Last moments of a thief

As I lay in my bed, eyes staring upwards into the semi darkness, gradually getting accustomed to the semi darkness, I could make out a faint silhouette of my old, rickety chair, the only piece of furniture in this shack I called a room. I groped for my torchlight beside my matress and pointed it in the direction of the clock.It was 6. am; a new day had begun. I could hear the faint rustle of leaves as the birds chirped to signal the resumption of a daily routine of nest building. I could hear my neighbours stirring to activity in preparation for a new day.

I rose up lazily, picked up my old bristly toothbrush, rubbed some salt on the wellworn bristles, went outside to brush my teeth. I came in afterwards, picked up my iron bucket, went to the water tap that served the whole compound,fetched some water with which I took my bath.

I threw my threadbare shirt over my back, slipped into my worn out trousers, slipped my feet into sandals that had seen better days.

I stood at my doorsteps, looked ahead, not looking at anything in particular. I just stared into space; the tears welled up in my eyes because all I could see around me was wretchedness. The future looked bleak, all I could see was poverty all around me. I had nothing to look forward to.

I flicked the tears away with my bony wrists and trudged out.

With no destination in mind, I approached the market place. "Phil", I turned as I heard my name. I saw my friend John, running toward me. There was this look he had on his face, the look of a man who had just struck gold. He took me aside and led me into a secluded place. Looking sneakily from left to right to see if anyone else was there. Seeing none, he reached into his underpants and brought out something. "Oh my!" I screamed below my breath. "A gun!' He hushed me.

"I want you to accompany me somehwere", he said. I obliged.

We trudged along until we arrived at a neighbourhood. We approached a house in that neighbourhood. John signalled for me to wait outside for him. He went in.

One minute,two minutes,5 minutes........

Thief! Thief! Thief! I heard the screams coming from inside the house. I saw John spring out with the speed of a bullet from the house."What the... He whistled past me before I could say a word. I was in a daze, transfixed to the spot. Before I could gather my wits together, I saw the mob advancing toward me with matchetes, wielding big sticks and clubs. I could see the anger, I could see the hatred in their eyes, I could feel it seeping through their pores. I could see that they were hungry for blood. I tried to run but it was too late. The angry crowd had closed in on me. Blows descended on me. I could feel sticks, matchetes and clubs punding on my head, neck chest, awwww! my legs...

I looked around for a way to escape, I saw none. I could feel my own blood flowingfreely down my face, into my mouth, all over my body. I was in so much pain.

"Burn him", I heard a voice say. Out of nowhere, tyres appeared, they were put around my writhing body.

"Petrol please", I heard another voice ask. I felt a cold liquid poured all over me, I could see someone strike a match.

In that split second, my whole life flashed before me; I could see my mother on her deathbed, asking me to stay off bad freinds. "Bad friends corrupt good manners, my son", I could hear her saying. I could see myself as a child, playing happily with not a care in the world.

Suddenly, the air smelled fresher, the grass looked greener, I became very aware of my surroundings and alas, I knew I wanted to live. I tried to spring up and run but it was too late.

I was enveloped by flames, I tried to free myself but I was too weak to help myself. The heat was unbearable. The flames leaped and licked at me with increasing ferocity, searing my flesh. In that instant, I knew the end had come. I felt a numbness creep up on me even in the intense heat. Gradually, the noises were fading, my eyes dimmed as a very heavy sleep took me over then all I could see was darkness, darkness, darkness...