The Thief

8/7/21

Overnight, our neighbours were visited by thieves, they took away their phones, generator, television and other gadgets.

I got to know about it this morning and it made me remember our experience some years back, 2016 to be precise.

I woke up very suddenly. It was not yet morning as I slept not quite late as it was still dark.

Then I heard a whisper, I tried listening but the voice was so low I couldn't hear well. I was at alert immediately.

Someone was moving and knocking very quietly outside my room door. I opened the door to see my elder brother, then he told me there's a thief in the compound.

I woke up from sleep totally when I heard that. I saw my 3 other siblings in the living room, as we were 5. I have 4 brothers, I'm the only female. We gathered in a circle planning what to do.

Prior to this day we had had an experience, thieves came into the house and broke open our security door, it took them close to 2 hours breaking open the door but it seems they were prepared.

They broke in, we hid in the bathroom, they entered and carted away with our phones and laptops. But our parents were at home, so there was little pressure on us, since we knew they would protect us by all means.

While we were all shivering, my elder brother Daniel, left our midst, I saw him moving over to the window sill. While he was doing that I saw a hand moving to and fro and tugging at the burglar proofing!

I was shivering with fright, and I wanted to shut my eyes and pretend nothing was happening.

But my little brothers were with me, and as my elder brother had moved away from us, I had to be strong for them.

Our parents were out of the house on vacation, so it was just the five of us at home.

I must do something.

But what?

The thief would not find it easy to get through a window: the burglar proofing was new and very strong, we got a new one after the first robbery experience.

But there was the door.

I whispered to my junior ones, 'don't be afraid. Knowing we had to do something.'

My brother, Daniel came back to where we were and said; I think we have three men in the compound, but I have been watching one of them, he seems to be the one so eager to break open the door.

So don't worry, you'll be quite safe. You all should go into Rachael's room and do not open the door until you hear my voice. He said.

Stay in bed, and don't make a sound till you hear me call the neighbours. Then shout as loud as you want.'

Immediately, he left us and I saw him enter into the kitchen.

I decided not to fold my arms and watch without doing nothing as I was the immediate eldest, I left the room after calmly warning my junior ones to maintain their calm.

'Please don't go away sister Rachael, ' one of my brothers said, but I slipped out of the room and locked the door behind me.

When I reached the passage, the thief was already trying to open the door. I must stop him. But how? What if he had a knife or a matchet? I had nothing.

Suddenly, my foot touched something. It was my mother's new pestle. A woman had brought it to us earlier, that we should deliver it to our mum when she returns and we haven't placed it where it ought to be.

This was my weapon! I picked it up and crept very quietly to the door.

The door opened slowly and I saw a man's face in the dim light. I lifted the pestle up and brought it down on his head. He fell and lay motionless at my feet.

'Thief, thief!' I shouted at the top of my voice.

My elder brother Daniel came out of the kitchen with a knife in full force and saw the man lying on the floor right there in our living room.

Then we both increased our voice,

Shouting, thief, thief!

We could hear our junior one's shouting too.

Until our neighbours came out of their various rooms to our rescue. The other guys ran away before they arrived, as they took their time before answering our calls, scared of being victims too.

They checked the pulse of the man lying on the floor, and noticed that he only lost consciousness, my neighbours called the policemen and he was taking away in the police van.

All the while, I stood rooted to a spot shaking.

Where did the confidence come from?

What if they had entered?

The man was been charged to court and he confessed what led him to it(long story, not for here)

As I remember the experience, I still get scared and grateful that God saved us.

Our parents came back and were so happy and praised us for our bravery.

I got the name Ray since then, as everyone in my street want their children to relate with a brave girl. They said I shine as theray of light which was why I could overcome the ordeal that night.

Though looking back, I ask myself did I really do it out of bravery or because God permitted it, so that we won't be hurt. Because if they had entered successfully, they might have killed us since we have nothing to give them.