₦airaland Forum

Two updates dropped, that's the morning dose. There ought to be an afternoon dose at 2pm and evening dose at 10pm. But I can't drop the afternoon dose cos God no dey joke with Ramadan. I can't be fasting and at the same time be potraying how someone is kissing or sm**ching someone else. No! I can't risk it.
Abi, Hajia Shankies215, am right on track na?

--continuation--
"Chris, where were you?" Tina asked as she led Chris to her car. "Are you sure you weren't hit?" She asked for the upteenth time.
"Mum, am good. Just a few cuts and I have been treated." Chris replied.
"So, tell me. What happened? Why did you leave the common room?"
"Mum, lets talk about this at home. Am tired." Chris replied.
"I will have none of that from you. Now talk." Tina said angrily.
"Fine! I was in the common room as agreed and I got pressed. I left for the restroom to ease myself and on coming out, I saw this tall light compexioned man with a coporate suitcase heading for the gas exchange system. He greeted me and I replied." Chris began.
"Have you met the man before? I mean, is he a worker here?" Tina asked.
"There are almost a hundred workers here, I can't tell if he is a staff here, but I have never seen him before. Actually, there are a lot of people I have never met and they work here, but this man looked totally lost."
"How do you mean?" Tina asked.
"he kind of didn't know his way around, but was just guessing on which is the right way. He had a digital device on him though. I think its.... What's it called sef?" Chris continued. "You have it too. GPS or thereabout."
"Okay?" Tina urged him to continue.
"So, it was there on his face that he clearly didn't know his way, coupled with the fact that he had a communication device on, the type that you use when going on missions. So, I was left wondering why he would be using that inside the building when quick link intercoms were on the wall everywhere, but that was not why I took off."
"Why did you take off?"
"The fact that he entered the gas exhcnage system. I mean, the place is out of bounds, except one is on the maintenance team, the internal security team or a top official like you told me, so I just left for the maintenance office and spoke to some guys. By the time they got there, he was done setting the bomb and the alarm sounded immediately, so I just took off with th maintenance guys who said there is an emergency exit from the exchange system into one place like that filled with metals which was ressponsible for the cuts on my body and my shirt." Chris concluded and raised his face to look at his mother.
"Am sorry mum. I made you go through this." He said hugging his mother.
"I should be the one to apologise." Tina replied. "You know what? Remain seated in the car, I'll get you a new shirt down the street. If anybody approaches you for questioning, tell them you know nothing. If Mark comes around, tell him how it happened. He knows how to handle the case without you being invited for questioning. I can't let you go through the rigours and the trauma." Tina advised while Chris nodded his head.
"Remember, mum love you." She said.
"Except that I almost died when she left me alone, but I love her regardless."
"That's my darling." Tina kissed his forehead before getting out of the car.
"Hey Christina." A familiar voice called.
"Collins!" Tina smiled.
"I was wondering why you didn't show up for the short meeting I just had with the departmental heads." He said.
"Mark represented the field operatives. He will fill me in."
"Are you delegating your duties to Mark?" Collins asked.
"Collins, spare me. Please." With this Tina walked away leaving a embarrassed Collins on the spot.
"Hey Chris! Can we talk?" He smiled at Chris who was watching the drama from inside his mother's car.
"Not today. Mum said so." Chris replied.
"Funny you." Collins said before walking over to a group of journalists.

--to be continued--

--continuation--
Clara walked into the large hall serving as restaurant in the hotel where she was lodged.
There she was, the reason why she left the confines of her room. Chichi Martins waved from her table and Clara hurriedly walked up to her.
"Hello Chi girl." Clara greeted as she eased herself into the chair opposite Chichi's.
"This is the longest journey I ever made without been driven. I had to take public transport from Lagos down here. We are almost in Ibadan." Chichi said.
"We are just an hour drive away from Ibadan." Clara replied. "So, you were not driven here or rather, you didn't come with a car, what happened to the fleet owned by Daniel and his wife? The last time I checked, Daniel has two cars, same with Adeola, not to mention the new cars locked inside the garage."
"Is that the reason why I am here? To discuss my brother's life?" Chichi asked.
"Step brother." Clara corrected.
"Whatever." Chichi waved off. "And just in case, I don't have all day, tell me why I am here so I can return to Lagos before 2pm." She added.
"Why don't have something to drink?" Clara asked as she beckoned on a waiter who came over immediately to take their orders.
"Get me a glass of seven seven, and my dear friend here will be satisfied with one or two glasses of scotch." Clara ordered.
"When did you start taking orders for me?"
"I am your host." Clara smiled.
"So, why am I here?" Chichi asked.
"I'll tell you when am ready, right now, we have to drink." Clara replied.
It was obvious that one of the duo is afraid, while the other is enjoying the torment she is making the other go through.
"Seriously, Clara..... Senior Clara." Chichi began.
"Call me Clara, the days of seniority is over." Clara corrected.
"What do you want from me?" Chichi asked.
"You owe me remember? I have been keeping secret for you since as far back as possible. Secondary school days to be precise. Now, its high time you paid me back." Clara explained.
"Anything."
"It is time you used your influence to get to Daniel who will subsequently connect you to his his father in law. One million US Dollars is all am asking for." Clara explained.
"What?" Chichi exclaimed. "There is no way I am going to do that. I can't even do it. I mean, it doesn't make sense."
"Consider your secret in the open then." Clara replied.
"I don't know why you are doing this to me. It seems you enjoy seeing me in a state like this. Remember the number of time I slept with guys so you can keep the secret. Haven't you had enough?" Chichi cried.
"Don't cry." Clara consoled. "You know what? You have the option of remaining seated and let us negotiate the asking price to around five hundred thousand US Dollars." She added with a smile. "The second option is walking out through that door, and the next time you see me, I'll be testifying against you in court."
Chichi gasped. "You can't do that to me."
"Watch me do it to you. You have five minutes to decide. Suit 13B is where you'll find me. Enjoy yourself." With this, Clara eased herself out of her chair and made for the counter where she spoke for a few seconds with the attendant, after which they bursted into laughter and Clara made for the elevator.
"God! Am done for." Chichi thought.
---------NOW IN HER ROOM
clara picked up her phone and dialled a number.
"Hello Spencer, you did a good job at blowing up that hell hole called N.A.T.U." She said.
"Thanks Clara. All thanks to the tips you gave." Spencer replied.
"I have a job for you. This is outside Lovato's power, are you in?" She asked.
"Of course. Say it."
"Good! Remember I gave my N.A.T.U keycard to Danny Lovato days ago and I want to believe you guys duplicated the keycard which was how you made a new one which you used in gaining entrance into N.A.T.U today, right?"
"Of course." Spencer replied.
"I need my keycard back." Clara said.
"What? Impossible."
"Make it possible man." Clara urged.
"Its with Lovato, you know its impossible to get it off him."
"Your balls are in my hand Spence, I can crush them. Save your balls, by getting my keycard out of Lovato's grasp within the next seventy two hours." Clara said.
"This isn't happening. I can't risk facing Lovato's wrath. Am sure you don't want that either."
"I warned you." Clara said before hanging up.
Her phone rang almost immediately.
"Hello dear, is my guest still there?" She asked on picking up.
"She left."
"Smart Chichi." Clara muttered.

--to be continued--

malonephill:
this is just a story, if tina had married and the husband happened father and nurtured chris, tina can deny he never have any baby for him, if eventually he knew she had a baby atleast they both lost contact with short period chris raised, daniel has no evidence whether he has son or not bruv, dunno maybe I miss somthing?

You have a point and no, you didn't miss anything.
But, when we take into consideration, the people who knew about the pregnancy then, what do we have? Remember, the pregnancy news rocked the whole school then. There are a lot of people against Tina if you ask me.
And a simple DNA test will settle the issue, and remember, Daniel is very influential, so with a snap of his finger, Tina is in court and the judge even if he failed to believe any of the witnesses will suggest a DNA.
I hope you understand.

Pukka36:
Haba Bros,Tina is answerable to nobody as regards Chris cox Dan denied responsiblity right after conception and moreover,the bomb wasn't planted by Tina.



Chris is the product of Tina's sweat all this while.



Dan is selfish cos He is unfortunate not to have a child through Adeola else,He won't be running after Tina and Chris now.

I laugh in Swahili.
Lemme ask you, who is Chris' father?
There is nothing like denial in court. The judge won't ask you to tell the story of how you survived during nd after pregnancy. The verdict will be, since you both have admitted to be responsible for the birth of this child....
Tina is answerable to Daniel as a babymama and not a wife.
Forget about not being there while Tina handled the whole situation, Chris could decide to move over to his father's house.
And on Tina nt implanting the bomb, I never said she did, but when you drove your son to work when you shouldn't have.
I can't do this anymore.
Kingphilip, onemansquad, stuff46, take it from here.

Shebarh:
bcus of wat?? did she plant d bomb in d building?

Come on, stop acting like this na.
If Chris had died, do you realise that his death would have been averted if Tina hadn't driven him to work?
That's my point!

blackmarya:
thank God say tina no abort the preggy then; what if tina had aborted the pregnancy way back then, will he be able to claim the child if to say he eventually got burnt? and to say he doesn't accept the responsibility of the child when he was conceive

My point still remains, Daniel is Chris father, so, Tina is answerable to Dan if anything happens to Chris.

Sapphire06:
Hmmm...where do I start from

Oga dee, thanks for the updates

But you should have killed Chris na, so far no one has died compared to AIAC

*runs outta thread*

Thumbs up big sis. I haven't killed anyone in this story, at least, no favourite character is dead yet compared to AIAC.
But you know that people died a lot in the early stages of AIAC, Okoro, Dayo, Chioma, Hadiza to mention a few and in the later stages, people died in ones, Tolani, Rachel, Sylvester to mention a few.
And in this case of this story, we've had little or no deaths so far, who knows, maybe the deaths is for the later stages.

Shebarh:
me i biliv Daniel shouldn't be angry with her after all he abandoned d child so y is he na playing fada now abi adeh39 wart do u think

Permit me to disagree with you. We are talking about a child here, and a man whose present marriage failed to produce a child.
In the face of the law, Daniel is still Chris father.
I have seen scenario where a father who abandoned his family early on, showed up the day his son got married. Someone has been asked to play his role and the moment he showed up, he was like, he is my son, I am the father.
Recently, the only daughter of the family had some issues and got preggy. The father came again, and guessed what he said to the mother, you have failed in your duties.
No matter what happens to a child, a parent who had abandoned the child for decades will show up.
Eeeerrrrm..... errrm...... That's all

MuhdG:
Daaamn! I really wished dee took chris's life

I like you jare. (no homo)

Shebarh:
dee thank ya stars dat Chris didn't die if not u for see my werey dis afterwards

I just dey look you one kind, cos the kind bashing you go recieve from dem thugs(onemansquad, skimpledawg) for quoting the whole update, you sef go fear na.
Am glad Chris didn't die tho. I hate to see kids die in my stories. But talk to him, he should be careful.

--continuation--
"Mark! Where is Chris? Where is my son?" Tina cried as she moved closer.
"I have no idea." Mark replied.
"I told you to look for him. I tod you to find him." Tina cried.
"I tried, but there was just a lot on my plate. I spearheaded the whole evacuation thing, I couldn't even think about Chris, even though from the start, I assigned someone to look for him." Mark replied.
"Mark, you didn't. You did nothing. If you had done something, you would have found him. Chris is the reason I live for. I am in this life and death job to make provisions for him, what will become of me?" Tina cried harder.
Another loud boom could be heard, as it seems the raging fire just strucked another source, probably a container of petrol.
"Am sorry." He said as he closed in on her and hugged her.
"I failed. I shouldn't have brought him to work in the first place, now he suffered what N.A.T.U staffs shold have suffered, when in the real sense, he has no connection with the agency aside being my son."
"Never say never. He might still be alive. The firemen are working tirelessly." Mark whispered. "They'll find him in no time."
"Let me go." She cried.
"What?" Mark asked taking a step backwards.
"Am gonna go find him. Am gonna go find my son." With this, she took off, but Mark quickly held her close with all his might
"I won't let you go in there. You seriously want to kill yourself?"
Tina fought with the little strength in her, hitting Mark hard on the face. "Let me go. Why am I living? I should die."
With a loud crack, the burning building came down crashing.
"Oh my God!" She stopped fighting and buried her face in Mark's shoulder.
"Am finished." She whispered.
"No. You are not."
That moment, a young journalist walked up to them with his camera man behid him and the television station's (he worked) mic recorder in his hand.
"Excuse me Agent Mark. Who is this woman, what's here relationship with you and the N.A.T.U in general?" The journalist asked.
"Are you asking me?" Mark replied taking a step towards the duo. "Seriously, are you asking me?" Mark asked angrily.
"Take it easy, Agent Mark. You are the only person who had spoken to the press since this fire started, don't stab the coperation." The journalist pleaded.
"To hell with cooperation. These cameras are gonna go." With the stretch of his both hands, he snatched the camera from the second man and smashed in hard on the floor.
And there comes the reason why he was angry. He just couldn't imagine the guilt he was going to live with for the rest of his life if Chris should be declared dead as a result of the fire. He knew Tina enthrusted the boy in his care, but in a bid to save multitudes, he neglected the boy he had come to love and vice versa. Hence, the reason for his outburst.
"Uncle Mark! Mum!" Came Chris voice from the other side of the building. It was obvious that he just entered the compound through the west gate.
"Chris!" Mark almost shouted as he left the two journalists he was assaulting and approached mother and son.
Chris shirt was shreded with a few cut to his face and body.
"Where have you been?" Mark asked, even though Tina wouldn't let go of the boy.
"That was some hell of a show you put up there. You fought like Jason Statham." Chris laughed.
"Its not funny." Tina scolded.
"You need medicals." Mark dragged him towards the standing medical team.
--tbc--
Someone said she knew Chris wouldn't die cos d9ty7 can't kill him. But reading the last update, you probably would be cursing under your breathe thinking Chris was truly dead. I was tempted not to make Chris come back.

--continuation--
"So, tell me, how is Nigeria?" Grace said to Rowland.
"Nigeria is great. Bad government, corrupt practices, blind citizen." Rowland replied and everyone at the table bursted into laughter.
"Is that how bad Nigeria has become?" Grace asked.
"Nigeria has always been bad and it will continue to be so unless God comes to their aid." Rowland replied.
"Meaning, all the news we read here everyday is true afterall?" Michel asked.
"They are not entirelly true my dear. Its just that Americans don't see anything good in Nigerian, hence the discrimination which starts from the news in a bid to portray Nigerians as bad." Grace replied.
"That's way of point Grace. We are Americans and you are Nigerian, so what's your point?" Mr Pearson replied.
"Am sorry." Grace said apologetically.
"So, you left Nigeria in 1987 right?" Rowland asked.
"Yeah." Grace replied. "It was a bad experience, you know. My husband was in the army, he was a serving Colonel, a top officer in the millitary administration who took over after the 1985 disintegration war. That fateful night, my husband's government was overthrown and I took to my heels, thanks to the soldiers who killed my husband, but allowed myself and my son live cos we were no threat." Grace explained.
"I got enlisted into the army in 1987, immediately after the coup. But I never made it past the role of acaptain cos after the 1993 annullment, I was one of the soldiers who started crisis in the Dodan barracks against Babangida." Rowland explained.
"But I thought you all, I mean the soldiers wanted the election annulled. Why protest?" Pearson asked.
"If I go into details now, we would end up spending the whole day here, but just a brief account of it. M.K.O Abiola as a very successful banker who has worked in banks both in Nigeria and London had won the hearts of many people, due to his dilligence at work. His status took him before Kings and Queens, the British government, the American government and of course, the Millitary and civillians in Nigeria. As an influential business man, he was one of the few Nigerians who cried foul after Shehu Shagari was elected for his second term and one way or the other, Shagari was overthrown by Buhari whose government was made up of M.K.O's millitary friends. Buhari went on to rule for twenty months without organising an election as agreed and Babangida overthrew his government with a promise that he would take Nigeria back to democracy. The international community took his words for it and waited for seven years without IBB organising any election. When the calls were getting too much, and to avoid being overthrown, he carved in and organised the election with and agreement with the Millitary cabals that the election wasn't going stand. While the Buhari loyalists, Baba Gana Kingibe to be precise among other pulled behind M.K.O. As expected, the business mogul won, and the government annulled the election. Then the problems began, the day a chief press officer was killed by the protesters was the day the Millitary cabal moved away from supporting IBB's stance, then we young soldeirs were paid to start a protest. When IBB couldn't handle the pressure any longer, he inaugurated an Interim government headed by Shonekan and fled to Niger state. Abacha came three months later, sent Shonekan parking and detained we soldiers who protested during the Abiola's protest, even though he was part of the cabals who paid us. I was in Kirikiri for nine month, during the period which M.K.O died in prison." Rowland explained as the room fell silent.
"So, you never really returned to the army?" Grace asked.
"No. By the time I was released, Abacha was dead and Abdusalami the great man was in charge. He reformed the millitary, expunged it of corrupt officials and I couldn't thrive in that setting. Then came the 1999 election." Rowland explained.
"You have one hell of a history." Grace said.
"Proudly African. We are full of histories." Rowland replied.
"Excuse me everybody. Am just gonna go, I have to meet Darlyn at the school library at five." Michel said.
"Okay darling." Her mother, Amelia spoke for the first time.
"I think I should leave too. I have a busy evening ahead in my kitchen. I should get prepared." Grace announced.
"Oh! Its all good." Pearson exclaimed.
"Thanks for the drink."
"I'll walk you." Rowland offered, and together they exited the Pearson's residence.

--tbc--
NOTE: THE SHORT STORY NARRATTED BY ROWLAND WAS AS A RESULT OF THE LIFE EXPERIENCE OF A RELATIVE WHO TOLD THE STORY TO ME. HE WAS IN THE MILLITARY THEN(1988-1994)
TRUST ME, ONLY A LITTLE DETAILS WERE REMOVED FROM THENARRATION FOR PERSONAL REASONS, AFTERALL, THIS IS MEANT TO BE A FICTION.

Ayjos10:
* pipu suld tak it easy wit oga dee naun..i'v been followin kayeem story nd d guy didnt update for 7-8days...oga dee is really tryin bsids d guy has a life too outside dis forum....btw oga dee if pipu contribute more will u change ur mind on ur farewell

My decision to leave writing on Nairaland is not down to the fact that people don't contribute. Hell no.
But you will agree with me that there comes a time when one has to make certain decisons that either make or mar our future.
I am a writer, I can't quit writing, and as a lover of books, don't quit reading, and anywhere my writing takes me to, you'll be there to read like you've always done.
Its about me making something out of my romance with literature.

stuff46:
You too demanding, I swear your guy go surely feel the wraths of the you accepting to date him.

Abeg Na, Allow this man to decide his updates. Not you deciding it for him and making him not to deliver the best he can offer.

Btw, No hard feelings

I tire o my broda...And to say I was editing the second update with the aim of dropping two at a time like I promised, only to see her comment.
I wonder why people ask for update like I owe them. Na me talk sey I go update in the evening, you don't have to chase me around.

CHAPTER 14
Mark Anthony was seated in the living room as usual with Danny Lovato as they listened to Spencer speak on phone.
"Were you spotted?" Danny Lovato asked.
"Except by the security man who took my details before allowing me in and a harmless little boy." Spencer's voice boomed.
"The same security who had issues with your identity?" Lovato asked.
"Yeah." He replied.
"What about the boy?" Lovato asked.
"there is nothing about him except that Paul said he is Christina James son."
"Is Paul there with you or still inside N.A.T.U?" Lovato asked.
"He couldn't stay, especially when he had come out to say he knew me, so, for his safety and to keep our connection, he had to keep everything in secrecy." Spencer replied.
"Pass the phone to him."
"He is listening." Spencer replied.
"Hello Paul." Lovato said.
"Yes sir."
------------------------------------------
"I think you are funnier than Mark. He is always serious." Kim said to Tony after a having a good laugh.
"I was born funny. Did I tell you I once branched into comedy?" Tony replied.
"Oh my God! No, you didn't tell me. Why did you stop?"
"You know, the ethnic group I belong to, we are the most innovative and in every money making business, we are always number one. I left my home after I graduated from the University, proceeded to Port Harcourt in a bid to make money, migrated to Warri where I started out as a comedian, but rather than make money from comedy, comedy was making money from me. I will travel from Warri to Lagos, warri to Ibadan for auditions with my own money and would end up not given the gig to perform at events. I got fed up one day and decided to stay in Lagos. Right now, I can have the best comedian in Nigeria anchor my party. I now pay comedians, go for shows right now." Tony narrated.
"To be a man is not easy." Kim said.
"I concur."
"Despite arriving America at the age of four and becoming a citizen at fourteen, Mark still had problem hitting the fortunes in America. I was lucky cos my mum was American and I inherited all her properties. Not until Mark moved from California to Los Angeles and met me did the tides change in his favour." Kim explained.
"That's impressive. So, you contributed to Mark's success?"
"Largely. My maternal uncle took him into Homeland security where he fought his way up to the Department of Defence and finally, the CIA where he currently is the boss." Kimberly explained.
"And he still treats you like sh!t?"
BREAKING NEWS: EPLOSION ROCKS N.A.T.U HQ, LAGOS, MANY FEARED DEAD was boldly written on the tv screen thereby interrupting Kim from replying Tony's question.
"Oh my God! I need to call Mark." She said as she picked up her phone immediately. "He is not picking up." She cried.
"Am sure he'll be fine. I have to go."
"So soon? But you came less than an hour ago." Kim complained.
"Yeah, but this is my call. N.A.T.U, FBI, NPF, NA, SSS, NSCDC, we are all the same." He explained.
"No problem. Just be safe." Kim replied.
"Keep trying Mark's number and once I got to the headquarters, I'll let you know if he is fine." He said as he made for the door.
------------------------------------------
"Did you just recieve my call?" Mark Anthony asked his personal assistant on social media. A young man in his late twenties.
"Am sorry sir, we fixing the computer." He replied.
"Okay! Have you checked my mailbox today?" Anthony asked.
"Yes sir."
"When?"
"That should be in the morning, around seven." He replied.
"I want you to check it now." Anthony commanded.
"Right away sir." The young man replied and immediately set to work.
"Any new thing?"
"Yes sir. A new message from General John-Paul and another from Rowland." The personal assistant replied.
"Check out Rowland's message first."
"Its a picture. Here." The Personal assistant said turning the computer to face Mark Anthony.
"This is Grace." He exclaimed.
Danny Lovato who has been ignoring Anthony and his talks since was forced to stop whatever he was doing.
"Grace! You are dead." Anthony muttered venormously. "This is a woman I trusted with everything I ever had. She broke the trust, almost got me killed and disappeared with my kids."
"Take it easy." Lovato said patting an emotional Anthony on the shoulder. "Get the nurse." He ordered the PA who rose up immediately.
"I don't need medical help right now. Get me Rowland." And without another word, Lovato picked the phone and dialled Rowland's American number.
"Rowland, its me Mark. I am impressed you found Grace even before you spent a week in her neighbourhood. One more thing, I want her in Nigeria before the end of next month. Call me when you recieve this message." He hung up.
"Now, get the nurse." He ordered.

kingphilip:
dee u mean am

Am a man of few words, yet, a man of his words.

Shebarh:
Dee do u want to kill me... dis suspense can cause high blood pressure..evening is too far

Hahahaha.... Evening is not too far now. And moreso, you requested that my next update be on N.A.T.U, meaning I had to push the initial update after this.
Evening I promise!

--continuation--
It is in human nature for proactiveness to set in in times of trouble. Frustration brings about proactiveness, and in the case of being consistently proactive with no result to show for it, frustration sets in. Suffice to say, frustration and proactiveness walk hand in hand.
Mark in the last three minutes had entered every room inside the N.A.T.U building. Even though he claimed to be one of the few strong hearted men ever created by God, he had to put the strong heart behind him and face the task at hand.
For the upteenth time he walked into the gas exchange room is similar to a ventilation system, the only difference being that, the gas exchange system powers the ventilation system through the use of petroleum gas. There were four giant tanks in the room where the gas was compressed and exchanged, until it is ready for release. The bomb was firmly locked unto the fourth tank and a number of anti-bomb squad depertment at the N.A.T.U who also renders the same service to the neighbouring SSS(state security service) who were just a few blocks away.
"Any chances that we might stop the bomb from detonating before the time elapsed?" Mark asked the leader of the squad.
"We can't stop the bomb." The squad number one man replied.
"How do you mean? Mark asked.
"Its simple." The anti-bomb squad leader replied. "The best thing for now is evacuation in full stead. Am sure evacuation processes began already."
"Yeah! Ninety percent of the people here are out already, but those in the medical wing who need urgent medical assistance. Those on life support, we can't just evacuate them." Mark replied.
"Take risks. Mark, life is a risk. Take them out first, if by the time you get the outside the bomb goes off. It is a credit to your name that no lives were lost. And you know what to do once they are outside, get medical help and transport them to nearby hospitals."
"Good idea. How long do we have?" Mark asked.
"Three minutes."
"Okay. Am off." With this, Mark sped out of the gas exchange system, holding firmly to his left ear, the communication device.
"Agent Mark. I need help in the medical wing."
"Mark." A familiar voice called.
"Hey! Angela." Mark replied.
"What's going on? Why are you evacuating everybody?"
"A bomb goes off in three minutes." Mark replied.
"Oh my God!" Angela exclaimed fearfully. "What do we do now? Evacuate?"
"You are right." Mark said running into the closest ward.
"but..."
"No buts Angela. I need extra hand. Get those on wheelchair out of here as soon as you can." Mark insturcted. "I'll wheel the sick beds out."
"What about those on life support? Those in the Intensive care?"
"Do as I say Angela. Where are the other doctors and nurses?" Mark asked loudly.
"Here sir." The head of the N.A.T.U medic replied.
"Lets get this done. Which way is the ICU?" He asked.
"Go into the next room. The right door connects with the common room, the door on the left leads to the ICU. We have two patients there." Angela explained.
"Good." Mark made to leave the ward with a determination that he was going to pull out the two patients in the Intensive care.
------------
Mark checked his wristwatch for the 100th time in the last one minute as he tried to unplug the life support device from the patients or unplug the device from its power source. None of which seemed to be working as he wasn't conversant with machines used in the medical field.
"Mark, you have twenty five seconds." A familiar voice said.
"I need to save these two patients." Mark replied. This time, he was covered in sweats. The thought of having twenty five seonds left to save the lives of two sick patients was disturbing. Also, saving the lives of the two patients means saving his own life two. But in every situation, there is a solution. Which is, he could ignore the twenty five seconds and leave the two patients, meaning the patients will die when the bomb detonates and he if lucky would be saved, but if he spends a little above twenty five seconds trying to exit the building, he is likely to suffer the same fate.
"What about these?" Mark asked pointing to the two lifeless patients.
"There is nothing you can do about them. Wheel them out, they are going to die, cos the life saver would be unplugged. So, you are not really saving their lives. We have fifteen seconds left. We could be out if five seconds if we took the fire escape."
"Fine, lets get out." Mark said leading the way out.
Collins took a last look at the patients, particularly, the female one and threw a small book at her.
-------
"Here they are." Everyone started clapping, just when Tina drove in recklessly.
"Mark! Where's Chris?"
And immediately, the bomb went off.

END OF CHAPTER 13

Am loving the discussion, argument and the comments. Keep them coming.
Updates drops any moment frm 1:30pm.
Shebarh: This is what has been missing since the start of the story. Everyone seemed to be thinking in the same direction(Mark and Tina being siblings) but now, Galaxdiva don drag Clara in...
As a writer, I will want to work harder and take dem guys on an unexpected ride.
If things continue like this, believe me, we could have 5-6 updates per day.

Galaxdiva:
Frm what am seeing,it seems clara is mark's sister.... Tina wil later marry mark and kim is likely to die.... If u dnt agree,den quote me....

I love this... Clara and Mark.
This is different from the Mark and Tina we've been seeing from Day 1.
But hey! Stay glued to ya screen to know how it ends

Shebarh:
how do u xpct us to comment wen u hardly update.. dis is just page 65 of d story yet d story never too reach anywhere like dat... dis story is very interesting and d suspense is too much but yet uv not updated... sorry to say but d fault is also from u..at least wen u update we will comment

And you just made it look like I don't update at all.
My not updating began at the end of April and even before then, you don't comment everyday, the poster who quoted you, maybe this is his first post on this thread.
You get my drift?

yettielicious:
D9ty7 is claiming dat life is not in this story as it was in all in a circle... Dis story is far better than all in a circle. But u were not as dedicated to it as u were in all in a circle... Duriing d days of all in a circle there was no day u did not update... I understand u av life out of. Nairaland pls try to be more dedicated nd give enough update at least an update in a day... U will see d change nd life u wish to see in this story...its my opinion though

You have a point there tho. But I can only be dedicated when I see the response from the readers.
You know what kept me running when I was posting ALL IN A CIRCLE? The comments.
Not just the you are the bomb comment or you are the grenade, but the differences in preferences of the readers. As early as chapter 6, some people wanted Rachel dead, some wanted her to live. By the time we got to the 16-17th chapter, no one wanted her dead again, cos she has given birth. And when no one was expecting phew! I took her life.
While some people wanted Clement to succeed, some loved the personality and charisma in the character, Kelvin(Danger-kelv)
I believe you understand my point. That time, mere reading comments from some people with different thought, I will just start typing and in 30mins, I will drop two updates.
And I won't forget the relentless efforts of Tecno4life. Jeez! Even though he was guilty of derailing the thread, I sometimes enjoy his posts.
All the above is absent in this story.
If you followed my other story; THE THOMAS. When I started, I was dropping an update or more per week, later, I switched to an update per day, then came two readers who will spend hours arguing and debating the turn of event in the story. Mere reading their argument, I will just pick up my phone and start typing.
I can't motivate myself, I can't be dedicated to something that I can't place. If the readers started commenting regularly, I will definitely update regularly.
During ALL IN A CIRCLE, waking up in the morning, I open the thread to see the comments first, cos I knew there would be at least fifteen comments, with this story, I have gone three days without opening the thread.
My dedication is up to you guys!
Jeez! This is almost the size of an update.

daveP:
(walks out of strategic peeping zone. Approaches the stage and claps twice, the wall on the stage moves and spins slowly to reveal An Orchestra Band all in sky blue regalia with a touch of yellow. He takes the wand and the band chants Handel's famous "Halleluyah" Chorus in unified vibrancy) Finally!!!

daveP?

kwencypresh:
k

working?

kwencypresh:
dee wat happened na,, frm no 9 of d thomas family is nt opening
Its saying page nt found

Click next

tecno4life:
D9ty7 you dey send Thomas family to some of your fans you no send for me wetin I do na?

You dey follow The Thomas ni?

stuff46:
Baba, i understand. Lets make this last story a memorable one

I didnt get Thomas concluding part, dunno what i did wrong.

No vex abeg. To say I forgot is an understatement. I'll hit you up later in the day.

tecno4life:
D9ty7 I couldn't agree more, NL spirit is gone for this of you who don't understand read All In A Circle again, there was life in it, motivation for dee to go on, but I don't see that here. But Dee that's not enuf reason to leave na we will organise memorial for your retirement

That's it bro.
But retirement ke? I am not retiring yet, how old am I? Moreover, this is one thing I enjoy doing and my life, joy and happiness revolves round pen and paper. Nairaland was in existence before I joined as a writer, when I leave, Nairaland go still remain. Soldier come soldier go, barrack remain.
Who knows maybe I am going into being a published writer? Hardcopy.