the dark mangrove trees like an enraged mother lion! She didn't hesitate for a single second. She threw her entire body weight directly into Frank Malone, tackling the massive mercenary with such raw, ferocious power that both of them slammed hard against the wooden railing of the pier!
Malone grunted in pain, dropping his heavy flashlight onto the wooden boards. "You crazy bitch!" he snarled, shoving Amina backward onto the slippery pier.
"Kofi! RUN!" Amina screamed, scrambling back to her feet and lunging at Malone again, digging her nails into his face to keep him away from her child!
Julian panicked completely, terror gripping his heart as he saw Amina fighting like a demon. "Mom said this was supposed to be easy!" Julian yelled in a panic, turning around and sprinting away into the dark gardens like a coward!
Kofi refused to run. "Mama!" he screamed, grabbing a heavy wooden plank lying on the pier and smashing it with all his young strength right into Malone’s knee!
Malone roared in agony, buckling onto one leg. Furious, the giant mercenary grabbed Kofi by his shirt collar and lifted the young boy right over the edge of the railing!
"No! KOFI!" Amina shrieked in absolute horror!
Without a second thought, Amina dove forward, grabbing Kofi’s arms just as Malone threw the boy into the dark abyss! The force of the throw dragged Amina over the rotten wooden railing as well!
SPLASH!
Both Amina and Kofi hit the icy, dark, churning waters of the Volta River estuary together, plunging deep into the pitch-black depths!
The freezing water consumed them instantly. The powerful ocean current, swirling with violent undertows where the river met the sea, slammed into them like a freight train, dragging them away from the pier and out toward the open, dark ocean!
Above on the pier, Malone spat blood into the water, rubbing his injured knee. He watched the dark water churn where they had fallen. No one could survive the dark currents of Ada Foah at night.
Smirking evilly, Malone turned around and vanished into the dark mangrove swamp just as the sounds of shouting security guards and flashlight beams began sweeping toward the riverbank!
Deep beneath the dark water, Amina fought against the crushing weight of the current with every ounce of life left in her body. Her heavy silk gown was dragging her down into the abyss, but through the murky darkness, she saw her son flailing helplessly, sinking into the dark vortex!
'Not today!' Amina’s heart screamed into the silence of the sea. 'God give me strength!'
With a desperate, explosive surge of motherly love, Amina kicked off her heavy designer shoes, fought against the roaring undertow, and grabbed Kofi by his waist, pulling his head above the dark water surface!
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"MAMA!" Kofi gasped, choking on bitter salt water as they broke the surface, riding the crest of a massive ocean wave!
"Hold onto me, Kofi!" Amina screamed over the roaring wind, wrapping her arms tightly around her son as the unstoppable ocean current dragged them out into the pitch-black ocean!
