I wince as I try to get up from the bed, my whole body hurts, I couldn't move properly. He made sure to almost kill me this time. James saw the kiss Snakes and I shared and he made assumptions that I was always cheating on him so he beat me up in his sick twisted mind of teaching me a lesson, with his hands, sjambok and anything that could have possibly hurt me. My body has fresh wounds and they hurt like a bitch.

He deprived me food for days, I didn't bleed down there, I'm thankful that my baby is still safe but I need to eat something to sustain that.

I limp to the bathroom, running the water in the bathtub, I look in the mirror at the damaged girl who can never be loved by anyone, a girl who can't even protect her own child. My tears haven't surfaced since that day he made me spread my legs-

I tie my afro into a bun and strip my clothes off. I get into the bathtub and feel the warm water against my fresh wounds, and it stings like nobody's business. I stay there for a good hour and decide to just come out when the water starts getting cold.

I tip toe to the kitchen, grateful when I hear a car leaving the house, I sigh and relax a bit. I make myself some instant porridge since I can't even stomach anything, but I have to eat for my child and since he's gone I won't get another opportunity to eat. After making the food I walk to the lounge, the bowl slips from my hands and shatters making a noise.

I halt with my heart beating fast, he moves from the door, closer to me. I don't know what to do. His hands are in his pockets of his suitpants. He walk is confident. His eyes set and something tells me he knows I'm alone.

Me: You need to leave.

Snakes: What the hell did he do to you?

He moves closer and cups my face. Why is this man adamant on fucking up my life, he's making things worse. And he has the nerve to ask me that question when he was the one who caused all of it. With a stern look I hold my hand out to stop him from getting any closer to me.

Me: You shouldn't be here.

Snakes: And you shouldn't be here either.

Me: Are you fucking ignorant, I need you to leave now!!

I feel a sharp pain on my body as I point to the door, moving even the slightest of muscles hurts. He gives me a stern look.

Snakes: I'm leaving with you.

Me: Like hell you are.

Snakes: Why do you stay? Do you want him to kill you?

Me: You don't understand okay.

Snakes: I think I do, I'm trying to help you here, can't you see that, leave with me, leave him.

Me: He'll find me, and kill me.

I whisper so low that I don't even think he heard me. But he did, as he steps close and cups my face in his hands. I see sincerity in his eyes.

Snakes: I'll protect you, you'll be safe with me.

I'm about to speak when the door bursts open, how did we not hear the car coming in. My eyes go wide as James looks confused as to why his client and his wife are so close to each other, but I know what he's thinking. And I have only one word, Death!

Me: J-james?

James: I go out for a second and you bring your boyfriend in my house!!

Me: It's not what it looks like, please don't-

Snakes: It's a exactly what it looks like, and she's coming with me.

He stands in front of me with his hands in his pockets with a stoic expression. I don't know why this man has so much confidence. I don't think he understands that by what he's doing, he's putting two lives in danger.

James glances over to me and at him before his hand tugs something at the back of his pants. When my eyes see what it is I yelp.

I didn't expect it, as it happened so fast, I gasp as my hands shake on the sides, I look down at my stomach, bl-blood? No no no, blood is oozing out of my stomach, my b-baby no-no!!! I can't hear anything, the room is filled with an echoeing sound of the gunshot. James disappears after that. I fall but someone catches me before I hit the ground.

I think someone is calling out to me, but I can't focus. I've been shot, and I feel dizzy. I refuse to close my eyes. My thoughts are screaming my baby! I feel hands on my wound. Then I finally hear his voice, sounding so pained.

Snakes: Monalisa!!! Wake up baby please, stay awake, listen I'm here okay, you gonna be alright, don't close your eyes.

Me: M-my baby, save my child plea-

I choke on my own blood, I start coughing blood as it splatters all over my mouth. Snakes picks me up and bolts with me outside, he instructs someone to open the door. Soon I'm laying on the backseat with my hand on my stomach, I try to listen to what Snakes' is saying, as he tells me to stay awake.

The ride seems so long and I feel so weak and sleepy, I want to sleep. But Snakes won't let me to close my eyes. My eyelids are so heavy. My baby, please be okay, please be okay please be okay. I start thinking or praying but I'm hoping for my baby to survive, not when I've protected it for so long.

The car stops, and I'm yet again in his arms bridal style. The hospital door flings open and I feel my eyes shutting, I made it, now I can sleep right? I see people hovering over me, with masks. The lights starts to dim slightly and I can't see properly anymore. People's faces are a blur.

I feel like I'm floating, but in reality I'm being wheeled on a hospital bed. I feel that my hand is still clutched on his hand. He doesn't let go, and neither do I. I don't know what will happen if I do.

Dr: Sir please step back you can't get inside.

He doesn't let go, instead he holds on tighter, I shut my eyes, finally and I let go.

Snakes looks like a mess. All he does is pace around outside the ER. He didn't know what he felt but he knew that she shouldn't die. It's been exactly two hours since she went into that room. In his anxious state he had resorted to taking off his suit. He looked disheveled.

Siya: Snakes?

He snaps his head up so fast and looks at his friend, he wonders how did he know he was here because no one knows about anything concerning his Monalisa.

Snakes: Bafo?

Siya: What are you doing here?

Snakes: I- what are you doing here?

Siya sighs and sits next to him, resting his elbows on his thighs as he looks down. Snakes frowns, it was rare to see Siya hindered like that.

Siya: Eish, ndoda, Mbali is pregnant.

Snakes finds the news amusing. But he wonders why his friend looks like the world is coming to an end.

Snakes: The face? what's wrong?

Siya: Mbali doesn't want the child.

Snakes remains quiet. He registers what his been told. Failing to find words to describe how he feels about the news.

Siya: Yeah.

Snakes looks at him and sighs. He brings his hand to Siya's shoulder and pats him.

Snakes: At least now we know he's not damaged goods.

Siya looks at him and laughs, Snakes joins him. He knew it would make him feel better. Plus he also needed to forget about his life for a minute.

Snakes: Been wondering when he'll actually score. He's not getting any younger.

Siya: Uyahlanya wena. (You crazy)

Siya chuckles and shakes his head.

Snakes looks at his clasped hands in front of him, they were bloodied. Reality kicks in that the one woman who managed to melt his heart with just a glance was fighting for her life and her child's life all because of one man, he clenches his jaw thinking about him.

Siya: Bafo skhiphani? (what's wrong brother)

Snakes: He shot her man, he fucken hit her and shot her. That bastard, I'm going to kill him.

Anger seeps through his gritted teeth as he speaks, leaving Siya confused. He forgets just for a moment that the person he's venting to is clueless.

Siya: Snakes, what's going on?

Snakes: I met a girl..

He continues to tell him how he met her at the hotel, at her house. Everything, the scars and about James.

Snakes: Fuck!! I shouldn't have left her man, I should've stayed. You should've seen her scars on her legs and arms, he fucken hit her.

Siya: She'll be fine bafo.

Snakes: I really hope-

Dr: Monalisa?

Snakes jumps up and looks at the Dr expectedly.

Snakes: How's she Dr?

Dr: She's alive and out of danger, the bullet missed vital organs. She should be awake in an hour or so, we having her moved to a ward.

Snakes: Fuck.

He breaths in relief and face palms himself, rubbing his face. He couldn't believe she was fine, all he wanted to do now was see her.

Snakes: What about the baby Doc?

The Dr sighs and adjusts his glasses.

Dr: I'm sorry, but the baby didn't make it.

Snakes slids down to the metal benches and rests his elbows on his thighs with his face in his hands. He groans in frustration. He knew even when he asked that there was no hope for the child in her stomach. But he still wished it was alive.

Dr: The bullet went through the baby's sack and killed what was little of the growing baby.

Snakes: Can I see her?

He murmurs lowly in his hands. And the Dr agrees and they all go to the ward.

Snakes: I think you should be with Sanele, he needs you more right now bafo.

Siya: Uzoba sharp? ( Will you be okay)

He nods and Siya pats his shoulder and strides to the elevator, pressing the 4th floor.

He walks in.