Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 - Literature (3) - Nairaland
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| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by MaziOmenuko: 10:55pm On Nov 29, 2014 |
Chapter Eight The Key MaziOmenuko Bulus sat alone under one of the trees in the compound having a deep thought about the recent events unfolding. He found it hard to understand what the fuss was all about. A key? What was so important about this key that has gotten his boss so obsessed and mad with rage? He has observed, rather surprisingly, that ever since the news of the robbery at the jewelry shop was broken to his boss, he had completely lost it. He could remember vividly the fateful day his boss’ best friend Adamu walked into the mansion and told him of the robbery. His boss immediately inquired about the key as if other stolen items were irrelevant. Adamu had told him the key was stolen alongside everything else. Ever since then, he had fallen ill, and thereafter, started acting irrationally. His boss had relied on Adamu to influence Rimi's case while in court and was positive he will resolve the case. His boss had sent him to the court in one of the occasions to witness the proceedings. It was the most boring moment of his life. He had to sit for hours watching a team of sad looking men on black suits and ties trying to convince every other person in the room of one point or the other. The man his boss had interest in was a man everyone called Rimi, but as long as he was concerned, he was a mad man and he exhibited it right inside he courtroom. With chains all around his wrists and legs, he kept staring at a particular direction. He spoke to himself most of the time and was always reminded by the sad looking men that his name was Rimi. It was only a mad man that wouldn’t remember his own name. why did his boss send him on a mission to watch a mad man? All because of a key? When the final verdict didn't suit his boss’ purpose, he had commanded that Adamu be killed. Adamu used to be his boss' best friend. Having grown up in the boss' house, Bulus knew most of his friends and also understood that Adamu was the closest. He had been consistent and diligent in his dealings with the boss. As much as he understood, Mr Adamu had a jewelry shop and there was a connection somewhere; a treasure and a key. He remembered a certain sunday four years ago when his boss handed Adamu the key inside the sitting room of the mansion. He had urged Adamu to guide it with all his life and Adamu had given him the assurance that nothing will happen to the key. When Adamu left, he asked his boss what the key was all about and got a vague answer: 'the key to my treasure safe'. He knew his boss didn't just mean a treasure safe; it must have been more than that. What could have been in a treasure safe that couldn't be kept in the mansion? He had seen more illegal items inside the mansion than he had seen in any foreign movie: drugs, guns, money in different currencies, expensive jewelry and lots more. What could be very valuable that his boss couldn't keep in his mansion? He didn't put much thought in it four years ago; but right now, every action on the mansion revolves around the key. What key was this and what does it unlock? Could it be more than just an access to a treasure box? Whatever it was, he was sure his boss will not rest until the key is found, or everyone of them dead! The thought of death, combined with the sudden footsteps behind him sent chills all over his body. He reached for his gun almost immediately as the footsteps drew nearer. A swift turn and he was pointing his gun at Jackson. Jackson threw his arms on the air just in time, frightened by the sight of gun pointed at him. "You startled me!" Bulus said as he lowered the gun upon realizing it was his colleague, Jackson. "Why are you so tensed?" Jackson asked, still raising his arms in fear. Bulus didn't border replying. He was tensed for sure; who wouldn't be? Its been madness these past days with blood and death hovering around. Bulus was a brave man, but the thought of death sends shivers down his spine. He had killed before without second thoughts. He was heavily built with an intimidating presence but it didn't stop him from the fear of death. He once heard that bad people get to suffer after they die. He heard they are thrown into a big burning fire where demons will be slicing their flesh for meat gradually until what is left is bone. The thought of demons eating his flesh while it was roasting on fire was unbearable. "What do you want?" Bulus asked. He was still angered by the fact that Jackson and Gideon couldn't carry out the simple message the boss sent to them. Maybe he would have gone himself. He wondered how a girl and a mad man could overpower the duo. "The boss wants to see you." Jackson replied. “Is he with the new guy?” Bulus asked, referring to Christopher. “No.” Bulus wasn’t comfortable with the new guy Christopher. In the past, no stranger would ever barge into the mansion demanding to see his boss. But ever since the madness of the key started, his boss had been picking up strays and making irrational decisions. Worst still, his boss had asked him to leave the room, leaving him alone in a room with a total stranger. Who was the Don? Why is the name strange? He was sure it all has to do with the silly key! He muttered to himself. He hoisted his gun and headed to the sitting room. The boss was back to his drinking ways so he wasn't surprised when he met him drinking whiskey from the bottle. When his health got too bad few months ago, the doctors advised that he quit drinking. Surprisingly, his boss had stopped. It was good to know he wasn't the only one scared of the roasted-meat-eating demons. But ever since the mad man Rimi was released, there seem to be a raw pump of vigor into his boss. He had returned to his old ways of barking out orders in a melancholic way. "You sent for me sir?" He asked as he approached his boss. "Yes." The boss replied, still trying to swallow a mouthful of whiskey. He coughed vehemently as some of the whiskey escaped from his mouth. Bulus thought about taking a glass of water to him but hesitated. He could pick on offense at his good gesture. "I want kassim dead!" His boss had announced to him. A lot of thoughts flew through his mind as he tried to process the order. He knows better than argue with his boss. There were subtle ways of making him change his mind or consider an alternate approach. There were other ways to talk him out of a decision. He was aware of those other ways, but he wasn't going to try any of them. Not when kassim was the victim. He had always hated the lad. He didn't understand why his boss hired him in the first place. He has been following up as a background spy on the mad man's case for some time now yet no meaningful result. Oh! He hated kassim, he hated his guts! He hated his arrogance! Inasmuch as he wasn't in support of his boss' recent penchant for blood, he wouldn't mind doing kassim for the fun of it. He had never imagined killing someone could be so much fun. The thought of it alone excited him. "When do you want this done?" He asked his boss. "Immediately!" He responded. "This time, do it yourself, don't send those amateur guys" the boss added. "Yes sir!" Bulus answered. “What of Christopher?” Bulus asked. I have a special assignment for him.” His boss responded. It was hard to conceal the excitement on his face as he turned to leave the room. He had hesitated when the boss declared that they should kill zainab and bring in the mad man. But this time around, he was going to kill kassim, and he was going to enjoy doing it. Some demons will be feasting on his meat tonight! He thought to himself as he left the sitting room. 8 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by MaziOmenuko: 10:56pm On Nov 29, 2014 |
************ Zainab woke up with deep thoughts in the morning. The event of last night was still fresh in her mind; the lovemaking had been intense, more than she had anticipated. For someone who had spent the last few years inside the walls of the prison, Rimi sure knows how to satisfy the intimate needs of a woman. She was wondering what would become of her quest to find her dad’s killer and take her pound of flesh. Now it was obvious Rimi didn’t kill him. She couldn’t imagine such a gentle man with gentle love-making techniques hurt a fly. Yet, someone did kill her dad. It must be the same guys that set Rimi up, she thought to herself. They must have planned and executed the plan thoroughly. But why will they kill her dad? They had gotten what they wanted at the jewelry shop. After the robbery, her dad had called her with fear in his voice. She had not heard her father sound so fearful before. She had asked what was happening and he told her he got robbed of a very important valuable. She knew the jewelry shop contained valuables but her dad spoke of a very precious valuable, more precious than the jewelry. She had opted to return immediately and console the dad but the man had refused, insisting she continues with her work. If only she had listened to her instincts and came home, maybe her dad would still be alive by now. She needed to find the way about of the thieves; they have the answers she sought for. She didn’t trust the idea of involving an escaped inmate Rimi talked about last night. The police would certainly be on his trail and it will complicate things. There has got to be another way of finding the thieves. Zainab noticed Rimi was awake. He was exhaling deeply at intervals and the warm air from his nostrils hit at her bare back as she faced the wall. “They planned this together.” Rimi muttered in-between his breathe. “What? Who?” she asked, turning around to face him. “Tonia and Uche, they were into this together.” Rimi said emphatically. Zainab nodded her head in agreement. Wasn’t this what she had been trying to make him understand all day? How come he is only realizing that now. “I know.” Zanaib concurred. “And they set me up for it. It has been their plan all along.” Rimi continued. “True.” Zainab muttered once again, still wondering how it was that Rimi just started realizing the truth. “They have eloped to Double R town!” Rimi said. Zainab stood on the bed. Was Rimi having a full grasp of events? It seemed to her that the sex last night just opened his eyes. Was this what happened to Adam when Eve gave him the fruit to eat? Is the sex opening Rimi’s inner mind and memories? “Double R?” She asked, “Why double R?” “Uche’s dad had a house there.” Rimi answered. That was all Zainab needed to hear. She stormed out of the bed and headed towards the bathroom. “get your things ready!” she shouted as she entered into the bathroom. “Why?” Rimi asked. “We are heading to Double R town.” She screened behind the showers. ************** When Kassim received a call from Bulus informing him that the boss had a message for him, he was full of expectations. He had informed Bulus that he would come over immediately but Bulus told him to wait for him at the Ship yard, he would bring the message to him. Kassim kept wondering what this message was and why was it that the boss had asked for it to be delivered to him. Of all places to deliver the message, it was in the abandoned ship yard. Bulus had told him to be there by 9;45pm. It was already 9pm and if he set out now, will make it right on time. He dialed the number he had been dialing for the past 15minutes. It gave him the same response, “not reachable”. He sent a text message and set out for the yard. Bulus was getting set to leave for the yard. He had all things worked out. He took a second look at the brown envelop he was planning to go with. It contained different pictures and some newspaper prints. Nothing of importance. He would use it to distract Kassim when they meet. He planned to hand kassim the envelop, while kassim would be going through it, trying to make a meaning from it, he will pull out his gun and fire. It was a simple plan, one he had used before when he is sent against a familiar face. He smiled to himself as he loaded the gun with bullets. He was going to enjoy killing kassim. Nothing will give him more pleasure than that. Demons were going to feast on his flesh tonight. He moved to the bathroom, spilled fresh cold water on his face and set out for the yard. In a dimly lite room somewhere, a fax machine on the desk printed a message. The man sitting at the opposite end reached for the message and read it. He understood what it meant. He picked the phone almost immediately and dialed some numbers. He waited for some seconds before passing his message across. He sipped his coffee and sat back on the chair, awaiting the next message from the fax machine. Bulus left the corner where he had docked for the past 15 minutes as he saw Kassim approaching. He was five minutes late, but he didn’t mind. He scanned the surrounding to ensure he was all alone. When he was satisfied that Kassim had come alone, he made the move towards him. It was dark inside the yard. The only source of light was coming from the moon which was at its fullest that night. Kassim saw him approach and halted. He could see he was carrying an envelop as he approached; nothing suspicious, he thought to himself. He tried smiling as Bulus got within two feets from him. Bulus smiled back at him. “I have this for you from the boss.” Bulus said, handing him the envelop. Kassim collected the envelop but didn’t make any move to open it. He wanted to go through it once he left this ungodly place. How is his health?” He inquired from Bulus who still stood still, waiting for him to open the envelop. “He is doing his whiskey.” Bulus replied and both of them smiled at the unfunny joke. Kassim was really tensed and anything to lighten up on was a welcome development. “He wants a reply immediately.” Bulus said, pointing at the envelop when it was obvious Kassim wasn’t going to open it. “Oh, this?” Kassim said, taking a quick stare at the envelop. “Yes.” Bulus replied, “He wants to know what you think of it.” He insisted. Kassim took a long stare at Bulus, hesitated for a while before opening the envelop. He looked inside it, placed a hand inside and searched for any meaningful material. He only felt pieces of papers and some other thick papers that felt like pictures. He brought out one of the pictures, took a long look at it and still couldn’t make out the face. “Who is…” Kassim froze at the sight of gun pointed at him by Bulus. The envelope and pictures fell off his hands. Bulus moved two steps backward with the gun still pointed at Kassim. He wanted to see the look on his face before he died. It was a look he would cherish for the rest of his life. He heard the sound of the gun before he could squeeze the trigger. The sound didn’t come from his gun but he did feel a push emanating from deep inside his head. He fell sideways on his knees, tried to look up but the pain coming from his left ear was alarming. It was certain he had been shot in the head. He felt his collar drenched with blood. His nose and ears were bleeding too. He mustered all the strength he could and tried to stand on his foot. The second shot caught his neck. He felt a burning pain and a suffocating fist down his throat. He fell backwards and stared blankly at the full moon. It was very beautiful, he thought. Everything looked beautiful and peaceful. The bright light from the moon was covering everywhere. Everything was bright and beautiful. He relaxed and smiled at the bright face of Kassim staring down at him. If only he knew how beautiful and peaceful everything was. There were no flesh-eating-demons; there were no fires; just bright peace. He closed his eyes and let the peace engulf him. His heart stopped beating. Kassim watched amazed as Bulus shut his eyes with a smile on his face. He turned around in time to see a figure approaching him. His first instinct was to run, but whoever it was would have taken him down with that second shot if he wanted him dead. He sweated profusely as the man got nearer to him. He couldn’t make out his face. The man took a long look at the dead body of Bulus then to him. He brought out another envelop from his suit and handed it to him. “We got your message.” He said as he turned around and returned to the shadows he came from. ******** The fax machine in the dim room made another buzz. The man sitting across the desk watched patiently as the machine printed out another file. He reached for it and read the simple line on it: Christopher is in town. He dialed a number and placed the phone on his ear. He waited for a few seconds, cleared his voice and whispered two words on the phone: “Officer Caleb”. He dropped the phone and sipped his coffee, waiting for the next buzz and message from the fax machine. The End of Chapter Eight 16 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by AudreyTimms(f): 11:39am On Dec 03, 2014 |
CHAPTER NINE I SEE THINGS OTHERS DO NOT SEE WRITTEN BY AUDREYTIMMS It was dark and eerie. He could hear his heart beat, it was like the sound of a ticking time bomb. Perspiration ran down his forehead. He looked around him but darkness welcomed him, he couldn't see a thing. Suddenly he heard a howling wind from the north and fear gripped him. He made to run but for the life of him, he couldn't seem to move. He talked to him numb limbs but it seemed as if they'd gone on a journey because he couldn't even wiggle his toes. Aghast, he discovered he was Unclad on what seemed like a lonely and deserted street. He swallowed heavily. It began as a faint sound but he was sure he could hear footsteps and the screeching of something on the tarred road. The source of the noise finally emerged in front of him, dragging a big iron rod. He heaved a sigh of relief which quickly changed to consternation when the man making the noise lifted up the heavy rod and made to strike him with it. His upper lip parted from the lower one but nothing came out of his vocal cords. There was a flash of lightening and all he could see were the man's black metal capped shoes- his shoes. He forced words out of his mouth and kept on calling the man's name, pleading with him but the iron rod was already being swung in the direction of his head. Pain exploded in his brain. Rimi woke up with a gasp. Damn! That nightmare again. It was becoming a nightly thing for him. He pushed himself up in a sitting position and placed his back against the headboard. Tender eyes captured the sleeping beauty beside him, snoring softly. Zainab was sleeping on her left side and looking as cute as a button. She was even more beautiful in sleep. Carefully, Rimi pushed back the sheets and stood up. He stretched and cricked his bones noisily. It was little wonder that he'd been Unclad in the nightmare- he walked slowly to the bathroom in his birthday suit. After taking a leak, he strolled into the room and perched himself beside the window to look out into the cold, dark night. They were in a motel close to the Uche's father's house after their fruitless journey. He knew he was still out of sorts having spent two years in prison. He still woke up in the middle of the night to stare into space and some things were still foggy to him but he was beginning to get his real self back. Rimi didn't know what they were going to do. Coming to Double R had led them to a dead end. The new occupants of the house told them they had bought the house from a couple a few days ago and didn't have their forwarding address. Rimi castigated himself. He should have known Uche would be too smart to remain there knowing he could easily be traced by him after his release. His hands bulged into a fist as he thought of what someone he'd called a brother had done to him. He wondered why for the umpteenth time. Why had they done that to him? People he'd called family. He shook his head from his deep thought. He had to find a way to find them. The young man moved to the bed stand and picked up Zainab's phone. She was against calling Christopher because he was a fugitive but he was their only hope now. She was of the opinion that they stayed back in Double R and hire a private investigator to search for his betrayers. Rimi had to remind her that her causal leave from the office would end in a few days, they were running out of cash and so they had to act fast. He moved back to his position by the window and dialed the number he'd never forget. Christopher of course had hacked into a mobile network provider's site in order to get a unique number made up of alphas after the first three constant digits. Christopher didn't answer at the first two rings. Rimi wasn't bothered. The suspicious hacker had once told him he only answered his calls at the fourth ring. The brilliant guy probably had a device he used in checking the caller's info and to see if the call was being traced when he answered it. He waited patiently and dialed the number for the fourth time. He breathed out deeply when the call was answered. There was silence. Rimi knew exactly what to say. He cleared his throat. "I see things others do not see." He could hear the smile in the man's voice when he replied. "Then it's either the whole world is blind or you're a f*ucking genius!" Christopher laughed heartily when he remembered the voice. "Dude! When did those b.astards let you out of that hell hole?" A smile lit up Rimi's face. "A while back." Christopher laughed again. "We should get together some time." "Yeah. I need your help, Chris." "No problem. You know I got your back but listen, I'm into some s*hit right now I need to handle promptly. I'll contact you." "Okay. Thanks." Rimi said with glee and Christopher hung up. His gaze flickered to the sleeping lady on the bed who had moved to lie on her stomach. He prayed she'd forgive him for making the call but he had to do it. Waiting was now the name of their plans. **** Chief Brown Dino was restless. He couldn't sleep a wink. He dragged himself off the bed and put on his Japanese dressing gown and tied the knot loosely around his lean waist. Just then, his round-the-clock nurse came into the room with a tray containing his medication for the night and a bottle of water. She bent slightly and placed it on a stool beside the bed. Chief Brown's eyes ogled her voluptuous back side. The tip of his tongue snaked out to moisten his dry lips. He'd noticed before that she had a nicely rounded bottom that could make a man's fantasies come to life but his worry over his missing key had prevented him from doing anything about it. He recalled his lecherous days with smirk. Maybe she could even do something about his restlessness after all, she was heavily paid until a few months ago when things became tight. As she slowly walked out of the room wriggling her waist, he felt blood rush into his lower region. Only the thought of what was keeping Bulus stopped him from calling her back and ravishing her. He knew he still had it in him and meeting Christopher had brightened up his mood but the fact that it was 11pm and Bulus wasn't back yet alarmed him. Bull had left the house since 9pm and his phone was switched off. Holding on strongly to his cane, he ignored his medication, picked up one of his phones and made his way to his magnificent living room. He went straight to his bar, located the whisky, selected a glass, poured himself two fingers of the alcoholic drink and struggled to sit on the high bar stool. The old man sipped the whiskey silently and nearly choked on it when his phone rang. He quickly picked it only to be disappointed that it was a senator calling. He slammed the phone down. He was supposed to be in a meeting with his fellow politicians. There was a plot to impeach the president but he couldn't care less. All he cared about was his missing key. Jackson, on his outrageous coat, fidgeted as he came into the living room. He eyed his boss warily when he sighted him at the bar. He scratched his clean shaven head. How was he going to break the news? His boss was legendary for his bad temper and lately it hadn't improved. At such times, it was advisable to give the boss a wide berth but he couldn't afford to keep him in the dark any longer. He cursed Gideon to perdition for winning their coin tossing game in determining who would tell Cheif Brown the bad news. The man in question lifted his head in his musings and saw Jackson staring at him like a frightened rabbit. "Yes? What is it? Is Bulus back?" He questioned the anxious-looking man who moved closer to him knowing fully well that his boss hated when people replied his questions from a distance. "Boss..." Jackson stared at the marble floor. Chief Brown's eyes blazed anger. "Foo.l!" He said and sipped from his drink with the intention of throwing the glass at Jackson's head when he was through with the drink. He wasn't prepared to waste good whiskey on the bumbling idio.t. "Bulus is dead." Jackson finally said and his boss's whiskey splattered from his mouth unto Jackson's ugly as sin coat. "What did you just say?" Chief Brown asked after his fit of coughing had subsided. He stared at him wide-eyed and stunned. "Bulus is dead. When he didn't return after a while, Gideon and I went to the shipyard in search of him. We found him dead. He was shot in the head and neck." Jackson rushed out the gory details. Chief Brown's hands clenched. Bulus dead! The bull who had been like a son to him was gone? His right hand man, his loyal and most trusted employee. The muscular and brainy guy who had been with him for years and handled all his assignments with no slip-up whatseover. He remembered the promise Bull had made to him recently. "We'll get them, boss and we will get your key, I swear on my life." Bulus had indeed paid with his life yet the key was still missing and the culprits still at large. Who would protect him as steadfastly as Bulus had done? He felt palpitations in his heart as its beat became very fast. His eyes bulged. He felt as if there was a hand in his chest, squeezing his heart and laughing while doing it. Jackson didn't need to be told what to do. He rushed out to get the nurse. The nurse rushed in and in between them, they lifted the old man from the floor where he had fallen and laid him on the bed. The nurse told him to take deep breaths and cough repeatedly which amazingly helped him to calm down a bit even though he was still wheezing badly. He brushed aside her hands from his chest impatiently and told Jackson to get his phone. He needed protection. He'd just made one more enemy- Kassim. It was time to get his evil henchmen from outside the country to handle affairs for him. "I need you." He simply said into the receiver when the call went through and ended it. He dialed another number despite the fact that his chest felt as if it was in flames. The person had told him he'd be the one to contact him but Chief Brown had another assignment for him. The man needn't know he couldn't pay him the amount he'd asked for because he was bankrupt. The call was answered on the fourth ring. Chief Brown coughed terribly and spat out blood on his sheets before saying, "I see things others do not see." 8 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by AudreyTimms(f): 11:41am On Dec 03, 2014 |
**** With dark eyes, the six feet three, dark and handsome muscular guy surveyed his companion and wondered what was wrong with her. Her brown eyes were lowered but he knew tears glazed them. She'd woken up all dark and broody much to his consternation. All atempts to get her out of her reverie had failed. He was at his wits end at what to do. Was she regretting their time in bed together? Had she started doubting his innocence again? Or was she as frustrated as he was sitting all day waiting for Christopher to call with only a few cash left in between them? They couldn't use her credit and debit cards for fear of being caught. He was prepared to go out to do menial jobs but he was scared for her safety. Their only option was using her credit card when things got pretty bad and moving quickly again, probably to another town. Going back to Lake City was out of it. Zainab couldn't even go back to her job. Her colleagues had informed her that some rough looking men had been there looking for her. On the way to the bed where she was seated, he paused in mid-stride when she raised eyes filled with so much sorrow and pain, words caught in his throat. They were like that for a while in the staring match. "Zai..." The young man cleared his throat. "Zainab, what's the problem? You've been moody all day." She lowered her eyes and sighed. The sound cut deeply into him. "Today is..." A sob clogged her vocal cords. Rimi wasted no time in taking rapid steps to sit beside her. He held her soft and delicate hand in his coarse hands. He gazed at the difference between the two parts of their bodies and grimaced. His could be used for grinding pepper and was a challenge for the best manicurist in the world but hers were so soft, they could be mistaken for a baby's. He shook his head from his errant thoughts. He lifted his head and saw tears make an indefinite pathway down her lovely face. Rimi wanted to use his hands to wipe away the tears but felt the roughness would injure her soft facial skin. "Easy. What is it?" he finally said. "Today is...was...is daddy's birthday." she blurted out. She curved her arms round her churning stomach and involuntarily rocked back and forth on the edge of the bed as memories of her dear dad flooded her brain over and over again. Rimi closed his eyes for some seconds. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "I miss him. I miss him so much. He was my bestfriend, my one and only." she wept pitifully. He put an arm around her. "It's alright." She placed her head on his shoulder and sniffed. "You and I aren't so different, you know. I mean the stories of our childhood are similar. Do you know I've eaten from a dumpster before?" His eyes widened. She nodded and sniffed. "We didn't use to be rich. Daddy lost his job when I was five years old and he couldnt get another one. My mum...she...she died of malaria. The normal malaria that people take for granted killed my mother because we couldn't afford the drugs for her treatment. It was hell for daddy and I. We'd go days without food. Daddy did odd jobs to put food on the table but it was never enough after paying the house rent and utility bills and stuff. He didn't go to school so he couldn't get a good paying job. Imagine, poor people called us poor." she laughed without mirth. "Garri was my bestfriend. When we had little of it left, we'd add like a bucket-full of water and wait for it to rise in order for it to satisfy us. I used to count the minutes as they ticked by in anticipation and it wasn't as if the meal was accompanied with sugar or groundnut or anything but eating it with daddy always made it seem as if it was the most delicious meal in the world." She paused and wiped her nose with her pink and blue patterned handkerchief. "When daddy fell sick, I was left with no choice other than going to rich men's estate to search for food in their dumpsters. You'd be amazed to see what they threw out when we were starving. Daddy wanted to commit suicide but for me, he didn't want to leave me alone in this cruel world. He would look into my eyes with pain and tell me that it would be over soon and we'd get rich soon. I used to call them super stories then, told to make us feel better but little did I know it would turn out true." "How?" Rimi asked. "One day, he met an old school body of his who introduced him into the jewelry business and things turned around from there. It was nursing dad back to health that made me decide to become a nurse. Daddy gave me this when I became a nurse." She held out the necklace with a star- shaped gold pendant which she always had on for him to see. "He said I was his star because I brightened up his life." The last words were muffled in a sob. Rimi tightened his hold on her. He swore there and then to get her father's killer even if he used the last drop in his body in acheiving the feat. If Uche and Tonia had a hand in it, they'd pay as well. His lips tightened into a thin line in his resolve while his brain told him to slow down on his emotions. He fought to get a grip on his wildly flailing emotions. He knew his feelings for her increased by the day but logic told him he was probably feeling this way because she was the first lady he'd laid in two years and what a good lay she was! When she lifted her tear-stained, heart-shaped face to look into his darkly intense eyes, at that precise moment, Rimi knew he was in love with her! **** Officer Caleb drove down Cashmere street in search of the house that had been faxed to him by an unknown person with two names. If he hadn't been a cop, he would have thought it a set up and would have declined going but the person had thrown in the name of a criminal who had been eluding him for years. He was like a dog after a scent. He needed desperately to bring that person to justice and also for his peace of mind both at home and in the office. His boss was already on his behind to bring in his report on the released convict and his cohorts. If the raging bull of a man knew he was here, he'd have his head on a platter of gold but Officer Caleb just couldn't let this go. He finally located the cream colored majestic house with a crimson red roof and pulled his battered grey Toyota to a stop. His mobile phone rang and he discovered from the screen that it was Evelyn, his wife from hell. He ignored it because he wanted to go in there with his senses intact and not beclouded by anger. Evelyn would put a blight on his peace of mind if he answered her call. The policeman opened his glove compartment. He pulled out his service pistol, put it in his empty holster and alighted from the car, taking along with him the fax message. He felt better. Now he had two guns to deal with the mysterious fax message sender. He knew they'd ask him to surrender his service pistol if they were smart, though he'd put up a fight to keep it. They'd however not know about his small revolver in one of his boots and the pen knife in the other. He put on his leather jacket and black shades and matched to the black gate that towered high in the sky. Officer Caleb was a dedicated, tenacious, overworked policeman with an outstanding record for clearing his cases except for two cases that had eluded him over the years and denied him his promotion and a better pay. He was six feet three with broad, muscular shoulders and long, lean legs. He had the lethal, inborn grace of a wild animal and the intimidating and instinctive authority of a man born to command. He wasn't intimidated by anybody. He'd hadn't gotten to where he was today based on fear; his three gold molars and various gun-shot and knife scars all over his body attested to that fact. Solving a case was like taking a stroll in the park for him. He lived for the thrill, the danger and chase of a criminal. His brisk knock on the gate got it opened to reveal a mean-looking guy holding an Ak47. "I'm here to see your boss, Don Kamir." Officer Caleb informed him in a no-nonsense tone after handing him the fax message. "And you are?" Mr. Mean-looking asked him. "Officer Caleb." The hunk of a guy sized him up and Officer Caleb returned the action. He noticed four guys moving towards them from the porch of the magnificent house. They were all mean-looking too with thick arms and huge chests and for a moment, Officer Caleb wondered if he was in the wrong place, probably a gym considering the sizes of the guys approaching them. Their various weapons however disabused him of that thought. "He wants to see Don Kamir." Mean-looking dude Number One told them when they surrounded him. Officer Caleb wasn't intimidated one bit. He knew there was a special reason for him being here. His sixth sense told him he wasn't going to be killed even though it was quite unnerving being surrounded by macho guys with weapons. "Lose the holster." Mean- Looking dude Number Two commanded him. The police officer wondered if the dark shades on the guy had x-ray vision. He shrugged, removed his jacket and the holster and dropped it on the ground. His service pistol was in his hand. "I said lose the gun." Mean-looking dude Number Two said sternly. Officer Caleb frowned. "Make up your mind, dude. Lose the holster, lose the gun, are you a slowpoke?" The guy's face tightened at the insult but another guy, mean-looking dude Number Three intervened. "Let's call Crystal." The call was made and the guy spoke to whoever was at the other end of the line in codes he couldn't decipher. The mobile phone was thrust at him. With a great show of reluctance, he collected it. "Hello, Officer Caleb." The sweetest voice he'd ever heard in his life graced his ears. "Don't tell me you're Don Kamir?" A very seductive laugh followed his question. "Of course not. I assure you that you won't be harmed. No one enters Don Kamir's presence with a weapon. Please leave your weapons with the guards. One of them will escort you inside the house." Officer Caleb handed the phone back to the guy and shrugged. The voice was sweet enough to tempt the devil into repentance. He handed the gun over to mean-looking dude Number One and made to walk past them but a hand on his chest stopped his movement and he knew why. Without a word, he removed the revolver and knife from his boot. He felt like punching mean looking dude Number Two's teeth down his throat for the smug smile on his face but thought against it. Looking left and right, he followed mean-looking dude Number Four inside the house. He was led into a very impressive lobby and into a lavishly furnished living room. Everywhere smelt of opulence and grandeur. He was looking around the room which was devoid of pictures or any personal effect when he heard the angelic voice again. "Welcome, Officer Caleb." He turned around with a smile that got frozen on his face. Was he seeing things? He'd thought the movie, 'ET' he'd watched in his teens was just that, a movie but standing before him was the alien's lookalike. Could a human being be this dark and ugly? Was she even human? No, she was an indistinct creature. He craned his neck to see if anyone was standing behind her. She stood there staring at him with a knowing smile. "This way Officer Caleb." The angelic voice sounded in his ears again and he was amazed that it had come out of the...the...creature who had turned her short, dark and ugly self towards the stairs. Officer Caleb had to conclude that God was a clown. How could He have bestowed such a wonderful voice on such an ugly specimen? Maybe it was her consolation prize for being away when He was sharing beauty. He shrugged and followed her. Kassim had watched the whole drama at the gate with a smile from his position at the window. He stubbed out his cigarette on the window sill and moved into the room he'd been given in the mansion to wait for further instructions. So Officer Caleb was being brought into the situation. He didn't give a rat behind about it. Kassim still couldn't wrap his head around the thought that Chief Brown had tried to have him killed. Over what, he couldn't quite phantom. Had he somehow discovered that he was also working for his arch rival? It had been a stroke of luck sending that text message when he did else he would have been in flesh-eating demon dungeon by now. Chief Brown just hammered another nail in his coffin. In bitterness, Kassim had already divulged the secrets he knew about him to Don Kamir. Don Kamir, aka the Walking Shadow. Just mentioning his name alone sent shivers down his spine. No one had ever seen him except the monster, Crystal. His entire existence was shrouded in mystery. His guards had never seen him, never even heard his voice. All they knew was that their boss was a vicious man no one toyed with nor tried to blackmail. The only people who had ever seen him never lived to tell the story. It was a thing of fear to be summoned into the house. Everyone knew to be summoned into the Walking Shadow's presence meant death. He heard voices down the hall. Officer Caleb was being taken to where the Don was- the top floor of the mansion which no one could access except with codes. Only Crystal had the codes. Crystal herself was a mystery also. Ugly as sin but very efficient. Rumor had it that she was a crack shot. She'd shot one of the guards in between his eyes for daring to walk up the stairs towards Don Kamir's abode. Kassim picked up his phone. He couldn't depend on only one means of protection. He had to contact another kingpin. **** The tall, smoothly dark skinned lady with a svelte figure to die for in a black lace lingerie walked from the bathroom to the bedroom in small steps and stood before her dresser. Tonia was glad that Uche had listened to her in changing houses. She'd urged her husband for them to move out quickly from his father's house when they heard that Rimi had suddenly been released from prison but Uche had blamed her anxiety on her pregnancy hormones especially when the doctor told them that what she'd felt as the kicking of their baby was just flatulence but when she'd insisted, he'd given in, even though he told her Rimi didn't know the location of the house. When the people who bought her late father-in-law's house called them to tell them about the couple who came to ask of their whereabouts some days ago and the description of the guy fit that of Rimi, she'd given her husband a smug smile. Moving to another town, Cedar Point, had been sheer brilliance on their part. No one would ever find them there, not even the annoying Rimi and the cops. She rummaged through her gold and diamond encrusted jewelry box for her pearl earrings. Uche was taking her out. It was their first night out in the new town. She came across a weird gold key at the bottom of the big jewelry box. She took it out and stared at it. It came to her some seconds later. She'd discovered the key in a unique box while they were robbing the jewelry store. She knew then as she knew now that the key was special. Instinct told her it would unlock goodies but she didn't know the location of the safe. Someday, she knew it would come in handy. She heard Uche whistling on his way to their room and quickly dropped the key back into the box and covered it with layers and layers of jewelry, her search for her pearl earrings forgotten. Uche paused at the threshold to behold the beauty that was his wife. Sometimes he found it hard to believe that such a jewel was his wife. Beauty with brains. If she hadn't insisted on them leaving his late father's house, he was sure Rimi would have found them there. He had wondered at first why he'd been let out of prison so soon. It wasn't as if he was bothered about his sudden appearance but it was stretching his wife's nerves taut. He blamed it on her pregnancy hormones though. It was clear from all indication that Rimi had probably regained his memory, hence his release. The cops were probably after them now. He had to think of a permanent plan for them. Leaving the country for good was a great idea but it would prove very tricky. The cops would be expecting that. Their only option was to lie low for a while before making a move. He'd thought very hard for a few hours how Rimi found his late father's house when he was sure he didn't know the place. He knew Rimi didn't have the resources to hire a private investigator or had the cops helped him? It was a while later he recalled that when his father died, Rimi had once visited his house on a condolence visit but that was a long time ago. It was a wonder that Rimi had remembered the location of the house. It proved he wasn't dull after all or had prison drilled smartness into him? He shrugged and entered the room. He wrapped his arms around his wife's sexy body as she tried on a ruby necklace. "Princess, after watching our neighbour's kids today, I've changed my mind. I want twins." Tonia burst into laughter but suddenly frowned. She cocked an eyebrow as she gazed at her husband's reflection in the mirror. "Can a twin give birth to twins?" He shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. It isn't in my lineage but...wait! Are you a twin?" Tonia lowered her eyes. "Yes." "What?" He turned her stiff figure around to face him. Her eyes were lowered. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's brings back painful memories anytime I remember." Her husband put his arms around her. "What happened?" "He was kidnapped when we were six years old, along with nine other children in the school that fateful day. I didn't go to school that daybbecause I was ill. We never saw him again. My parents believed he was used for rituals." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Uche sighed. He didn't like seeing his princess sad. It tore at his heart strings. He swore to himself to protect her at all cost. "What was his name?" he asked quietly. If they had a son, he'd name him after her late twin to make her happy. "Christopher." CHAPTER NINE ENDS 26 Likes 4 Shares |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by OMA4U(m): 1:01am On Dec 05, 2014 |
CHAPTER TEN ACCIDENTAL RENDEZVOUS WRITTEN&SUBMITTED BY OMA4U The return of One Bullet to Lake City was not for any other purpose other than the only mission he was infamous for. He rose from the bed after he finished reading the motion headlines that displayed serially on his laptop screen. He cleaned his dark glasses before he placed them on his eyes. Without the glasses, he had a blond, good, innocent looks that could make anyone vouch he had led a life absolutely devoid of violence, let alone killing a fly. But it was otherwise, One Bullet was a brutally trained assassin who could murder without a single faint of trace. He was prepared for the day's mission, only a call from the Boss was holding him back. He casually scanned the room probably for any forgotten objects, the flat-screen TVs hung on the wall; the bright lights; the lustrous paintings that gave the room a friendly ambiance. One Bullet loved the scent that sniffed into his nose. He loved both the facade and the interior designs of Pace setter Hotel. It was the same hotel he had used the last time he came to Lake City under a false name. He lived abroad and he only came in whenever Dino needed him the most. The last time he came was one of the toughest mission he had carried out for Brown Dino. He had summoned him to jettison Donald. Senator Donald Kamir was a politician and an accomplice of Dino in his outrageous atrocity. They were set of undeserving figures who held high positions of power, lived in luxurious mansions, drove exotic cars around the city. A clandestine plan between Dino and Kamir had led them to the path of treasures and Dino had not hesitated to summon one of his evil henchmen, One Bullet, to murder Kamir, so he only could possess the treasures and the key to it. Little did he, neither One Bullet, know they failed. Senator Donald still lived. He lived behind the scenes in the darkest part of city, he lived as a walking shadow, who no one knew except Crystal, fervently still keen on having the key. A moment later One Billet's phone rang, he pressed the keypad, and listened to the voice on the other end. "One Bullet, take off!" The voice paused, "I hope you have his picture and you have not forgotten his name?" "Yes, boss. Christopher, right?" "Good! No mistake." "Alright, Boss" One Bullet dipped his revolver underneath. He was an expert shooter who never missed. He killed with just a single bullet, hence for his name. He smiled at himself, a cold smile. The kind of smile he put on his cheeks when he was going to kill Donald. One Bullet would never waste a second to suffocate any breath who was a logjam against his boss. …………………. Christopher had copied the store password in an encrypted form inside the windows directory, he had transferred it into his personal computer and without wasting time, he had cracked it up. The system administrator of Bolin Store had read many names of buyers for the past few months, but the one Christopher knew would be of immense use to him was: Tonia Uche, Smart Phone, 3:22 pm, Red Ring Town. Christopher had successfully hacked into the store database and had found Tonia's name. He knew Tonia was Brown's target. He had informed Brown about Tonia's new location and Dino had ordered him to go after her. Now he had got another assignment from Dino and he had successfully done that too. Christopher ran his palm over his rough hair. He felt like a genius. A moment later, his phone rang. He watched the phone ringing, while he used his device to check the caller's info and to see if the call was not being traced. "I see things others do not see." Christopher smiled when he heard his caller's voice. He was always playing his game to be on the safer side. He was never a loser. "Have you found out Kassim's whereabouts?" Brown Dino asked. "Yes, I have figured it out. Kassim is an informant of your opponent, Don Kamir." Christopher had informed Dino that he heard an opponent and that had startled Brown. Although he couldn't guess who his adversary was and why he had chosen to be his opponent, he knew he would only kill whoever it was like a step on a cockroach and listen to his screech as he would plead for his life. "Who is this Don Kamir? And what does he want?" Dino coughed and quickly waved to the nurse squatted beside him that he was alright, even though it was obvious Dino was dying and only his key could revive his devastating health. And now he had got an opponent again. He sighed. "Don Kamir is the same Senator Donald Kamir who everyone thought he's dead." Christopher informed him. Although he couldn't see his aching heart, his quavery voice had made him realise Dino had something to do with the Don. "But he's dead! How come?" There was a moment silence before he continued, "Christopher, go to Double R Town now. Make sure you get Tonia. You know there's always a price for failure, so no mistake!" "Okay, Sir." Christopher jerked himself up. He loved his rough looking face and unkempt hair. It would make no one guess what he was capable of doing. Christopher set out into the hot afternoon before he hopped into his black SUV, then zoomed off. Behind him was One Bullet in another black car who would take his life soon. 4 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by OMA4U(m): 1:20am On Dec 05, 2014 |
………………………. The dark cloud quickened the pace of the sun as the day began to turn dark. For the fear of being discovered, Rimi and Zainab had left Red Ring Town after they had come to a conclusion that using Zainab's credit card was the only panacea to get some cash. Their home at Lake City had become a forbidden shelter and they had moved father to Cedar Point. A place they believed they would never be found. They had left Double R in the day and they had arrived at Cedar Point with the day waving a good riddance to inhabitants. The peregrination to Cedar Point had set their body fatigue. Zainab suggested they chilled out to a safe eatery before they found a hotel they could hide themselves till Christopher arrived. Rimi had informed Christopher about his change of location and he was hell-bent on seeing him. Christopher, too, was bewildered at how Rimi had become a fugitive. He wanted to complete his mission before he went ahead to help his friend. He had promised Rimi he would be of help to him and now was the time to fulfill that. Rimi had saved him from the rogue who bullied him in the prison. Rimi had been his companion in his short stay in Kalakuta and delay could be dangerous, but capturing Tonia was his first agenda. …………………. Uche watched his dark skinned angel as she sipped the juice before her. Before she settled for the juice they had argued about the most suitable drink for a pregnant woman and Uche had suggested she took the one that would nourish the baby. Uche love every bit of Tonia, her height was rare among women, her wit, and her dark skin that dazzled the same way the star-shaped gold pendant dazzled around her neck. After she stopped her search when she heard Uche whistling, she had gone back to pick the necklace that was the cynosure among the jewelries. Their first night out in the new town must be sumptuous and classic. A kind of special outing it had been long they had. And really they were having a good time. They teased one another and smiled. They felt secured as they had taken a seat in the recesses part of the eatery with dim light and they could easily see anyone before they were being seen. Besides, no one could find them there. They had had a good time and it was getting late. Uche suggested they left before it turned fully dark and Tonia complied. They walked out into the night filled with blast cold of Cedar Point atmosphere. They walked pass a couple without an inkling about who the couple was. "Rimi… Rimi" Zainab whispered his name, twisting her neck behind, looking at the couple who obviously were having nice time. "What's that? Don't you like this place? After all, you have chosen we come here." Rimi said as he looked around for a vacant seat. "No. It was the woman that walked pass us just now. She had the same necklace with star pendant on my neck. Very identical!" She stopped and walked out. Rimi followed her. "Why didn't you alert me on time?" Rimi remembered the beautiful necklace with star pendant he held at the robbery scene before he was knocked out. It was after then he saw the pearls of his black shoes. And it was that same necklace that he saw on Zainab's neck before his memory flooded back. "How long have you been using yours?" Rimi asked her. Now, they were walking behind the couple who were about to enter their car. "I told you. My father gave it to me long time ago." Zainab said, perplexed. "That's Tonia and Uche! That's Tonia! Get into to the car now!" Rimi for the first time didn't open the door for her to go in. He was in haste to meet up with the couple who had driven into a tarred road. ………………… toon! toon! The door to Don Kamir's room beeped after Crystal pressed the secret code. Officer Caleb walked in behind her. He was shocked at the sight he beheld. It was the late Senator Donald Kamiru, who had sent him a fax message with two names - Don Kamir and Rimi Ashara. It was the name Rimi that pulled him on his way to meet Don Kamir. So the senator who everyone thought had died was alive. He was the same Don Kamir. The voice of the man before him sliced his thoughts. "Officer Caleb, I know you will be surprised to see me. It's still me, Senator Donald Kamiru." Don shrugged as he walked to and fro across the room, smiling hysterically, then frowned suddenly. "They thought they have killed me, but here I am, still breathing like every other human. Officer Caleb!" Kamir thundered! "This is a struggle between the ones who hold the mantles of power. Do not put your life in danger or else you become a mere pawn and I, the Queen will feast on you." "But Senator, why have you refused to reveal to the world that you are not dead?" The fearless Caleb managed to question. He stood eye to eye with Don. "Brown Dino wanted me dead and he did, but he had failed to realise his failure. There's something that belongs to us, but the greedy Dino wanted to have all to himself. He sent an assassin to me." Don paused, then screamed, "Me! Don!" He thumped his chest to prove his brawn. 5 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by OMA4U(m): 1:28am On Dec 05, 2014 |
…………………………….. At the outskirts of Double R Christopher had come to a dead end, when he was told that Tonia Uche had relocated without forwarding address. His anxiousness to grab Tonia's wrist, to get the key before killing her as ordered by Dino became calm like boiling water whose burning coals beneath it suddenly turned to embers. Going back to Chief Brown was not an option, he would go to Cedar Point to help his friend, Rimi, thereafter he would continue his pursuit of finding Tonia Uche and eventually get the key. Christopher drove around the roundabout with sign board at the middle that read: Red Ring Town with a big map. It was becoming dark, so he headed to Cedar Point. Unknowingly to him, behind him were One Bullet and Kassim, plying every route he followed. Behind Kassim was Officer Caleb. He had trailed Kassim from Lake City down to Double R, he wanted to know who Christopher was and why Don had ordered Kassim to kill him, all in defiance to the forewarn he had received from the Walking Shadow. And behind Officer Caleb was Kassim's man. They spied and trailed after one another without the other knowing. ……………………… The route from the eatery at the heart of Cedar Point to Uche and Tonia's apartment had been a short one. It had not been very late, but the shops along the road were locked and shuttered for the night. The moonlit was not as bright as usual and the sky was not starry, it was dark, except from the ambient light from the vendors who squatted behind their stools. Moments after the car screeched to a stop, Uche stepped out to open the door and on the other side, Tonia came out. They hugged each other. From the little distance at the other end of the street, though the lights were not strong enough, the shadow that obscured Tonia's face couldn't prevent Rimi from recognizing her right away. "It was Tonia and Uche." Rimi whispered and fidgeted as he recalled the last night he heard her voice. It was still so fresh in his memory. He still couldn't believe it. His vision became blurred as tears slowly welled up. "What do we do?" Zainab asked with astuteness to take actions. It was time the truth revealed itself and she wouldn't wait a second to send the person who murdered her beloved father to where he went. "Christopher is very closed, let's wait for him." Zainab was becoming impatient. She took out her pistol from her bag and strode out to the couple who were about to step into their compound. "Stop there! or else I will fvcking blow your heads off." Zainab yelled. 4 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by OMA4U(m): 1:31am On Dec 05, 2014 |
Tonia was shocked seeing Rimi behind the lady who had fixed a gun at them. Uche was perplexed, he didn't know what to say. Although he wasn't ready to die, he knew he would probably die a horrible death. Uche went on his kneel, pleading. Tonia's eyes were misted, looking at her love kneeling down. She couldn't imagine what would happen next. "Tonia! Uche! Why? Why!" Rimi voice wafted halfway between sobs and stiffens. He looked at the man who materialised out of the shadows. It was Christopher. And from a distance were men looking after one another and Christopher without prior awareness. The name Tonia rang in Christopher's head, there was something about the name. It was the same name that had brought him to Double R before he eventually ended in Cedar Point. Beyond that, the sound of Tonia reminded him of someone he knew long time ago. "Christopher, these are the betrayals who sent me to Kalakuta." Rimi told Christopher amidst confusion and a feeling of disgust. "You stole my father's properties and later killed him." Zainab spattered out. She was losing her temper so fast. "Are you Tonia Uche who purchased a smart phone recently?" Christopher asked Tonia. This was the person that had brought him to Double R. He was surprised at how ways led to ways. He thanked Rimi who had brought him to Cedar Point. "Where is the key?" Christopher thundered! "We don't have any key, please." Uche pleaded and regretted everything he had done for a moment. Tonia knew the key Christopher was asking and she quickly told him she had it inside. The front door to the living room swung open and Tonia went in with Christopher pointing gun behind her. She brought out the jewelries box in which the key was. Christopher snatched the box. He was ransacking it when One Bullet came out of his hiding. Everyone was stunned, but Christopher was more stunned than everyone else. "Give me the box." Christopher gently gave the box to One Bullet. The cold tip of One Bullet's revolver chilled his brain that would soon burst out. Trepidation set into Christopher's marrow. He feared. "I have to let you know this. From Brown Dino, goodbye brother." A sound emanated from a mysterious source, then blood splashed out into Uche's face. Christopher was shocked as One Bullet slowly fell and the sound that followed was the box as it clanged the floor. Kassim spurred out from the shadow. He picked the box from the ground. "I'm not a saviour. I have only come here to carry out my duty which is to take your life. Having this box of jewelries is an added advantage as a loyal servant of Don." Kassim smiled. His smiles instilled a tensed atmosphere that engulfed and left no one in exception. Kassim pointed the gun to Christopher, he placed his finger on the trigger, then another sound followed. Bullet struck Kassim on the neck, his eyes were open so bright, and his soul was instantly forced out of the body. Kassim couldn't escape death this time around. The box fell again. Uche had taken his chance to drag Tonia, they slipped over to the side of the building, figuring a way to flee. Officer Caleb stood face to face with Rimi Ashara again, the man he had been on his tail all this while. A sense of accomplishment tinged him. But not long, he almost became a dead man. A blast of thick hot air grazed his hair and he heard the sound as the bullet shattered the front door. Rimi, with his right strong arm, he pushed Zainab to one side and dragged Christopher with his left. They ran to the other side of the building into the dark street. The man who had aimed a shot at Caleb shot more. Caleb crawled behind Uche's car as bullet was coming after bullet. He crawled till he dashed into the side Uche and Tonia had taken. They had fled far. The man who had shot incessantly waited for hours till there was no one, not even a fly passed by. He came out from the tall grassy bush he had hidden. He picked up the box of jewelries, inside it was the key. He pitied his boss, Kassim, whose eyes were wide open. Gunshot was obviously a gruesome death. No one knew his whereabouts other than the dead Kassim. He didn't waste time before he walked back to the narrow boulevard path between the tall grasses. He walked farther and farther into the dark, he observed the silence as though the place was a graveyard. He thought no one saw him, but behind him was a man who took a step closer to him. The man who had been seen the whole scene and the gruesome murder of two men and others as they ran far away. He followed Kassim's man into the dark, silent night.END OF CHAPTER TEN 9 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Writers Collaboration 2014 by Nobody: 2:33am On Dec 08, 2014 |
Chapter Eleven The Other Side Of Foolishness Submitted by Divepen Rimi kept running, making sure his pace was not too much for Zainab to catch up with. He had stopped dragging Christopher, and had carried him on his shoulder. His muscles made his hands have the rough shape of a diamond. Suddenly, a shot rang from a place ahead of them. Something sharp struck him on the head and pierce into it. Whatever the object was, he could not tell; in fact, there was no time for him to tell because the object hit him hard and pushed him to the ground. He could not breathe again, he notices that his heartbeat had reduced. He used up the last 1.5L of oxygen that was meant to be in the lung of every living human, and gave up the ghost. **************************** Rimi jumped up from the seat he was sleeping on. He was breathing hard in quick successions. He had to open his mouth to gulp in oxygen. He touched his head, there was no injury. He looked at his front, and saw Zainab still safe. They were still in the eatery. He had slept off when Zainab decided to go to the toilet. “What happened?” Zainab asked, lowering her voice. The woman behind them, who had been teasing her husband since they arrived, stared at Rimi for some minutes, then returned her gaze to her husband. “I had a dream that I died.” He said as he took the napkin on the table in front of him and used it to wipe away sweat from his face. He had been perspiring seriously. “You died? What really happened?” Zainab asked with a shaky voice, she moved forward on her seat, and stared at Rimi. “We were at this eatery...” he started to say. Something lit up in his brain, “this eatery,” he repeated, “this eatery.” He was a special guy who had the power, and the ability to know things before they happened. A celestial church pastor once told him he was from the family of Prophets and Prophetess. He had not understood the Pastor then, but he knew that whenever he had dreams that were not dreams of his past experience, i.e whenever he had dreams of the future, he used to see them happening some thirty minutes later. This dreams had always saved him from evil situations; however, he stopped relying on the dreams after he had dreamed about some examination questions. That fateful period, he had dreamed about the questions of the examination, and he neglected every other topics in the course. Unfortunately for him, the lecturer brought another questions, making him fail the course woefully. The last time he had this dream was some thirty minutes before Tonia's call came through. He had waved it off even when he was standing outside the jewelry store later that day. He had seen it thirty minutes before he dozed off the second time in front of the Television set but he refused to use it. So, he knew that this was going to happen and he was not ready to give room for mistake. “Oh my God!” he lamented as he checked the big grey wall clock on the wall. It was remaining 27 minutes. “I had a dream which started in this eatery. You saw your type of necklace on a lady's neck, you tried to explain to me but she and her boyfriend had started moving before we could do anything; in fact, they had entered their car, so, we followed them with our car,” he tried to explain well as he noticed Zainab's face was distorted in confusion, he understood that she was not getting what he was saying, but he had to explain everything on his mind to her carefully and hurriedly. “When we got to them you were angry and pointed your pistol at them, though I tried talking you out of it. Christopher came around, and asked them for the key to another lock, he also pointing a gun at them. Tonia said she has it, and was handing it to him, when someone came around and pointed a gun to Christopher's head from behind him, but before he could shoot someone else shot the person, Christopher also was shot. Tonia and Uche escaped again. We tried to run away but we did not make it far before someone shot me and I gave up the ghost.” Zainab's face relax, and almost immediately her eye brows came together. Her eyes were bulging as she pushed her face forward, putting her hands on the table as if she wanted to use it as a support when getting up. Rimi sensed she was going to stand up to look for them in anger, and that he needed to stop her from doing that. She cocked her head to the left, and pushed her right ear towards Rimi as if the ear was controlled with a remote control. “Did you just say Tonia and Uche are here?” She whispered like one that must not talk loud. Her voice came out in a controlled manner as she tried to pick her words. Rimi nodded. She stood up making the chair screech loudly, took her bag, and headed towards the inner part of the eatery. Rimi hurriedly stood up, went to her and stopped her. Heads turned towards their direction, some for few seconds; some did not turn away. “Zainab, you have to understand me. If we go to them like this, things would be destroyed. Our chances of getting a legal revenge will be destroyed,” he whispered as he held her hands, his blood vessels showing on his neck. Zainab was breathing hard. Her nose was widened. Her breathe was coming out hurriedly and noisily. Her eyes were red. She gritted her teeth as Rimi gently guided her back to her seat. He sat her down, and checked the time. His heart skipped. It was remaining fifteen minutes. How would he tell her the plan that came to his head the moment he finished analysing the dream. “Don't you know that killing them by yourself is taking the law into your hands.” Zainab raised her brow and looked at him scornfully. She returned her gaze to the table as if she was reading an invisible novel in it. “Please, don't take law into your hands.” “Shut up!” She hissed like a snake whose tail had just been stepped on. She lowered her voice. “If you were the one that was deprive of the love of the person you love most, what would you do?” She stared at Rimi. Rimi saw the anger in her face. He moved his gaze from her eyes to the wall clock again. He hated making women angry. He used to feel bad whenever Tonia got angry at him. “Would you not let me shoot them?” “If you shoot them, the police will catch you, and you might either be killed or sent to life in prison.”Rimi replied casually. “Who cares!” She blurted out, increasing the volume of her lowered voice, “We will die eventually.” “That will not work...And what if you are killing innocent people? How sure are you they killed your father?” “Ermm...” She started to say then she closed her mouth, opened it, closed it, and opened it again. She shook her head vigorously, “ehn...Someone must pay for the death of my father.” “Why not let the right person die or be punished,” Rimi pleaded, his heart racing as he feared she might lose control of her emotion. He checked the time. Nine minutes to go. “Please, Zainab, let us catch them in their act,” he pleaded desperately. “How?” she asked, looking at the couple behind Rimi. “Let me pretend as if I had only regain part of my memory.” “To what end?” “I will introduce you as a lady that had just fallen in love with me.” Zainab's eyes narrowed, she shook her head in dissapproval. “Okay.. That I had just fallen in love with,” he hurriedly said. “Ehn,” she said as if she had not agreed, rocking her head to the left and right. “Please, let's just do that?” “Ohhhh!” she complained. “Please, let's just do it. You know much about their robbery right?” She nodded her head approvingly. “You will get the key that is in Tonia's box, and then accuse her openly, that is, in the present of her husband, but in my supposed absence. Then, you will tell them about another safe. I am sure they fall for it. Also, you will tell them you had wanted to leave me, but you've not gotten an opportunity to do that. That you will love to implicate me, and even get rid of me,” Zainab pouted, drew her brow together in disapproval. She shook her head slowly. “I can't tell them to kill you.” “Please, you must say so. We will be needing back up from the police,” he said and stopped talking as he pounded his hand into a fist, hitting his mouth. “Since the police are not looking for me, I will be the one to get their help.” “Good, so the police will catch them when they want to start the robbery.” He glanced at the time, three minutes to the time. “I just hope they will fall for the bait.” “They will,” Rimi replied through the left part of his mouth. “ How will the robbery go?” “You people will plan it among yourselves.” He glanced at the time. One minute to go. “Be ready to look out for the necklace.” The seconds moved on. His heartbeat increased. It's been a long time he saw Tonia and Uche. He was afraid his emotion would betray him. “Oh...” He exclaimed as he remembered Zainab's gun. “Please give me your gun.” “I will not shoot them,” she said calmly. “Please, bring it.” “I will need it to prove I'm a criminal like they are now.” He sighed as he checked the time. Thirty minutes had past. Two minutes into the real event time. His legs were shaking, his eyes were fixed on the inner part of the room. “Are you sure, your dream is right?” He was not sure. He hoped this dream will not disgrace him a second time. He tapped his feet on the floor. He moved his gaze from Zainab's face to the clock again as he hated staring into her eyes whenever he was wrong. Though, he was big, he still felt the person might injure him, whoever the person might be, since he/she had the right to do so. “Rimi, Rimi” Zainab whispered his name, twisting her neck to face the back. She was looking at the couple who obviously were having nice time, and were moving towards the exit of the eatery. “What's that? Don't you like this place? After all, you have chosen we come here.” Rimi said as he looked around for something that can take away his mind from the guilt. “No. It is the woman that walked pass us just now. She had the same necklace with star pendant on my neck. Very identical!” She stopped talking, stood up hurriedly, picked her handbag, and walked out, almost running. Rimi followed her. “I think that's Tonia,” she said as the fresh air outside came rushing to their nostrils. “Why didn't you alert me on time?” Rimi remembered the beautiful necklace with star pendant he held at the robbery scene before he was knocked out. He also remembered his horrible dream. He knew if he did not meet them now, his dream would come true. Christopher might come around any time, and he was not sure he could withstand dying at this time. He wanted to see Uche and Tonia pay for their crime in the prison. “Ehys,” he called, his voice over shadowing the whole dark silent night. Uche, who was about to enter the driver seat of his car, turned back. Uche straightened and tried to figure who the caller might be. Rimi took long strides across the street to Uche's car, Zainab jogging to catch up with him. He felt like rushing into Uche that time. He felt like ramming him into the door of the car. He wanted him also to have brain damage, but he restrained himself. “No killing,” he muttered to himself. “I'm sorry,” he started to say as he got near the car. He saw Uche vibrating out of fear. He wanted to accuse him there but he felt the need to follow his plan. “Good evening, I saw your wife and I thought I've...” he paused, he feigned surprise. He opened his mouth, and bent slightly. His shadow creating the imagery of a monster on the ground, “ Uche?” “Yes?” Uche replied like someone who does not know who was talking. He noticed Uche's voice had a little creaky effect. He knew Uche would want to create a notion around himself that he is wise, and he might want to outsmart him, but he was not ready for a long show. “It's me, Rimi!” he shouted happily as he moved nearer to Uche. “Rimi?” Uche said again with a feign surprise. “Ahba...” “Rimi... ” Uche also shouted out of surprise and out of happiness that Rimi did not know he was the one that almost killed him as they hugged. “Oh My God... Rimi” Uche exclaimed, “When did they release you from prison?” “About a week or two now.” “Whoa!!! Darling, come and see Rimi.” Uche called to Tonia. “Baby, come and see Uche, my friend... The one I told you about,” Rimi also said calling on Zainab. He wanted Uche to be so free around him, that he would believe he still had partial memory loss. “Wait...Is this Tonia?” Rimi said, happiness reflecting in word as his mouth became rounded in surprise. Tonia had come out of the car, and was coming towards him. Her beauty still makes him speechless despite the many days of leaving her. He was always speechless whenever he was in front of her, and that was the major reasons for their incessant quarrel. He swallowed hard, his adam apple moving up and down. He knew he had to say something before one of the two of them suspect him. “Ahhhh!!! Uche, so you were able to woo this Tonia before me...” “Yes ooo Rim... You know that we promised that whoever had the courage should talk to her first, the day we planned on doing that was the day you suddenly disappeared from the house. After a long search, we discover that you had been caught by the police.” Zainab coughed. Rimi knew she did that to cover up for the exclamation she might have given before. He was not surprised, Uche was a-right-on-spot liar. “Welcome back Rimi.” Tonia said, palatilizing the 'm'. She said as she moved near to hug him, he opened his arm and gave her a bear hug. “We've missed you.” “I miss you too.” “Oh!” he said turning to Zainab, he used the few seconds to look at the shape of her body, and swallowed hard with pleasure. “Meet Zainab, my girl friend.” Zainab did like a shy girl; she greeted them. “Where are you two going to? Let me take you to my house we have a lot to catch up on,” Uche said relieved. “You are right, but I am happy to see you because some people after your life.” “ My life or yours?” Uche asked bewilded, Tonia swallowed loudly that Rimi's ear could not help but catch it. “Your life buddy,” Rimi replied. He knew Zainab would be surprised at the way he was approaching the plan. “Word have it you have something that's not yours?” He eyed his friend suspiciously. “But... But how did you know all of this? I mean how did you get this information?” Uche was being confused ever passing minute. “They had been after my life ever since I came out of prison, and that was why I had to go to Double R to find you, but I met another family who knew little about your whereabout.” “Are you sure, you are not the one they are looking for?” “Well... I wasn't sure at first, seeing that I had just left the prison, and I did not remember many of the things I had done before that time. However, I got to know when they caught me. They demanded that I bring them to you, but I refused. They were going to kill me, when my beautiful queen here, Zainab, saved me from their hands. We've been running ever since.” Rimi knew the only way to get Uche's full attention and trust was to tell him you have a way to help him out of his trouble. In fact, that had brought the two of them together. Uche used to rely on his strength whenever he was in any bad situation, and he was going to use it against him today. “So, what do we do now?” Tonia asked exasperatedly. “You will have to keep staying wherever you are staying, because I'm not sure they would find you there, since they've not found you for days now. And I think if we stay with you they will not have any reason to catch you.” “Good, let's go then...” Uche said with a quivering voice. He was a schemer of evil but he still dreaded death. Suddenly, a car passed their side. The car stopped, then reversed and stopped in front of Rimi. “Rimy!” Christopher shouted as he opened the door pronouncing ' Rimi' as 'Rimai'. “Christoman... Christoperson,” Rimi shouted as he moved towards him. “Better pikin, you are growing bigger in size and shape everyday.” They laughed, and hugged. Tonia, Uche, and Zainab looked on as if they were watching a movie. Rimi caught a smell on Christopher's body. He had caught that scent somewhere, before. He moved his mouth, and sniffed slightly. “So what's up?” Christopher asked hurriedly. “Meet Zainab,” he said as he used his left hand to wrap her close to himself, “My queen of sheba.” Zainab stretched her right hand to shake Christopher's hairy right hand. “Oh! And my friends, Uche and Tonia.” He added hurriedly. “Tonia and Uche?” Christopher asked as if he had never heard the names in his life. Rimi saw a car park at the end of the street. “Yes.” Rimi replied wit a big deceptive smile lingering on his lips. “Tonia and Uche of double R?” Rimi's smile receeded. His eyes searched for answers in Christopher's eyes, but it was not betraying any emotion. He seemed to remember where the scent came from. There was a celestial church beside Uche's house. They used to spray 'Lofinda' a type of perfume for warding off demons, Christopher must have gone to Double R as Christopher was not the church type. Rimi knew he had contracted the smell from Uche's house. “Wow. I'm lucky. I'm lucky,” Christopher chorused as he moved his hand to the back of his trousers, bringing out a gun. “It's nice meeting you two. Right now you are going to tell me where the key is before I blow off one of your heads or the both of them,” Christopher ordered. “What key?” Rimi and Zainab asked in unison. “They know what I'm talking about,” Christopher gestured at Tonia and Uche. “What is wrong with you Christoman? Did I invite you here to kill people? I invited you to help me solve my problem.” Rimi grunted, “not this ish man, nigga get real abeg.” “I was coming for them before your call came through,” Christopher said, “ now will you tell me where the key is before I start disfiguring your faces, Mr and Mrs handsome?” “I know where the key is,” Tonia said, saving herself, her husband starred at her then back at Rimi. Rimi felt distraughted. Their only hope of getting a legal revenge was slipping out of their hands, and he needed to do something immediately. “Chri....” his voice trailed off as he saw a man emerge from the dark, the man's gun shone brightly in the dark. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I don't know what you have done for this man but I need to take him out of here immediately to a good place I can kill him.” 2 Likes |
in dependence" By Sarah Ladipo Manyika / Life Of A Star (a Celebrity Story) / The Deadly Seduction
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