It was a dark night with no moon in sight and the cool, cool breeze wafting in gently from the open windows giving a fresh feeling to the body. It was a perfect night, until it wasn't.
This happened some years ago and though I and my family along with our neighbors were not victims, it was a truly terrifying experience for everyone.
It was just a few minutes past midnight and I had just awoken from a deep slumber, though short. I can't remember exactly what prompted me to wake up, but I did and I needed to pee but I felt too lazy to get up from the bed so I stuck to staring out the window and enjoying the breeze touching my face.
I was beginning to fall back asleep when I heard a very loud bang, a bang so loud in the quiet night I could hear the echoes as the sound traveled. The loud noise knocked me out of sleep and thoughts began to run wild in my head as I tried to discern what kind of bang it was. Maybe it was the sound of someone breaking in or something heavy fell.
I was still deep in thought when I heard screams first from the next compound on the left and then a loud male voice bellowed;
"Everyone, on the floor, now!"
Followed by more screams and another loud bang.
I then realized what the loud bang was, it was the sound of a gunshot and there was a robbery happening right next to us, happening in the compound that we share a fence with. Soon, the dogs in our compound began to bark fiercely and loudly at the noises the armed robbers made from the next compound.
My heart literally stopped for a second then began racing so hard that it hurt to even breathe. I was terrified. I got off the bed on shaky feet and went to look for my mother whom I found wide awake and terrified . My sister soon hurried out of her room in fear, clutching her laptop and smartphone to her bosom.
Even if we tried not to listen to the horrible shouts coming from the armed robbers next door, we couldn't because they were so loud and the quiet night carried the noise they made to everyone's ears, coupled with the multiple gunshots coming from there.
I couldn't even imagine what those people were going through as I could hear their pleas and cries as the armed robbers ordered them to give them all they had.
At that time, it was just me, my mother and my sister all alone in the house and though the doors and windows were locked, it didn't seem like enough protection. All we could do was pray for a miracle.
As we stood together in the dark living room, we began to hear movements and murmurs from neighbors in the compound and it occurred to me that we were not the only ones awake now, it was everyone and I didn't know what would happen next. As more shouts came from the other compound, all the men in my compound came out and began to murmur amongst themselves. There was no calming the dogs down as the huge dogs refused to calm down. From my position at the window, I could see the dogs all stationed at the gate, their barks even louder than the armed robbers.
Soon, more people came out of their apartments, fear in their voices as they discussed what the next option would be if the robbers decided to jump in through the fence. Surprisingly, we weren't the only ones affected by the noise and to my greatest surprise, I heard the shout of men from down the street as they made their way to the scene of the robbery.
They murmured as they made their way and all of a sudden, one of them shouted;
"They're getting away!"
With that they broke into a run and I heard another gunshot, and two more then the fading voices of the men as they ran after the armed robbers.
The dogs in my compound continued barking for the next hour as my compound was lively with activities as neighbors came out to discuss what just happened.
It took hours for my heartbeat to settle but it was futile because any little sound would send it racing again and I would literally have to fight for air.
Then, it took months for me to overcome the trauma.
I cannot imagine what those people that got robbed went through. I heard rumors that the robbers were caught but after that horrible incident till date, there hasn't been any form of midnight robbery.
It was a terrifying night for everyone involved.
This kinda feelings and the shock.
I once had a similar experience and at that moment, all I was praying for is for them to skip our house and yes, it worked
Luckily, no one was killed during the robbery.
Thank you for your feedback.
Thank God
You're welcome 🤗
Come see how my heart was racing reading this.
Actually in scenes like that I may have to travel from the environment for a while so that I can become stable, that incident will keep playing in ones head for a long while.
It kept playing in my head especially at night. But with increased efforts of the security men in the area, it helped to ease the fear.
Okay dear. Pls be safe
Thank you. I will.
Witnessing a robbery scene is a terrible experience. I have never witnessed one and I don't pray to. The fear that comes with just hearing that shout thieves, thieves eeh. Omo.
Plus the gunshots. It was scary. I don't wish such an experience on my enemy even.
Thank you for reading.
Yay! 🤗
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