Grade 11, Dirang Ka Kagiso
On 27 June, it was Ellen’s birthday. Eric, Ellen’s boyfriend, decided to plan a huge birthday celebration by inviting her siblings, family and favourite artist to perform at her party. Eric wanted all the best for his girlfriend. Eric booked expensive catering for his girlfriend to feel important.
Unfortunately, Ellen couldn’t take the offer. She didn’t want to celebrate her birthday with other people except Eric. She said to Eric, “No, Eric. I can’t celebrate my birthday with other people.”
Eric said, “But I’ve already booked, my love. Why don’t you want to celebrate your party with other people? This is your special day, Baby.”
“No way. I can’t. I suffered a lot while I was still living with my ex-husband. Nobody was there for me when Chris (Ellen’s ex-husband) abused me, including my siblings. Even though they could help me, they watched while Chris made me a punching bag. Eric, I can’t celebrate with my family. They are fake,” Ellen said, crying, “Eric, that man abused me emotionally and physically.”
“Don’t cry, my babe. Your wish will be done and you’re safe with me now. I’ll respect you, make you happy and love you for eternity.”
“I really appreciate you, my fiancé. You are so great. Basically, you are a blessing. Just don’t waste your money trying to make me feel special. You’ve been so good to me. Let’s just go out to our favourite club- the Corner Club.”
“Ellen, are you sure about that?” “Yes, I am, my love.” “Let’s get ready, my love, then we can go.”
They got ready before they went to the club, thanking God for blessing Ellen with another year. Surely they didn’t hesitate. They went out, no friends, no siblings; it was just them. By midnight Ellen was tired and intoxicated but Eric was just starting to enjoy himself. Ellen said, “Honey, I think we should go home. I’m drunk now and I’m tired. I definitely enjoyed my day, now I’ve had enough, Eric. Now I’m off booze.” “No dear, you can go. I’ll come home after you.” Ellen shouted, “I’m drunk now Eric! I can’t drive!” “There’s an uber taxi outside the club. It will take you home.” Eric accompanied her to the uber.
Ellen went home. Unbeknownst to her, Chris was in the house. He was waiting for them but only Ellen showed up. After an hour, Eric got a call from Chris that Ellen was vomiting and he saw blood. Eric went straight home. He was drunk but after the call he became sober. He arrived and went inside. He found Ellen on the floor. By that time she was already dead. She had been stabbed twenty-four times and she was shot in the forehead. Eric touched her body while he was crying, thinking that she might wake up.
Then Eric heard terrible sounds upstairs. He thought it was the killer. Right next to the corpse, there was a gun on the floor. Eric took it and went upstairs trying to catch the murderer. Unfortunately, he found nobody. Did he look carefully? While he was trying to call the cops, they showed up. The cops arrived and Eric got arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.
Eric told the cops what happened but they didn’t believe his story. They gave him life for something he didn’t do. Everybody started to hate Eric. Nobody gave him support, including his parents, even in court. He tried to talk to them and tell the whole truth but no one believed his story. His parents and his siblings took everything he had: cars, houses, money, and they started to sell them.
Eric suffered a lot while he was in jail. He was raped by inmates. They even made him a girl for a crime he did not commit.
Luckily, Eric’s best friend, John, recorded everything. After John heard that his friend was suffering and everybody was taking what he owned, he went to the police station to give the police the evidence. The detective asked John why he didn’t give the police the evidence earlier. “Detective, we all know Chris is dangerous, right?” “It’s our job to protect you.” “No, you wouldn’t have protected me.” “How do you feel, John, backstabbing your friend? Actually, what were you doing there?” “Honestly, I was breaking in to steal.” “But from your best friend?” “I was jealous.” “Then what happened next?”
“While I was trying to steal, I heard someone opening the door. I thought it was them but it was Chris. Then I hid. After 30 minutes Ellen showed up and Chris told Ellen to pack- they were leaving. I took my phone and I started to shoot a video. They argued until Chris took a knife out and stabbed her many times. After that he shot her. He called Eric. After the call, he heard my foot steps and he saw me. I hid while he was trying to find me.”
“I hear you, John. Thank you for bringing this evidence to us. We will take it from here and you and your family will be protected. By tomorrow he will be released.”
Eric was released and it wasn’t easy for him out there.