Not Police

“Where is the bag?”

The question hung in the air.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

My throat went dry instantly.

Because the way he asked…

It wasn’t a guess.

It was a demand.

I raised my hands slowly.

My heart pounding.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

My voice sounded strange.

Even to me.

The man stared at me.

No emotion.

No reaction.

Just… looking.

Then he stepped closer.

Slow.

Calculated.

Tobi was still beside me, hands up.

“Officer, abeg, I swear—”

“Shut up.”

Sharp.

Cold.

Final.

Tobi went quiet immediately.

That was when it clicked.

Something wasn’t right.

Real police don’t move like this.

Don’t talk like this.

Don’t feel like this.

My phone buzzed.

I didn’t look.

But my chest tightened.

Because now…

I already knew.

The man stopped in front of me.

Close enough for me to see the small scar on his jaw.

His eyes locked into mine.

“Last time,” he said quietly.

“Where. Is. The. Bag.”

My heart was beating so fast it hurt.

Because now…

I understood the situation clearly.

These people…

Were not here to help.

“I don’t know,” I said again.

Slower this time.

Careful.

---

For a second…

Nothing happened.

Then—

He smiled.

Small.

Dangerous.

“Okay,” he said.

And before I could react—

He turned and grabbed Tobi.

Hard.

Pulled him up.

“Omo! Omo! Wetin be this??” Tobi shouted, struggling.

My chest tightened instantly.

“Leave am!” I snapped.

But my voice had no power here.

The man held Tobi firmly.

One arm locked around him.

Then he reached into his pocket.

My eyes widened.

“Omo—wait—”

Too late.

A gun.

Pressed against Tobi’s head.

---

Everything inside me froze.

“Let’s try again,” the man said calmly.

“Where is the bag?”

Tobi’s breathing became wild.

Fast.

Uncontrolled.

“Guy… abeg… tell them… I no know anything o…”

His voice broke.

Fear.

Pure fear.

My head was spinning.

Because now…

It wasn’t just about me anymore.

My phone buzzed again.

Again.

Again.

I looked at it.

I had to.

“Don’t tell them.”

Another message came in immediately.

“We’re watching.”

My chest tightened painfully.

Because now…

Both sides were speaking.

Both sides were watching.

Both sides…

Were dangerous.

I looked at Tobi.

Then at the man.

Then at the gun.

Pressed tight against his head.

“Omo… think…”

My mind was racing fast.

Too fast.

If I talk—

I betray the system.

If I don’t—

Tobi dies.

“Guy… please…” Tobi whispered.

Tears forming in his eyes.

“I beg you…”

That hit me.

Hard.

Because this was my guy.

We’ve been through too much.

From nothing.

From street.

From struggle.

And now…

Because of me…

He was here.

“Time is running,” the man said calmly.

Like this was nothing to him.

My hand started shaking again.

Not from fear this time.

From pressure.

---

My phone buzzed again.

One last message.

“Choose carefully.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

Deadly.

Unforgiving.

I looked at Tobi.

Then slowly…

I looked back at the man.

And in that moment…

I knew one thing:

Whatever I say next…

There is no coming back from it.

To be continued…