Blood Legacy - Episode 14

© Brian Ngoma

Ludo was wide awake early in the morning. She never had much sleep during the night. She saw the sun rise when she was about to dose. When leaving for the firm, she went to the room Walutanga had slept and found him conscious arguing with her mother. When he saw her, he started shouting and screaming quavering Hunter's name. She introduced herself and made it clear that he was there following Hunter's request.

"Where is he?" he asked.

"He will come don't worry. He has to take care of some things. There are some people who wants to hurt you."

Walutanga remembered what had happened last night. When Ludo mentioned her name, he remembered Hunter talking about her to him and gradually became calm.

She left him with an assurance that her mother would take good care of him till he got better. He was reluctant at first but he had no option. For Hunter to bring him to these people, he trusted them and he also had to trust them.

Thirty minutes into the office, Lance came finding Ludo busy with some paperwork. He walked into her office greeting her and giving her some work for the day.

"I think we might have a preliminary trial in the next few weeks. She refused to settle." Lance said.

"And you wanted her to settle?" Ludo asked.

"K15 million is a lot of money. I cannot judge though, it might be useless to her and her family after all it's the legacy they want to protect."

"Yes," Ludo said thoughtful.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course," she responded.

"You look like you need some sleep. Didn't you sleep?"

"I did though i spent most of my time studying for the exams at ZIALE."

"Oh that, this time you will pass don't worry," with that he left.

Ludo got on with her work with one thing on her mind. How was she going to help Hunter find Ben and Devi? She didn't even know them nor had she ever heard of them. She couldn't just let him do it on his own especially after seing how wasted he was.

During lunch time, she decided to go and get something for herself. As she was leaving, she bumped into Caesar who was also going out to get lunch.

"Heading to Manda Hill?" he asked her.

"Yes," she responded.

"Well, let me give you a lift. No objection, i insist."

She got into Caesar's car and was driven to Manda Hill. When they reached, he asked her to have lunch with him. She almost refused but he was persistent and whilst at it, sweet. She couldn't deny. They ended up having lunch together.

"So that guy from yesterday?" Caesar asked.

"Oh just someone i know," she answered.

"You must know people in high places. That was Evan Hamuumbu or at least what he used to be."

Ludo was surprised at the same time offended. She thought Caesar had no right to judge people she was found with but who could blame him? Evan was a mess.

"Used to know their family like you saw with Erica."

"I did a background check. You wrote a book entirely based on their criminal activities," He laughed. "Where did you get that stuff?"

She didn't like where all this was going and he noticed that he was making her uncomfortable. He intelligently changed the topic of discussion.

"So what made you want to become a lawyer?"

She smiled, "Initially, i never wanted this but i found myself in it and i enjoy it. Standing up for justice has being my thing."

"Interesting."

"How about you?"

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He excused himself and answered, "Hello officer."

Ludo watched him talk on the phone with someone who seemed like an officer of the law. It wasn't a big deal because like they were, lawyers, they worked hand in hand with the police most of the time. It was at this time that she was struck with an idea.

On their way back to the office, they got more personal and Ludo didn't mind at all. It had been a while ever since she talked with someone like this on a personal level. Caesar parked the car.

"I was doing some research for a friend of mine. It's an old case," she stammered, "My friend think that her case wasn't well ruled."

"Why does she think so?" Caesar unstrapped his seatbelt looking at her.

"She thinks there are some two guys who were involved."

"What did they do?"

"They might have bribed the judge."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Ben and Devi, have you ever heard of them?"

Caesar was blunt face, "I haven't," he answered.

"Can you ask around for me?"

Caesar looked at her and was mesmerized with her facial expression. It was like a baby asking for candy. Then again, why would she ask him to do that?

"Why?"

"I heard you talking with an officer so i thought maybe you might…," she paused, "Never mind it's not even that important. It's just a theory," she opened the car door, "Thanks for lunch."

He quickly got out of the car and called her name. He walked to her, "You have a pile of work on your hands, why concentrate on something that's not important?"

"You are right," she said with a frown.

There was something about the way she was acting and that bothered him, "I will ask around for you."

"No it's okay."

"I know but i will just ask around and see what my friends know."

"That would be great," she flashed her smile leaving him feeling boneless.

Ludo entered the building and found Lance getting out of his office with a gentleman. Getting closer to each other, Lance stopped and introduced Ludo to the gentleman.

"Ludo this is my cousin Stone, Stone my paralegal Ludo."

"Nice to meet you sir," Ludo respectfully said.

Stone smiled, "Nice to meet you too Ludo."

Ludo felt strange. She felt like the man already knew who she was and that made her uncomfortable. The way he looked at her, as if he had confirmation that it was her, whatever that meant.

"I will be back later," Lance told Ludo.

She got into her office and tried to think where she could have seen Stone but she couldn't figure out. She sighed and told herself to stop being paranoid over nothing. Regardless, there was something buggy about Stone as she came to find out later.

*****

Mapulanga and Grace arrived in Chisoti village and had the elders gathered for the preparations of the funeral. Those who knew them didn't want anything to do with them. News had spread when they had arrived in the whole village and a lot of people were disgusted. Only those that didn't know them especially those that weren't around when they escaped came to their aid.

"How about the boy?" one elder asked.

"He's being taken care of in the city," Mapulanga answered, "He will be back as soon as possible but at the moment, let's take care of the funeral."

Not far away hearing everything being said was Ben who had also arrived in the village to make sure Mapulanga signed the papers. Mapulanga finished briefing the elders and walked to Ben.

"Is it done?"

"Not yet," Ben answered.

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Devi is taking care or things as we are speaking. I just want you to sign the papers."

"You know i cannot sign those papers till the boy is dead."

"That i am aware of."

"So?"

Ben was becoming irritated by Mapulanga. He had to put up with him to see the contract through.

"Let's just wait for the news. He will be dead soon."

"Perhaps I'll send someone i trust to do the job but that would cost you another K1 million. I cannot be doing your job."

"That would be great too but Devi handles these kind of things and he wouldn't be too happy someone handling his work. It gets to his nerves and about the K1 Million," he paused to make an emphasis, "We are never getting there, on that i can assure you."

Mapulanga looked at Ben as if mentally telling him that two can play that game and walked away. Ben knew that regardless of what he had said, Mapulanga would send someone to the city to kill Walutanga. Either way, he didn't care who killed the boy as long as he and Devi got away with the K3 Million.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/stories/blood-legacy

Restless - Episode 57

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

FOX CORPORATION,
EPA Hill, Bexford.

"What else do we need to get approval to arrest Mr Daysman?" Evelyn voiced out.

She, Steve and Daniel had been at the table for over thirty minutes, drawing out facts from results of their investigations.

"We need concrete proof against Mr Daysman to bring him over, we almost got into trouble with the chairman for doing so the last time." Steve answered her.

"I think we may have to take the option of questioning him at his home," Daniel suggested.

"No," Steve disagreed immediately. "Without concrete findings, our questions would not only be limited but we'd give room for him to cover more tracks by exposing the little details we have discovered."

"But... We've gotten quite some proofs to show that Agent Elkim was involved with the Red Wolves, we also have seen more details of Daysman's involvement. How come we're yet to see Paul Edward's connections, apart from his visit to the Magic Complex the day it was last visited by Agent Elkim and the phone records?"

"What do you expect?" Steve shook his head. "Paul Edwards is the FOX boss, no one else knows more than him in hiding tracks, we may have no choice than to question him about his visit to the Magic Complex for now, maybe we'd get an headway from his answer."

"Can't we do it right away?" Evelyn suggested.

*

*

"You're here again to see me, I hope it's some good progress report you have for me." Paul Edwards said after asking them to sit.

"Not actually sir," Steve replied with a brief smile. "We are actually making progress but this morning, we are here to ask some brief questions. We hope you do not mind sir."

"Questions concerning the case?" Paul questioned.

"Yes, especially pertaining to Agent Elkim's murder," Steve replied.

"Okay, you can ask."

"Thank you sir," Steve cleared his throat. "Firstly, you were one of the last persons Agent Elkim called before his death, you already explained that he called to ask about your missing cousin but we've never really asked if you noticed any strange thing about his conversation that day."

"There was nothing strange about Elkim that day," Paul Edwards asked, squinting his eyes.

"Agent Elkim also called Mr Daysman and two other people, we would like to know if you have any idea of those calls."

"No idea," Paul replied, shaking his head.

"We also tracked some of his visits before the day he died, one of the suspicious and unclear ones is his visit to the Magic Complex," Steve paused a moment, his eyes met with Paul's but Paul looked slowly. Steve took out a document from the file in Evelyn's hand and handed it to the Chairman.

Paul Edwards stared at the documents, it showed a date and carried some black and white pictures.

"Sir, we are aware that you were at the Magic Complex at the same time as Elkim that day, you also left with him almost at the same times."

Paul took a moment to understand the documents in front of him and even requested for more.

"It must be a coincidence Steve, I never knew he was there at that time." Paul said after scanning through the documents.

"Sir, you were without your FOX men escorts and Agent Elkim was also without them. Was that also coincidence sir?"

Paul smiled. "I had some quick personal things to settle in there and I did not need to go with escorts."

"What sir, did you go into the complex to do that day?"

"I told you already, some quick personal things which is none of your business."

Steve swallowed in at his response. He also shook his head slightly.

"Sir... I would not like to bother you really, but it's only paramount that we get every necessary detail we can get, and from everyone possible." Steve tried to explain.

"Listen Steve, . I want you to get this job done and that's why I haven't taken you out yet but it's unnecessary to question me like a suspect. If I do have information that can help your investigation, I'll be first to let it out to you."

Steve took a breath in. "Sir, may I ask more questions?"

"Yes, you may. I'll answer you if I can."

"One of our major suspects was also at the Magic Complex, the same time you and Agent Elkim were spotted there..."

"And that is who?" Paul cut in.

"Mr Ernest Daysman," Steve answered. He stared at his boss's face for a moment to see the reaction before he continued. "I don't know if you by any chance ran into him and noticed anything."

"No, I didn't run into Daysman, I never had an idea he was there just like I never knew Elkim was there. " Paul paused and leaned forward. "I think what we need to confirm here is the link between Daysman and late Agent Elkim," he suggested thoughtfully, with his eyes squinted at Steve.

"Yes sir, and that's what we're already trying to do but from the surveillance cameras footages, you're one of the possible links to them."

Paul was taken aback and he leaned back immediately, staring at Steve with his eyebrows slightly raised and his lips slightly apart in surprise. Steve had suggestively linked him to suspected criminals.

He placed his chin on his palm and stared at Steve. The young man was already discovering too much and would possibly get himself into trouble with the way he was going about it, he thought.

"I think you need to work more and pull out more facts, because if you really do think I'm a link, you're wasting your time." Paul said dismissively and opened up his laptop to start something else.

___

Benuit, Bethanna.

"Carl Winston must have a team of more than four people if they were four at Elkim Nuel's house," Kahn said to Hutton who was sitting in front of a table with a laptop on it. He had different pictures displaying on the dashboard of his application.

"Well, I can't predict how many team members he could have presently. While Carl Winston and Rex H.C worked together, they worked with very few men as team mates but I can't tell now that he probably heads the team alone." Hutton said, leaning back on the backrest and running his hands through his hair.

"Of course, he heads the team alone. He can't possibly work with Rex HC, and Elkim Nuel always said also that even when Carl Winston worked as one man without Agent Rex, he always did with few men." Kahn added.

"We need to identify some FOX men who worked with Carl Winston when he headed a mission alone. Some of them may be aware of his return and may be working with him," Hutton suggested.

"Elkim used to be our main man there," Kahn said, suggesting that it could be difficult to get the information they needed.

"We have other men there, remember?"

"Agent Elkim was the most senior," Kahn reminded him.

"Yes, but can't we get the information directly from Paul Edwards."

Kahn narrowed his gaze thoughtfully. "Yeah, you're right."

___

"Is she the one?" Doctor Alan asked, looking into Henry's phone from behind.

Henry glanced back at the man with a smile. He had noticed earlier that the man was approaching but he didn't know the man would stop behind him to see what he was doing. He had been staring at the picture for more than a minute, remembering the brief time he had been with her.

"Yes, that's Sheila." Henry replied. He placed his gaze on the man as the man turned about his seat to the sofa beside him.

"She's beautiful," Doctor Alan commented, still looking at the picture on the phone's screen.

"Yes, she is." Henry smiled.

"And you love her, don't you?"

"Hun?" Henry squinted at him.

"Yeah, you're in love with her." Doctor Alan insisted.

"No, come on," Henry refuted with a giggle. "I still haven't gotten over the death of my wife and child, I can't be in love with someone else."

"Yes, you are Henry. I'm sure," the Doctor smiled as Henry frowned his face. "I can see you're afraid of admitting it, you don't want to get her hurt."

"No, no," Henry shook his head in denial. "She is just a good woman and a benefactor to me, nothing else, nothing more."

"I won't argue with you Henry, I know how delicate your present mission is." Doctor Alan said. "I'll let you finish this first."

Henry let out a sigh.

"By the way, my family got to the UK safely already."

"Oh, good!" Henry smiled. "That keeps them safe from us and anyone else who tries to hurt them."

"They've always been safe here Henry," doctor Alan said, his face looked blank. He didn't like the idea of having his family too far away from him but Henry had insisted they had to be far enough for them to continue the mission together. It had taken a while for him to convince his wife and last child. He had only two sons and the first child was already working in a neighboring country.

"This is different Doc, we're fighting against the FOX. They know your family and can easily get to your family when they find out you're against them." Henry explained.

The doctor was about to talk again when Cole stepped into the living room calling Henry.

"I'm back boss," Cole announced as he walked in. He was sweating in his white shirt. A black backpack hung behind him.

Henry got up immediately. "We've got some work to do Doc, we'd talk later." He said as he picked his phone and turned away from the doctor.



"What did you confirm from your research?" Henry asked as he and Cole walked into the control room.

"Boss, you were right." Cole replied as he took off his backpack and dropped it on the table. "There's only one place in Bethanna where we have abundance of those acetic acid mixtures occurring naturally."

Henry walked to the master computer and turned it on from the CPU.

"So, that means you went around all available stores in Bexford without finding any that has the material?" Henry asked.

"Yes," Cole answered. "They kept referring me to the same particular location - the town Enox in Southern Bethanna."

"Yeah, that's the only place that possess those acetic mixtures naturally and in abundance." Henry said before taking his seat. The computer was fully booted. He opened up a text application and a document in which they had extracted some of the conversation gotten from Agent Elkim's devices. After reading for some seconds, he turned again to Cole who was now standing close to him and holding a small carton in his hand. "That particular acetic mixture which was requested from Agent Elkim's device is used to produce a very dangerous explosive. If we get the particular individual supplier which it was requested from, we can get the man who receives the supply and delivers it to the explosive manufacturer. We can trace and get a lot other people through that link."

"So, is that what we go for instead of getting the men whose contact we found on the device?" Cole questioned.

"Yeah, we only suspect those contacts we found, we cannot ascertain who they are yet. Agent Elkim was always careful enough to clear off his messages. He probably anticipated a day that his messages would be read by a third party."

"So, what's our next step and how soon do we go?" Cole asked.

"We only need time to study the map and area and come up with a workable plan, this should take less than five days." Henry replied. "It is however certain that we're on our way to unravel a bomb production factory."

____

March 26, 2016

14:55PM

Deo Cafeteria

El Deols, Anthanna.

Sheila let out a laugh at another of Adrian's funny remarks. It had been that way for almost two hours. She had finally agreed to hang out with Adrian that afternoon and they had chosen the Cafeteria to meet. They finished with lunch and decided to wait and spend some more time with each other.

For Sheila, it had been fun time as they had different intelligent discussions ranging from politics, technology, education and even social media.

"So, Sheila, why haven't you been in another relationship since you broke up with Tom?" Adrian put in a serious question even in the jolly atmosphere.

Sheila flashed a quick look at him and the look on her face changed gradually to a serious one.

"Well," she shrugged. "I guess it isn't time for another, I'll get into one when the right time comes."

"Sheila," Adrian called in a cool calm voice and stretched his hand on the table to hold hers. She looked at his face. "I've been in love with you for so long, right from high school but my pride never allowed me admit. I know the jerk you know me as might not be the man you see as the right man for you, but the Adrian sitting here..." He paused and let out a silent sigh. She was looking down already but raised her head after he went quiet. "The Adrian here with you is someone who might not be totally different, but have gone through some trainings and things in life that have changed me."

He paused again and reached out for the right hand, he held both palms in his across the table.

"Sheila, I ask you for a chance in your life. I promise I'm gon be that man you want," Adrian concluded. He had a serious and passionate look on his face.

Sheila stared into his eyes for some more seconds before she withdrew her hands.

She shook his head gently and blinked. "I'm sorry Adrian, I don't think I'm ready for this."

"I know," Adrian smiled calmly. "I'll give you sometime to think about it but I want you to know that I truly love you."

There was no response from Sheila. They remained calm and silent for a moment, staring into each other's eyes.


To be continued


Read more here - www.youngicee.com/stories/restless

cassbeat:
@oyinprince is there an update on the bodyguard?

Yes, the second part has even begun on the site - www.youngicee.com/the-bodyguard-reloaded

Restless - Episode 56

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

20:14PM

Paul Edwards was at the dining table, sitting alone and taking his dinner quietly when the call came in. He ignored it at first and decided to call whoever it was after the call but he picked his phone to check when it began to ring the second time. The caller was one of the doctors from the Ruthernard Hospital and he wondered what the man was calling him for at the time of the night. He had never spoken to the man on phone but only had his number stored in case it was ever needed. He dropped the phone again and decided to call back after he was done with dinner.

A message popped in twenty seconds later and Paul continued eating without picking the phone to check. It took him extra five minutes to finish with the food. He cleaned the sides of his mouth with the napkin and also wiped the tip of his right fingers before he picked the phone again. He opened the message, it was from the doctor and it read:

"Austin Edwards has just come into the hospital."

Paul's eyes widened as he read the message. He quickly switched to his call history and dialed back the doctor's number.

"Hello Doctor, what are you talking about?" Paul said into the phone.

"Good evening sir, Austin walked into my office few minutes ago," the doctor replied.

"Are you sure? And is he okay?" Paul asked in an alarmed tone.

"Yes, he looks physically okay, I think he's just affected by lack of proper medication within the last few days. I'm about to begin some tests on him," the doctor replied.

"Who came with him?"

"I saw no one with him."

"Please, keep him there and ensure no one comes close to him. I'll be there in few minutes," Paul said as he got up from the table.

He turned and walked hurriedly towards the stairs leading to his room. His phone began to ring again as he climbed the stairs, his son was calling.

"Hello Father, I'm on my way to Ruthernard. I got a call from Austin about thirty minutes ago, some people brought him to the hospital and left him at the gate."

"I also got a call from the doctor a minute ago and you'd probably meet me at the hospital," Paul replied his son.




21:35PM
Ruthernard Hospital

"Good evening Father," Martin greeted as he walked into the doctor's office. "Where's Austin?" He asked straightaway without waiting for a response to his greeting.

"I've only seen him briefly, the doctor is still attending to him." Paul replied.

"Is he okay Dad?"

"Yes, he looks okay. I haven't had time to speak with him yet," Paul answered.

Just at that moment, the door opened and a nurse stepped in, announcing that the doctor has said they could join him at the ward.

Both men followed the nurse at once. They soon got to the ward and met Austin sitting in the bed with the Doctor standing by his side. The Doctor turned after noticing their presence.

"Welcome Mr Martin," he greeted Paul's son who he was just seeing for the first time that day.

"I hope he's okay Doc?" Paul asked as he moved closer to Austin.

"Yes, he is. He only needs some more supplements because he missed his drugs for a short while," the doctor replied.

"So, they didn't touch or manhandle him?" Paul asked the doctor.

"It doesn't look so, " the doctor answered.



"How are you Austin? I hope you weren't hurt," Martin asked his son.

"They didn't touch me," Austin replied his father in a calm voice. His look was however not friendly and he had his eyes on his grandfather who was still talking to the doctor.

"What's wrong?" The father asked him on noticing his gaze on Paul.

Austin did not reply, he kept his eyes on Paul as the man moved closer to him.

"Hi Austin, I'm so happy to see you again. I'm glad you weren't hurt," Paul said with a smile but Austin maintained his stare at him without replying.

Paul noticed the way his grandson was staring at him and he flashed a glance at his son, wondering if he knew why the younger man was staring at him that way.

"What's wrong?" Paul asked his son in low tones.

Martin shrugged and replied. "I don't know."

"What's the matter Austin?" Martin asked his son.

Austin finally took his gaze off Paul to his father. "It's granddad," he said. "He is the reason I was taken and he has some explanation to make not just to us but to the world."

"Shut up Austin!" Martin rebuked him. "You can't talk like that, he's doing everything just to keep you safe."

Austin sighed. "You don't understand Dad, there's something Grandpa isn't telling us." he said in soft tones and then turned again to Paul. "Grandpa, tell us the reason why you are hiding the truth that I'm alive from the world. And how did you know that the Red Wolves planned to bomb the hostel that day?"

"Would you shut up and stop asking stupid questions!" Martins got mad at him.

Paul took in a deep breath. He felt quite embarrassed as his eyes met with the Doctor's eyes. He wished that the abductors had injected into the boy the same substance that made their victims loose the memories of what happened during the abduction like they had done with Richard Brad's son and Agent Tam. That way, the boy would have had no memory of whatever they said to him. He knew the abductors had intentionally not injected the boy to make sure he remembered all they said to him and to cause a situation like the one which just played out.

___

The Next Day
08: 46AM

THE FOX CORPORATION, EPA HILL.
Bexford, Bethanna

"Good morning sir," Agent Steve greeted as he walked into the man's office.

"Good morning Steve," Paul raised his head slowly and stared at the junior Agent's face. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you sir." Steve replied.

"I heard you asked to see me earlier," Paul said. He dropped the pen he held previously in his hand, rested his back and folded his arm across his belly.

"Yes sir, I was told you were busy. I wanted to make some enquires from you concerning your relative that was abducted few days ago, the case was moved to us by Agent Elkim before his death and..."

Paul raised a hand to make him stop. He leaned back forward to picked his pen and then rested back again, this time putting an elbow on the armrest of the chair and the hand with the pen supporting his chin. "You asked me some questions on phone call two days ago, I thought you had all the answers you needed already but thanks anyway, you do not need to bother about that anymore."

Steve widened his eyes in surprise. "Sir?"

"Yeah, you don't need to bother." Paul repeated.

"Have you transferred the case to another team?" Steve asked. He waited for a reply but did not get any immediately. "I think my team would handle it better because of it's similarity to the pattern of kidnaps we have in our ongoing investigations."

"No, thanks Steve. You don't need to bother anymore," Paul answered. "My relative's kidnap was in no way related to the previous kidnaps in your ongoing investigation."

Steve squinted. The man was now confusing him.

"My little cousin returned home last night and it was quite easy, he wasn't hurt." Paul Edwards added quickly.

"Oh!" Steve exclaimed, rasing his brows.

"Yeah, Steve." Paul smiled and leaned back forward. "Now, all I need you to do is get those men behind the kidnap and those behind Elkim's death. We can't waste any more time, so you've got to increase your tenacity."

Steve shook his head. "Yes sir, we would do all we can."

"Good, go get to work immediately."

Steve bowed slightly and then turned towards the door. He took in a breath as he opened the door and stepped outside. He closed his eyes and shook his head briefly after closing the door.

The questions he had for Paul Edwards were not just directed towards investigating the kidnap but pulling out more evidences that would show that Paul Edwards was indeed the criminal in the FOX.

"Hey guys!" Steve said in a disappointing tone as he stepped back into the team's investigation room.

The guys turned to him, wondering why he returned so quickly and thinking he was not allowed to ask the man questions.

"Hi boss, he didn't talk to you?" Samantha asked him.

"He did," Steve answered and shook his head. "He claims his relative has been found."

"How?" Daniel asked.

"He did not tell me how," he replied.

They all looked disappointed to hear the news.

"We've got to continue working and pull out more facts, we have to stop the Red Wolves, stop these abductors and murderers and also stop whoever it is in the FOX working with them." Steve said moved closer to their broad investigation table.

____

Nevi Community Clinic,
Nevi, Bethanna.

14:35PM

Henry drove into the compound of the clinic in a blue Camry. He parked beside a car in the small parking space. He picked his face cap and his sun glasses which he kept on the passenger's seat and put them on before he took off his seatbelt. He then opened the door and stepped out.

He took a quick look around the place before he proceeded to the entrance of the clinic.

"Good afternoon nurse," he greeted the woman he saw at the desk.

"Good afternoon sir," the nurse answered. She sized him up with her eyes and wondered what he was doing at the clinic. She didn't think a man like him would come for treatment there. "Please, how may I help you?"

"I need to see Doctor Alan," Henry replied her.

"For treatment, or for something personal?" she asked.

"Humn..." Henry would have loved to say it was personal to avoid the protocols of having to register with the clinic first, but he knew the actions that may follow may make his visit look suspicious afterwards. "For treatment," he eventually replied.

"I'll have to register you first," the nurse said with a smile. "It's two Bethanna dollars for registration."

It took about seven minutes for them to complete the registration and for the nurse to inform the doctor of his presence. Henry was afterwards called to go into the Doctor's office for consultation.





Doctor Alan adjusted the thick lenses on his nose as he watched the patient walk into the office. He raised his brow on seeing the hugeness of the man's body and his carriage.

He leaned forward and picked his pen in preparation to listen to the patient's complaints and make his jotting.

"Good afternoon Doctor," the patient greeted as he got to the table.

"Good afternoon sir, please you may have your seat." Doctor Alan replied, only looking up briefly.

Henry made himself comfortable on the seat. He took off his cap first and placed it on the table.

"So, how may I help you?" the doctor asked and looked up. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the face. He closed his eyes and shook his head, wondering if he was seeing double. He opened his eyes and took in a deep breath. He tried to calm himself. It couldn't be the person it looked like, it must be only a striking resemblance, he thought to himself.

The Doctor was a man in his early sixties. He was tall and slender. Light in complexion, he had an oval face and a slightly pointed nose. He kept a smooth shaven head which gave him a funny look, coupled with the thick medical lenses that always stood on his nose.

"Doctor Alan," Henry called in a calm voice as he took off the sunshades. "It's really nice to see you again."

The doctor widened his eyes and his mouth in shock as he confirmed that it was not just a striking resemblance, it was indeed Carl Winston.

"Carl Winston..." he said in a shaky voice. His lips and hands were trembling, the pen in his hand fell off and he still could not believe his eyes.

"Yes Alan, I'm here." Henry said with a smile and got up to his feet, turning towards Alan side of the table. He opened his hands wide for an embrace.

He stopped a metre before the shocked Doctor. The man was still too shocked to get to his feet.

"I'm alive Doctor Alan, I never died." Henry said again and stepped closer to the man. He pulled the Doctor's hand and helped him up to his feet, then he drew the shocked man into a warm embrace.

Doctor Alan did not respond to the embrace at first, he suffered from the shock a little while longer before he then wrapped his hands behind Henry and squeezed him tighter to himself. Tears formed in the Doctor's eyes.

The embrace lasted for about sixty seconds before Henry pulled away and returned to his seat.

The Doctor was yet to sit even after Henry sat. He continued to stare at Henry like he had seen a ghost.

"Come on, sit down." Henry urged him.

He finally sat and tucked touched his eyes with a napkin.

Henry watched him with a broad smile.

"How did you survive? I heard you and Rex were shot thrice in the belly and tossed into the Bexford sea," Alan asked.

"I did somehow, I guess it isn't my time to die yet."

"What about Rex?" Alan questioned.

Henry heaved a sad sigh and shook his head in pity. "I don't think he survived it."

A sad look appeared on Alan's face but slowly disappeared in a brief moment.

Alan was Rex and Carl's secret and personal doctor for several years. He first worked in the Bethanna Military Service for twenty years and met Carl and Rex when he was transferred to the FOX. He retired ten years later after spending the maximum thirty years in service according to the Bethannian laws. He was however retained by Rex and Carl personally and followed them almost everywhere, especially on foreign trips where they had to stay for several weeks or months. He had been with them when they started the Red Wolves case and had also rejoiced with them few weeks after when they thought they had defeated the Red Wolves only to hear two days later that the both of them were killed and thrown into the sea.

"I never believed that you two died in that sea," Alan began with tears forming again in his eyes. "I kept on hoping that you would return or call me to come treat you at a secret location like you always do but I waited for a week and got no call. That was when I began to waver in my belief," he paused again and sniffed in. "Right now, I had already lost hopes totally that I'd ever see the two of you again, but it's actually a relief seeing you Carl."

"I'm glad to see you also Doc," Henry smiled.

"So, how did you do it?"

"It's a long story..." Henry answered and then narrated how he was taken to Anthanna and helped by Sheila.

"Oh! She's such a kind hearted woman," Alan commented with some tears in his eyes.

"Doctor, I'm back for an important mission, I'll explain to you later. I do need you with me."

"Right away, I can come with you." Alan jumped to his feet and immediately began to take off his lab coat.

"No, not so fast Doc," Henry smiled. "For now, you'd prescribe some drugs for me, so that I can quietly leave here. I'll wait around till evening for you."

To be continued.



Read more here- www.youngicee.com/category/restless

Blood Legacy - Episode 13

© Brian Ngoma

Devi drove into his yard and found Ben's car parked. His head felt like it could drop off from the neck. He got out of the car and slowly walked to the front door limping. As soon as he entered the house, he directly went to his little bar in his living room and grabbed a quarter bottle of Jameson and gulped it all the way down his esophagus. He then put the bottle on the counter and wondered where Ben was. He heard footsteps behind him and turned around, there stood Ben with a weary face.

"Damn!" Devi gritted his teeth. "Sometimes you act like this is your house."

Ben didn't say anything but walked past him and grabbed the same bottle he had drank from and gulped as well. If Devi knew, he would have noticed that Ben was in turmoil.

"Why would you need that for?" Devi grabbed the bottle from him.

As Devi wanted to take another sip, he heard footsteps coming from the other room and knew there was another person in the house. He turned round to check on Ben and all Ben could give him was a shrug while he pulled a chair and sat down.

Emerging was Naveen in an all black suit that tightly fitted him showing his muscles and physique. Naveen had the same height as Hunter but he looked more fit and devilishly hair-raising. Devi quickly put the bottle on the table.

"Why would you need that Devi?" Naveen asked looking around the house.

Devi said, "Welcome sir. I wasn't expecting you."

"Were you in an alteration?" Naveen sat on a chair next to Ben.

"Not really," Devi answered nervously.

"That red eye?"

"Bike accident sir."

"Really?" Naveen didn't believe him.

"Yes sir."

"Anyway, i have been having a chat with Ben here," he pointed at Ben who didn't say a word, "From the look of things you boys haven't closed in on the deal yet, what's holding you back? I gave you k5 million at your disposal. What could be so hard about getting that land?"

Devi looked at Ben and under normal circumstances, he would leave Ben handle that because according to them, Ben was the diplomatic one but Naveen had obviously talked with Ben before he came.

"Devi!"

"Sorry sir. We are close at getting the land sir. We just ran into some setbacks but we are closing in."

"By setbacks, you mean the fire and the murders in the other village?" Naveen bluntly probed.

"Yes sir. There seems to be some family wars going on in that village and we didn't want to be in the middle."

Naveen nodded, "You know what's funny? Your friend here told me the exact same things you're telling me now. One last time, did you guys have anything to do with those tragedies in the two villages?" he asked seriously, "And before you answer, think about this; If at all, you had anything to do with it, it will lead back to me and you know what that means, i will have you both dead."

"We had nothing to do with it sir," Devi assuredly answered looking at Ben. "We just want to acquire the land for you as per our contract."

"I came to you two because unfortunately, you are the best contractors for this kind of work." Naveen stood and patted Ben's shoulder. "Get this boys, the last thing my family needs right now is unnecessary attention like i mentioned last time we spoke on the phone. I made that clear."

"We have it handled."

"Apparently you don't Devi." Naveen raised his voice. "If you had, you could have been doing God knows what somewhere far away from me. I am starting to have second thoughts, perhaps you should give me back my money so that i try somewhere else…"

"A month sir," Devi interrupted. "Just a month and everything will be perfectly handled."

"A month you say?" Naveen said nothing else but left.

Ben and Devi stood motionless without uttering anything. They heard the car start outside and knew he was gone.

"I thought that was your car," Devi broke the silence.

"It is mine. I'll find it in town. He doesn't want to be associated with us," Ben sighed his shoulders dropping in defeat and went, "Did you get the job done?"

"We have a problem," Devi responded sitting down.

"What do you mean?" Ben yelled. "Don't act like you didn't just witness what happened some seconds ago."

"The man i fought with at the village is Hunter and i found him again at the hospital."

"Don't tell me it's the Hunter i am thinking about."

"Yes," Devi stretched his hands.

"And you walked out alive?" Ben couldn't believe his friend.

"He's not as strong as they say. Last time we heard of him, he was retired. I don't know how he's involved with the kid."

"This is not good. We have to find another way. The K3 million has to be ours no matter what. Naveen cannot have it back."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"I spoke to Mapulanga earlier on and he told me he was on his way back to the village. He cannot wait to become the chief. That bastard. We have to get rid of the boy."

"I need to heal. I will take care of both the boy and Hunter. In the meantime, i suggest you go to Chisoti village and ensure Mapulanga is on the right track."

"Sure," i will be heading back tomorrow.

*******

Ludo sighed after Hunter had told her everything. It was difficult to even process what he had gone through. She looked at him and saw he had slightly changed. He looked much older now. She stood up and went to check on the boy and found her mother had calmed him and he was in deep sleep.

"You need to tell us what's going on Ludo." Zamiwe said behind her.

Ludo turned around and told them to sit down. She narrated everything Hunter had told her. By the time she was finishing, they both felt pity for the boy especially. They had heard the news about the two tragedies in the neighboring two villages but Joe was suspicious of Hunter.

"I don't trust the man though," he said.

"Trust me, he wouldn't hurt a fly. That man protected me six years ago. He just found himself in this blood path, otherwise, he left this dangerous life a long time ago. He told me so himself."

"Old habits die hard," Joe sighed.

"What do we do now?" Zamiwe probed.

"I have to find out who wants the land," Hunter cut in, "Devi and Ben are just pawns. They can do anything for money but they are negligent. They always leave trails."

"We have to report this to the police," Joe stood up, "The boy was almost killed."

"No police Joe," Hunter looked at Joe, "Whoever is pulling the strings won't stop till the boy is dead. They killed his whole family, what makes you think the police would do anything?"

Joe wanted to say something but Ludo interrupted him. "Trust him dad. He knows what he's doing. If he says no police then no police," she looked at Hunter."Where will you find them?"

"I don't know but they are looking for us that i am sure of. I have to let them find us."

"Not from here, you will put me and my family in danger," Joe opposed.

"Dad," Ludo said, "Hunter knows what he's doing," she looked at Him yearning assurance, "You do right?"

Hunter saw nothing but fear in Ludo's eyes. The last thing he could have wished for was to bring tragedy upon her family.

"Take care of the boy for me, can you do that for me?" he looked at all of them. "I will handle Devi and Ben alone."

"We can take care of the boy yes," Zamiwe said. "If you say those people are as dangerous as you mentioned, this is the last place they would search for him."

"I better be going," Hunter said, "I will keep in touch. Under no circumstance should he leave this house and please keep him away from Local news channels as much as possible. He doesn't need to be subjected to what the media will be talking about his family."

They all nodded. Hunter walked to the door. As he got outside, Ludo ran to him.

"You cannot do this alone, i am going to help you," she said handling him an aid box while looking at his blood stained trousers, "I didn't want to say anything because i knew my parents will be paranoid."

"You don't have to do this. This is more dangerous than last time," Hunter objected.

"You could have gone anywhere but you chose to come here. I will render you my help. Things have changed now, i can help you locate wherever this Ben and Devi are, i have contacts. Meet me tomorrow at Central Park at exactly 8pm and what happened to the beard."

Before he could say anything, she ran back inside leaving him standing and realizing that this time things were different. Unsure of where he was going, he wondered off and dissipated into the serenity of the night.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Hidden Dream - Episode 13

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Jay....

" what are you going to do now?" Aunty Nelly asked me as she hanged the clothes outside.

I had just been telling her how I had been looking for Angela a couple of months after completing school. I had tried to call her a million times, leaving texts but there was no response.

" I don't know aunty Nelly. Am really bothered, if only she knew how much I miss her and want to see her before I leave next week. " I complained.

She was the only person I had told my feelings for my teacher and as always Aunty Nelly gave me sound advice . She told me if I was able to have such persistence it meant I trully had fallen in love.

I had gone back to the school after we completed school but I didn't find her. They told me she was still on leave and won't be back until after a month. I had asked the teacher who I thought could be friends with her to give me the number she was using but she told me Angela never contacted her since she left and she also didn't know what other numbers she had.

She asked why I went looking for her and I lied she had not cleared me on the clearance forms and that she had to sign my scholarship. I knew I shouldn't have brought in the scholarship thing as her friend took it serious and asked me to talk to the head so that maybe he could find a way for my papers to be signed. I pretended to go the head teacher's office but turned away leaving the school premises.

" you surely love her" aunty Nelly sighed.

" I do love her and I know she must have something for me but she's hesitant. She should have given me a chance though, I won't forget her that easily. "

" since you can't find her and have tried your best to look for her, just give her some time. Am sure she's not comfortable with the fact that you are 2 years younger than her and the circumstances under which you met makes things some what complicated" she explanned.

"Seriously though, I don't think that's an issue " I kept on saying.

I was to leave the country after going through the whole procedure with the sponsors. My father insisted that I don't go and wait until I went to college. I had passed with 22 points and that was more than what I had expected. I could see my father trying to open up to me but never wanted to get closer to him. I feared if I did he would end up convincing me to drop my scholarship.

I knew having him otherwise was the best way so that I could avoid feeling bad if I let him down.

" do what you want", he clearly told me one day.

" But count me out. Am not going to support your dance career. And you can as well forget about me sponsoring you to the university if you leave for Paris. That will mark the end of you being my responsibility." He warned me.

I didn't care though. At that point in life i wasnt going to need so much of his help. The scholarship i had was to cater for all my expenses and so I was okey.

The weekend before I was to travel to Paris, I took one of the cars from home and drove into town.

It had been my 21st birthday the previous day and as was the trend in our home they had made a small party for me and my friends which also served as a farewell party.

I agree I had a lots of funny with my friends. I had invited John, Oswald, Ben and some other guys from school.

Tracy who heard the news from John also came over and I was surprised to see her. I had not really communicated with her since we completed school trying to stay clear from her.

She had acted out like my girl as usual and the guys envied me telling me how she and I made a perfect couple. Surprisingly she bonded well with my sister Tina who went on parading her in the house.

I could see aunty Nelly shooting glances at me and when I asked her why, she had laughed so hard.

" you my friend are in trouble with this girl. I see how she's all over you and your family. Imagine she had the guts to go and greet your parents" she laughed.

" what? She did? " I asked shocked.

" Yeah, your sister's took her and I over heard her telling them you where good friends from school. Your mother commended her beauty. I can tell she liked her daughter in law." She teased me

" forget it aunty Nelly am never going to marry that girl. She's too loud for me?" I shrugged leaving her laughing before joining my friends.

Surprisingly, my parents gave me the latest Samsung phone as a present. I even gave away the small Samsung duos I was using which I got from Pep.

So, I drove to town taking John who came all the way from Kafue for my birthday.

" I really wish I could also go out of the country man," he giggled. " so how are you feeling ?" John looked at me.

" am excited man, you have no idea but am just hurt I won't be saying bye to her. I have not seen her since we completed school. "

" Her?" John scoffed. " I thought your girl was there at the party yesterday man, who are you talking about?"

" Tracy is not my girl man, she's just a friend and you know how she likes dominating, I have never been with her and I dont plan on doing so. It's someone else" i told him shrugging as I held on in the steering sitting upright

" No way! , how come I wasn't told about this babe that has got my friend under her sleeves.? Its evident you are way crazy about this girl man and I need to know her. Who is She?" He questioned me now paying attention to me.

I smiled at the thought of Angela and without hesitation I mentioned her name.

" Angela" I announced smiling " her name is Angela and yes you know her. From LUBO" I told John who held his forehead trying to recall any Angela from school.

" Angela, Angela....." He repeated her name shaking his head.

" No man, tell me the truth I can't recall anyone by that name. Was she in grade 10 or 11? Cause we had no such name in our intake"

" it's because you are thinking of students John " I laughed.

" she wasn't a student" I added looking at him.

" Angela," he frowned thinking hard

" No ways, you don't say? Am I thinking about the right person?" He raised his eyes in surprise.

" Yeah," I sighed. " Ms Jere " I told him blantly and I saw him hold his face laughing.

" Jay, you are the most mysterious Human being I have ever known. How did you pull it out with that hot teacher man? come on, this is the news I would love to sit and listen to. It's so unbelievable. Come on tell me more! " he shouted sitting up as I drove him to Kafue.

" well, what can I tell you my friend, I fall in love with her but she turned me down you know how it was. I was just a student and her my teacher plus she was 21 when I was 19 so..." i shrugged.

" But you told her how you feel?" He asked.

" I did but she didn't seem to accept. I promised her I would get back to her and prove I loved her and not just crazy. But i have not seen her for the past 3 months. Her line has been off and I can't seem to find her. I really wish I could say bye to her and tell her to wait for me till I come back. Maybe keep in touch you know".

John was quite for a while and then he held my knee.

" you should have told me this man, we are friends." He complained.

" I know man. But you know how it was I couldnt tell anyone. It was complicated "

" anyway I get you man, now listen I love you my friend and from what you have told me I know you feel the hot teacher so I will help you. I know of a girl who was in the other class 12 B , I guess, she was the niece to Ms Jere and she can probably tell us about her whereabouts."

I almost lost control with excitement. " you do? And you sure this girl can lead us to my Angela?" I asked almost panicking.

" Yeah let me try call her man, she's my friend and am sure I can find something from her right now"

I watched as John talked to the Niece to Angela laughing and smiling as he talked.

" Yeah sure thing I can take note of it" I heard him say and extended his hand for me to hand him my phone.

" right, thank you so much sweetie, I owe you one. But please don't tell her I asked. We want to pay her a surprise visit and thank her for being a good teacher" he added before hanging up.

" what? " I asked turning my head from the road as the vehicle moved on..

" here you go, she in Lusaka. That's the address there" he smiled handing me the phone.

" wow! You have no idea how happy I am right now. Thanks man" I chuckled looking at the address and increasing the speed.

" you owe me one Jared!" He shouted whilst laughing.

" I surely do " I smiled. " let me drop you right here you get on a bus man," I teased him

" don't you dare you jerk! " He frowned and we both burst out laughing.

After dropping him I went straight to the address I was given. It indicated she was in Avondale. Instead of going to Lusaka West I took a turn and joined great east road. I had to see her. I only had that saturday and Sunday before leaving on a Monday. I was scheduled to Fly with the 14 Hours flight.

I came to a halt when I drove in front of a meroon gate. Taking in some deep breaths. I was so excited all along I didn't think of how I was going to reach her place that day. All I had thought of up until then was just seeing her again and didn't get to plan what I was going to do when there.

Pulling aside the inside mirrow I took a look at my anxious face and wiped it a bit before sighing deeply.

I walked to the gate not wanting to start hooting. Rubbing off the sweat from my hands.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

Episode 16
“I dey go Amina them house” he said furiously, clenching his fist. He had vow to deal with that naughty girl Amina.
“She dey owe you?” YouTube asked.
“No” he retorted.
“She say my give am meat say she go come my house” he blurted his pains before realizing, YouTube couldn’t help but laugh at him. Mallam didn’t find it funny, and wonder what is amusing about the issue.
“She pay you” YouTube struggle to curtail his laughter.
“Yes, but the meat plenty pass the money” he said angrily, he wanted to leave but YouTube obstructed him.
“She no owe you, wetin you wan go do there” YouTube question stroke Mallam to his senses, he thought for awhile. Not responding to his question, YouTube talk on.
“Na so that girl dey do for this village, that thing wey she dey use do Shakara, we don plan on how to chop am clean mouth. If you wan revenge join us, even if you go there. Them go disgrace you and the matter sef the elders go blame you, so wetin you talk” YouTube demanded, Mallam was speechless. He thought for awhile and weigh his chances of going to Amina’s house if he could achieve any aim, he shrugged. Anything to revenge what Amina’s has done to him, he is ready to join them.
“I go join ona” he said determined, YouTube hailed him. And they both walk back to the bar were people are drinking and a loud music playing out from speakers.
_______
Mr. Okoro slum on the chair dejectedly, his sitting room is a big one. He built it for several years, he started building his house when he was just a classroom teacher and concluded after a year as a principal. Photos of him and his wife, with four of his children hang around in his parlour.
His last son, who has just finished writing his senior WAEC is the only one at home. The others are either in the university or started their own family just like his first son.
“Oke, get me a glass of water” he called out from the sitting room, that is properly arranged with five chairs and a rug, with TV sets.
“Yes, daddy” a voice responded from inside the room, Mr. Okoro pulled his shoe, not finding what he has encountered today funny. His son, brought a glass of water to him. He drained it all in one gulp, surprising his son who is standing to receive the glass back.
“Oooh” he breath out, he fall backward on the chair. His face facing the Celine, he thought about were he has just return from. From the school’s board were he received a sudden transfer letter. He has just been transferred to another school not as rich as his present one.
________
The second week of resumption, is a Monday that every students of Upaga Community Secondary School wouldn’t like to miss. Everyone is present in the devotion hall, as the chapel prefect conducted the devotion. A new face, not a young one stood in the devotion with the chapel prefect as he conducted the devotion. After the National Anthem, he step forward to address the students.
“Am your new principal….” The students erupt a noisy cheer, they were happy about the transfer of the old principal ’cause of his incessant charge of fees. He introduced himself.
“I want you all to meet somebody, my daughter Emily” he called out a girl from the crowd, a beautiful girl, she shy away from the attention given to her by the students.
“Where is the Senior Prefect boy?” The new Principal demanded.
“At the gate” Amina responded.
“Call him for me” he requested, Amina step out of the hall, right at the gate is Victor who stood before the knelt down students.
“You, come forward” he pointed to a boy with a cane in his hand, right beside him is the punctuality prefect. His friend David.
“Turn turn, sharply” he ordered the boy.
“I have sister” the boy said, he stare at the boy. He draw close to David.
“Em sister go well” he whisper to David in his ear, David nodded in response.
“Greet her for me, go go. Don’t come late next time again oh” he tap the cane on his head, he pointed the cane at another late comer.
“I have sister” he said sharply not wanting to be flogged, David and Victor laugh at him. He became confuse.
“Which sister, that your sister wey dey like chimpanzee. Na man your papa go born as girl, c’mon turn sharply” he turned reluctantly, Victor hold his short by the side and whip his ass with four strokes.
“Victor, principal dey call you” Amina appeared at the gate, holding his hand. Not giving him any chance to ask questions, she drag him away. Victor, complained about her acting childish but she didn’t mind.
Before she and Victor could arrive at the devotion, the students are already been dismissed by the new principal of the school. “Who be that girl?” Victor pointed at Emily who is with a group of giggling girls heading to their class, she also turned back and wink at him.
“You go try keep off, before our new principal go cut your pee-pee commot” Amina warned dragging her left ear, “you no go understand” Victor defended. Both of them laughing while heading to the principal’s office since they were told he has left for his office.
Later that day at break time, it is always seen as a competition on who to date a new girl in the school. Emily was under a tree just at the back of the classes building, low grasses surround the tree as field, she sat on a dismantle desk while her friends stood just few feet away talking and laughing. Most of the students are in groups, talking, and some are buying snacks from a woman who stays on the other small field shade by a big mango tree. Three boys walk to the back of the school were Emily is, Obi is among the boys who has determined to shoot his shot for the first day, his friend who are there to witness his victory or disgrace watch him, as he walk shoulder high to were Emily is.
“Pretty girl, it seems you are alone. Can I keep you company?” He said to Emily who didn’t respond, he still persist. He wanted to sit on the same dismantled desk that Emily is sitting, he had only taken a step when his belt loose and drag his trouser down from his waist, he wasn’t putting on a boxer. He bent to drag his trouser back to his waist.
“Oh men, come see black nyash na” one of Obi friend that came with him shouted, everyone around the area were all laughing hard, Obi ran out of the area in shame. He took his bag and left school in shame, Emily didn’t help matter she was busy explaining how small his black **** is to her friends.
______
Victor was in the laboratory studying, he has find the laboratory a better place to study for his upcoming WAEC since is the most isolated place in the school. He wonder why he isn’t as brilliant as Amina, who didn’t need to study to be brilliant. The laboratory has many windows and just a door that serves as an entrance, a table and a chair was kept there by him. Amina came in laughing loudly, Victor frown at her.
“Them don **** your colleague up” she said amusing herself, Victor frown in confusion dropping his text book in his hand on the table.
“Which colleague?” He asked in confusion, frowning his face.
“For legging of girls, Obi na” Amina said laughing, Victor find it very interesting.
“How?” He wanted more information, he didn’t go out for break like others. His break is spent with his text books in the laboratory, if he needed to eat something. He will call a passer-by junior student.
“You know Emily?” She asked.
“Who no know her, principal daughter. Talk na!” He urge her to talk impatiently.
“Obi go toast this girl with him friend, 2pac and that Uche wey get open teeth. As em wan go follow the girl talk na so em belt spoil and trouser pull from em nyash. My guy no wear boxer come see black nyash and small dark prick na” Amina said laughing, Victor couldn’t even help but join Amina in laughing.
“I wish say na you” Amina said tapping him on his head.
“I dey wear boxer and I nodey rub girls nyash like Obi, why you go even talk say make that kind thing happen to the love of your life?” He ask raising his eyebrows, Amina push him softly on his head.
“See your big head” she tease him.
“The head, you fall in love with” he retorted, Amina knock him on the head and ran out of the laboratory laughing. He touch the place she had knocked him on his head.
“No come here again oh!” he warned rubbing his head, especially the knocked part..

Read the remaining here - www.youngicee.com/category/seductive-amina

Blood Legacy - Episode 12

© Brian Ngoma

Hunter shoved a table out of his way and grabbed Devi by his coat and pulled him smashing him against another patients bed. Some patients were now awake wondering what was happening. Hunter quickly checked on Walu who was having a hard time breathing but he knew he was going to be fine. As he turned around, a punch landed on his cheek knocking out his molar instantly. This small man had the power of Goliath, Hunter thought as he spat the tooth out. Devi grabbed a table and threw it on Hunter who briskly missed it. The two men stood panting heavily looking at each other. Hunter was bleeding.

"So my suspicions were right," Hunter said and went, "But why Devi?"

"You know me?" Devi seemed shocked.

"Who wouldn't know the duo Ben and Devi and the mess they leave when handling things?"

Devi laughed, "Are we that careless?"

"Always have been."

"May i know who you are?"

"Your worst nightmare," Hunter jumped at Devi with a punch.

Devi cleverly blocked it punching Him in the torso repeatedly and sending him down on his knee. One knee on the ground, Hunter blocked an uppercut from Devi and grabbed him by his legs sending him on the floor. He tightly squeezed his neck unaware that Devi had removed a knife and stabbed him in the thigh. Devi got off Hunter's tight grip on his neck and hit him with an elbow.

On his way down, Hunter managed to get the knife out of his leg throwing it on the floor and grabbed Devi by his leg and twisted it. Whilst at it, he threw a punch with his left hand hitting Devi on his eye. Devi felt the pain pass through his veins to his brain feeling his whole head go numb. He used his size to his advantage and managed to find his way out of Hunters tight grip maneuvering himself and pushing himself away from him. Hunter was on his feet feeling his thigh bleeding. Was it that he was getting old? Devi proved quiet an opponent and that enraged him.

"Hunter!" Walutanga shouted.

Devi looked at Hunter with fear at the same with satisfaction. "Hunter?"

Hunter saw the perturbation in Devi's eyes and knew that the little man had known who he was.

Devi stepped back looking around. He heard a door squeak from a the hallway and patients were now shouting and blubbering. A nurse shouted from a distance asking what the hell was happening. His eyes quickly spotted an exit.

"This is not over." he looked at Hunter. "It's a pleasure to meet the legendary Hunter and have a face to face beatdown though you are a let down. Your reputation precedes you," He sprinted and disappeared into the darkness.

Hunter didn't have time to chase after him. He went to Walu's bed and found the boy crying his lungs out like the other patients in the ward. There was no time for consolation. Before Walu could know it, he was on Hunter's shoulders leaving the hospital. There was only one place Hunter could think of going to and he didn't have any options. The nurse got into the ward and just saw a window wide open and the curtains seething with the wind.

*****

Ludo reached home and found no one. She was exhausted and wanted a good rest. Meeting Evan always put a toll on her. Perhaps, telling him about Erica could put him in an opposite direction he was heading, she thought as she entered the shower. The settlement that the Patels were offering the Hamuumbu's was way too generous. Ludo had been thinking about it the whole day. Looking at how things where with Evan and possibly Erica, that money would at least make a difference in their lives.

She finished bathing and went to her bedroom. She turned on her laptop and started playing some music. Her stomach rumbled and she went to the kitchen. After getting done eating, she checked her watch and it was 00:33 am and her father wasn't back yet, she wondered. That was unlike him. He was a grown man, she needn't worry about him. She went back to bed and locked her bedroom door. As she got on the bed, she heard a loud thud outside. Startled, she jerked up and grabbed her phone. She called her father but he wasn't picking up.

What if she was being scared of nothing? She asked herself. It could be some cats playing in their yard but then again, the thud was too loud to be of cats. She slowly tiptoed out of her bed and went to the kitchen. She could hear footsteps outside and knew those were of people. Panicking, she dialled 112.

"112, what's your emergency?" An operator asked from the other side of the call.

Before she could answer, she heard her name being called outside by a familiar voice. Her heart was now pounding very fast she was scared she might have a seizure and that would be the worst thing to happen to her in this moment. The phone was still on her ear and the operator repeatedly asked what the problem was.

"Ludo it's me!" the voice was now loud and clear.

"Hunter!" she yelled.

She could never forget his husky voice. She quickly stood up and looked through the window and saw him standing with someone laying on the ground. She ran to the door and opened it. She jumped on him hugging him and didn't notice he was bleeding.

"Hunter where have you been?"

"Easy, younglin," he put her down, "We need help," he looked at the shivering Walutanga on the ground.

Ludo quickly knelt before the boy and saw that he wasn't doing well. She instructed Hunter to carry him inside and once they were in the house, she couldn't believe how both of them were hurt. She knew Hunter could handle the pain but the boy's burns were terrifying. Knowing Hunter, she knew he wouldn't want any untrusted medical personnel to attend to them. She dialled her mother's line because that was the only person who could quickly come to her daughters aid especially now that she was trying so hard to right her wrongs. Ludo talked to her mother and told her to come with some medicine for burns and anything she could think of that would be of help. Zamiwe started asking questions but Ludo assured her she wasn't in any danger but should hurry.

Ludo sprinted to her father's bedroom and grabbed some clean clothes and gave them to Hunter who just looked at them. She didn't want to ask any questions now but kept wondering what the hell had happened to these two. Whilst on it, she got a blanket for the boy and covered him. She also made some tea for Hunter though he didn't touch the cup but was alert to each and every sound he heard outside.

An hour later, Ludo heard a car approaching outside and knew it was her father. She wanted to go outside but Hunter stopped her telling her it could be someone dangerous. She listened to him as she watched him peep through the window.

"It's your father and mother," Hunter looked back at Her.

She was surprised, "Mom and dad!"

She peeped as well and it was them with her mother hurriedly rushing for the door. The door opened and Zamiwe bumped into Hunter and stopped freezing on her feet. Joe followed and immediately stopped when he saw Hunter as well.

"It's fine," Ludo appeared grabbing her mother by the hand and leading her in.

Zamiwe was scared," What's happening love? Are you alright?" she checked Ludo.

Joe entered the house staring at Hunter who looked like he had fallen off an airplane.

"Help the boy mom," Ludo pointed to Walutanga.

Zamiwe quickly knelt before Walutanga and removed the blanket and was astound by the wound. She wanted to ask questions but Ludo told her she would ask later. Ludo left her tending to the boy and walked to her father and assured him everything was fine but wondered what he was doing with her mother this late or perhaps they had met on the road but that was petty to even think of.

"Who is that man?" Joe asked.

"You have forgotten him, this is Hunter, Hunter this is Joe my dad," Ludo introduced them.

Zamiwe overheard and got scared. She remembered him but looking at how comfortable Ludo was, she tried as much as possible to calm herself and work on the boy.

"I don't like the way he's looking at me," Joe said his eyes still on Hunter.

"Don't look him in the eyes, you will only get frightened," Ludo held Joe's hand and let go.

"Why are you so calm?" Joe looked at Ludo.

"I am not as calm as you think i am. I have so many questions for everyone in here. All of you but let's deal with the emergency at hand," she stood up and walked to her mother and Walutanga.

Hunter and Joe followed too and stood behind Ludo while Zamiwe was busy tending to Walutanga. Hunter and Joe looked at each other and then back at Ludo.

To be continued

www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Hidden Dream - Episode 12

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Jay....

I was the talk of our school. Even my friends who laughed at my dancing were now admiring me. I was going to Paris the year after completing school and everyone envied me.

I had gone home and had a confrontation with my father who told me he didn't have time to watch the competition because like he always told me, he wasn't interested. My mother had however watched it and aunty Nelly told me she was so excited even though she didn't tell me to my face.

" you will have to go to the university after you complete school. For me that's settled. Your grades have improved am glad but that will not change my mind about this dancing thing. You won the competition and are going to study dancing? Then what? ?" My father glared at me.

" No way am going to sit here and watch you the son of colonel Zimba, become a clown to entertain people. There's no future in dancing my son you have to understand that. Tell Me how are you going to even earn your income? Or are you planning on going to college after the dance school?"

I wanted to leave his sight at that particular moment but I decided to take it easy. Recalling how Ms Jere had practically forced me to promise I wasn't going to have another confrontation with my father.

" don't go there and pick a quarrel with him. Let him speak his mind he's your father. Just know what you want and let it go" she had advised and I agreed to do as she asked.

That time after we got to school she went back to being my dance teacher and I didn't bring up the topic of my feelings again. Her eyes told me a million words and I needed not to push her. She wasn't going to tell me she loved me as long as I was her student and her, my teacher.

Even when I was dying to get close to her I talked myself out of it and kept my distance.

My days became better as I had the motivation to study harder. One was to prove my self worthy and make it through grade 12 with results that would make my family consider me as a part of them.

The second motive was to prove myself as a man to the woman I had deeply fallen in love with. I just had to man up and ensure I became what she derseved.

Tracy and I had become close and the only reason I allowed it that far, was to cover up my love for Ms Jere. She had accused me of having an affair with her claiming that someone told her I was seen coming from Ms Jere's room the night at the lodge. I couldn't let her go on announcing that news.

so I ensured I painted a picture that she was my girlfriend even though we were not really in any kind of relationship of intimacy. .with time the news faded and I was glad. I feared for my dear Mistress if people were to start talking about us.

That day my father was shouting I didn't respond. I let him say all he had and slowly walked away when he was done. But before I did I calmly told him,

" am sorry you feel that way father, but I will not let anyone else define my life now. I am 20 and am sure I can make my own decisions," I responded calmly looking at mom and dad who sat across the table.

My mother seemed more supportive even though it was evident she didn't want to go against her husband.

Months later.....

I was to write my final exams in a week' s time and I was determined to study harder. John who always stood by me helped me through the most difficult subjects and i was glad my mind was now acquainted with some contents.

Even though my father was behaving harsh with me. He still paid up my tuition fees whenever I was home so I was confident I was going to pass even if it meant getting credits in all the subjects, for me that was good enough.

" why lie to myself I would get 6 points man" I had told John one day as we did our studying.

" you can do it Jay, we all can let's just work hard" he encouraged me but I didn't want to set my standards higher than I could achieve.

" am okey with credits man, believe me I don't intend to do anything else apart from dancing. So why kill myself. 6 points is for you John and my own is making it through grade 12 as long as I pass." I exclaimed and John shook his head.

" you my friend are something else. But I know there's no point in trying to tell you otherwise. I have come to understand you and even when you are having some hard time getting on a good page with your old man, am sure he will one day appreciate you. You are a dreamer and with this kind of determination you will surely get what you want" He went on talking.

" mnmmm you surely have grown my man John I guess being 18 is really giving you some maturity" I teased him as I patted his back.

We both laughed before we started our studying.

" can I talk to you for a minute?" Tracy came over and I almost turned her down. The push on my shoe from John made me to stand up and follow her outside.

" what is it Tracy?" I asked not wanting to waste my studying time.

" Walk me to the other class I have something to ask you" she insisted.

I followed her as she walked close to me. She had been chosen head girl that year and so she had her own office. Instead of going to the class she had mentioned, she turned towards her small office and I sighed hating her hesitation to tell me what she called me for.

" Jay , we are completing school in a month's time and I want to ask the way forward since we have not really talked about us" she spoke up after we got to her office and she sat down whilst I remained standing leaning to the wall.

I almost burst out laughing, but I quickly stoped myself before the laugh could escape my mouth. For me it was funny cause as far as I knew we had nothing going on. The only thing I knew was the fact that we were friends and nothing more.

" are you trying to laugh at me Jay?" She scoffed

" oh no, no" I raised my hand to my face.

" oh God, Tracy, you are so beautiful and a damn hot girl. Sure you are the envy of most guys in this school."

" But?" She asked accusingly. Like she knew what I would say next wouldn't be what she expected.

" how do I put this?" I asked loudly.

" listen, I don't want to sound rude to you and ruin our friendship but I don't think we needed to talk about anything concerning us" I said pointing my hand at her and back at myself.

We cannot possibly have any plan if we never started anything.

" So you are saying you don't love me?" She said almost in a whisper.

" I love you Tracy but only as a friend am sorry if I gave you a different impression. I was even getting to think you are going out with Oswald before he went."

"That was to get you jealousy" she cut in.

" oh okay" I sighed slowly hitting my head on the wall as I picked my next words.

" well am sorry whatever the case I wasn't even jealousy because for me you have always been my good friend and I didn't think you expected something more." I told her honestly.

" is it because of Ms Jere? " she asked.

"here we go again" I snapped moving from the wall.

" am not doing this with you again Tracy. That woman has not done anything to you and for some reason you are always jealousy of her. Am leaving now if you don't mind I got to get to my books some of us are not naturally intelligent and we need to put in our best to pass" I stepped forward to go.

She quickly got in front of me and smiled.

" am sorry I brought her up I can't just help feel she's the reason you won't look at me in the way I want you to , I love you Jay and am tired of waiting for you to see me and ask me to be with you already. We will soon go out there and I want you as my boyfriend" she added holding my chest.

" am sorry I can't. I don't feel the same. You have to get over those feelings cause we are not going to have anything between us" I told her calmly and walked out.

Her insistence got to my nerves when she ran after me and when she caught up, she blocked my way and tried to have me kiss her.

At that moment I saw Angela (Ms Jere) passing along the corridors but I was sure she saw me even when she kept her eyes on her phone as she went forward.

" let me go!" I snapped feeling the urge to ran after Angela and explain the awkwardness Tracy was putting me in.

Stepping aside without a word, Tracy gave me way and I passed her without turning my eyes towards her angry gaze, I was sure was on me that moment.

The following day, I went to check on Ms Jere but was disappointed when I found she had left. Some teacher told me she had taken leave and would not be back until after we were done with the exams.

I tried her line on the phone I had sneaked in but it was off. " how can she go without saying goodbye to me?" I asked the question several times without giving myself an appropriate answer. I decided to put my thoughts of her aside as we went to the exams promising myself I would follow it up when I was done.

To be continued


Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

For everyone who enjoyed this story, you should also check out another story by the same writer - FOLA KING

Read it here - www.youngicee.com/fola-king

Hidden Dream - Episode 11

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Ms Jere....

I saw how he was nervous looking at me. I couldn't make any thing from his action thinking maybe something happened.

When he told me he wanted to talk about his father I knew he wasn't saying the truth.

I was laughing at his statement when he unexpectedly came closer holding my shoulders.

I was about to ask him what was happening, when I felt his wet lips on mine, kissing me as he held on to my shoulders.

For a moment, I was lost of action. I stayed put as he went on kissing my lips, his hands gently sliding to the back.

Coming back to my senses I pushed him back." Jay!" I screamed " stop!"

" I cant" , he whispered withdrawing and looking straight into my eyes.

" I can't stop thinking about you, I have tried to ignore the feelings I have for you and I swear if I didn't do anything about it I was going to go crazy " he said his eyes tearly.

I knew trying to scold or shout at him would make him feel worst of himself. He looked vulnerable.

" Jay, come on sit with me " I calmly told him holding his hand.

I indicated for him to sit down and he kept looking at me. His pure passion so vivid I felt my stomac melt.

" am sorry" he whispered now realising what he had done.

I smiled slightly. " are you?" I asked him and he turned to look at my face.

" no, actually am not, I have never really kissed someone like that before and I can't deny I felt so good. I know I should have not but I couldn't help it. The thing is, deep down my heart am happy am here with you. I don't know what you are thinking about me but I think am falling in love with you."

His last words got to me. I tried to open Mouth to say something but no words came out. I hated myself at that moment cause my body was beginning to betray me. If it was someone else I could not have allowed them even closer to me, worst still kiss my lips . But oh God this guy was really giving me a hard time.

" you are just confused Jay, you look at me as the person that understands you and with what has happened with your father and staff you feel comfortable around me. You are not in love with me but it's just a moment. it will soon pass and you will surely agree with me." I tried to explain swallowing some of my words as i struggled to speak.

" I get it, am just a stupid boy with a fantasy, I can't even tell my feelings apart right? " he asked looking hurt.

" no" I tried to speak but he stood up quickly.

" yes that's it. You were clear enough. But you are so wrong," he paused.

" I don't want to even call you madam because that makes me feel awkward" he went on.

" you can't look at me in any way different am just a dull child with lost ambitions. "

" stop that Jay you know that's not true. You are getting upset and that is not a good sign. You know I care about you but we can't be more than teacher and pupil. Am older than you for crying out loud. What do you want me to tell you? "

" am not going to be the first person to fall in love with an older woman. Besides it's not all that big a difference. " he shrugged.

" you are crazy. Please you have to think over this and understand this is impossible. What are people going to say? "

I saw him look away evidently hurt. He held my hands and looked down my eyes.

" I will prove you wrong Angela, I will come back to you one day and you will then know that am not just a small boy and that it's not my hormones that are making me confused. I love you and one day you will understand..." He whispered and bent down to kiss my forehead before walking out.

My strength was gone. I sighed as I sat back on the bed my mind wild with thoughts. " oh God help me, what is going on? " I asked myself holding my face as I pushed back the tears that threatened to spill over .

The look that I saw in his eyes sent shivers in my body. He looked so calm and serious about his last sentence I feared the worst.

" what will happen now and how am I going to get through this? I frowned putting down my head.

If It was was someone else, a man order than me and not my student I would have been jumping with excitment. I could have known that I found the love of my life. But , No, that wasn't the case. The reality was so complicated it made me want to cry.

Deep in my heart I wished Jay won't stop dancing on account of what just happened. He was doing so well I didn't want him going back to his sad old self.

My night was long as my mind kept on fighting different thoughts.

Jay.....

Early the following morning I woke up still feeling tired. I really couldnt sleep. I just kept on touching my lips and leaking the taste of her lips on them. Every time I closed my eyes I could see images of her beautiful face.

" she's wrong" I told myself.

" I not confused and I damn well know what I want. I am not just a boy with hormones but I feel like a man in love." I thought to myself.

from her reaction I knew she felt something for me and that for me, was good enough.

Instead of being discouraged I felt the urge to even do better and make sure I won her over. I was going to have her one way or another. I sat outside the lodge in the same spot as before and planned it all out. I was going to complete my secondary school and would go back for her.

Thoughts of her being taken by another man came to my mind but I was quick to push them away. " I will make it in life and she will accept me" I comforted myself.

Evening came and the dancing went on well. I saw her walk to the bus before we went to the competition and she looked calm. No one could tell something happened between us as she called me and asked me to carry her file as she did before. I tried to look at her but she was clearly avoiding my eyes and I smiled in my heart. " If she cannot look straight in your eyes it's because she's got feelings for you and is trying to hide the truth from you" I recalled my friend' s words.

After the awards were given of which Tracy and I got the first position and another couple from our group 4th position. We were awarded sums of money for the school and what really made me proud was that the guest of honour presented a special award. She was a white woman from Paris.

" now for our special award this evening we have selected 2 of our dancers and are rewarding them with a scholarship to go and study dancing in Paris. These two will be provided with transport , accommodation and all the necessary expenditure paid for during the period of their stay there."

" oh how lucky they are" , I spoke aloud. I was still talking when Tracy patted my hand.

" what?" I asked looking at her.

" it's you Jay!" She shouted excited.

" what! " I whispered not getting her point.

" Can we have Jared Zimba, from Luangwa secondary come to the front please!" I heard a man's voice from the loud speakers. Then it downed, I was the guy who won the scholarship.

Still shocked i stood up and looked around as everyone kept searching through the crowd to see who I was. I looked up at the TV hanging in the wall and saw myself on the screen. I felt like everything had has stopped moving.

" come on Jay! Go get it! " Came Ms Jere's sweet voice bringing me back from my shock.

She held my hand and led me to the front and I tagged along like a child.

I received the award after once again greeting the guest of honour who congratulated me. Turning to the cheering noise as people cheared on top of their voices. My friends came to the stage running and screaming!.

I felt great. The happiness in my heart was beyond what I had anticipated . It had always been my dream to find my way to the outside world to learn more about dancing and now my dream was coming true earlier than I had ever dreamt.

That night we didn't go straight to the lodge. Ms Jere offered us another night out and we had lots of funny.

I kept stealing glances at her but Tracy made it so difficult for me to have a close moment with her, but i was still happy being around her and everyone with me.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

Blood Legacy - Episode 11

© Brian Ngoma

Trying to think of what had happened in the two villages in two consecutive nights bothered and gave Hunter a terrible headache. He had first thought of Ben and Devi and knowing them, he knew everything was about the land. What if they planned of getting rid of Chief Chovu's whole family including his daughter in the other village? He asked himself. What was the big deal with the land that they were willing to go to that extent of killing everyone in their way? He knew they worked as contractors but who was behind the all the scheme? He remembered what Walutanga's sister said before dying. She mentioned something about children, did she mean her children? That wasn't his concern at the moment but Walu was and he had to get to him as soon possible. He didn't know why but there was some sort of urgency in his heart and through his job in the past, he learned to trust his instinct.

The truck he had gotten onto had many problems on the way. They had to stop several times and repair it. Despite being in pain, Hunter did all the work. The old man tried to stop him but he couldn't let him because that meant wasting a lot of time. They reached the city on Monday morning. He had been in the city some two years ago when he came to check up on Ludo. Like last time, he went to check on her incognito. Before heading to the hospital, he went to her work place and stood in the shadows and watched her hurriedly going to the gate and dropping something on the ground. She got up and looked back.

"Same old Ludo," He said before leaving.

He reached the hospital around 10am. It wasn't difficult finding Walutanga because the moment he mentioned a fire victim, the Nurses knew who he was referring to. They escorted him to the ward. He found Walutanga under some sedatives. He got a chair and sat beside him while the nurse checked on the boy.

"We are glad he has a guardian, " she said. "He's been crying that he is alone. It's such a tragedy that his whole family died. "

Hunter didn't say anything.

"You don't look so good yourself, " she noticed some bruises on his face. "Can I check?"

"No thank you," he refused politely.

"Okay. "

The nurse left him. He was tired. He hadn't had any descent sleep in the last 48 hours and his whole body was burning up from the burn wounds as well as the hit from the car. The pain was incredibly disturbing but he succumbed. He had faced worse, this was child's play.

"It hurts," Walu moaned.

Hunter sat upright, "It's okay boy."

Walutanga didn't believe his ears, he turned his head and yes, it was who he thought it was, his bestfriend Hunter.

"Hello boy."

"Hunter!" he exclaimed trying to move.

"Watch that leg."

"When did you get here?"

"An hour ago."

"Where is my family? Where are we? I have been told i'm in the city."

"Yes. We are in the city."

"What happened?"

"You don't remember? "

"All I remember is a big fire and I passed out. Is my family safe?"

Hunter bowed his head. He didn't know what to tell the boy. He felt a great responsibility thrust upon his shoulders. He knew he had to tell the boy so that he found out what he knew. There was no time to waste, the sense of urgency struck again.

****

Around 5pm, every worker at Lance and Associate was clearing their desks and getting ready to go back to their homes. Ludo was taking a final look at the files that she had been reviewing. Her bosses had been in their offices the whole day. She hadn't seen either of the two since morning when she was excused by Lance. She packed the file, unplugged her phone from the charger and stood up. She looked around one more time and walked to the door. She didn't see anyone, the place was deserted. She figured most of her workmates had knocked off.

When she got outside, she found Lance and Caesar's cars still there. She found the security guard dosing in his small office.

"Ba Mbewe wake up!" she shouted.

Startled, Mbewe jerked up to his feet, "Ba Ludo mwasebenza bwanji?" (How was work?)

"Bwino Bwa Ba Mbewe, (Fine and you?) sleeping on duty ka?"

"Ah nalema. Onikombola naye sabwela ayi." (I am tired. The guard in the next shift hasn't come yet.)

"He's coming," Ludo laughed and started walking.

"Oh, Ba Ludo," Mbewe stopped her. "Kwenze kwabwela bamuna so benzo kufunani. Bayenda manje manje so," (There was a man who came here looking for you) he got out of his small office and checked the road.

There was no one but a young couple walking on the road. Ludo looked around too but she didn't see anyone familiar. She said bye to Mbewe and walked down the road to the station. Whilst waiting for the bus, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around and it was Evan.

"Hi Ludo," he said nervously.

How could i have missed it, she asked herself. Of course it was Evan Ba Mbewe had said came. She stared at him for a good ten seconds without uttering anything. She could tell he was high on something but didn't care. She was done with him.

"I'm sorry Ludo, i was around these areas and thought of checking up on you," his hands were filthy.

"What's happening to you Evan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You need help."

"I need a K50."

"Oh my god," she rolled her eyes. "Really?"

He didn't say anything.

"Do you know that Erica is back in town?"

"What!"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

"High Bridge Hotel with Jean."

"She's still with that bastard."

"I wouldn't say that looking at the current events. Go see her she might need your help and you definitely need hers."

Evan didn't say a word but looked at Ludo for a while. She was avoiding his eyes and he could tell that from the few glimpses she had caught of him, she was disgusted by him.

Behind them, a car pulled up.

"Everything alright here," Caesar inquired with his hand hanging out carefully looking at Ludo.

Ludo turned around, "Everything is fine sir."

"I thought this man was troubling you."

"No sir."

"Do you mind a lift, I'm heading to Avondale too."

Ludo wasn't surprised that her new boss knew where she resided. He probably checked her file.

"I don't but I'm not going home directly sir, thank you."

"If you say so," Caesar drove off looking at Evan dreadfully.

A bus stopped at the station. Ludo looked at Evan and told him to go see Erica as soon as possible. She told the conductor to give him a K50. The bus left him standing wondering what the hell was going on with his life. He felt ashamed of himself. He knew he had to turn things around and with What Ludo had said about Erica, perhaps this would be a breakthrough for him. He decided to go and meet her.

****

Hunter had had a long day consoling Walutanga at the hospital. He had told him about his family and the boy had been crying all day refusing to eat or do anything. He couldn't even tell him about the other death of his sister and the missing children. He knew it would break him off. He decided to wait till he was better.

Walutanga slept and that gave Hunter some time for reflection of what was happening. He watched the boy sleep and he started dosing as well. He decided to go outside for some air and probably get some water. He got outside and it was dark already. He felt his wound burn inside his coat. He ignored the pain. After some minutes, he decided to go back inside. As he was walking to the ward, he noticed something strange, the nurses were nowhere to be seen. He hurried to where Walutanga was. As he got closer, he noticed the curtain to Walutanga's stall was slightly moved. He had pushed it all the way. He put the bottle of water on a table and slowly walked to the stall. He heard some grumbling coming from the stall and the bed could be heard shaking. He moved the curtain and found Walutanga was being strangled by no other than Devi.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Seducive Amina 18+
Episode 15
“Ebele, please don’t kill me” he cried out, crawling away from the approaching figure.
“You deserve more than death for what you’ve done to me, and my family” the coarse voice sounding more like echo than humanly, Ucha shivered at the sight of the approaching figure. He lunge forward strike his matchet on screaming Ucha.
“Nooooooooo!” The frightened voice echo in the room, the lamp light switch on illuminating the room. Ucha shivered in fear at the sudden light.
“Honey, what is the matter?” His wife who has been waken up by his scream ask, he didn’t say a word. He strode out of the room not saying a word.
He went to his beautiful sitting room, and sit on one of the sofa not wanting to sleep, he switch on the TV with massive screen and started viewing what is on the TV.
________
Even at his 50’s, the principal of Upaga community Secondary school could be mistaken as someone at his 30’s. His face shaved from hairs and his bald head has given him more reasons to cut off all the hairs on his head. In his office, the principal office is a separate building detached from the staff rooms building, a distance of feet walk. The painted office has a standing fan and a Celine fan, the principal has insisted on the standing fan, to keep his office in a cool temperature.
His head bent and his hands moving in a notable speed on a paper place before him on the table. He shifted his glasses momentarily and continue writing, he is known for saying “hello!” with his resounding bass. nickname Hello by his students.
A soft knock landed on his office’s door, he mumbled “come in”. A teenage girl step in and closed the door behind her, Mr. Okoro didn’t raise his head up.
“Am having a breast ache” the girl said sounding seductively, she busy herself removing her buttons. Her button loose, her pink bra in display.
“Hello! Go meet madam Beatrice to take you to the chemist” he responded without raising his head up, Madam Beatrice is a teacher in the school who is in charge of the school’s first aid.
“The itch will go away if you can squeeze and suck on my nipples” almost moaning out those words, Mr. Okoro furious of the disturbance from his student raise his head up to send her out of his office and then think of a better punishment.
She has already unclasp her bra that is lying recklessly on the office floor, Mr. Okoro raise his head. His mouth went dry and his eyeglass left his eyes to the floor, he could only mumble “Hello!”. In his entire life, he has never come across such beautiful twins on her chest, firm round and full. he salivated at mere looking at those perky nipples on her breast.
Her finger press on her lower bottom lips, she suck on it and drag it slowly from her lips to her chest. She grab her breast and squeeze “oh” she moaned licking her lips. Bead of sweats form on his face, he has never in his life been turned-on like this.
“All these will be yours if Mr. John bull didn’t remove my name in prefectship list” she promised winking at him, the principal swallowed hard.
“What is your name?” He stuttered, struggling with his erection.
“Amina”
_______
Chief Ucha couldn’t believe his ears, when he received a phone call that the police are after him. He climb his stairs hastily, to grab his car key. He had tried releasing the assailant in police net but to his amazement the former Area commander has been transferred. He couldn’t get to bribe the new one ’cause of the people interested in the issues.
“Honey” his wife called out to him, as he jam the door open. He ignored her and pick his car key. He half-ran and half-climb down the stairs, he push the major door entrance.
“Stop there!” Three police men ordered him, a gun pointed at him by one of the police officer. Shocked, he realize he has come to the end of the road.
“Let’s talk about this officers like gentlemen, I can give you 3million naira. Please let me go” he pleaded, proposing a huge amount of money, the three police officers look at each other.
_______
Upaga community Secondary school, is about to close for the section. The third term examination has just been done with and the whole school has assembled in a hall, the principle stood on the podium with other academic staffs and teachers. The D-day to call out those who has been given prefectship positions. He addressed and prayed with the students, after the closing remark. He was given a paper to call from.
“Senior prefect of this great school is Victor Enu” he called out, Victor step forward from the noisy crowd hailing him, mostly the girls that he is very popular among them.
“And the senior prefect girl is . . . Amina Ebele” he called, she step forward like her majesty, the crowd was quiet as never before. A noisy cheer erupt in the crowd of students all of a sudden.
“Aminaaa!”
“Aminaaa!”
“Aminaaa!”
Other prefects were called forward and the Senior prefect was asked to give a speech.
“Is a thing of joy, to witness such a great day in the history of this great school. I don’t know how to express my gratitude with words but on behalf of my fellow prefects we appreciate your trust, and we will serve you in loyalty and accountability” the crowd went haywire with chants.
“Sp!”
“Sp!”
“Sp!”
The crowd was quieten by the principal. He dismiss them.
“Sp girl, see me in my office” he said to Amina, and left the crowd with some of the teachers. He dismissed the teachers and went into his office with lots of naughty thoughts on how fulfill his fantasy on Amina, he chuckled and sat on his chair, he waited patiently at times looking at the door or he will step out to check if she is on her way, hours pass by and the school became quiet like a graveyard.
His hope high, he thought she has mapped out a perfect time to come to his office, towards dusk. The school become busy again, with the youths of Upaga who usually come to the school to play soccer and other sports in the evening. Mr. Okoro was very furious, that a little girl has used him like a puppet, his stomach complaining of starvation. He locked his office and drive out of the school compound vowing to deal with Amina mercilessly when school re-opens next term.
______
The three officers were very furious at the unrepentant Ucha, the handcuffed him and drag him into their car like a notorious criminal.
________
Upaga community has a lively nightlife, especially the main town. Kids were allowed to go play at night by their parents, and mostly youths hang around with their peers either gisting or gossiping. The barbers shops do not disappoint with their loudspeakers, and older men hang around in bars drinking and having a nice time with their friends. While some play checkers with their mates and other mind games like whot, there is someone whose evening isn’t friendly like the others.
Dada popularly called Mallam for his ability to speak Hausa and selling of meats, he was swearing under his breath as he pass a lively bar, this road has a footpath to leads to Amina’s home. YouTube, was at this local bar when he sighted him, wondering what he is upto, he hurried out of the bar to meet him.
“Mallam, where you dey go for this kind time?” He said, voice raised to halt the moving Dada. He hasten his footsteps to caught up with him.
“I dey go Amina house” he said furiously, clenching his fist. He had vow to deal with that naughty girl Amina.

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/seductive-amina

Episode 14
“Since, the girl is ‘causing us much trouble to get, why don’t we capture her mother, she will have no choice than to marry you for her mother’s freedom” the young man suggested, Ucha find his suggestion thrilling. He wonder why he hasn’t thought of that for a longtime ago.
“Nice one Spiff, I never thought of that. Humming, I want you to make arrangements for that. But execute it when school is in section, understood”
“Yes, boss” Spiff respond, bow and left. A smile play on Ucha’s face. He brought out a picture from his pocket.
“You never know what you worth Amina, either ways. Am going to have you” he said proudly.
________
The room has a taste of womanly arrangement, most of it design is girly colours. Wearing just a bumshort and a girly singlet is Amina, she lay on her bed with a pillow place beneath her, reading a book. Her door open, she look towards the door.
“Vicky!” She scream happily, ran into his arms. Hugging him tight.
“Em done do, you no even sabi hug” he said laughing, she grab the package in his hand and brought out a phone packet.
“Which kind old fashion be this, na only Nokia torch dey the market?” She said frowning.
“You no Sabi T H A N K” he spelled it out, laughing loudly.
She brought out the phone from it package with charger, since there is light she charged the phone. Victor, lie on her bed and brought out another phone, which is Android from his pocket.
“Our two go use this one” he said, Amina jump on him happily. She struggle to get the phone from him, since he is preventing her from getting it. They roll on the bed, flipping each other over vu.
“See your prick don stand for this small play” he took his hand off from the phone and covered his groin with his palms, chuckling. Amina couldn’t stop laughing.
She took the phone and tap on the screen, the light came alive. She tap and scroll on the screen.
“Ah aah!” sounds playing out of the phone, Victor snatch the phone from her hand.
“Na wetin you go check first” he put the phone inside his pocket, chuckling.
“Wetin porn dey do inside your phone?” She asked arms akimbo.
“For new styles” he respond nonchalantly. Hit by intuition.
“Ehem, which prefectship you dey vouch for?” He asked sitting on her bed, Amina who has been standing thought for awhile.
“Sp Girl” she said smiling sheepishly.
“God no go gree, try go for another position” he retorted sharply, looking shocked by the revelation.
“Na that one, I dey go for and I go get am” she insist.
“I go spoil am for you” he said standing up to leave, she pounce on him tickling him, he couldn’t stop himself from laughing insanely.
“Amina, stop na” he plead laughing, he removed the phone in his pocket and stood up, he ran out of the room. Amina took the phone, and went through the door also.
_______
11:40am
Upaga community primary and nursery school is fenced round, built close to the village express way. With a gate which serves as entrance and exit from the school main compound and police by a gateman, the gate is normally closed by the gateman when the pupils are in their various classes and open when the school’s closes for the day which is 12noon. a car divert from the road and park by the gate. One of the occupants step down from the car, walk to the gate and knock.
“Who be that?” An old man roughly at his 60’s, at his grey days. Walk to the gate, open the small entrance through the gate. The young man lower his hand holding a gun to his stomach. The old man raise his hands high up in the sky with freight.
Eventually, the busy road has mobile police officers plying into the village at this occurrence. They slow down and divert parking beside the gate when they suspected the car and the gateman raising his hands high up.
“s***!” He quickly tug his gun in his belt, and wanted to go in. But the gateman ran out of the gate pointing at him. Two police officers jump down from the van and ran after him, a gun shot fired from the car formerly park the bullet hitting the gateman at his head, he fell and bled to death. Three other police officers in the van, jump down raining bullets on the car, the driver ignite the engine, swerve the car with shattered glasses towards the busy road and sped off, running on the main road.
The other assailant who ran into the school, ran into the security house built close to the gate. He jammed the door and tried to bolt it, but the lock is already damaged, he pressed his weight on the door. He was confused on what to do, when the first bang hit the door hard, he made a precipitation move to shoot anyone he finds when he opens the door.
He drag the door open, throwing caution to the wind. He was hit by a log of wood on his hand and his gun fell off.
“Ah!” He groan in pain, from the impact. The gun was taken by one of
the police officer.
“Don’t move!” Threatened the other police officer holding the gun pointed at him, he was handcuffed and dragged away.
The school that day has something to talk on.
_____
Heavy breath and heavy foot-falls, the moonlight was at its best. Shedding light rays, a man bare footed. With just boxer and singlet, hold fear and lost in his eyes, look around the valley, not knowing where to go.
“Chai oohh–” he panicked as his pursuer ran after him with great energy brandishing a shiny matchet, Chief Ucha ran downwards on the sloppy downhills. He lost his balance and tumble down, his pursuer jumped down like non-human.
“Ebele, don’t kill me” he cried out, crawling away from the approaching figure.

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Blood Legacy - Episode 10

© Brian Ngoma

Her heart almost out of place and not knowing what the near future held for her, Ludo walked quickly to the gate that she dropped some files in her hand. She bent down and picked them all up. While standing up, she felt a cold rush of air on her neck she turned around. She felt like someone was watching her. She tried to look around but there was no one. She walked into the building her eyes everywhere. Upon entering, she saw Lance and Caesar's cars in the parking lot. She cussed herself about what happened on Saturday. She entered and found Lauren on the reception busy typing something on the Laptop. Ludo passed her without saying anything and went direct to her office. As soon as she put her handbag on the table, Lance was standing on the door with his hands in the pocket.

"Goo … good Morning sir," Ludo stuttered.

"Follow me," Lance turned around.

Ludo didn't know what to touch or carry. She just started off and followed Lance to his office. When she entered she found Caesar sited in the chair. He turned his head when he heard the door squeak after Lance had come in.

"Take a seat," Lance told her.

She grabbed the only seat next to Caesar, "Morning sir," she regarded him.

"Morning," he didn't look at her.

She felt dumb and stupid. What else did he think of her? Obviously, incompetent. She sat on the edge of the chair seemingly looking at Lance while her mind had wondered off.

"What happened Ludo?" Lance asked sitting down. "Is that how we will be acting whenever we come across a client we have history with?"

"I'm sorry Sir, i was unprofessional. I let my emotions get the Better of me."

"How do you know her?" Caesar asked.

"We crossed paths six years ago. I assure you it won't be a problem again."

"It better not be," Lance said passing files to the both of them.

Ludo and Caesar grabbed the files and opened them while Lance looked at them. Ludo's heart was now in place knowing she still had the job.

"Her case doesn't seem to have any stronghold," Caesar said. "I told her that on Saturday but she seems to be determined. Yes i understand the Patels got her family companies and all but what she's claiming isn't something that we can go to trial with."

Lance nodded in approval, "It's baseless yes but she chose us. Ludo," he looked at Ludo.

"Yes," she responded.

"What do you think? I know you've just seen the file but what's your view?"

Ludo looked at the file again and back at Lance. She knew this was probably a trap because of what happened the other day. She needed to show expertise.

"Huh, I'd need more time to check the file."

"You had the time on Saturday," Caesar moved uneasily in his seat.

"I know the case might seem out of reach like my senior associate has said," she looked at Caesar. "But i think this woman trust us," she avoided mentioning Erica's name. "As it is right now, i assume the firm will work on this case so a positive result in this process is nearly the product of teamwork. We can adopt a litigation strategy that best suits our clients' risk tolerance and overall objectives like what's her end game in all of this. We have to find out and i am sure that she will contribute by providing expertise and knowledge of the facts firsthand. Remember, her parents owned Triple E Group of companies. Meanwhile, we will provide expertise on the legal issues, the trial process, the client's options for resolution, and the potential risks and rewards of each option," she exhaled.

Caesar was surprised.

"You see what i told you," Lance added. "She's a natural."

Ludo was astound, "What's happening here?"

"You see what we were doing here, we were testing you. Before you came in, Caesar and i decided to give you a simple test. So you think Caesar would quit even before the case start?"

Caesar laughed.

"I wouldn't know, i don't know him," she looked at him.

"You have to go to the bar as soon as possible. You're getting good at this. Now let's continue," Lance sunk back in his chair.

As soon as everyone was comfortable, the door forcibly opened and Erica badged in sweating profusely and looking all confused. Ludo and the men jerked up to their feet.

"The bastard want me to settle," Erica shouted on top of her voice. "He's offering me K15 million."

"That's a lot of money," Ludo held her mouth.

"Shut up!" Erica yelled at Ludo.

Lance looked at Ludo. Fortunately, she kept her composure. Caesar gave Erica a chair and she hesitantly took it. They all watched her cool off but wondered why she was so upset with the offer from the Patel's. She had to have expected that because Farhan Patel never liked the attention especially one spanned by the media. Hence, reaching out to her to settle the matter before it even reached to the trial stage.

Lance wanted to say something to Erica when Lauren knocked on his office door. He told her to enter and she did. She stood motionlessly while she stared at Lance.

"Speak!"

"Anderson is here," she said.

Ludo's heart pounded. That was her former boss and she instantly knew why he had come. Anderson loved high class cases and his law firm was known to be one of the prestigious ones in the country and represented politicians, businessmen and women among others.

Lance also had an idea, "Ms. Erica, is Anderson..."

"Yes, he's the one who approached me. He's representing the Patels."

"How could i have missed this?" Lance sighed. "Let him in," he told Lauren. "Ludo can you excuse us."

"No problem," Ludo said. "Can i go with the file?"

"Of course, take a look at it," Lance told her.

Ludo left the office together with Lauren. She couldn't avoid bumping into Anderson who just looked at her with contempt without saying a word.

"Former boss Eh?" Lauren asked.

"Yes and he's a douchebag I tell you," she clapped her hands.

"Aren't they all?" Lauren looked around and chuckled.

"It's too early for gossiping. Go back to your desk."

Ludo went back into her office. She couldn't concentrate on the file but kept thinking of what was being talked about in Lance's office. She sat on her edge hoping to hear the door open but it took an hour for someone to come out of that office and it was Erica who stormed out the same way she had entered. Ludo stood up and went to the door only to find Erica reaching the exit. She wondered what could have made her upset this time. She also thought about the K15 million which was been offered by the Patels for settlement. That was a lot of money which she could take without hesitation but it wasn't her in the shoes.

A moment later, Anderson came out of the office. As he passed Ludo's office, he stopped and knocked. Ludo quickly stood up and walked to the door.

"Own office now?" Anderson smiled.

Ludo smiled back, "Yes sir."

"How are you doing?"

"Doing great how's you?"

"Perfect."

"That's good to hear."

"Hope you will be in court too. See you around."

"See you."

Ludo knew Erica had refused to settle but why was the question. That was a lot of money for someone to refuse.

******

"So what you're telling me is that all I need is to sign the papers and the K2 million is mine?" Mapulanga looked at Ben and Devi.

"Sure," Ben answered. "And you get to rule Chisoti Village."

Devi cleared his throat, "There's one other thing though."

"What's that?" Grace asked.

"Well you're well aware of the tragedy that befell the Chief of Chisoti village, your brother, " he paused, "May his soul rest in peace. There is one surviving member and from the interactions that we've had with him before, he's not willing to sell."

"Technically, " Ben joined. "He's the next chief in line and that leave you hmmm."

"What we are trying to say here is that this K2 million cannot get in your hands if the boy lives," Devi said bluntly.

"And he's in pretty bad shape," Ben added. "Might as well just put him out of the misery."

Mapulanga stared at the two men and thought about everything they had just said. They were suggesting murder to him and didn't seem bothered at all.

"What makes you think I cannot report you to the police?" he asked them.

"Come on, a man who married is own blood sister. What is murder to him?" Devi hit the nail on the head.

Mapulanga laughed, "I like you two," he pointed at them. "I don't owe my brother anything and as far as I am concerned, he owed me nothing. Do what you need to do, I think it's high time we go back home," he looked at Grace, "Isn't it so darling?"

"About time."

****

Ben and Devi left Mapulanga's house feeling getting closer to securing Chisoti village's land as never before. All they needed to do was get rid of Walutanga.

"We do it together this time," Devi said getting into the car.

"No. That's your job. I don't do the dirty job. I am a diplomat, remember? "

"Come on, look at how beat up I am. I still cannot figure out who that was. I hope he died because we cannot have people lurking around our business. If he survived, I hope the camera got him pretty good."

Ben's phone rang.

"Answer it," Devi said tightening his seatbelt.

"It's Naveen."

"Oh snap," I am not here.

Ben answered, "Yes boss."

Devi watched him talk on the phone. As a matter of fact, he wasn't talking but kepting humming in agreement to whatever Naveen was saying on the other side. A few minutes later, Ben hang up and sighed.

"He heard about all the whole fire thing in Chisoti village and hopes we have nothing to do with it."

"He's the one who said we should get the land at all cost. That's the cost. I hope you didn't show him we have anything to do it."

"No but he's pretty psyched talking about a Lawsuit that his family is currently trying to deal with, saying they don't need any bad press especially concerning the land. He also said once we acquire the land, we step back. He will start his project after a year or two."

"So long as we get paid. And if everything goes wrong, we have the culprit on Camera."

They both looked at the Camera in the backseat of the car.

To be continued

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Hidden Dream - Episode 10

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Tracy....

I ran to the front and walked closer to the Windows looking at some clothes. I couldn't stay any more close to him. " is he crazy? " I asked myself getting upset. I knew there was nothing going on between us but Jay was starting to get on my nerves.

He kept on eyeing our dance teacher and I started feeling irritated. I was sure I looked good. After we arrived at the lodge I had taken extra time bathing and dressing up.

I recall Ms Jere had called me to tell me that we would have our dinner at Arcades and later on walk around before returning to the lodge.

" you girls just freshen up and let's have some time out. I don't want you to be all groomy tommorow I want you relaxed" she added with her killer smile.

I just couldn't help feel jealousy. I used to like her so much and her beauty was evident. I always thought she was the most beautiful and good looking teacher in the school but now I wasn't liking it at all.

I was only 16 but I felt so much attracted to Jay. I tried my girlish gestures to have him notice me but ended up hurt when he only saw me as a friend.

I noticed how much I had been on him trying to raise some small fights so that I can just keep close but the guy completely ignored me.

My aunty at home even told it was just my teenage hormenes bulging up but I clearly denied her allegation.

" am not crazy aunty", I would tell her.

" I have not felt anything like I feel for Jay and I know he's my first love." I argued.

" well be careful cause if your mother was to know you have started having such thoughts she will skin you alive" my aunty would threaten me.

" I didn't say am going to give myself to him for sex Aunty, I just like him that's it" I stood my defence and she raised her hands in surrender.

" you are a little stubborn thing my friend and I hope you will be careful. Don't fantasize about a guy that doesn't even look at you. I have been there and it can drive people of your age crazy" she shrugged and kept on cleaning the house.

I wanted to ignore the urge to want Jay close to me but everytime I saw him I just couldn't resist.

Whenever he danced with me I took it so personal and I felt he belonged to me. Call me foolish or whatever I wanted him for myself and him eyeing my teacher wasn't so cool.

" Tracy!, can you call the others I think we should head back to the lodge now. The driver wants to go and rest and we all need to. We have a long day tommorow" Ms Jere told me

" sure Madam" I responded walking to the other side.

Back at the lodge she stood by the door and talked to us a bit before she turned to go I walked to the door.

" Ms Jere," I started patting my thighs as i stood near her .

" what is it dear?" She asked clamly smiling at me.

" I have something to ask you" I started figiting.

" yep!" She acknowledged looking at her phone.

" are we going to wear a little make up tomorrow?"

she stopped looking at her phone and looked up at me." I see you want to look good huh?" She let a laugh.

" Yeah I think so, you are ball room dancers and I want you all to look spectacular, no wonder I told you I will have to take you out to the saloon in the morning to do your hair, nails and make-up."

"But, be warned you will have to undo everything before you go to class on monday" she quickly added.

"Great!" I shouted rushing back to the girls. We were 4 in total so were the guys.

"Girls we will look great tomorrow and we gonna beat them I shouted throwing myself on the bed as the girls all laughed excited.

" I can bet my Jay will look so handsome in his suit and I can't wait for him to hold me in those perfect hands" I said closing my eyes and mimicking the dance extending my hands like I was dancing with him.

" he's just your dancing partner and not your boyfriend Tracy" my friend reminded me and I stood up to her.

" well , never say never right?" I blushed proudly.

The following morning I woke up early and as the girls started dressing up I first decided to take a walk out the lodge.

It was still early and we had awaken early because of the excitement. We still had hours before Ms Jere would take us to the saloon. The competition was starting at 18 hours that evening so we still had time.

Walking outside, I saw Jay seated in the garden chair leaning back and facing the sky like he was in deep thoughts

" hey early Bird!" I called out as I walked towards him.

He turned sharply looking my direction.

" Tracy" he said with a sigh like he was disappointed seeing me.

" yeah you expecting to see someone else?" I mocked him.

" No, am just surprised you are up. It's still early you should be with your friends inside."

Jay told me still in his same posture.

" well I couldn't sleep any more and needed to have some fresh air out here. Am just wondering why you are out here all alone " I paced around like a small girl seeking for attention.

" am mostly alone. That's me " he smiled and I kept my eyes at his face.

" no offence, but I need to be alone now" he murmered

" none taken Dear" I said feeling hurt by his not paying attention to me.

I went back inside to join the others fighting the urge to defile his request and stay outside with him.

JAY............

I couldnt sleep. I kept on figiting in my bed that night and before 06 am I was up.

I took a quick bath and went to sit outside. I couldnt stay in anymore. I felt so nervous and the images of Ms Jere were not fading from my mind.

" what is wrong with me?" I asked myself as I leaned back in the chair.

" am not supposed to be thinking about a woman who was older than me even when I knew it was only by 2 years, she still was older and to make matters more complicated, my teacher."

I had never had any formal girlfriend as in some kind of relationship so I wouldnt say I was in love cause I surely didn't know what love was.

I was lost in thoughts when Tracy called me out.

For a moment my mind played me and I heard Ms Jere's voice, but when I turned to the direct ion of the voice I almost frowned seeing Tracy smiling as she got closer.

She somehow noticed my disappointment seeing her there but I didn't bother to act any better. instead I asked her to leave excusing myself for wanting some lone time.

I had hoped Ms Jere would come out at some point probably in her pyjamas but my dream didn't come true as I realised it was time for the barber shop after staying out for some time.

We were seated in the conference centre at 17: 30 after we were registered. The girls looked so good in their cocktail dresses and their hair done. My attention went to my partner Tracy who looked exceptionally stunning. Her pink silk dress falling on her body to her feet and a long slit in the front. An appropriate dress for the first dance which was called Paso Doble..

She smiled at me and I flashed back a smile at her but I instantly turned away my attention when Ms Jere emerged walking in her red heels towards us.

She wore a short velvet black dress with a silver neck chain that outlined her open chest above the cleavage. Her silver purse glittered on her right hand matching with the neck chain and the wrist watch on the other hand.

I couldn't hold it anymore, like an idiot I walked to her and welcomed her.

" wow! You look exceptionally beautiful this evening Ms." I recommended her bowing my head towards her and she flashed me her captivating smile.

" Thank you Mr Zimba" she bow her head a bit, teasing me back.

That evening we were called to the dance floor and we all did our best dancing gracefully pleasing the judges. We now had to wait until the following night when we were to do the last two dances which included salsa.

We were taken back to the lodge as the group was filled with excitment. Even when we knew we were to be awarded as couples we all remained optimistic one or two couples from our group was going to be picked.

Everyone left to their rooms but I walked out after removing my Jacket and remained with my shirt with loosened buttons.

I had to see her one more time and before I could talk myself out of it, I walked to her room knocking softly at her door without hesitation.

" hey, what are you doing here?" Ms Jere asked looking outside. I wasn't sure if she wanted to see if I was with someone or she was afraid of someone seeing me knocking at her door late at night.

" I, I, I came to see you for something can I come In?" I asked

" Yeah sure" she sighed opening the door to allow me in.

She had removed her shoes but was still in her dress, now I could see her a shoulder shorter than me.

" I came to ask what you discussed with my father since you didn't give me an answer yesterday, I started not knowing how to explain my going to see her.

"Mnmmm that's strange cause I don't recall saying I would tell you that" she answered standing in front of me as I held my hands nervously.

" yeah I know, but I thought you could tell me "

She let a laugh. "No I won't, forget it"

She was still laughing and I lost it, I went straight at her holding her by her shoulders and pulled her closer to me.

Without warning, I bent down and landed my lips on her crimson red lips.....

To be continued

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Blood Legacy - Episode 9

© Brian Ngoma

Many, Many years ago in Chisoti village, something atrocious happened that each and every person who had heard or witnessed it never wanted it to be mentioned again.

****

Like each day, 26 year old Chovu returned from the field with his younger brother Mapulanga. They were the closest amongst their siblings. They had two sisters and one older brother who was the next in line to become the chief. The siblings were known to have gotten along with each other perfectly especially when one was in trouble.

Chovu and Mapulanga reached their house and found their sisters preparing supper for the whole family. Their elder brother was talking to their old sick father and was not to be disturbed.

"They are talking again?" Mapulanga looked at Chovu.

"They always talk these two. I wonder what they talk about huh," Chovu added.

"We know he's the next in line but we all want the attention."

Chovu laughed, "Look at you, like you're a teenager crying for attention. He's probably being molded into becoming a good chief."

"Better than him i guess."

They continued talking and laughing until one of their sisters came to tell them that supper was served.

"Grace!" Chovu called her before she walked away.

"Yes brother," she answered.

"How's mother?"

"She's well."

All the time Chovu and Grace talked, Mapulanga didn't look at her one bit. She also never looked at him. Chovu didn't notice this as he was busy inquiring about his mother whom he had left not feeling well in the morning and as per tradition, a male child was not supposed to enter the mother's quarters under any circumstance.

"Okay you can go, we are coming," Chovu dismissed her.

Mapulanga yawned, "I'm hungry."

"Let's go eat."

They both went to eat. Their elder brother joined them. Unlike the two of them, their elder brother was always serious especially after having his regular talks with his father.

"So we are going to eat in seriousness," Mapulanga joked.

"Let the king be Mapulanga," Chovu added holding his laughter. "Kingston is in no mood to joke around."

Kingston nodded and chuckled, "Why can't you all just shut up?"

Chovu and Mapulanga looked at each other and bursted into laughter. The three brothers ate their supper. Chovu and Mapulanga were eating happily while Kingston seemed to have been bothered by something. They finished eating and all went to their father who told them stories about bravery and kingship. Chovu would always be bored by such stories. Mapulanga was intrigued while Kingston never seemed interested as well.

At midnight, they left their father and each went to their sleeping quarters. Chovu was tired and directly went to sleep. An hour later, he was awoken by the sounds of the night but what startled him the most were the footsteps he had been hearing for the last one year. Mostly, he would hear them at 1am. Like always, he decided to ignore them and went back to sleep.

Early in the morning, Chovu woke up. The sun had not risen yet but that was the perfect time to go to the field. He got out of the hut and looked around seeing only a few women at the vast yard. Others were on their way to the river, others sweeping and the others god knows what they were doing. Amongst the women, he saw his mother and was happy to have seen her up so early looking well. He approached her.

"The Chief's wife," he called her.

She looked at him, "I'm your mother Chovu."

"Before that, you're the Chief's wife," he laughed. "How are you today?"

"I'm fine, how are you my son?"

"I'm fine too. Apparently, i seem to be the only man awake in this place. Mapulanga knows what time we are supposed to be going to the field and he's still sleeping."

"Wake him up."

Chovu turned around but was stopped by his mother.

"Have you talked to Kingston lately?"

"No, what's wrong?"

"Your father was complaining that he doesn't seem to be well. Your father is worried. Talk to him, find out what's bugging him."

"I will talk to him after i come back in the evenings, I'm sure it's nothing. Tell father that Chovu has it handled already."

His mother smiled at him, "Sometimes i wish you were the first born."

"You've said that before. I'm your second born, deal with it and I'll never be chief in this village," he laughed and walked away leaving his mother.

Chovu walked to Mapulanga's hut. He called him twice but Mapulanga didn't respond. He decided to enter because that's what he loved to do. Upon entering, he saw something that made him froze. He couldn't believe his eyes he just let out one single word unconsciously

"Ma!"

His mother heard him. She saw him by Mapulanga's hut all stiffened up and got concerned. She slowly walked to the door and immediately she saw what he had seen, she fell to the ground and passed out.

Two women saw her falling and ran towards her. They reached and knelt before her while Chovu was still standing. One of the ladies also saw the abomination.

"Is that Grace!" She yelled.

Grace and Mapulanga were laying on a blanket all naked. Apparently, they were deep in sleep in each other's arms shamelessly.

The other woman shouted, "Heeeeeeeee!"

Grace and Mapulanga woke up to Chovu's eyes on them. Everyone was awoke now. Chovu couldn't move but thought of the footsteps he had been hearing the previous months. Grace quickly grabbed the blanket and ran out of the hut leaving Mapulanga standing with nothing to say.

Chovu stepped back in total confusion. How could this be happening? He had heard stories about brother and sister having sex but he never thought that would happen to his family. All the strength he had woken up with was defunct.

Everyone was talking about it and by the time it had clocked 7am, all the women at the river had known about the abomination that had befallen the Chief's place. What shocked everyone even more was Mapulanga and Grace's response when they were summoned by the Chief.

"I love her and she loves me," Mapulanga said holding Grace's hand.

"Let go of her hand!" The chief yelled. "What nonsense is this?" He looked at his wife and Chovu who were present.

"But Pa i love him and we are going to marry each other," Grace clinged on to Mapulanga.

Chovu was disgusted and couldn't look at the two.

"If you aren't going to let us marry each other, we are leaving," Mapulanga added.

"Mapulanga can you hear yourself?" Chovu asked facing down.

"I don't care what you think but our decision is final," Mapulanga and Grace stormed out of the hut.

They left everyone speechless. Their mother was weeping uncontrollably while the Chief was inwardly cussing himself as to what he did to deserve such an atrocity in his lifetime. Chovu nodded and looked around.

"Where is Kingston?"

"Yes, where is he?" The mother stood up. "I'm going to check his hut."

"Let me check on him," Chovu said.

"No, I'm going," she left.

Chovu followed her while the Chief remained. He saw her reaching the hut and when she opened the door, he saw her falling down. He rushed to her and when he got there, he wished he was never born. Kingston was hanging on the hut's woods roofings in the air, he had killed himself.

Unfortunately for the their mother, that was how she died too.

A year later, the Chief passed on due to depression and Chovu became the Chief. After what had happened a year ago, Chovu and his remaining sister never wanted what happened to be ever be mentioned again in the village. Anyone who was found gossiping about it was punished until everyone stopped talking about it. The reason Kingston hanged himself, no one ever knew but some said he either did it because he never wanted to become chief or he knew what Mapulanga and Grace had been upto. Where Mapulanga and Grace had eloped to, Chovu never knew and he didn't care.

Those who knew what had happened on that day called it the Darkest Day In the history of Chisoti village.

****

Ben and Devi drove into a small yard somewhere in Chawama compound. They got out and looked around. They were not sure if this was the place they had been trying to locate for the past six months. Devi stood watching Ben knock on the door. The door opened and a woman came out.

"Hi," Ben waved his hand.

"Hello," the woman stepped outside closing the door behind her.

"Is this were Mapulanga resides?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Ben, that's my colleague Devi."

"Why does he look like he had been ran over by a truck?"

"He was involved in an accident. Is this where Mapulanga lives?"

The door opened and a slightly old man came out of the house, "Whose looking for me?"

Ben smiled, "Nice to meet you Mapulanga," he looked at the woman maintaining his grin, "You must be Grace."

"Mapulanga and Grace, the infamous siblings," Devi joined them.

*******

Naveen Patel had just come back from his trip when he went directly to his father's house. Upon reaching, he found the old man in his chair drinking some coffee.

"I got the message, whose taking us to court again?"

The old man stared at him for some seconds and answered, "Who else? Your Ex LovePeddler? Erica Hamuumbu."

Naveen sat down deep in thoughts.

"I thought the Huumubus would give up but here they are, back again, after 6 years. I'm sure Hamuumbu is behind this. That sick old man. Even in prison, he is still scheming, I'm impressed."

"Old habits die hard. I can take care of Erica Dad."

"Don't. I did a quick background check on Erica and she's broke, like literally has nothing. She's surviving on that man named Jean. Apparently, they have a child together," the old man stared at Naveen. "If she's doing this on her own, then we can settle this by offering her some money."

"How much we talking about here?"

"K15 million."

"That's fair."

"I have Anderson already working out some things. It won't even go to trial trust me. How's that project of yours in that village?"

"Good."

"I hope you're doing everything legally. I don't want Any more attention to my business name."

"Don't worry dad, nothing will taint our business name," Naveen said confidently.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Hidden Dream - Episode 9

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Jay.....

I could not look back as I rushed out of the class. Being any second more close to my father wasn't going to turn out well as I had felt the urge to fight him back. I wasn't going to allow myself get humiliated and slapped like a small boy anymore.

I had told my mind off and honestly I felt some relief. I saw his look but this time it didn't give me any shivers.

" Jay!" I heard my sisters call out but I completely ignored them.

Nina however, followed me to the hostels.

" stop I want to greet you please" she cried catching up with me.

My younger sister wasn't like Tina my immediate sister. We where mostly in good terms and she always found a way to me no matter how upset I was.

Her soft steps as she approach me made me stop by the entrance.

" what is it Nina?" I asked turning to face her.

" I missed you " she made a sad face and hugged me.

I hesitated a bit but felt bad I was taking it out on her. " I missed you too kiddo" i faked a smile holding her back.

"Why are you running? " she asked me as I held her hand and walked her to the bench.

" it's nothing Nina dont worry, now tell me how is everyone home? "

" they are fine and mom told me I should say hi. Aunty Nelly said she misses you and told me to ask if you have tried to do what she had said"

" oh she did," I sighed recalling how aunty Nelly asked me to take some time to think about myself.

For some minutes I talked to my little sister and later on Tina joined us. I was beginning to wonder what was keeping dad long. I had expected him to come out of the dance room and probably called the girls to go, but I was surprised by the amount of time that had passed.

" okey girls lets get to the vehicle now" I heard dad speak and indicated for my sister's to go on. Nina kissed me good bye and my other sister gave me a quick hug before leaving.

I looked at my father and he seemed calm but I had no intention of talking to him.

I stood there waiting for him to tell what was on his mind and I cared less what he was to say , my mind was made up I wasn't going to allow him dictate my life.

He cleared his throat and indicated for me to sit down as he did too.

Reluctantly I joined him and he spoke,

" well, I just talked to your teacher the young lady insists that I should give you a chance and see how you fair in your end of term exams" he paused.

I was still quite and my eyes kept on the small flower in front of us.

" so I want you to promise me that you will improve your grades. Prove what you said about you growing up and being matured enough to make your own choices. To tell you the truth I am not going to lie that I accept the fact that you should be dancing. All I want is to see you do okey with school."

I looked at him and my thoughts went wild.

"How can he say he hasn't accepted? Why on earth was he still talking to me then?" I asked myself.

" Thank you" I finally spoke not even knowing what I thanked him for really. It was evident the man would never accept me for who I was.

He sighed, " listen Jared I have always wanted...."

" what's best for me" I nodded finishing his sentence.

" do you even love me dad? " I asked without thinking through my words.

I saw him look up at me. " what? So you think I push you to work hard because I don't love you?" He responded with a question and I stood up.

" don't answer the question father" I giggled.

I mostly used the word " father" whenever I wanted to stress the point that he fathered me but didn't love me. Well that was my theory.

In a good mood and trying to talk normally with him I would refer to him as "dad" but at that moment his delidaling to tell me straight up he loved me or not I felt he didn't deserve the dad title.

" Thank you for coming father and please regards to mom and aunty Nelly. I have something to take care of now and I got to go" I added taking a step leaving him seated.

" I get it you are upset Jared but am sure one day you will understand that I have your best interest at heart" he talked calmly.

When he saw I was serious with leaving he stood up and removed some cash from his pocket. " here, for your expenses"

I looked at the money and back at his face. My other sense telling me to refuse it but I thought of how terrible that would make him feel so I got the money and thanked him leaving him immediately.

A week passed and we had a day before the final day for the competition in Lusaka which was to be held at Mulungushi Conference centre.

Ms Jere called us together as we waited with our packed bags waiting for the bus to take us to the city for the big day.

She had given us prio instructions and told us we would travel with another teacher who would help with the organising of things.

Tracy stood closer to me and I glanced at her small dress. I couldn't help admire her sweet looks but my major interest was with Ms Jere.

Over time I started enjoying being around her more. She just felt right and said the right words every time.

I didn't know if it was because she was the person that stood up and defended me from my father or it was the very fact that apart from her kind words she was so beautiful.

" Jay!" Come over and help me with something before the bus gets here" her soft gentle voice called me and I turned to look up at her instantly.

She wore a red blouse which was a see through. If not for the small white vest she had put inside, one would see her skin. A black jean in which she had the inside vest tucked in and a pair of white pumps.

" wow!" I screamed in my head. This woman is a indeed a hot cake, I swallowed hard.

"Am coming !" I responded almost jumping with excitment.

I saw Tracy shoot me some stare and I patted her back telling her to watch over my bag. She shrugged without saying a word but I ignored her and trotted towards the direction Ms Jere was heading.

"How are you feeling, " she asked me as she packed some papers in a small file .

" I don't know, excited, nervous at the same time" I chuckled

" me too " she laughed.

"I feel like am the one going to dance instead of you guys. Am so nervous I don't know how to hold it. The only thing is that I know you guys will do the best and make me proud."

I smiled widely, "what do you expect we have the best teacher "

I saw her relax as she smiled too. " So you clear with being watched on the Television?" She asked the most unexpected question.

" what do you mean madam?" I asked making wrinkles on my face.

" I didn't tell you earlier but the competition is being sponsored by Airtel and they will televise it on ZNBC. I hope that won't be a problem for you" she looked at me.

" am , I don't know, does everyone know about this?" I questioned her

" well they will know soon enough. What? Does that change anything? "

" no it doesn't but... I don't know if,..."

" don't worry your father already knows about it I was forced to tell him. You know, in case he sees it on TV."

For a few seconds I stayed quite not knowing how to make of the turn of the events but I comforted myself. I wasn't going to be afraid anymore so I told myself whether I will be seen dancing by the whole world or not won't matter. As long as I was doing what I wanted.

" okey then, get that bag for me. The bus is outside" she told me carrying her handbag.

" I never asked what you talked with my father but whatever it is stopped him from yelling at me and I appreciate you so much for that" I told her as we walked towards the bus. The others where getting inside already.

" you got it " she responded casually and kept going while I tagged behind her deliberately wanting to take in her behind.

"How stupid Jay" I heard my inner self scold me and I let a small smile.

We where booked in at a lodge near Mulungushi Conference centre that evening. Given a separate room from that of the girls with four other guys. Ms Jere and the other teacher had separate rooms too.

She called us out for dinner after we all settled in. Telling us we were to go round for some evening window shopping at Arcades after having our meal.

I kept eyeing her as we went round not wanting to take off my eyes from her now different outfit. She had changed into some shorts going up to her knees and a loose T-shirt.

" she's your teacher, you are way out of her league" Tracy whispered in my ears as we walked.

She had decided to walk besides me and two other guys who opted to walk with Ms Jere whilst the other group walked the other way with the other teacher.

" Tracy come on. What's with you?" I turned to her. " stop acting like a jealousy girlfriend. Am just looking around like anyone else and I honestly am getting tired of your insinuations."

" insinuations huh?" She asked rudely.

" Yeah stop that it's really not a good thing"

She looked at Ms Jere in front and back at me.

" well we will see " she sighed and moved closer to me when Ms Jere looked back at us.

I moved away unconsciously and I saw Tracy almost laughing.

She attempted to hold my hand but I pushed her hand away and walked ahead of her.

" she's out of your reach. It's high time you set your eyes on those that are within your reach Jared Zimba" she whispered and rushed ahead looking at some clothes through the window.

I shook my head and let a small laugh.

"Girls! " i whispered.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

A Story By El Victor

Episode 13
“Who tell you, I come na. You no been dey around, okay. Just do this one well, na 4rounds we go do” Amina said seductively, her voice soothing as never before. His walls fallen by her words.
“This girl go kill me oh!” He said jubilantly, Amina smirk. He took chunk of meat on the table, slit it into two and start cutting it into a sizeable pieces. He put it inside a nylon and gave it to her. She gave him 500naira note.
“Haba, you no need to pay na. Just give me am later” he wink at her, Amina insist on paying.
“Nobe free meat go make me come your house, I hear say your amu big na em make” Amina lied, what on Earth will make her ask of this man’s ****. He looks like forgotten pig, and his pot-belle, humming, how this one wan take perform, she thought. Mallam was overjoyed by what Amina said.
_____
Upaga community market isn’t located in the community main town, instead is located at the outskirt not too distance from the main town but it takes metres to reach the both side, it was built by Upaga son who was given a position in the government. The road is rough with potholes since major construction hasn’t been done on the road.
A car park at this road, a man roughly young sitting on the bonnet, smoking. He wore a black cap concealing most of his face, three others in the car.
One on the wheel, while two are in the back seats. Just a distance on the same road, leading to the village, water flow from nearby bush and creep into one of the pothole forming a stagnant water.
“Oboy, this girl go well” his mouth agape as he admired the girl wearing a trouser and one handed polo, his cigarette dropped on the ground. He thought against making a move since they are there for a purpose, he took the cigarette he dropped on the ground and sit on the bonnet again. The glass of the car is tinted, in the car. The back occupants are loaded with guns.
His phone rang.
“Spider, the babe never show” he said into the receiver.
“Ona head don knock, the babe just pass me now. Ona be nama, make ona appear here before I change am for ona” the caller shouted, the call ended with immediacy, he walk briskly and open the car’s door and delve in.
The engine came alive, and the car was reverse hastily making the car’s tyres screech. Car fast run on many potholes, making unhealthy sounds. The driver tried to make a curve and one of the tyre ran into the pot hole with stagnant water, he lost control and the car swerve into the bush running into a tree.
_______
Nkechi arms akimbo as she look at the approaching figure of her daughter running into her compound, her slippers in her hand. Bare footed Amina stopped before her mother trying to catch her breathe, beads of sweat forming on her flawless beautiful face.
“When our village start to get ghosts wey dey pursue human being?” Amina’s mother asked.
“Ma . . Ma” she exhaled.
“Kidnappers” she breathe out.
Amina’s mother wasn’t happy about this, her daughter freedom of movement has been threatened with rapes and now kidnappers are on her neck. She went inside, tied a nice wrapper and ask her daughter to prepare the soup. She is heading to the village chief house.
______
Chief Ucha sat in the courtyard, enjoying the garden. A table before him with exotics drinks, he sip from the glass as he glance at his phone expecting a call, his phone ring. Excitement build up, he quickly pick the call.
“Are you guys with the girl?” He sang into the phone, with sharp and commanding tone not allowing the caller an itch of normal courtesy.
“No Chief, we lost some of our men we sent after her to accident” the receiver replied with sorrowful tone, he didn’t find it funny and touchy as the caller expected.
“Fools, c’mon small girl. Ona nofit kidnap, incompetent bamboos. Don’t call me, if you haven’t gotten the girl” he slammed, ending the call unceremoniously. His jaws charge in anger, he hit his fist on the table, stood up and slam the table with his palms, and strode into the gigantic building.
_________
Upaga still use the old means of communication, through the town crier. A tall man with just singlet, and a trouser folded on his right leg moves around in the village at night with a gong, Upaga nightlife wasn’t as usual since there is power failure, he got to a junction. Raise the gong and hit it with his fists.
“Make ona listen ooh, anybody wey go try rape any Upaga daughter. That person go die, na wetin the elders agree and them don pour drink for this matter, too much talk talk nodey full basket, na warning…” He moves on till he got to the final junction and depart to his house.
_______
Chief Ucha in his usual courtyard admiring the serenity of his garden, he stood and walk around in meditation. A young man approach him wearing a black shirt and trouser, with a dark shade.
“Spiff!” He called out.
“Yes boss” he bow in recognition.
“Since, the girl is ‘causing us much trouble to get, why don’t we capture her mother, she will have no choice than to marry you for her mother’s freedom” the young man suggested, Ucha find his suggestion thrilling. He wonder why he hasn’t thought of that for a longtime ago.

Read the complete story here - www.youngicee.com/category/seductive-amina

Hidden Dream - Episode 8

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Ms Jere.....

I had seen him brighten up. He looked more peaceful the past weeks and was always present for dance practice. .

I could see how he made work easy for me by helping his friends with most of the dances. All I had to do was add up to smooth everything up.

With the coming of Jay, the whole group seemed live. The boy had a way of pulling everyone towards him and I just loved it.

I could see he was trying to fight his inner battles and tried all I could to put him in the right track. In fact I mostly didn't refer to him as a boy.

I recall one day when he came to the class which was practically my office.

Since I went to Luangwa secondary, I had not really made a friend. Most of the women were older than me and for some reason they all acted up around me. Someone even told me they feared I would grab their husbands because I was single and my looks where above theirs.

I couldn't understand them cause for me I always thought my dressing as a woman had to always be on point. I kept my appearances and I didn't really care If the so-called married women wanted to make themselves look old in their nakonde suits and long skirts and jackets. Besides I was a dancer, I had to keep my figure well defined to match up with what I did.

Overtime I found myself isolated and I found solace in helping the girls and boys realise their dancing skills and dreams. I saw the expression on the faces of happy girls and boys whenever they danced and that to me mattered most.

I was employed under music and arts and I specialised in dancing. Even when most people shot it down I was determined to achieve my dream of seeing the young ones develop their talent.

I recalled how a lot of debate had broke when I reported. Most people expected me to teach Music of which i didn't object since it was part of what I did. But I told the Head teacher I didn't go abroad to study dancing just to throw it away because people where displeased.

Lucky for me the head seemed to have a soft spot for me and he agreed and confirmed that if the ministry had sent me under arts then there was no reason to object it.

I remember how I started off with 3 pupils in the club. I didnt see it working but I was amazed when some grade 10s came and most of them joined. Though there was still a challenge with male students who were mostly hesitant to join.

Others would joined just for a day and then stopped coming and I laughed when I heard rumour that some boys especially the grade 11 and 12s went to the club to check out my figure.

I didn't really care about the rumours as I had no intention of befriending any of them nor getting close.

However, things started changing when I met Jay. I practically forced him to start dancing. I saw how his face lit up when he danced with me and my heart was glad.

I didn't think he would come back. Then I saw him walk to the class days later. He was still in his school uniform and he walked towards the class whilst I watched him through the window.

I smiled to myself not understanding myself, I didn't know whether it was the joy of seeing him opening up or the fact that he looked handsome in his perfect tailored uniform.

Wishing I was 2 years younger and not a teacher in that school. I knew Jared was 19 from the records I was keeping in the file meaning he was 2 years younger than me.

I had completed my school at 16 and before 19 I was done studying Music and the year that followed my mother sponsored me to go study dancing specificalising in ball room dances.

I had scolded myself avoiding the thoughts of admiring a person who was my pupil.

" you are just lonely in this place Angela, focus!" I cautioned myself that day and welcomed him to the class with a smile.

Seeing him dance on one of the dance sessions was as usual appealing and I was set glancing at them as he danced with Tracy who I deliberately paired with since I noticed how much she eyed him. The fact that dancing ballroom involved passions and a drive of emotions I knew pairing them would make things easier for them. And I was right, they easily connected which lead them to direct other dancers too.

Lost in thoughts watching the dancers I heard an angry voice call out Jay.

" what are you doing?" The man asked standing amid the door .

My eyes shifted to Jared and I saw how pale his face turned.

Recalling what the instructer from a dance school I first saw Jay told me, I knew the man was pissed seeing his son dancing.

I slowly stood up trying by all means to look as mature as possible and walked to him.

He was still focused his gaze at his son. I could tell because Jay had his father's looks and there was no mistaking that fact.

"Excuse me sir," I started calmly standing in between him and Jay.

There's a class here and I would appreciate If you asked for permission to come in before shouting at my students.

" your students? " he asked turning to face me.

" yes sir, as you can see this is a class and am their teacher ..."

I couldn't finish my explanation and he cut in.

" well am sorry madam I didn't know there was a teacher here I thought they are only students " he faked a smile.

I felt a bit offended by his luck of courtesy but I fought the urge to rebuke him.

" anyway I came to see my son but to my disapointment someone told me he's here dancing. Am sure he knows we do not approve of him doing this" he said extending his hand at the dance floor.

" in fact I had no idea this school has this I couldn't have...."

I raised my hand a little to stop him.

" am sorry sir I think we need not say all that in front of everyone please take a seat if you may then we can talk properly I indicated to him softly.

I showed him a seat and the two girls with him stood afar looking around the room.

I dismissed the students except for Jay and asked the two girls who I assumed where related to Jay to wait outside.

After pulling the chair and making myself comfortable I cleared my throat and looked at Jay and his father.

" Now," I sighed trying to find the words to tell the man before me. He just kept his gaze at me and I saw Jay bow his head without looking at either me or his father.

"So sir I got what you have said. But I have something to ask you." I started

" no listen to me young lady, no offence because I can see you are almost or can I say close to my son's age. I don't know what this boy told you or didnt tell you but he knows this dancing is completely forbidden in my house. No son of mine will degrade himself to such an inferior thing when he has all the things he needs to get the best education. Just look at him he was supposed to have completed school 2 years ago and should probably be in college , but here he is in grade 11 because of this stupid ambition. Tell me if it were your child what could you have done.?

You pay a lot of money to see your child go to the best schools and have the best in life and then he throws everything out the window and for what? A Stupid dream, that can not take him anywhere in life.?" He burst out angrily.

I let his questions sink and looked up at him. " God help me here" I said a little prayer before I opened my mouth.

" you are right sir, every parent's desire is to see their children achieve great in life. I don't have children yet but I believe when I finally do I will want the best for them.

I beg to differ however, on the issue of realisation of dreams. Tell me sir, have you ever had some dreams in your life?. That something that you so much wanted to do so much that you would sometimes close your eyes and smile at the vision of being that thing? " I paused looking up at him.

" of course every normal person must have some kind of dream or vision whatever its normal but...."

"Just there sir" I held him up.

" with all due respect sir, don't you think your son also has that right to have dreams of his own?. I see you are concerned about his well being but please you have to understand we are all not the same. Maybe its high time you took some moment to think of the reason why your son has not been performing well at school.

He's scared inside. He can't be free to express himself and that contributes to his weak performance. If you want to prove my words ask around and hear for yourself how he has improved over the weeks since he started dancing again. Why? " I asked looking at him and Jay.

" it's simple, he feels free and his mind is at peace. He can relate with his studies because his inner power is not being intimidated. Please sir am asking you to reconsider. Your son is no longer a kid you are right, but you have to understand every person reaches a stage of their lives where they too make up their own choices, the best we can do as teachers and Parents is to encourage them to develop positively so that they achieve their highest dreams and ambitions. Pushing him to the wall will only make things worse, please you have to let him free sir.

For some few minutes I saw him stay quiet like he was really giving my words a thought and when he raised his eyes at me I was almost running to the door. His deep stare scared me to death.

" you are now are telling me how to raise my own children. According to you his not performing as he should because am not doing what I ought to do as a father? May I remind you that am way older than you young lady and I have seen more than you have. This thing you call a passion or whatever has no future in this country.

Where is he going to work as a dancer? Tell me which institution is he going to get a job worthy talking about and live a life that is worthy while ? Stop being naive and unreasonable. I don't want him to continue with this. Right now am going to talk to the headteacher and if you will in any way coerce or encourage my son to do this then it's even better I withdraw him from this school. " he snapped standing up.

"No!" I saw Jay standing up to his father. He was speaking for the first time since we started the discussion and I turned towards him.

" what is That?" His father shot him a stare.

" I said No, dad. You are not going to do such a thing. Come on father, am tired of all this. What is your problem with me really? . Tell me the truth today because honestly I can't figure you out.

Why have you chosen to make my life difficult? I was doing okey until the time you decided to shoot down the only thing i always want to do. I have done all you ask and am not doing this anymore." Jay spoke up tears falling his face.

" have you even sat down to think of what I really want? What makes me happy? Do you even consider the posibility thay i have a heart and feelings too.?

We can't all be like you father. Am not as strong as you are, I can't be an officer nor can I pass like my sister's. Am my own person and am tired of everyone trying to make me into the kind of person they want.

I want to be free dad, I want to choose my own things and Ms Jere is right. Since I started dancing again I feel opened up and am doing well again.

Please let me be. Let me do something for myself as well father. I have always tried to squeeze myself in a life you have set for me. Please" he begged puting his palms together.

I was now quite watching father and son and in my heart I felt proud Jay was standing up for himself.

But shockingly I saw his father raise his hand to hit him. Before I could say a thing to stop him. Jay quickly held his father's hand and shouted, "don't do that again father! Don't cause I swear I will retaliate" he snapped his face showing off his anger.

" I will not allow you to disgrace me anymore if you want do what you want, disown me or whatever am not quiting dancing. Go on and leave with your intelligent children and leave me alone" he added before putting his hand down and stormed out without looking back. .

I was short of words as I watched col Zimba stare in the space without any words.

"Jay! " I called out trying to ask him to come back but I saw him ran towards the hostels without looking back.

I now turned back defeated, expecting the worst from his father who remained on the same position without shaking.

Fear building up in me as I regained my posture and walked back to my seat.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

Blood Legacy - Episode 8

© Brian Ngoma

Early Sunday morning, Ludo woke up and came to her senses as she saw the bedroom she was in. She was at Melanie's. She remembered what happened the previous day and reached for her phone. She found several missed calls from an unknown number and Lance. She had called her dad before she reached Melanie's place. She didn't know how to call Lance and tell him she had messed up. She didn't want to think about that and got out of bed. She went into the shower and a couple of minutes later, came out and found Melanie on the bed with a tray of breakfast on her side.

"What can i do without you?" Ludo reached for the tray. "You're the only good thing from six years ago."

"I know," Melanie smiled. "What happened yesterday?"

"I'm sorry i didn't tell you last night. I just wanted to sleep."

"I understand."

"Guess who i met?"

"Who?"

"Erica Hamuumbu."

"What? That ruthless woman?"

Ludo nodded chewing on a piece of bread.

"Wow, will that family ever leave you alone?"

"The exact thing i was wondering about. It seems like wherever i go, the Hamuumbus will be right there too."

"But where did you meet?"

"Apparently, my new boss is supposedly representing her in a case," she paused. "Huh, i don't know and i acted so unprofessional. I don't know what will happen to my job Tommorow."

"You have to call your boss and apologise. I'm sure he will understand. Just be honest."

"And she and that boyfriend of hers have a child now."

"Jean?"

"Yes him."

"Ehhh!"

"It's wild i tell you. I don't know what next i should expect because the way things are moving, I'm scared the worst is yet to come."

"Don't talk like that Ludo, it's just a coincidence. You can sit the case out, you don't need to be there. You and that family have bad blood. Talk to your boss, he will understand."

"Eish, i don't know."

"Antch Lulu," a small boy appeared in the bedroom running towards the bed and hugged Ludo.

"Awww he's now talking," Ludo hugged the boy real tight. "I missed you too Zeus."

"Well, let me go downstairs and have breakfast with Norton, I'm sure he's waiting. You come down when you settle. Play with Zeus, he's such a trouble maker," Melanie left the room.

Ludo let the boy play on his own on the floor. She finished her breakfast and laid while watching Zeus play. She wanted to call Lance but couldn't gather the courage. She texted him explaining what happened despite knowing that Caesar had already briefed him. She then stared at the unknown number but just ignored it. She kept checking her phone expecting a reply from Lance but none came. She was bored and decided to go Melanie downstairs.

"Zeus let's go to mommy," she extended her arm.

*****

The previous day after leaving the office, Lance received a call from his cousin who he hadn't seen for 11 good years. Excited because they grew up together at their grandparents house, he went to meet up with him. The meeting was scheduled at 4pm, the same time Caesar and Ludo were meeting up with Erica. Lance arrived some 15 minutes earlier and ordered a shot to calm the nerves. A moment later, his cousin showed up.

"Look at you," Lance shouted happily. "Long time Stone."

"Indeed brother," Stone embraced Lance.

"Sit with me," Lance pointed to a chair.

They both sat down with Stone placing a small wide bag he was carrying.

"So how have you been Lance?"

"Great. Where have you been?"

"Just moving up and about. I just got in town."

"Where did you get my number?"

"Are you kidding me? Lance & Associates. You made it brother. We cannot say the same for all of us," Stone's face turned sad.

"Come on," Lance said. "Have a drink, I'm sure it's all not that bad."

"Depends on how you take it."

"Where are you staying?"

Stone didn't answer.

"Spend a couple of days at my place."

"Thanks man but i don't want to be a bother."

"What are you talking about, you're family."

"What about your wife? Aren't you supposed to talk with her?"

"She's at her parents. She's carrying our first child and are parents are very conservative, they suggested she go there and give birth."

"Congratulations man, I'm really happy for you. Damn, you have everything all figured out."

"It might seem like that to people," Lance laughed. "Let's have some drinks. Home is boring without a woman."

They both laughed hysterically.

Two hours later after catching up, Lance drove to his house in Avondale. They bought Nshima and T Bone with Veggies. When they got home, Lance received a call from Caesar. He was told everything that happened.

"It went well despite the complication we had with Ludo knowing the client," Caesar had said.

"That's a bummer but I'm glad we are good to go. So Monday we go for our first hearing."

"Yes provided Mr. Patel shows up."

"He will. He won't risk this going public."

"See you Monday. I have been trying to call your Paralegal but she hasn't picked any of my calls."

"She can be weird sometimes, i will try to get hold of her. Have a great weekend Caesar."

"You too Lance."

They both hang up the phone. Lance dialled Ludo's line but she didn't pick up his call either. He put the phone away and got the food out of the packs.

"Work?" Stone asked looking around.

"Yes," Lance smiled. "Let's eat."

After eating, Lance showed Stone the guest bedroom and said goodnight. The following Sunday Morning, he woke up feeling his head banging up. He had way too many. He was glad it was a Sunday. He took some aspirin and went outside to have a breather. Later, Stone joined him who also seemed to be having an hangover.

"My head man," Lance complained.

"Next time, warn me not to drink with you," Stone laughed.

"How are you liking it here?"

"Perfect man, so perfect," Stone inhaled the fresh air.

*****

Hearing indistinct voices of people, Hunter opened his eyes and met up with the naked sun. He gradually rose and saw some women and children watching him all scared to get close to him. When the car hit him, he rolled to the river and had been out since then. He felt his body sore and his clothes were covered in blood. He got up and slowly walked to the river side. He knelt and washed his face. The blisters of wounds from the fire had bursted and were messy. He washed himself and got a coat from his small bag in his waist and put it on.

Aware that he was been watched, he started walking causing all the children to exclaim in excitement as if they were watching a movie. He stopped hearing the voices when he got to the road. There were no cars in sight. He started following the road because he knew where it led. After walking for about three hours, a Canter pulled up by him. The door opened.

"Where to?" The driver asked feeling sorry for him.

Hunter looked both ways, "The city."

"Hop on!"

"Thanks."

"You don't look so well."

"Never been well."

"Did you hear what happened to Chief Chovu and his family."

"Tragedy struck but whoever did that to him as it coming," Hunter made himself comfortable.

"And we can never be ruled by that Abomination of a Mapulanga," the driver rudely detested. "I hope wherever he is, he's dead mweh because our village will be cursed if it ever get to him ruling us."

Hunter wondered what it was about Mapulanga that made this driver and those women in Chisoti village uncomfortable. That wasn't his concerns, he only thought of one person, Walutanga and his sense of urgency told him to get to the boy real quick.

Read Episodes 9 - 20 here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Episode 54

Paul was taken aback by the last sentence and he felt a bit shaken. Could it be true that the men who had his grandson were the killers of Agent Elkim Nuel? If they truly were, it meant not just his grandson was in trouble but his other family members were not safe.

"I hope you haven't done anything to Austin because if you touch as little as a strand of his hair, you will pay dearly for it."

"Hahaha," the caller laughed hard again. "You're a fool Paul, a big fool. You have the chance to save your grandson and you're making empty threats. It shows how heartless a man you are."

"Damn you dude! you would know I don't make empty threats if anything happens to the boy."

There was another roar of laughter. "You're a bigger fool than I thought and more cruel than I ever imagined," the caller said. "You're not even concerned about saving your grandson, you're more concerned about proving that you can get to me."

Paul remained silent at his words.

"Well, Austin is here listening and he now knows how cruel you are..." the caller paused and after some seconds, Paul heard his grandson's voice. "Grandpa, are you..."

"Hey Austin!" Paul jumped to his feet at the sound of the voice.

"Damn you Paul!" the caller cursed after cutting the boy's words short. "You have a chance to save your grandson by giving us the list of all top members of the FOX, if you don't, we kill more FOX executives and also come for your family members."

'Damn you bastard!" Paul cursed. He knew the caller was going to get to the point of threatening with his family members. He moved away from behind his table and walked angrily to the window side. "So, how would I be sure that if I let out these names to you, you would leave my grandson and not trouble me any longer? And also, how would letting out the names not implicate me?"

"We can strike a deal Paul," the caller replied in a tempting voice. "There's no way this is not going to implicate you. So, we can strike a deal to allow you move out of Bethanna to somewhere far away with a changed identity for you and your family, I know you are an expert in changing identities."

Paul shook his head and ran his fingers into his hair as he turned back. "Keep my grandson safe and let nothing happen to him, that's the only thing that can save you from instant death when I finally get to you. You bastard!"

"Oh! I see... You'd have to watch more people and your family members die then," the caller said before hanging up.

"Bastard! I'll get you soon..." Paul said but wasn't heard as the line went off already.

He stepped back behind the table and threw the phone on top. He shook his head as he let out a breath in anger. He gritted his teeth and clenched his teeth. He angrily banged his fists on the table and turned back to face the wall. After some few seconds of trying to calm himself, he turned back and picked his phone. He dialed another number.

"I'm being pressured to give out information," he said after the receiver answered his call. "I don't want to hurt any of my family members."

_

"Agent Tam still remembers nothing, he doesn't even remember how he was taken." Agent Evelyn said as she walked towards Agent Steve where he was standing beside the table, the same table from where they had linked Henson and Richard Brad with Ernest Daysman. She dropped the file in front of him on the table

"It's suspicious that Agent Tam had his short term memory wiped off, it makes it sound similar to a FOX operation." Steve commented, looking at Evelyn's face.

Rhoda looked at Agent Steve's face from where she was, pondering on the observation.

"I've also been thinking about that," Evelyn put in. "I suspect that someone in the FOX is involved in this. How else can we explain that Agent Elkim's house was easily penetrable even with the number of men guarding it?"

"I think you guys are right," Rhoda got up from where she was sitting in front of a computer. "I've never thought about it this way but hearing it now makes me also think the person who killed Agent Elkim must have been someone close to him among the executives."

Agents Steve and Evelyn stared quickly at Rhoda's face, hoping he knew the weight of what she just said. She had just suggested that one of the FOX's executives was not just Agent Elkim's real murderer but also the person behind the recent kidnappings.

"But why wasn't Agent Tam killed?" Steve spoke out his thoughts.

"I guess the killer had nothing against Agent Tam," Evelyn replied.

"What could he have against Agent Elkim then?" Steve asked rhetorically.

"And if we agree that this group of killers have killed Brad and Henson in relation to their assignment with the Red Wolves, would it be save to say that Agent Elkim also had something to do with them?" Agent Evelyn chipped in.

"Ermm... With the Red Wolves?" Steve let out a chuckle. "Come on, it hasn't gotten to that. We have to find a reasonable link between Agent Elkim, Henson and Brad before it is safe to make such statement."

"And we also have to come up with a reasonable stance about Paul Edward's relation who was kidnapped," Rhoda put in and stepped closer to them. The both of them stared at her. "The man hasn't told us how this relative is related to him," she quickly added, pointing the index fingers of both hands up and shaking them in a manner that suggested she doubted Paul Edwards.

She dropped a file before Steve and opened it, she took out a document she had just printed from the computer.

"I suspect this relative of Paul is Austin Edwards, his grandson." Rhoda said, showing the paper she pulled out to Steve.

"But that isn't possible," Evelyn said as she moved closer to them. "Austin Edwards died in the bomb blast at his school."

"It appears he didn't die, our Chairman lied to the world." Rhoda chipped in. "I've checked through and through, the hospital records, transportation records both on land and flight and even call records. There's none other person that could have been kidnapped other than Austin Edwards who is said to be dead."

After checking through the summary in the papers Rhoda handed to Steve, both Steve and Evelyn were amazed and baffled, realizing how true Rhoda's words were.

They were yet to say anything else when the door opened and Daniel entered.

"Hey guys," he said in an excited tone. "We have proof that the assailants yesterday distorted the networks and tampered with the surveillance cameras footages, how they did that is what we are yet to confirm," he said as he marched forward.

Their eyes followed him until he joined them at the table. He dropped the file in his hand on the table and opened it.

"The traffic control network and communication network went off at the same time, " Daniel continued, showing them details from the file he opened. "They also came back on barely at the same time, with less than a minute gap between them. "

He opened another page of the document in the file and began to explain again. "These footages shows that the surveillance cameras system itself was not hacked, but the database was hacked. Footages of happenings throughout the day are still in the database except for specific times when these assailants' faces were almost captured." He paused and began to flip through pages showing colour shots from the CCTV. He paused on a particular picture. "The origin of their vehicle was unknown, footages of how it got to this point was no longer available in the database," he opened again to the next page. "Footages of how they also attacked and tranquilized the police officers were deleted," he said and opened again. "The next thing it shows is them driving to Agent Elkim's house," he continued opening the pages. "And then after about two hours, it shows them moving out but was cleared from a point before the roundabout. The footage did not show which direction they took from the roundabout."

"But the vehicle has been found," Agent Steve interrupted.

"Yes, it has been found but how it got there can not be found in the database," Daniel replied. "What we have are only the reports from eyewitnesses who says they saw the men and a woman step out of the police vehicle and step into a Jeep. We still cannot trace where the destination of the Jeep was."

Agent Steve stepped back and squinted his eyes thoughtfully after Daniel finished explained. he made a sharp turn back and walked quickly to the cabinet to pick out three files. He returned with them to the table.

He opened the first and flipped through the pages until he found what he wanted. He handed it to Evelyn to also see. He opened the second and also flipped through. He also did the same with the third.

"This links Agent Elkim's killers to the kidnappers of Brad, Henson and Austin... I mean Paul Edward's relative." Steve voiced his observation which he had also showed to the others.

He quickly collected the first file again and began to open through.

"Check through the call records of the second one also," he said as he checked the first. Dan opened and checked through the second.

After two minute of making their confirmation, Steve turned to Daniel. "Did you also get the call records of Agent Elkim?"

"Yes, I did but his phones and devices are all missing." Daniel answered as he began to open the file he came with again.

"Both Brad and Henson had frequent links with Ernest Daysman before they disappeared," Steve said while waiting for Daniel to search for the records.

"Here," Daniel put the file before him.

Steve took his time to observe, Daniel and Evelyn also did.

"Agent Elkim made contact with Ernest Daysman," Steve mentioned out loud. "But he made more contact with Agent Paul Edwards more before he died."

Both Steve and Evelyn exchanged glances and then both stared at Evelyn's face.

Daniel stared at them ignorantly, he knew from their looks that there was something they were communicating with their eyes which he probably did not know because he joined them late.

"I'm lost here," he complained.

Rhoda looked at him. "We have a top suspect among the executives, Agent Paul Edwards."

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/restless

Restless - Episode 54

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

"Hello Sheila," he said into the phone.

"Good afternoon Henry," Sheila voice sounded in Henry's speaker.

Henry felt guilty at the sound of her voice. He closed his eyes as he turned the knob of the room and stepped inside.

He closed the door and rested his back against the wall, tilting his head backwards

___

Location: Sheila's Office, El Deols, Anthanna.

"Henry Good afternoon," Sheila greeted again when she didn't get his response to the first time.

She was sitting comfortably in her office swivel and rolling playfully with the phone held close to her ear in her right hand and the elbow resting on the arm of the chair.

"Good afternoon Sheila, how are you doing?" she finally heard his voice in response. He sounded like someone trying to fake the sound or who had been caught red handed in something and was trying to pretend.

"I'm fine, how about you?" Sheila answered.

"Nice to know, I'm also doing fine." Henry replied.

"From the news circulating around the world, I can attest you're doing well." Sheila said and took a pause for two seconds. "I decided to call you since you didn't bother to ask if I returned to Anthanna safely. Well, I got to El Deols about twenty four hours ago. I'm in the office now trying to fix an important update, I'll be returning home soon to rest."

"I'm sorry I haven't called and I'm sorry for being so harsh to you when we met at the hotel, I just wanted you to stay out of everything that surrounds my mission here. Trust me, it would only put you in danger." Henry apologized.

"You don't have to explain yourself Henry, I understand that you don't want me around you and I'm going to do my best to stay away from you." Sheila said as tears formed in her eyes. She closed her eyes and dragged in a breath.

"That's not it Sheila, I do want you around me but I don't want to get you in danger, that's why I need you to stay as far away from me as possible for now."

"I can stay far away from you as long as you want, I only made this call to let you know I got here safely and I won't be bothering you anymore. But if you ever need my help, I'll be available to assist you. I wish you well Henry," Sheila said and dropped the phone. A tear rolled down her eye. She could still hear his voice sounding from the phone but could not hear his words.

It began to sound as if he was calling her name but she didn't pick up the phone again. She clicked on the red button.

She picked an handkerchief and cleaned the tears on her face and eyes. She sniffed in and cleared her throat as she rested her back in the chair. She realized that she had been expecting so much when she should not have expected anything. She had allowed herself fall so deeply in love with Henry, expecting him to feel the same way for her but she had failed to realize that reciprocating the love she felt for him was not a debt Henry owed her. She had only been instrumental in helping Him remain alive to continue his mission and their relationship was never going to go beyond that, that was something she needed to understand.

She cleaned the corners of her eyes again and sat up, then she folded the handkerchief and kept it on the table. She remembered her father's advice to her few weeks past when the man realized that she kept talking about Henry. The man who did not know who Henry was and what he had gone back to do had told Sheila to forget completely about him and allow him settle back with his old life since he had already returned to his country. Sheila realized it was the right time to take her father's advice.

She sniffed in again and picked up her phone to check the time. It was few minutes to three o'clock. She began to clear her table in preparation to leave the office.

She had shut down her laptop but was still arranging the paper files on her desk when her phone began to ring. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound, thinking it was Henry calling back. It took her sometime to decide whether to answer the call or not but when she picked the phone, she was disappointed to discover that it wasn't Henry calling. She hissed and dropped the phone back on the table.

It was Adrian. Her high class mate who had traveled out of Anthanna several years ago to further his education and had only returned a month ago after securing a job with the government of Anthanna. Adrian had been added by another classmate to the old classmates whatsapp group chat after his return, from there he had picked up Sheila's number and chatted her up. Since then, they had been chatting frequently and Adrian had been asking to hang out with her.

The phone began to ring a second time and Sheila picked it up hesitatingly. She stared at the screen for a moment, trying to calm herself before answering the call, so as to make sure she didn't sound in anyway troubled or sad to her caller.

"Hey Adrian," she sang in, faking a cheerful tone.

"Hi Sheila, good afternoon. How are you doing today?"

"I'm fine, how about you?" Sheila replied.

"I'm doing great baby," Adrian replied in a sharp voice. "Well, you are yet to reply my message and I was wondering why."

"Oh! Which of the messages?"

"I asked if we could hang out this weekend, you didn't give me a reply." Adrian replied.

"Oh, sorry about that. I've been quite busy and I must have planned to reply the message later but it skipped my mind."

"I understand dear, I'm also aware you arrived from a trip yesterday."

"Yeah..."

"So... What's your reply?"

"Ermm..." Sheila drew in a breath and closed her eyes. She didn't feel like hanging out with him or anybody else, that was the initial reason she had ignored his question in the chat but now she felt a little bit different.

"What do you say Sheila?" Adrian asked, after some seconds of not hearing anything from her.

She let out a breath. "No, thanks." she finally answered. "I'll be busy this weekend, I have some stuffs to round up."

"I see, so when should we fix it?"

"Ermm... I don't know yet, I'll get back to you soon."

"Well, it's okay but I won't wait for your feedback," Adrian said in a mischievous tone. She could feel his smile from the other end. "I'm gonna keep asking you about it."

She also smiled. "It's okay Adrian, I'll really get back to you."


*†

The FOX Corporation, EPA Hill.

Bexford, Bethanna.

Time: 17 : 08PM

Paul Edwards had just spent his first thirty minutes alone in the office that day. It had been a busy one and he had been going in and out of the place throughout the day, and even when he sat in the office for long, he was either analyzing a situation or a case file with someone else or getting feedbacks or report from another Agent, most times a junior one.

His eyes were glued to the screen of his laptop and his index finger on the mouse. He had just finished going through the reports from some Agents who had been sent on a foreign mission in Libya. He had an A4 sized paper and a pen beside him where he jotted down some points from the report. He also copied some sentences and paragraphs from the reports and pasted them in another document.

He inhaled and exhaled after a moment of tiredness. He rested his back and stretched. Then he leaned forward again to close the report file and also save the document. He covered the mouth of his pen and kept the A4 paper into a paper file, labelled with the same name the report on the laptop had.

He rested his back again and closed his eyes. He remembered his kidnapped grandson and the late Elkim Nuel, he shook his head slightly and opened his eyes. He was a man who had his own troubles but still had to deal with other people's cases and hide his own. But it was however his fault that his grandson was kidnapped and still is in the custody of the kidnappers, he blamed himself. Maybe he should dialogue again with the kidnappers and tell them all he knew about the Red Wolves so that they could release his grandson, but it was impossible to do that because he would mean he wasn't loyal enough.

He was still in deep thoughts when one of his phones on the table began to ring. It was his private phone. He leaned forward to pick it up, wondering who the caller was.

He recognized who it was immediately he saw the number. His face hardened a bit as he answered the call and put the phone close to his ear. He had been expecting the call earlier but was no longer expecting it at this time it came.

"Hey Paul," the caller's voice sounded.

Paul felt disgusted by the sound but he had no choice than to reply. "Where is my grandson?"

"Hey, relax man. It's very rude to ignore my greeting," the caller fired at him.

"Get straight to the point, I don't exchange pleasantries with criminals."

"Hahaha," the caller laughed loudly which sounded very annoying to Paul. Then from the annoying tone, the voice changed into an angry one. "I also do not have the patience for criminals masquerading as crime fighters, I kill them like I did with Elkim Nuel last night."

A Story By El Victor

Episode 12
“I tell you!, na only am need prison break” Obi said laughing.
“You girls should go back, we are having meeting” Sp, ordered the girls to return. Victor wave at them.
“We wan know, who be the school greatest womanizer” Benniah declared a competition open, he is the SP of Upaga community Secondary school. Obi and Ken. Pointed at Victor, Amina clap happily.
“Obi and Ken., I no womanizer pass ona biko” Victor retorted.
“Me, Obi and Ken vs Victor” everyone grinned apart from Victor.
“Any girl that greet any of us, will be added as a mark” Benniah Sp Esq. Said.
Three girls came around the school lab. Courtyard, to see Obi, Ken., And Sp. Victor was down on the score by three, five girls came around the lab. Courtyard only to ask of Victor in different time.
“Now, now” Obi shrugged.
The next 45minutes different girls come around the lab. Courtyard, and the score is Victor 15 and Obi, Sp, Ken just 7.
“Victor!” A girl called out just a feet from the lab. Courtyard.
“Tuaa! Even that small girl too?” Benniah complained.
“Na David sister be that na” Victor frown.
“Your amu nodey select?” Ken ask jokingly. The girl was sent away by Sp.
“Na 16, 7. Wetin be four for Victor to add? Our school girls never even come fine am oh” Obi added jokingly. A boy in Upaga community Secondary school uniform walk into the lab. Courtyard.
“Sp, good morning” he greeted.
“Ben, how are you?”
“Am fine, Sp girl sent me to call Victor” Amina wink at fuming Victor, Benniah allowed him to go with Ben. Amina took her leave also.
_____
“No be Sp girl call you oh” Ben told Victor as they head to the school basketball court. He frown in confusion.
“Na who?” He demanded sharply.
“The girl you wan go bleep for restrooms, shebi? Her name na Charity” he nodded in affirmation.
“she pay me Sha…” They both grinned, shook hand. Ben left while Victor walk to the basketball court were an incomplete classrooms is built. Some feef away from the abandoned basketball court.
______
On a tarred road, leading to Upaga community bus stop. Where most bikes that convey people out of the village stays, to carry passengers. Amina and Victor strode on this tarred road hands locked.
“I dey travel, for today. Return when school open” Victor said sadly, Amina didn’t welcome the development. Her only friend is traveling again.
“Why na?” Amina asked, removing her hand from his hold.
“My aunty say my come, I go buy you phone when I return” Amina smile broadly she has been asking her mother to buy her a phone but she refused saying they have not increase her salary, when she earn salary increase she will, which will be for decades. She hug him, they disengaged and Amina grinned.
“Why you dey shine your 32 teeth?” Wondering why Amina sudden jovial mood activated automatically.
“You dey smell like toto water” Amina said, while both of them laugh loudly.
______
“You again” Mallam pointed at Amina with his dagger, Amina is unperturbed by his reaction. She came to buy meat.
“Ah, ah, fine man like you, dey behave like this” Amina said smiling broadly.
“I go behave like this na, you no come again” Mallam said obviously losing his stance of being hostile to the goddess before him.
“Who tell you, I come na. You no been dey around, okay. Just do this one well, na 4rounds we go do” Amina said seductively, her voice soothing as never before. His walls fallen by her words.

Read more Episodes here -- www.youngicee.com/category/seductive-amina

Hidden Dream - Episode 7

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Two weeks had passed and I was getting excited. John was helping me with sciences and mathematics and Tracy with the instruction of Ms Jere was helping me with English and commerce. Surprisingly with the passing of days I started grasping some of the contents.

Some teachers even started congratulating me for the slight improvements and I started to feel at home.

I had not heard nor made an effort to talk to my family back home even when the boarding master would sometimes inform me they called to find out how I was doing. I cared less about knowing their well being knowing and assuming everyone was okey.

Besides, my greatest fear was if I tried calling them, it could slip my mouth and i could end up telling them I was happy cause I started dancing again. Avoiding them was the best option I had.

Ms Jere always found time to encourage me and I was in the dance class whenever I was free.

I walked to the dance class one day as was my trend. Oswald came towards my direction and stopped me.

"Hey Jay!"

" Hey" I i responded casually. I was trying to avoid his group because I knew most of the guys where against the dance class so I avoided anything negative.

Meeting him at that point implied he would talk about it as John had told me earlier that the head boy asked to see me that afternoon but I didn't bother to go see him.

" I told John to ask you to see me at the office, what happened?" He asked standing in my way.

" oh That!" I sighed reluctantly. " he told me but I have something to do so I couldn't make it. But since you are here already you can as well tell me why you wanted to see me" I responded calmly.

" mnmmm I see, I thought we are friends man, we welcomed you to this school and now you are behaving like a girl. Anyway, listen, I called you because I heard some guys talking."

" what about?" I asked hurriedly. I felt the urge to leave him there as I had to go and practice for the competition.

" I heard you are the one hanging around my girl Jay and I don't want to believe it's true."

" your girl?" I frowned " Which one Oswald?" I asked him looking straight in his face.

" as far as I know am not going out with any girl in this school so whoever told you must try find the correct information before making a fool out of you."

" well, you know the girl am talking about. That Tracy girl is mine. You came like yesterday man, you can't just start parading around the chicks in this school without asking around first. I don't want you to ruin what we started so am urging you, if you have any intentions towards that girl just back out Jay. Or else, "

" or else what?" I snapped " don't even dare to threaten me man, you know very well that am not scared of anyone in this school. I don't answer to you and am not going to let you intimidate my friend Tracy. Yeah, I hang around with her because she's my dance partner and friend that's all. She's just a friend but she told me how you punish her around just because she won't accept your proposal. Now let me warn you man, stay away from Tracy. She's not intrested in you and the next time you punish her unnecessarily you will have me to face " i added my stern eyes on his.

He shrugged and stepped back a bit.

Then I walked past him.

" what a clown!" Oswald shouted. " a dull rich guy who finds pleasure in dancing like a girl. !"

He could not finish his last words and I turned back towards him and grabbed him by the shirt. ." Come again? " i whispered squizing him.

I was about to land a blow at him when Ms Jere called out.

" enough boys break it off Now!" She shouted coming towards us.

I pushed Oswald forward and he staggered back before finding his balance.

" call me names again I swear am ready to leave this school and before I do I will make sure you spend some time in the hospital" I snapped angrily.

" i said enough Jared!" Ms Jere shouted holding my hand. .

" I don't expect such behaviour from you two. Now I will assume whatever the heat is about you two have it cooled or I will report to the head to have you expelled." She told us standing between us.

" Jared!, go join your friends and you", she looked at Oswald. " you are a leader and I expect you to act as such. Get going" she told him and I saw him shot some eyes at me before walking away.

"What was that about?" Ms Jere asked me as I walked ahead of her.

" nothing" I answered abruptly.

" nothing? You were almost engaged in a fist fighting and I heard you talk and you say nothing?"

" Yeah am sorry but that boy is a jerk. I just told him to stop calling me names. I swear I have had enough and am not going to take that from him or anyone else in this school. why can't people just leave me alone already. It's like everyone sees something wrong about my life. Jay is dull, he's a rich kid, he can't write properly, he likes dancing like a girl, bla bla bla..... Am so sick of all this bullshit! " I said almost yelling and all faces turned in on our direction as we just stepped in the dance class.

Ms Jere indicated for everyone to go on and asked me to join her at the table.

To be honest I was begining to feel more comfortable around her than anyone else in that school. She was always paying attention to me and it was like she knew exactly what i needed to hear at each point I was broken or with an issue.

" I understand your anger Jay, but please stop looking at the negative that people are pointing out in your life. Instead use them to build your life so that you can prove to them and more especially to yourself that you can be more than what they call you. I believe in you Jared and I know you can make it. It doesn't matter what others say Now, focus on what you believe in and if you have not yet decided what that is then, I suggest you start setting your standards and what you want to achieve in your life so that it guides your everyday activities."

I smiled slightly at her. " thank you" I said finally, " you always see the best in me madam and I appreciate it so much. I will do as you say especially for you" I added looking straight at her.

I saw her blush slightly. Her face turning into a soft laugh." For me? Why?" She asked politely

" oh No, maybe that didn't come out right" I chuckled. " what I meant was, you encourage me a lot and the past weeks have been great. I don't want to let you down so i promise to do my best so that your good words are not in vain" I eluded to her.

" you are a good person Jay and....."

She could not finish her sentence and Tracy came towards us.

" are you still sitting? I thought today we have to learn some new moves for the competition on the salsa dance" she said in a stern voice.

If I didn't know better I could have thought she was jealousy. But how? I thought to myself. Ms Jere was my teacher how can she be jealousy of her?.

Later after practice I told Tracy what Oswald had told me and she laughed. .

" what's funny?" I asked surprised

" well, if only Oswald knew who you are eyeing he wouldn't have said that to you. But not to worry I can handle him myself"

What is that supposed to mean?" I questioned her.

Instead of answering she got the text book and started helping me with the homwork we had.

I wanted to ask her what she really meant but then decided not to argue. Tracy was a very talkative person. So I assumed it was just one of those things she ranted about until later after we did our homework she sighed standing up.

" So whats with you and Ms Jere? " she asked unexpectedly

" Okey, I get it now" I chuckled. " she's the one you refered to earlier on right? Come on Tracy we are together in this group and Ms Jere is our teacher how can you even say That? "

" I have seen how you two are always talking and sometimes she just calls you alone to the dance class."

" so?" I asked challangingly.

Instead of answering my question she shrugged and turned to go..

" Tracy wait" , I stopped her holding her bag from behind. " I don't understand you. We are friends and you know how Ms Jere has been helping me with everything in this school. How can you imply that there's something going on. What does that even mean? "

" just let go of my bag Jay. Am going home now. Will see you tomorrow" she responded holding her bag closer.

I stood watching her walk away. I had not even thought of what she was telling me. For me it was outrageous. I would agree I felt comfortable with Ms Jere but for me it was just because she had shown she understood me and was helping me with my inner struggles.

Brushing off the thoughts, I walked to the hostels and found John laying on his bed.

" John!" I called out in greeting. " I didn't know you are here. Back from the club already?"

"I came back a few minutes ago. By the way do you know tomorrow will be visitation weekend.?"

" what? Does it mean parents are allowed to come here to visit us?" I asked him not wanting to hear the news cause I was scared of the possibility of my parents coming over. I had a dance practice that weekend since we only had a week to go. I didn't want them coming over when I was there.

I felt some panick and stayed quite thinking about what I was to do. Hoping they never decided to come over.

That evening I was quite trying to think of how I would do if they came. I didn't want to miss practice but again I wasn't sure what time they would come if they decided to.

Shrugging, I whispered to myself. " I know they cannot come here, they have not bothered to do so since they dropped me. The last time they sent the driver to bring me some pocket money and food he didn't mention anything about there coming and I was sure they wouldn't show up.

The rehearsals were going on well the following day. Tracy and I were paired together as usual and Ms Jere was directing us.

" you look a bit nervous today, is everything Okey? " Tracy asked as we danced.

" Yeah am fine," I told her.

She gave me a questioning look but I ignored her and kept on dancing.

We were just doing our last session when a familiar voice called out my name.

" Jared! What are you doing ?" Came the stern voice of my father. .

"No!" I whispered stopping instantly as I let go of Tracy's hand.

"I asked you a question" I heard him ask again and everyone in the room including Ms Jere stopped what we were doing and turned to face the direction of my father's voice.

My mouth went dry instantly as I saw him standing with my two sisters who smiled at me, Clearly enjoying the humiliation that was about to befall me in front of my friends and teacher.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/hidden-dream

Blood Legacy - Episode 7

© Brian Ngoma

At Chingwere Level 1 hospital, a patient in a ward kept shouting and screaming at the nurses. It had been three days now ever since he was brought in. The people who brought him in rushed back to where they had come from. The only thing the nurses knew was that he was a prince from a certain village which apparently, the Chief's house had caught fire. They felt pity for him because the sole survivor of the fire. His whole family had died.

Two nurses heard the loud screams. "When will he shut up?" The first nurse asked.

"He's in pain and you could see he's a village boy, he's probably scared," the second nurse added.

"Huh, it's now becoming irritating and he doesn't want anyone to wash his wounds. How will he get well?"

"He got burnt so bad. His whole leg is red eish. These jobs we dream of. Sometimes i wish i was a teacher mweh."

"Just go and settle him down. Give him a sedative before washing the wound."

The nurses parted ways while the other one walked to where the screams were coming from. She reached the ward and found everyone complaining about the noise.

"Give him something," one patient shouted upon seeing the nurse.

The nurse walked to a stall, flipped open the curtain and found the boy crying obviously in pain. She felt pity for him looking at the wound.

"Time to wash the wound," she said regretfully.

He screamed, "No, it hurts," sending the whole ward into a frenzy.

She quickly got a syringe and assured him it minimises the pain he was feeling. She rolled him over to the other side and injected him. She stayed by his side waiting for him to feel numb in his legs.

"So what's your name?" She asked.

"Walutanga," he answered drowsily.

"Okay Walu," she paused. "Can i call you Walu?" She stood up.

"Yes."

"Lets have this wound clean up."

"Where is my family?" He asked before closing his eyes.

****

Limping into the woods, Hunter had escaped the village clinic. He could hear the nurses shouting behind him but he wasn't going back. From the time he had been awake in the clinic, he had strategized how to take off. It wasn't difficult to do because the staff at the clinic weren't as many. Another thing he couldn't stop thinking of was the fire that killed Walu's family. That was no ordinary fire, he thought to himself.

He reached the small hut he had spent the night in the night of the fire. He changed his clothes. He threw the clothes he had wore and packed a few things. He walked to the site they were building the school. There was no one. He walked round the unfinished building and knelt down where there was an anthill. He looked around one more time. He dug deep into the ground and removed a black plastic bag from it. He opened it and checked. There were a ton of kwacha bills in it.

He was torn between going to the city or going to the next village to meet up with Walutanga's sister. He first decided to go to the Chief's place and see what was happening. Upon reaching there, he found people gathered crying and some people were searching for some things on the burnt down house. He stayed off sight until one woman recognised him.

"You're supposed to be in the hospital," she said feeling sorry for him.

He only looked at her.

She felt afraid especially looking into those eyes, "The boy is alive. He's in the city."

"Where?"

"Matero level 1 hospital," another woman joined in. "This has been a tragedy. We hope he will get better because as it stands, it's only his uncle who is fit to rule this village and nobody knows where he disappeared to together with his….."

"Don't talk about that," another old woman interrupted. "It's such a shame to even think about it. Moreover, a message has been to his sister in the next village. Everyone is just wondering why she hasn't showed up yet."

More reason to go to the next village, Hunter thought. He didn't want to think about the mentioned uncle because he had never heard of him. He left the women with his mind made up of where he would go next. Two names kept bugging him though, Ben and Devi, he somehow felt they had something to do with the fire but why? What he knew was that they were almost getting the land they wanted. Why would they set fire to the palace? He limped his way into the road that led to the next village. He knew he would reach by evening.

*****

Angry, Ludo almost raised her hand when she saw how Caesar looked at her. She quickly came back to her senses realizing that her job was at stake. She calmed herself down and stopped. Bowing her head, she turned around leaving Erica and Caesar and directly went to the reception and left Caesar's car keys with the receptionist. When going out, she bumped into Jean who recognised her.

"Ludo!" He exclaimed.

She clicked her tongue and felt like she could insult him. It wasn't no surprise seeing him here because where Erica was, that's where he would be. She was only surprised that he was still with her after all these years.

"Excuse me," she walked right through him hitting him.

As she was walking, she heard a young girl screaming and shouting, "Dad! Dad! Dad!"

She turned around and saw the little girl running towards Jean who embraced her. Ludo rolled her eyes and figured what that was. Who thought Erica could even have a child? She probably was one of the most worst mothers, Ludo thought to herself as she walked to the bus station. She boarded a bus to Melanie's place because that's where she wanted to be in that moment. She wanted to talk but as it stood, she didn't know what would happen to her job she had just sabotaged with her temper.

*****

Hunter arrived at the village around 7:30pm. He was exhausted and needed some water. He asked for it as soon as he saw the first hut. He drank the water briskly and left. He didn't want any attention to be drawn to him. He had been in this village before with Walutanga. They had visited some two years ago but Hunter didn't reach the Chief's house though He knew where it was. He found his way but reaching there, the place was dead silent.

Noticing the unusual, he took cover. His all guts told him there was something wrong. There were no guards in the vicinity and not even voices speaking and Hunter thought it peculiar being the Chief's house. Whilst kneeling, he tried to pick up any sound but there was none. He crawled to a hut that seemed like a kitchen. Whilst heading there, he bumped into a dead dog. He checked the dog and figured it was poisoned. Something was definitely wrong.

The only house that had lights on was the small main house. Getting closer to the house, he heard a sound of what seemed to be a generator. He slowly stood up and opened the first door he encountered. Whilst his hand was on the door knob, the generator stopped and took the lights with it. He was running blind.

Luckily, he had a small torch with him. He got it out from his bag and switched it on. He got into a room and found a body laying on the ground. He knelt down to check but the person dead. He continued moving until he heard a moan.

"Don't kill me please," a woman cried.

Hunter saw her and torched her, it was Walutanga's sister. He recognized her from last time he came, he had seen her from the distance. He rushed to her. She was laying on her back with a machete buried deep into her stomach. He lifted her head not knowing what to do to help her.

"Don't kill me," she cried again. "My children."

"Who did this?"

"My children."

"Please tell me who did this."

"Who are you?" She asked him.

"I'm your brother's friend."

"You must be Hunter," she was certain. "Take care of my brother please, the people who did this wants my whole family wiped out. He trusts and looks up to you."

"Let me get you out of here," Hunter didn't know how to carry her.

He tried to see what he could with the machete in her stomach. He reached for it and as soon as he grabbed it, he heard a noise.

CLICK CLICK followed by a flash of a camera.

He couldn't see the person behind it but whoever that was, took off running. Hunter chased the man. He slowly increased his pace ignoring the pain his whole body was feeling. Getting out of the house, he saw the man disappearing into the woods. He quickly took off. He ran to where he heard the branches of the small trees breaking off. He got nearer to the person by running as fast as he could and when he was a meter away from him, he dived at him sending them both onto a road.

Hunter quickly got up and got on top of the man. There was no light, he couldn't see him. He punched the man in the face and when he wanted to punch him again, he blocked him and was gripped on the burnt hand so hard that he let go of him thereby giving him a chance to smack him in the face with his temple sending Hunter on the dust road.

Trying to get up, Hunter saw the man taking off again. He quickly got up and sprinted to him like a Cheater and grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him back smashing his back on the road. He got a stick from a nearby tree and repeatedly whipped him.

"Who are you?" Hunter shouted. "Why did you kill those people?"

Blinded by anger, Hunter didn't see the car coming at the speed of light behind him and by the time he saw it, he just saw a very bright light shone on him followed by a skidding sound. Before he could know it, he was hit and sent flying into the woods breaking each and every branch of the trees he bumped onto. His wounds bled heavily.

Lights off!

To be continued

Read more Episodes here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

Blood Legacy - Episode 6

© Brian Ngoma

Hunter's eyes met with that of a young Nurse on his feet. He checked where he was and it seemed like a clinic. He looked around and saw a number of beds and some people laying on them. He tried to get up but felt a surge of pain on his lower part of the body.

"Don't move," the nurse said. "You got burnt pretty bad."

"Ouch," he moved regardless and saw his legs all burnt up.

"I said don't move or the burns will be rubbed."

"Where is the boy?"

"Oh, the boy you were brought in with?"

"Yes."

"He was taken to the city hospital. His burns are severe."

Hunter seemed a little confused, "How long have i been out?"

"It's been three nights now," the nurse responded and went to tend to another patient.

Three nights, he thought. He had never been unconscious for three nights in his life. Perhaps he was getting old because what he went through that night was nothing compared to the adversities he had crossed paths with in his entire life.

"Nurse!" He called her.

Irritated, she looked at him and walked to his bed. "What is it?"

"Which hospital was the boy taken to and what happened to the rest of his family? How are they?"

Sorrowfully, the nurse answered, "They all perished, unfortunately. Even the Chief. The whole house fell on them. I heard you saved the boy, you did well. He's alive because of you."

Hunter couldn't take his eyes off his burnt legs. "I need to walk around."

"You cannot," she repulsed.

"Only me can tell," he staggered his way off the bed and stood.

The nurse watched him in awe. It was like he didn't feel any pain. He started walking round the bed while causing the other patients to stare at him. They knew who he was but never got any close to him despite been in Chisoti village for the past four years.

Noticing he was staggering, the nurse offered her hand, "Please let me. You have been out for three days, you need to eat something."

He didn't say anything but sat down. A moment later, the nurse came with some nshima and Kapenta which seemed like it was boiled. He had no option but to eat. He needed strength for what he was about to do next.

*****

Work at Lance & Associates had become so busy and overwhelming for the past three days. It was a Saturday and and by the time it had reached 12, everyone was busy asking questions as to when they would be knocking off.

The firm had two main departments. One dealt with advising clients and handling transactional legal work, such as drafting contracts, handling necessary legal applications and filings, and evaluating and ensuring compliance with relevant law; while the other department represented clients in court and handled necessary matters. Ludo worked in the latter together with Lance and two other associates. With the coming of Caesar, who apparently was the senior associate, associates became three.

"Did you see how handsome our new boss is?" The firms secretary asked Ludo at her desk.

"You're mouthful Lauren," Ludo's eyes were on the document in her hand. "Have you drafted the contract for that drilling company?"

"Of course," Lauren reached her drawer and got the contract and handed it over to Ludo. "Do you know what's happening?"

"What's happening?"

"Why are we working on Saturday? And it's 12pm already, aren't we supposed to knock off?"

"I don't know. I'm asking myself the same question but i think it's just a waste of time. We'll knock off soon. Lance and the other Associates are in a meeting discussing something."

"I envy you Ludo," Lauren smiled.

"Eh, why?"

"You working with the finest gentlemen. Lance is a 10, if it's Caesar, Oh my god, it's like he was just banished from heaven. He's a fallen angel."

"You're exaggerating Lauren," Ludo laughed. "Yes he's fine but what you're saying," she paused, "You're crazy."

"Talking about me huh?" Caesar appeared behind the women.

They both froze embarrassed.

"Here take this," Caesar gave Lauren a file. "That's a list of clients who need legal advise. Ensure you call them all but before that, take a look at what they need."

Ludo wanted to walk away.

"Don't be in such a hurry," Caesar stopped her. "Don't i deserve to know why i was the topic of the discussion?" He also looked at Lauren who was equally astound.

"Haaa, haaa," Ludo stammered. "We are sorry sir. We weren't talking ill of you."

"Is that so?" Caesar asked suspiciously. "If you say so and one other thing, you're coming with me. I figured since you're the only paralegal in the department, i might as well work with you."

"But, but."

"Lance knows don't worry," he assured her seeing how nervous she had become. "Let me find you by my car outside. Do you know my car?"

"No."

"Oh okay, let me find you outside then. I'm going to grab my bag and some files," he left.

Ludo and Lauren watched him go. They couldn't say a word to each other. They were in total shame. This is what gossiping does, Ludo thought as she was knocking on Lance's office. She went in and found him packing up.

"Boss, Mr. Caesar has instructed me to go with him. I don't know where, are you aware?"

"Oh yes. In fact I'm the one who suggested you go with him. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes," she answered looking down.

"Don't worry, it will only take at most an hour. You are meeting a potential client who didn't want to come here. It's part of your preparations for the ZIALE exams. Isn't that what you want?"

She smiled, "Yes, I'll get going then," she walked to the door.

"Ludo!" He called her.

She stopped.

"Knock off after you meet up with the client."

"Thank you. See you on Monday."

"You bet."

Ludo went to her office, grabbed her handbag and left. She found Caesar waiting for her. He was standing by a white Mercedes. She had guessed that was his car but didn't want to say anything in fear of being seen as prying too much. She walked to him. He opened the door for her. She somehow felt special but blushed it off. He got into the car too and drove off. No one uttered anything on the way. Ludo didn't even know where they were going.

Caesar finally spoke, "So the person we are going to meet is kind of difficult. I suggest you just watch and listen."

"Noted," she said.

Who told him i even wanted to come here? Ludo thought to herself. Caesar drove into High Bridge Hotel along Independence Avenue. He parked the car. They all got out of it and walked to the reception. She let him talk to the receptionist while she looked around. While looking around, she saw a familiar figure. She looked again but didn't see the person. She didn't realise Caesar was calling her.

"Ludo!"

"Oh sorry, i thought i saw someone i know."

"Let's get going, she's waiting for us."

"It's a she?" Ludo whispered.

They went through the lobby to the backyard of the hotel. There, they found people by the swimming pool and children running around all excited.

"There is our client," Caesar pointed at a woman laying by the pool. "Come follow me," he started off.

Ludo followed him. They reached where the woman was and she was laying her face down. Ludo had seen this person before, she was sure.

"Ms. Erica Hamuumbu"

"Oh Shit," Ludo said under her breath. "Not again."

Caesar raised his voice one more time, "Ms. Erica!"

She slowly turned around and smiled, "Oh sorry i was in the moment," her smile faded when she saw Ludo.

Ludo stiffened.

"This is my assistant Ludo," Caesar tried to introduce them.

"Oh my," Erica removed her sunglasses. "What are the odds? Ludo? The sick girl?"

"Do you know each other?" Caesar smiled nervously.

"Oh yeah we do," Erica stood up rounding Ludo. "What is she doing here?"

"She's my assistant Ms." Caesar answered.

"What is she doing here?" Erica's face became angry. She looked at Caesar. "She's the reason I'm here."

"I don't understand," Caesar sounded confused.

"You and your family ruined my life," Ludo raised her voice.

"Oh we ruined your life?" Erica was in Ludo's face. "See where my whole family is at? Mom and dad are in prison, Ethan is dead, our business is all gone and you're here talking about ruining your life looking all sassy in that work suit," she looked at her from the legs to the head.

"You did more damage to me than you can ever imagine Erica and all those things you mentioned, i never did them. You had them coming don't put the blame on me please."

Erica laughed, "I see you have grown now Ludo. Who would thought? Young little epileptic Ludo now look at you."

Caesar had enough, "Ludo go and wait for me in my car," he handed her the keys.

"Yeah, go. I don't want you here and where the hell are you hiding Evan? You turned my brother against his family you little witch," Erica shouted.

Ludo had had it up to here, she turned around, clenched her fist and charged towards Erica. All hell was about to break loose.

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/blood-legacy

A Story By El Victor

Episode 11
Upaga community Secondary is situated at the outskirt of the village, not at the major entrance but at the width of the landscape, spatial at right.
The school is unusually noisy and cheerful, since their exams have already ended. They have a friendly match against their neighbouring village community Secondary School. Every one in groups, playing, running. And the soccer field is utterly deserted. Ropes tied around the field to earmark restrictions for spectators.
Under a tree is someone who is secluded from others, sitting on a bench under the tree chewing an apple. The school laboratory is built at this side of the school, Amina is the one. Last night, is a night she doesn’t want to remember. She find herself awake on her bed in her room, her mother has already left home when she wakes up, she hurried up from her bed and went into the bathroom, took her bath and hurry to school, she wouldn’t miss school for anything today.
“Amina, wey your friend?” A vibrant young man, on long sleeves and trouser strode towards her with a long cane. Amina raise her head and smile play on her lips.
“Good morning, SP” she greeted, he nodded in acknowledgement.
“Call the two womanizers, hope you know them?” Amina nodded happily, he pointed to the lab., Amina stood up, and walk. She walk around the classes looking for someone, she look down from one of the class in upstairs and saw Victor and a girl walking to the restrooms, secluded from main school buildings. She hurried down.
______
“Umhh.. will anyone miss you, behind” she smile broadly.
“No” she retorted sharply, Victor grinned.
“Victor!” He heard Amina’s voice calling out to him, he exhale dejectedly. He wonder why she came to school today, they all look back.
“Where you and this fine girl dey go?” Amina asked, raising her eyebrows in suspicion.
“Sweetheart, let me talk to her” he drop a peck on her cheek, she giggle and blush. He walk up to Amina, who is feet away from were he and the girl was formerly standing.
“You go try go back oh, this girl don already gree. Amina I..” he plead anxiously, Amina didn’t allow him to conclude.
“Sp say, my call the school womanizers” his eyebrows gather in confusion.
“Ehem, go carry Ken and Obi, how that one take concern me?” He asked in confusion.
“You leg girls pass them” Amina said laughing loudly, he frown.
“My just chuk, go I dey come” Amina shake her head in disagreement.
“Na you and me dey go together”
He knows within that Amina will not leave without him, and Amina present will rubbish his plans. He whisper something to the girl and she giggle, three of them walk to the school main buildings.
_____
At the lab. Courtyard surrounded by flowers, Amina and Victor with the Sp. Ken and Obi look frustrated sitted on the long bench. The Sp seem to enjoy the situation.
“Victor, why you no go play the match?” Obi asked, Victor hissed irritated by the unnecessarily question.
“My leave all these fine things, go suffer for that field” Amina chuckled at his response, sitted beside him on the bench is Amina.
“Ona wan pass me for womanizing, even my school son, Victor” the SP said, smiling mischievously. He has determined to hold them down in that punishment if they refuse to join the school team in playing the friendly match.
“Victor!!” Some group of girls wearing the neighbouring school uniform scream happily, they were just passing the lab. Courtyard and saw him. They wanted to come but they were ask to go back by the Sp, Victor frown.
It didn’t take up to 10minutes, when two girls come around the lab. courtyard “Vicky!” The two girls giggle, coming to meet Victor. All eyes in the courtyard on him.
“Twaa! I no reach you oh!” Ken. Exclaimed.
“I tell you!, na only am need prison break” Obi said laughing.

All Episodes can be found here - www.youngicee.com/category/seductive-amina

A Story By El Victor

Episode 10
Everywhere became silent.
Faint foot-falls, approaching the region were the voices were formerly chatty. The cloud threatened to rain with thunder rumbling, and lightening emanating light that grace lightly on Amina’s face. She flinched.
She quicken her footsteps, cursing the weather under her breath. She wouldn’t have been this late, if Victor didn’t lure her into watching a seasonal movie that made time fly without her knowing, she loves nice movies. She blessed PHCN for the power outage first time in her life. Her mother, she worried. She never notice any awkward moves before her, her anxiety has made her obliviousness of the on-going.
A shiny light beam before her, ‘causing momentarily blindness, she shield her face from the light shone on her face with an open palm.
“Who be that mumu?” She vented her anger, dejectedly.
She felt a strong arm on her neck, before she could take any action. A hanky was on her face, she inhaled an unusual substance and became sub-conscious, slum unconsciously on the arms of her attacker.
The cloud rage with thunderbolts and it drizzle, another of her attacker emerge from the bush to help his partner. They carried her, while the one holding the torch lead the way.
“Youtube, I nofit wait” he said joyously, feeling the buttocks of Amina who lay unconscious on his shoulder. They chant under the heavy downpour as they hurried into an incomplete building.
“This girl fine oh” the one with imposing figure admired Amina’s beauty, YouTube torchlight the lying body of Amina. He unhook his belt, since Amina’s short skirt isn’t tight, he pulled it to her stomach. Lightening persist, as light shadows flash in the uncompleted building room.
“See G-string pant” he grinned, in process of pulling her skirt. He revealed rare beads on Amina’s waist with different colors emanating faint light. He groaned as he self-service on his ****, about to rest his weight on her.
“Na me first” the other one pulled him up, YouTube dropped the torch on the floor. Angered by the interruption, he punch him on his face, he staggered backwards. It followed with retaliation, ensue fight betwixt the duo, YouTube tried to halt them from fighting but didn’t succeed.
“Wake up…” Faint voice in her head, she felt lightheaded, stood and left the trio at each others neck lazily.
“Ona mumu ehnn!” YouTube said loudly, when he has halt them from fighting, breathing heavily.
“Wey Amina?” They chorused at a time, face by surprise. They scattered in search of her.
_______
Amina’s mother walk around in circle, in the sitting room illuminated by a lamp on a table in the centre of the room. Her hands across below her breast, she breath uneasily, and feel restless. She slum into the chair frustrated, stood up looking at Amina’s baby picture nailed to the wall, her eyes teary.
“Where this mad girl go?” She said with choked voice, her eyes wet. The door push open, drenched Amina step in, she stood at the door looking weak and tired.
“Mama!” Her voice sounded almost as whisper, She walk lazily towards her surprised mother, and fainted.
______
In a darkroom smoke waft in the room, as two individuals holding on to lit cigarette.
The bossy figure on a chair, stood.
“You know what to do?”
The other individual who has been on his feet, drag the cigarette and release dangling smoke in the air.
“Yes, boss!”
He left the room, the light in the dark room came up to reveal Chief Ucha on his feet, he walk to a table in the centre of the room with a smoking cigarette in hand. He pick a picture of Amina on the table.
“You’ll soon be mine”
He said, caressing the picture with his thumbs. He dropped the half cigarette on the floor, smash the lit part under his foot.
Took the picture, switch off the light and left the room.
TBC…

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Hidden Dream - Episode 6

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Jay...

" Jared Zimba , come to my office I want to talk to you." The commerce teacher called out as she walked outside of our classroom. She had given us a second test after the end of the topics and I failed them both.

It was now evident that I wasn't a bright pupil in my class. I practically failed all the mid term tests and slowly I started withdrawing.

My friend John noticed how I was finding it difficult to catch up on my studies but I wasn't willing to open up to him.

I walked to the business studies department to see the teacher for commerce.

After knocking softly, I heard her soft voice calling me in.

" Jared," she sighed looking up from the file in front of her.

" Yes madam," I responded standing a couple of steps from her.

" come on sit down" she smiled slightly showing me a chair across the table. .

" I have observed how you have performed in the last tests I have given to your class. Now I hear You have been through grade 11 before. I don't know why you find the contents so difficult. Do you have anything you want to tell me? Are you having any particular problems with my subject?" She asked calmly looking at me.

I shook my head.

" what is it then? Talk to me Jared are you having any problems settling in?" She went on.

I looked down without words. She wasn't the only teacher talking about my poor performance. I over head them talk one day when I was passing by the staff room.

"He seems like a good boy" one of the teachers had said.

" oh well what do you expect the boy is obviously a spoilt little boy who is used to having all the luxury and he doesn't even understand the importance of being in school" another one responded.

" he's probably a problem child no wonder they had to send him to this school. Far away from home and the luxury. Well they have not solved a thing as the boy is completely out of school league. He can't pass a single subject even if he speaks very fluent and good English he cant put his words on paper."

I had heard all the comments and I rushed back forgetting to go and ask for the teacher who told me to go and see him that day.

So here I was now in front of the commerce teacher and I felt she too had the same perception.

Deep in my heart I still felt confined and the fact that the past weeks I had avoided going near the dance club made it even worse. John had been dragging me to his club but I was always not getting used to being around them. Especially that all the guys in the club seemed so aquinted with what they were doing and all I could manage come up with was a simple box with a theory that it would kill a cockroach, as cockroaches would die when inclosed in a dark place.

Who ever gave me the idea, I couldn't recall but when I tried it, indeed after some minutes a cockroach had died and I called it a cockroach killer. I recall how some guys made fun of my small project. John encouraged me to continue and I only went ahead because he stood by me and helped me out.

" I don't know madam, I told her honestly."

She talked to me for a while and told me she would give me some remedial lessons as she expected me to pass the end of term exams.

That day I left her office more drained than encouraged. Even though she was trying to be polite, I could tell her words somehow connected with what everyone was saying about me.

The following day was Saturday, so I woke up early and took my clothes for washing.

I had just finished hanging them on the line when I saw Ms Jere walk to our hostels.

I tried to hide lest she asks about my decision to join her club.

I ducked pretending to be doing something on the ground but yet again I heard her voice calling my name.

With Shame I smiled like a child caught in the act of something forbidden and walked towards her.

" How have you been?" She asked when I stood with my bucket close to her.

" am fine thank you" I responded not taking my eyes off the ground.

" why do I have the feeling you are avoiding me.? She asked a question that shocked me.

I was always running away from her but I had not anticipated she had seen me. In fact I even avoided Tracy, for fear she could bring the issue of me dancing.

It was like I was running away from myself. Trying so hard to suppress the desire to do what I really wanted.

" am not madam" I answered

" okey. Listen, I have a few questions for you so why don't you go inside and put your bucket then join me in the Music class. I have some one am talking to but I want to see you before I go back home." She told me. More like an order.

I did as she told me and went to join her when she was just finishing her lesson with one of the female students.

I watched her as she stood towards the radio player turning on the Music.. I knew the song playing, it was one of the best songs for a dance called Waltz. A very passionate dance that involved a powerful and emotional way of dancing. A woman would have to do a lot of throwing up her hands and bending her head whilst a man was to follow her moves and hold her close ensuring he connected with her every move and touch.

I recalled how the dance teacher at one of the dance schools I used to sneak to would emphasis to the guys to have a strong hold and follow closely the lead of a woman and avoid her body slipping off your hands and holding the lady close by the waist.

I was lost in thoughts when I saw Ms Jere walk to the centre of the room. She had the curtains to the dance class drawn.

For a minute I developed shivers thinking negatively.

" you know this song" she said. It wasn't a question but more like a statement.

" what?" I asked surprised. How could she tell?.

" I have seen you dance before Jared Zimba."

Now I was completely numb.

I was sure I had not danced since I got to that school so I wondered what her words meant.

" look, am just trying to help you come out of the shell. I know for sure when you open up even your academic life will improve. You have been hiding and suppressing your true dream no wonder even your brain will not be free to do other things because the mind listens to your heart." She explained as though answering my questions.

I looked up at her amused. When she extended her hands towards me I was now practically shaking.

She walked towards me and whispered, " I was once a student at Shine dance school and I saw you several times. That's how come I know about you. The instructor there told me lots about you and when Tracy showed me and told me that it was like you were struggling to open up to dance. I remembered you.

Maybe you don't remember me but 2 years ago I used to go help at Shine dance school before I got this job here. "

She nooded her head when my eyes went to her face in wonder.

" if you know so much about me. Then why are you doing this? You must know that my parents won't approve of this." I told her almost in a whisper.

She smiled her red lips curving right in front of me.

"I think dancers can talk as they dance too " she responded avoiding my question.

Reluctantly I took her hand and followed her to the centre.

"Am sure you have not forgotten" she smiled again." Come on," .

I let myself free and allowed her to lead then i joined in dancing alongside her. Her black frayered dress moving from one side to the other.

I was lost in the moment dancing with Ms Jere forgetting I was with one of my supposed to be teachers, the dance was so intense and captivating I enjoyed every bit of it. When the Music finally stopped playing I was panting heavily as she did her last stance laying her head on my hand as my right hand remained on Her waist holding her still. Her face coming close to mine.

I gazed at her for some seconds and she cleared her throat to bring me back to the moment.

" you can let go now" she smiled

" oh yeah I sighed pulling her up."

" see Now, that wasn't bad at all" Ms Jere announced turning off the radio.

" how do you feel inside?" She asked indicating for me to sit on a chair as she sat on the opposite side. .

I actually feel relieved, I acknowledged honestly

" Good. Now I want, No, am asking you to join the group we can use someone like you. You are already accustomed to the dances. I need you to help me with the other students. There's a competition coming on in three weeks time and I want the group to go and participate. You too If you would accept."

" I I don't know," I shrugged. " am not sure I should do this. Besides I was told to start some remedial work for the subjects am not doing well so.."

" that's alright. I know your friend John can help you with your studies, Tracy is quite good academically too. I will ask her to help too then I will see if i can talk to some teachers. I need the whole group training everyday for the next week's after classes and the headteacher has given me a go ahead. I just need to talk to the class teachers and am sure they will understand" she explained.

" okey" I nodded my head and smiled for the first time since I got to the class.

She explained what needed to be done and I went back to the hostels just before dinner. I was almost jumping up and down with excitement. Everything just felt right.

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Hidden Dream - Episode 5

A Story By Tisa Phiri

......Tracy....

I was hurrying to the classes. I just finished doing my punishment during break time. " oh I hate this guy," I sighed breathing heavily as i stood by the door waiting for the teacher to allow me in.

Oswald always found something to punish me for. It's either I didn't wear my neck tie properly , or had wrong socks on. I was getting tired of his evidently silly behaviour, it's like he enjoyed seeing me all worked out and tired. And he's thing making sure I worked during break really got to me.

" Tracy, you are late."The English teacher called me in.

"Sorry sir, I was purnished by the head boy" I explained.

"Go on sit down" he smiled.

I went and sat sighing as I searched through my books for an exercise book for English.

Later in the day I went to sit under the tree waiting for the afternoon prep. My best friend Chama had gone to see our grade teacher and I had told her to catch up with me when she was done..

Someone cleared their throught behind me and I turned to face him.

"Helo!" He beamed exposing his perfect smile.

" Helo new guy" i responded cheerfully.

I had seen Jay twice after I last caught him staring at the dance club. Something told me he was dying to get in and join in the dancing but I noticed he seemed reluctant.

I had bumped into him 2 days later and I should agree the guy was a hottie. He's school uniform fitted him perfectly and I knew some girls where already making themselves available for him. What amazed me though was that he seemed unconcerned about girls. He was always with the guys and mostly in the company of the head boy. I came to learn he was coming from some good school in Lusaka city and that his family was loaded too which explained why the head boy was all over him.

" Well I was out of league for him" I thought to myself. I was just a girl from a humble background. My mother was a teacher right at my school and my father a business man. We lived within the school compounds.

I was in my 11th grade and I never used to announce about my mother. I thank God she never taught my class so I had it well covered.

Not that I wasn't in good terms with her, but I liked keeping it cool. I didn't want people to talk about me like I was getting favours from teachers because of my mom and staff like that. So from the time I joined the school in grade 10 I never announced my parents except for those who quickly matched father's surname to mom and i.

" I thought we are off the page of new and old" Jay shrugged standing in front of me.

" well it's just been what? Two weeks? I bet you are still new to me" i said looking up at him.

" mind I sit next to you?" He asked pointing at the bench besides me.

" not at all" I told him moving my bag and placing it on my laps.

" So, what are you doing here alone?" He asked me.

" waiting for my friend, She went to see our grade teacher."

" I see," he sighed.

" I can't get used to the food at the dining and the fact that am not so good with eating, I decided to stay away a bit and wait for my friend out here"

" mnmmm " i murmered nodding my head. " the rich kid doesn't eat from the dingo" I shrugged with a laugh.

" oh no, not you too with the rich kid thing, come on. Who even told people am from a wealthy family?" He asked shaking his head. Clearly not pleased with his identity.

" well, it's not difficult to tell. Your swag, the way you carry yourself and even accent says it all." I told him.

" Okey," he frowned. "But please whatever it is. Can you guys stop calling me that? I hate it" he said honestly. " i just want to be like any other guy in this school. Am trying to fit in and it will be much easier if people like yourself just looked at me as me and not my back ground" he added.

I smiled at him. And I saw him relax. Watching my face like he was seeing me for the first time.

" what?" I asked him shapply.

" you are a dancer? " He asked unexpectedly.

" yeah, i mean I try and am sure will get there. I love it even though sometimes people criticise the club. Dancing just keeps me alive. I feel powerful, beautiful and belonging" I said looking up the tree.

I saw him smile, it was like he understood me so well. His smile faded quickly and he sank back.

" Jay, are you Okey?" I asked concerned at his sudden turn of his expression.

" I really admire you. I wish I had it in me to express myself like that without hesitation." He said sadly.

" why not? I mean if there's something you love doing why not get yourself to enjoy and be free with it?" I questioned him.

" do you have a thing for dancing too?" I asked and regretted almost immediately as Jay stood up abruptly and started walking away.

" am sorry I got to Go."he announced without looking back and took some quick steps away.

" what did I say to upset this guy?" I spoke to myself loudly.

"Since when do you talk to yourself like an old woman?" I heard Chama ask as she joined me.

" it's nothing girl am just surprised by that guy Jay, he just stormed out of here when we were just talking calmly. I wonder what I said wrong."

Any way, tell me how it went with Mrs Banda I asked her instead, trying to push the thoughts of Jay away.

" well she told me to see her later for some notes so that we can write during prep. But stop deviting the story. You said something about that new guy. What's up with you two? I saw how he looked at you the other day in the hallway. "

" come on girl, it's not that. I think the boy is just trying to blend in. And I noticed he's got this sad look in his eyes. It's like he's hiding something. I don't know" I shrugged..

" Okey," Chama raised her neck to look at my face. " now you can even see through his eyes. Wow! That surely doesn't sound like my girlfriend. I just hope this guy doesn't get you in trouble with your mother. Besides Oswald will not let him win you over."

" now you are way out of line girl." I responded shocked.

" I don't have any intention of having a boyfriend in this school and that Oswald can go to hell. I don't care if his the Head boy or the president himself. I will never accept his proposal. Am not here for any relationships but for school" I burst out making a sad face.

" well I give up" Chama raised her hands in surrender .

" don't come complaining if i scoop that hot Jay from you. I have told you oooh!" She shouted in a Nigerian tone and we all laughed.

" all the best in your hunt." I chuckled and stood up.

" lets get going prep time is almost starting I pulled her up bring her to her feet as she tried to pull herself back to the bench.

" we haven't had our lunch" she complained loudly.

" come on I will give you a fruit on our way, no eating today since you refused carrying food " I scolded her as she followed me to the classes.

Friday came and the Music teacher walked in dressed in her jeggings and a tight body top showing off her contours. I would agree she had the body. I loved her so much she inspired me.

She was a great dancer and when she came to campaign for the dance club in our class the previous year, I had instantly fallen in love with her voice and gestures. She was good at dancing and that made me not to want to miss any of the dance meetings.

My mother had first objected to my joining the group but after she saw how happy it made me. She had given up and even came to watch us perform sometimes..

We always performed at the first Monday of the month in the school assembly hall and whenever we had some important functions. Everyone was amazed at our moves. Which really helped get me to be amongst the most recognised girls in school. I was only in grade 11 but the attention the guys where always trying to give me made me look like I was part of the grade 12s.

" come on people, let's get to it already. Today we have to continue working on our salsa dance for that upcoming district competition" Ms Jere announced clapping her hands.

"Everyone get into your positions with your partner's and get started" she added as she walked to switch on the radio player.

I was getting ready with my partner Ken, when I saw him standing by the window again. His face with pure desire to want to dance. Something told me Jay was intrested in dancing but was somewhat shy.

I whispered something to Ms Jere and she turned to look at the direction of Jay.

"Go on and start the dance" she told me and walked towards the door....

...Jared.....

I was almost running away, I saw Tracy whisper to her dance teacher and when she turned to face me I quickly took off.

"Hey !" I heard her call me.

I pretended not to have heard her and walked on but when she me mentioned my name I froze instantly.

I slowly turned back and came face to face with Ms Jere's beaming face. She had this bright smile it almost knocked me off my feet.

I sighed looking at her. " how are you madam?" I greeted her instead.

"Come on, come join us" she smiled further.

" what? Oh no I didn't intend to come join you guys. I mean I can't even dance" i stammered almost getting chocked by my own lies.

Ms Jere nodded, "okey," she sighed

"Come in, anyway. We wouldn't mind having someone watching us" she giggled.

I was speechless. I couldn't say no cause my inside was screaming loudly at me to go in and join the dance already. But thoughts of my parent' s warnings and the furious eyes of my father when I told him about my passion to dance scared me.

" I can't am sorry" I managed to say at last.

"I will just go now" I staggered uneasily.

She stopped smiling and came closer to me.

" listen to me my dear, I can tell someone is a dancer when I see them. And am not wrong to say, you are dying to dance inside yourself. Don't take so long to take a step towards dancing. Dancing is like boiling water, if you cover it up as it boils inside it will eventually spill over. You cannot hide from your true self. You have to learn to harness the power inside you. Grab it and enjoy it as it lasts. You will not be young forever" she added and patted my shoulder gently before walking away.

I remained standing my mouth dry.

" Jay! Come on. Let's go!" John called me out. I had sneaked out on him running to the dance class before he pulled me to go with him to his club.

" where did you disappear to? I was looking all over for you" John scolded as I walked with him to the labs for JETS.

" no where I was just moving about" I coughed nervously. When he didn't bring up the dance teacher I relaxed knowing he had not seen her talk with me.

" So what's up with that babe? I heard boys talking man, be careful she's being eyed by the Head boy I don't think it's a good idea to cross him"

"Which one?" I asked surprised.

" that Tracy man, don't pretend. I saw you two the other day talking and people are talking as well "

" mnmmm I see people like gossiping in this school huh.. not to worry my friend though, i got nothing with that girl shes just a girl I met outside the dance class the other day and...."

I couldn't finish my sentence and John stopped , eyeing me suspiciously.

" dance class?" He asked surprised " what the hell was a dude like you doing at that class for girls man?" He asked looking straight at me.

' I, I was just am um" I stammered.

" I know! " He shouted loudly. " you went checking out girls right?" He asked hitting my shoulder.

" yeah! That's what happened man I breathed heavily. " and that teacher, you said it Wow, she's so damn hot!" I stagged an act raising my hands.

" you are unbelievable man, so soon you have started looking out for girls" John laughed out. .

I shrugged casually not wanting to argue his perception. I was cool with him thinking I went for girls than knowing my true intentions. .

That Friday passed and I was still fighting my inner desire to join the dance class.

To be continued

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Blood Legacy - Episode 5

© Brian Ngoma

Six years ago, Ludo and Evan were so in love. Ludo pictured her life with no one but him. During her university years, everything between them was fine until she graduated. Evan lost everything he had in their third year of the relationship and Ludo noticed that he gradually started becoming distant. Things escalated quickly when she got her job at the first firm she worked for; Anderson Practitioners. She left the firm because of Evan. They had an argument at the firm and her bosses weren't as lenient, they sucked her. Two months later, she started working for Lance and Associates. She didn't want to lose her job again because of him.

"I know it's difficult but can you just forget about him," Joe interrupted her thoughts.

She sighed.

"Every time you make progress, he shows up and in one way or another, he messes up with your mind," he drove the car into the yard.

"I forgot about him. I no longer love him, all i feel is pity now."

"He's a grown up man. You have a life, concentrate on that."

Ludo smiled looking at her father, "Talking about concentrating on life, how about you dad?"

Joe stiffened in his seat, "What do you mean?"

"You know what i mean," she said without looking at him. "Ever since the messy divorce with mom, you have been alone. It's 4 years later duh, move on!"

"I have moved on already. If you mean finding someone, I'm too busy for that."

"Mom found someone already."

"Did she?"

Ludo laughed, "No, she's still single too. You have to forgive her though, i forgave her and i was the one deeply affected by what she did. She did it to me."

"I know but she betrayed me. What else did she do that i don't know of? You're too young to understand."

Ludo rolled her eyes, "Please. She was your Zamiwe. Anyway, she's doing fine. I saw her last week. Her life had been messed up when her licence was taken from her but she's back on her feet. She owns a pharmacy now."

"That's good for her," Joe opened the car door and got out of the car.

Ludo followed him. They entered the house and found some food had been prepared by their maid Nancy. Nancy had never left despite what had happened. She remained loyal to Joe and Ludo. They ate their supper and went to their bedrooms. Ludo checked her day's work and prepared for the next day. Her mind was made up on Evan, she had washed her hands.

*****

Facing the fire, Hunter shouted Walutanga's name. He had never been to the Chief's house before but Walutanga had told him about the house and where his bedroom was. The fire was all over the place but Hunter stepped on it like nothing. He had a cloth on his face to prevent him from inhaling too much smoke. He knew he didn't have much time and had to hurry before he passed out. He reached a door that seemed like Walutanga's from what he had described. He busted it open and was met with smoke. He heard a voice shouting for help.

"Walutanga!" Hunter shouted.

"Here," a familiar voice answered back.

Hunter walked closer and found It was Chovu Junior. He knelt before him and could see he was hurt. He had been badly burnt.

"Come on stand up!" Hunter tried to lift him up.

"Who are you?"

"Hunter, Walu's friend."

"No No No, go and save Walu," Chovu junior pushed Hunter. "He's in the next room, let me check on my parents."

"What happened here?"

"I don't know, hurry up please!" Junior coughed trying to get up.

"I am coming back for you," Hunter rushed to the next room.

He found Walutanga passed out and his lower part of the body had caught fire. He quickly grabbed a blanket which had no fire and covered the leg. The fire was put out. He carried him on his shoulder and quickly left the room. As he wanted to go back to the other room where Chovu Junior was, the roof fell and he ducked slightly missing him and Walu falling on the fire. He quickly got up. He knew there was nothing he could do but leave before the whole house fell. He made his way to the burnt up living room carefully ducking the fire. He heard a rumbling sound and knew the house was coming down. The way he had entered from was all fired up. He saw another exit which he figured he could exit from. He sprinted diving his way out of the house before it collapsed. As His eyes were slowly closing, he saw two men pulling him and saw others carrying Walutanga to safety. He then blacked out.

*****

Quickly getting out of the Taxi, Ludo bought a Newspaper for her boss. She was also talking on the phone with Melanie.

"Ala I'm late mwandi," she walked towards the door.

"You spend too much time preparing. Anyway go and face The Lance," Melanie laughed hysterically. "Sometimes, i think he likes you, the way he treats you. That's one way of men telling you they are into you."

"You talk too much Zeus's mother, say hi to the god," Ludo laughed. "And Lance is married by the way duh."

"Whatever," she laughed and went on. "I am glad we are past the Evan phase. Live your life girl, Bye. Come visit us soon."

"As soon as i am free, i will come, take care bye."

She badged in and found no one at the reception. She checked to see if the receptionist had arrived but there was no trace of her been there. Ludo was relieved knowing she wasn't the only one who had arrived late. What she didn't know was that everyone was in the next room. She slowly walked to the other room opening the door and everyone's heads turned to see her. It seemed like there was a briefing of some sort. It had been a while ever since they had something like that. Her eyes on the floor, she joined the rest standing next to the receptionist.

"What's happening?" She whispered.

"We just started, shhhhh," the receptionist shushed her.

Ludo smiled. She couldn't see what was happing in front, she just opted to listen.

"So this is quick," Lance said. "In light of recent events, there have been some changes at the firm. Some of you have already received letters and some haven't. It's nothing serious but i suggest you take it seriously. And one other thing, we have a new member of staff Mr. Caesar Chama. He is the firm's new lawyer and just as much i am respected, i hope he will be treated the same way. Thank you, you can now leave and those who have received letters, come to my office."

Ludo couldn't see Lance and the new lawyer. She wondered if she had received the letter but couldn't remember. Everyone scattered and Ludo went to her office. She checked her emails for the day's work and found Lance had sent her something. She downloaded the document and started her day. An hour later, Lance called her.

She dropped everything she was doing and rushed to the office. She knocked on the door and could hear indistinct voices coming from the office.

"Come in!" Lance shouted.

She entered the office closing the door behind her. She turned around and as soon she saw who Lance was with, her heart pounded. It had been a while ever since she saw a fine gentleman. He was dressed immaculately in an all charcoal grey suit. He had a descent haircut and the office smelled differently all because of him, that she knew well. He steadily stood in front of Lance's desk holding a document in his hand.

"Ludo this is Mr. Caesar Chama, the new lawyer," Lance introduced them.

She stepped forward and extended her arm. He smiled at her as he held her hand firmly exposing his perfect teeth.

"Nice to meet you sir," she nervously said.

"Pleasure is all mine."

"This is my paralegal," Lance proudly said.

"I'm sure she's better than the last one," Caesar smiled even more sending Ludo into oblivion.

This man is so perfect, Ludo thought to herself.

"Anyway, Ludo get back to work, i will call you when i need you," Lance dismissed her.

Ludo went back to her office and before she could enter, she saw her two colleagues looking at a Newspaper. She walked to them.

"What's interesting in the paper?"

"There has been a tragedy in Chisoti village. The Chief's place burnt down and as it stands, no one knows if anyone survived."

"That's sad. Where is the village?" She asked.

"Somewhere in Muchinga Province. The fire brigade arrived late at the scene."

"That's a tragedy," she walked to her office.

She entered the office and her mind wondered off to the hunk she had seen in Lance's office. He seemed young to have attained that profession.

"Eish, Ludo snap out of it," she told herself and grabbed the laptop and started working.

To be continued

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