As we waited for midnight to arrive, I couldn't help but think about Nokukhanya. Where was she? Was she safe?

But I knew we couldn't involve the police in this. We were gangsters, after all. We had to handle this on our own.

"I've got an idea," Unathi said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's call the number back and threaten them. Maybe they'll back off."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. We dialed the number, and when the voice answered, Unathi took over.

"Listen, you piece of trash," Unathi growled. "If you harm one hair on Nokukhanya's head, you're dead. You hear me? Dead."

The voice on the other end laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.

"You think you're tough?" the voice sneered. "You think you can scare me? I've got news for you, boys. You're not the only ones with power."

I gritted my teeth, my anger boiling over.

"We'll see about that," I snarled. "You're going down."

But the voice just laughed again and hung up.

I looked at my friends, my heart heavy with worry.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

Unathi's face was set in determination.

"We're going to get Nokukhanya back," he said. "No matter what it takes."

Sakhile nodded, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light.

"We'll set a reward," he said. "10 million rand to anyone who can bring Nokukhanya back safe."

Samkelo nodded, his face set in a grim mask.

"We'll find her," he said. "And we'll make sure whoever took her pays."

I nodded, my heart filled with a newfound determination.

We were going to get her back. No matter what !

No matter what it took.

_Nokukhanya's POV_

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a dark, damp room with stone walls and a cold concrete floor. I had no idea how I got there or who had taken me.

As I struggled to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down onto the floor.

I closed my eyes, trying to remember what had happened. I had been with Tina at the Mugg and Bean, and then... and then something had happened.

I remembered feeling a sting on my neck, and then everything had gone black.

I opened my eyes again, this time noticing a figure standing in the shadows.

"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

The figure stepped forward, revealing Tina's smiling face.

"Surprised to see me?" she asked, her eyes glinting with malice.

I tried to scramble to my feet, but Tina was too quick. She pinned me to the floor, her hands holding me down.

"You're not going anywhere," she hissed. "You're mine now. You're my ticket to him .

I struggled and kicked, but Tina was too strong. She held me down, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

And then, she started slapping me and punching me , then just as suddenly as it had started, everything went black again.

_Nkosi's POV_

I paced back and forth in my living room, my mind racing with worry. Nokukhanya had been gone for hours, and I had no idea where she was or who had taken her.

My friends were trying to reassure me, but I could see the concern etched on their faces.

We had to find Nokukhanya, and we had to do it now.

But as the hours ticked by, I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were running out of time.