Agent BrynX - Episode 10
Family, matters.

By Brian Ngoma

She slowly opened her eyes. "Baby," she smiled. "You are back?" she held my hand tightly.

"Yes baby I'm back. Are you fine?" I asked.

"Yes i think," she caressed her baby bump. "We are fine."

I was now breathing properly. "Where is your sister?" I asked.

Me mentioning her sister brought her back to full consciousness. "The pantry,” she answered. "They locked her in the pantry. Bryn what's happening? That man and a woman, Who are they?" she asked with terror in her eyes.

"I took care of them baby," I said. "Don't worry."

"Babe you are hurt," she saw the hole in my ear.

"It’s nothing baby," I said. "Let me find your sister." I got up and looked at where Marie was, She had escaped. Mr. Imp was lying unconsciously on the floor. I went to the kitchen and broke down the door to the pantry. I found Triza curled up crying. As soon as she saw me, she stood up and hugged me.

"Where is Floyd?" she asked letting go of me.

"Let's go," I told her. I went to get my wife from the bedroom . We got outside and the sun was rising from the East. I walked to my car when a police car pulled up. Leah and her sister were confused. They had no idea what was happening. "Hello officer," i said.

"Bryn?" he asked.

"Yes."

"I received a call to check up on you," he said. "Is everything fine?"

"Yes but there is an intruder in my house."

"Okay, are you sure you are all alright?" The officer asked.

"Yes sir," I opened the car door for Leah and her sister to enter. "Baby you have your phone with you?" I asked.

"Yes, i had it with me when i was knocked out," she handed it to me. I called Olivia. She didn't answer the first three calls. The fourth one she answered.

"Hello who is this?" she asked bleakly.

"Bryn here," I answered. "Still upstate?" I asked her.

"Yes, we are at the hospital."

"Which one?"

"Vintage Hospital."

"How's Floyd and James?"

"Not good Bryn," she answered worringly. "The place is flooded with policemen. After you had left, Your Friend called the police. Noob and his friends are also here but one has died. Even Noob doesn't seem to make it, he got shot in the neck but i don't care if he dies or lives. What's worrying me is your friend and James. They seemed to be doing fine but instantly got worse. Your friend even stopped talking. He's worse than James. I overhead the doctors saying something related to his heart."

I stiffened. I looked at Triza who was busy staring at me. "Okay we are coming," I said and hung up.

"What happened Bryn?" Triza asked.

I didn't answer.

"Babe what's happening?" Leah asked.

"Bryn!" Triza shouted. "Is my husband okay?"

I wished i could answer her but i didn’t know what lied ahead of us. With what i had experienced the whole night, anything was possible. I drove as fast as I could to the hospital .We reached the hospital around 7am. Just like Olivia had said, the hospital was crowded with officers. We found Olivia in the waiting room. "How are they?" I asked.

"They are both fine thank God," she answered.

"Where is my husband?" Triza asked.

I looked at Olivia and she led her to where Floyd was. Leah wanted to sit down. We sat down and she said, "You have to get that wound checked Bryn."

"I will," I said. "It’s not even hurting."

"Still. Have it checked," she checked my ear and went on. "Tell me what happened, we thought you went to look for Floyd, what's all this?" she looked around.

"You won't believe me when I tell you," I said.

"Try me," she said holding my hand.

I told Leah everything that happened the previous night and the early morning. She just looked at me with her mouth wide open. She couldn't believe everything but when i mentioned Mrs. Dakas killing, she was speechless. Her death came as a shock to her.

A week later, she gave birth to Zoey. She brought so much joy in our lives that we forgot how shitty our life was. Now that we were three, I needed a job.

"What are you thinking about?" Floyd asked entering Zoey’s room with some tools i had asked him to bring.

"The fact that you hid it so well that you are a detective,” I laughed.

"I work undercover and I'm not supposed to tell anyone," he laughed too.

"Not even Triza?"

"Not even her," he sighed.

"So she doesn't know up to now?"

"No!"

"Then what did you tell her happened?"

"I had to fabricate a story. I hope you also did the same," he intently looked at me.

"I told my wife everything,” I said.

"What the hell man?"

"I don't withhold anything from my wife."

"Damn, she will tell her sister everything."

"Don't worry, she won't. I told her the risk. Told her you might lose your job and she doesn’t want her sister to suffer at her expense so you are safe."

"Thanks man but You have to reconsider that thing of yours telling your wife everything, " he smiled.

"I'm done with these kind of works man," I said.

"If you say so," he sat down. "Oh and by the way, there is someone outside waiting for you."

"Floyd!"

"What?"

"Why didn't you say when you got in?"

"I forgot."

I rushed outside and found Mr. White in an all-white suit. He looked at me walk to him and he composed himself. I greeted him.

"Olivia and James were saying hi," he said.

"Thanks Mr. White," I said. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I'm sorry about MadamX. We knew how much she meant to you, it was a tragedy."

"Thanks."

"We want you back at the agency," he paused. "We could use someone like you."

I laughed.

"Serious," he said. "Mrs. Vimbuzi would have loved that especially after what happened."

"Mrs. Vimbuzi is dead sir, no offence."

"Yes. Did you know Mrs. Vimbuzi created Agency X Corp?"

"Get out of here!" I said.

"Yes, it's hers."

"That cold woman?"

"Yes."

"What do you say about the offer?"

I looked at Mr. White and heard the laughter coming from my house. My wife was happy. I didn't have a job then but I knew I wasn’t going to stay Like that. If any consolation, I was good at plumbing. Risking Leah and Zoeys lives was a no go zone. "I'm afraid I'd have to turn down that offer Mr. White, thanks anyways."

"I understand, family, Matters," he obviously heard the laughter coming from the house. "It's their safety before everything," he said.

"Well bye, see you around," I turned around.

"Bryn," he called me and handed me an envelope. "You are always an Agent," he smiled and walked to his car.

I watched him get into his car as I walked back to the house. i reached my house door, checked the envelope and it was written 'Agent BrynX' on it. I opened it and found a stack of dollars with a title deed of a house. It was Mrs. Dakas house. In her will, she gave me one of her houses. At least, i wouldn't have to worry about house rentals. I got in the house and found Floyd together with the ladies talking and laughing.

"Who was that baby?" Leah asked.

"My former boss," I said sitting down.

"What did he want?" She asked.

"He was offering me my job back."

"I hope you turned it down," she searchingly looked at me. "That job is dangerous. Look at Floyd, he's still hurt and that wound on your ear. We don't have to forget Mrs. Dakas death," she said with pain in her voice.

We were all quiet as if remembering Mrs. Dakas life. I smiled and said, "I turned it down baby. I'm not putting anyone at risk," i looked at everyone. "Now pass me my daughter," I stretched my hands. Leah handed me Zoey.

Now in any circumstance, this is supposed to be an ending. And they lived happily ever after but in this circumstance, I'm afraid there is no happily ever after. Life doesn't just let you have that happy ever after so easily. For me, this is the beginning of more shitty stuff and meeting shitty people like the dwarf and Hancy Kapito.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Agent BrynX - Episode 9
The fight

By Brian Ngoma


"Bryn!" Floyd shouted my name. I thanked the heavens. I stood up and saw Noob and his henchmen on the floor bleeding heavily. "Bryn!" Floyd shouted again.

I walked to where he was and he was hit too; on the right side of his chest. "Hold, let me call for help," I said.

"There is no time, go and check on Triza please. She must be in danger," he said. "Go now!"

I stood up with my mind all over the place. There were a lot of bodies laying around. I couldn't think straight.

"Go, I'll get help!" Olivia shouted.

I caught a glimpse of James and he was still alive. I went to my car and drove off to Floyds house which was a couple blocks from my house in a different street. If it wasn't before my house, i could have passed it and drove to my house to check on Leah but with what Noob said, i was scared for Triza. I checked my watch and it was fifteen minutes to four in the morning. I got out of the car and noticed that all the lights were off. Floyds house was small. It only had a one bedroom, a living room and a small kitchen. I directly went to the bedroom window and knocked. There was no response. Fade up, i broke the window and moved the curtain. The bed was nicely made and i could tell that no one had slept on it for a day now. I then remembered that i left Triza at my house. What if she was still waiting for me to come back and tell her how i had gone? I left Floyds house in a hurry realizing the danger Leah and Triza were in.

I got home and found the lights on in our bedroom. Leah never slept with the lights on, she hated light when asleep. I walked to the door. We had a spare key Leah used to put under a mat in instances were i got home late. I got the key and unlocked the door. I found my way to the corridor leading to the bedroom. I opened the door and found Leah on the floor. "Leah!" I shouted running to her.

"Stop right there!" a voice stopped me.

I turned around and found the old man who was wearing a cardigan coat from the brothel standing with Marie.

"It wasn't easy finding you Bryn," Marie said leaning on the man.

"It wasn't at all," the old man said. "We met earlier Mr. Bryn," he said and went on. "Noob mentioned my name to you, i heard."

"Heard?"

"Yes. We heard everything that happened this night," Marie said. " I must confess Floyd being a detective struck us. Who could have thought?" she laughed.

"That Floyd has hurt my boys, “the old man said. "I came for his wife and didn't find her at her house. Asked around and was directed here."

"How interesting,” Marie said. “So back at the brothel, you were looking for your brother in law?" she clapped her hands.

I didn't say a word.

"What's more interesting is that you are an Agent," the old man laughed. "This night has been crazy. Agents and detectives. Hearing all of it felt like i was watching a movie. The gunshots, deaths and everything, WOW, i envy you guys. You had so much fun."

"Fun?" I asked. "What's your name old man?"

"Oh, pardon my manners. I'm Mr. Imp. I run the Bordello," he answered.

"I don't care what you do. You call people dying fun?" I asked disgusted. "Innocent people have died tonight and you call that fun," I laughed.

"Call it whatever you want but to me, it's been an interesting and jaw dropping night, " Mr. Imp said.

Marie shifted uneasily.

"Now hearing everything. It has come to my attention that you know where the headquarters of Agency X Corps is," Mr. Imp paused. "Tell me and your wife will be fine."

I looked at Leah. "What have you done to her?" I wanted to walk to her.

"Don't move Agent," Mr. Imp said. "Let's talk first."

"Why isn't she moving?" I asked my heart pounding. "Where is Triza?"

Marie ignored the Triza question and answered the first question i asked, "Nothing, just some sleeping pills, It was a struggle though. I hope I didn’t hurt the baby."

I grew even angrier. Who did these people think they were? Coming into my house and hurting my wife. My pregnant wife. "If anything happens to my wife and baby, you will regret the day you were both born," I stepped forward.

"Stay right there!" Mr. Imp ordered me. "Where is the headquarters Bryn?"

I looked at the old man. If what he said about hearing everything was true, then he was supposed to be pointing a gun at me. Fortunately, I didn’t strike him as a dangerous person and that worked to my advantage. "I don't know where it is."

"Come on Agent BrynX,” Marie said mockingly.

Mr. love-vendor was old and I was vibrant. There was no way in hell he could have stood against me. The only obstacle was Marie. If only she could be out of the way, then I could have a shot at Mr. Imp. I didn't have time to think. I acted impulsively. I found myself head to head with Mr. Imp. For a man of his age, he was strong. He threw a punch and I ducked. He threw more and I kept ducking. Marie was standing behind him.

"Come on Bryn," Mr. Imp said annoyed.

"Fight like a man," Marie added. "Why ducking?"

I stepped towards them. I had my eye on both of them. He threw another punch and it almost hit me. I didn't need to be hit again because I had been shot in my ear and my jaw felt like dropping from the gun barrel Noob had hit me with. Ducking was the only way to avoid been hit. It was working because Mr. love-vendor was getting tired.

"Old man, come on hit me," I said smiling.

Mr. Imps eyes burned with anger and he jumped me over which I didn’t expect from him. For an old man like him, he threw himself in the air like a ten year old. Next thing I saw was him on my chest with his clenched fists all ready to teach me a lesson to never mess with the elders. Instead of punching me, he squeezed my ear and i screamed in pain. Hell broke loose. The pain I felt was too much to handle. Nothing had ever hurt me that much. In that moment I knew that nothing would break me now. I had felt all the pain there was in the world.

"Get off me," I shouted in pain throwing Mr. Imp in the air. I walked to him while Marie watched in shock. It was like she had seen the hulk unleashed. As i was walking to Mr. Imp, Marie threw Leahs favorite flower Vase at me. Fortunately, i saw it quickly and lowered my head and it hit the wall breaking into pieces. "Why are you behaving like I'm a villain?" I looked at her. "If anything, I'm supposed to beat you too but i don't beat women. Just sit your butt down, I'll deal with you later."

Marie didn't say anything.

I stood Mr. Imp up. The throw drained him. The punches he started throwing were not as powerful as i expected them to be. I got hold of his hand, looked him in the eyes and said, "What now?".

He smiled at me and said, "Watch your balls." whilst trying to figure out what he meant, he kicked me in the nuts kneeling me down. "You think you can beat me?" he asked.

I knelt feeling the pain. It was too much. The ear, jaw and now the balls. I couldn't hear what he was saying. I looked at Leah and got even more worried because she hadn't moved since i got at the house.

"Stand up!" Mr. Imp shouted.

I looked up and he was standing before me. I was tired and fade up with everything. I grabbed his legs and lifted him up while i stood. I could see from Maries facial expression that she didn't expect that to happen. Without hesitating, i busted Mr. Imp on the floor. I knelt again. I saw Mr. Imp slowly getting up while his right hand was on the back feeling the pain. "Won't you just stay down?" I asked him irritated.

"You are telling me where the Headquarters is," he said.

I charged and run to him. He threw a punch and i evaded it. I could see his face clearly, I punched him in the face sending him off in the air and hitting his back on the wall shaking the wall. He staggered getting up. I walked to him and grabbed him by the shirt. I nodded my head pitying him. He just looked at me weary. "Let's fight old man. This is the fight you wanted. "

"You win today Bryn," he smiled weakly dropping to the floor.

"It’s not about winning it's about respecting boundaries. You don't mess with my wife," I said. “ Thinking about Leah, i walked to her and held her. "Leah baby," I called her.

She was not moving.

"Baby talk to me," i felt tears in my eyes. "Leah."

To be continued

Read all Episodes here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Agent BrynX - Episode 8
Die for it

By Brian Ngoma

"No one disrespects me," Noob stood confidently.

I looked at his henchmen and could see fear in their eyes. The two looked at each other nodding their heads. Noob had instilled fear in them and the rest of us except for Floyd. He didn't look shaken.

"Now where is the Agency's headquarters?" he asked. "I want to bring this whole Agency down," he said proudly. "The cops cannot even touch us and you people want to meddle in our business. Rubbish,” he spat on James's feet. "Where is the headquarters?"

James looked at me and then Olivia. "You will never know!" he answered.

"OH don't test me," Noob said. "You have seen what has happened to your friend here," he pointed at Mrs. Vimbuzi's body with his gun. "I did her a favour, she was too ugly." he laughed. "How about we kill a beautiful young lady now?" he looked at Olivia.

"Don't you even dare?" James said almost getting up. He was dragged down by the henchman.

"Ohhh so you two are in love?" Noob said looking at James and Olivia. He walked to Olivia and stood her up. "Let's see how powerful love is," he pointed the gun at her.

"Don't tell him James," Olivia cried.

I watched everything as if I was front row in the cinema. James was really angry I could feel his anger. If a man had a gun to my wife's head, I would equally be angry. I needed to do something but what and how? Floyd had his eyes on me. His stare somewhat made me even more nervous. Was I going to die in my brother in laws hands while he knew my wife was due any day?

"Speak up!" Noob shouted. "Where is the headquarters? Or you are going to watch your woman die."

"You are an agent before love," Olivia said softly. "Let me die honouring our oath."

"Let's tell them baby," James said. It was obvious he wanted to help Olivia but she couldn't let him. "We don't have anything to lose," he said.

"No James, we cannot please don't," Olivia wept.

"I can't let you die for the Agency while i can save you," James said.

"What makes you so sure that he won't get rid of us after we tell him?" Olivia asked James.

James didn't answer.

What nonsense was I hearing? Where was the agency while we stuck our necks out? Three people had died and Olivia was acting like she was in some sort of romantic movie. I decided to speak but before I could, James made probably one of the worst mistakes of his life. He quickly got out of the henchman’s grip. He punched the henchmen on the face temporary blinding him. Getting his chance, he tried to jump Noob but Noob swiftly got out of the way and James landed on the floor hurting his ankle. Not having enough, James got to his feet and charged against Noob. Noob's moves were of that of a professional. He ducked James punches with little effort. Seeing that James was tiring out, Noob kicked James on the face and he got to his knees. James got up again and with his mighty, he threw himself in the air at Noob but Noob got out of the way and before James could reach the ground, Noob pulled the trigger sending James falling like a bag of cement on the floor.

"James!" Olivia screamed.

Noob turned to me breathing heavily. "These love birds make me sick," he looked me direct in the eyes. "I believe you are also an agent, isn't it right?" he asked touching my shoulder. "I can see you are seeing some sense in this."

My mind was still figuring out the fight i had just witnessed. I couldn’t believe James was defeated. I looked up to him and that was a let down. While feeling Noobs hand on my shoulder, I watched Olivia crawl to James who was squealing in pain. Why did he have to do that? He could have just told them what they wanted. As simple and as swift as that. Was love that strong that a person was willing to put his life on the line?

"I didn't get your name," Noob said. "Mind telling me?"

I didn't answer.

"Come on man, we are wasting time here," he looked at his watch. "Love birds are busy comforting each other. I can't make them talk. Help me out here, let's end this.Tell me where the Headquarters is located and I'll leave the three of you all fine," he paused. "Oh except for James, he probably needs some medical attention. "

I could feel myself stiffening with Noobs hand on my shoulder.

"Hello," Noob waved his hand in my face. "Are we together?" he asked looking at the others.

Seeing Mrs. Vimbuzi's body on the floor and James squealing in pain, I realized how much this work of an agent meant to everyone. If someone was willing to kill for it because they feared to be exposed, it sure was a good thing to do. It meant putting bad people away for doing bad things like these people called 'The blackmailers'. I had lost a mother figure because of them. I even lost a former boss I loathed so much but didn't deserve to die that way. Despite not being my friend, i pitied the way James had to go down. Johnson had also lost his life. And for what? All because they carried the name Agent and an X on them.

"My name?" I asked raising my head.

"Yes," Noob answered smiling.

"Agent BrynX."

"I figured."

I looked at Olivia. She had a face like that of a child who didn't have anything up her sleeves. She was hopeless and I had never seen her like that.

Noob pointed his gun at me.I could see some smoke on the muzzle of the gun coming out. I even smelt the ammonia. "One last time, where is the headquarters?"

"You will have to kill us but be assured that others like us will come for you," I said confidently. I saw Floyd having a blank face as if telling me to tell him and get this over with.

"Well," Noob reached for the trigger and I closed my eyes. At least I would die a hero. My child and wife would remember me as one if at all they would be told exactly what happened. I was ready for anything.

"Freeze!" Floyd shouted. I recognized his voice instantly. I opened my eyes and he was pointing the gun at Noob. "Drop the gun Noob," Floyd said.

What the heck was happening? I looked at Floyd surprised.

"Bryn move away from him!" he ordered me whilst ensuring his hand gun had covered all the three thugs. He slowly walked to where i was. "What stupidity was that?" he whispered to me.

"I don't know what got to me," I answered.

"Willing to die for it Huh," he nodded. "Sure means a lot to you."

"What is this?" Noob asked looking at his other two henchmen. They were looking at him equally shocked. "Is this a game Floyd?"

"I'm a detective you idiot," Floyd said.

Noob laughed. "You are kidding, right?"

"Detective?" I looked at Floyd. "What detective?"

"We'll talk about that later Bryn," He answered. "Get the gun from him."

Shocked and surprised. How could Floyd be a detective? How did I not know?

"You are going to rot in jail," Floyd said. "I don't have much on you but i have something to put you away for good. It's high time i get my payback. I let you push me around for too long."

Noob kept laughing.

"What's funny?" Floyd asked.

"I thought your mystery was something to be worried about but I ignored my instincts. Stupid me. I saw all the signs. I even told Mr. Imp about my suspicions," Noob bursted.

"Well that's stupid of you," Floyd said. "Next time, trust your guts if at all you'll have a next time."

"The mystery calls, the disappearances Oh shit," Noob could not hide his surprise.

"Get the gun Bryn," Floyd said.

There was a sudden moment of silence. Noobs henchmen were all looking at me i could hear their teeth grinding. Noobs eyes were fixed on Floyd.

"I know her name," Noob said glancing at Floyd.

"Bryn!" Floyd shouted ignoring what Noob had said.

"You heard me," Noob said. "Let's see. The other day she came at the Bordello and you guys had a fight outside. I got curious and dag a little."

Floyd stiffened.

"Her name," Noob said thoughtful. "Tiza?" he looked at Floyd. "Oh! not Tiza but Triza, yes?"

"Don't start what you won't finish Noob, it's over for you," Floyd said his voice shaking. "Bryn, he called my name again.

"Her name is Triza. If anything happens to me, Mr. Imp and Marie will get to her," Noob smiled. "I hate surprises. You just don't know how much i hate you right now Floyd. I feel like blowing off your head."

"For crying out loud Bryn, grab the gun from him!" Floyd shouted angrily.

"Okay, Okay," I said walking towards Noob who stared at me with anger in his eyes. "Hand me the gun!" I said my voice betraying me. It sounded awful. I had planned for it to come out strong but it came out like a child's. "Give me the gun now," I said again ensuring it sounded burly but it didn't. I was very nervous and sweating profusely.

Noob stared at me like a joke. It was obvious he had recognized a chicken i was that's why he didn't move. Not even an inch. I wondered what he was thinking about in that moment. "Or what?" he asked.

I felt a spasm in my legs. It felt like a tremor had just passed on the ground. Not knowing what to do, I looked back at Floyd and felt my chin almost falling off my face. It happened so fast. I was hit with the barrel of the gun on my face. I fell to the floor hitting my head. My body was a temple of injuries that night; The ear, now the chin. I had even bit myself. I could see blood coming out and that stiffened me. The sounds of gunshots brought me back to where i was. I laid on the floor covering my ears. The gunshots went on for about thirty seconds and silence dawned. The silence was deadly. Not even James could be heard squealing from his gun wound. I figured him and Olivia had tightly held on to another. I couldn't raise my head afraid of it being blown off my neck. I didn't know who was still alive but whoever was left alive, our fate laid in his hands.

To be continued


Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

RESTLESS - Episode 31

Thirty Minutes later.

A lady dressed in black skirt suit and three other women dressed in the cleaners' uniform stood behind the visitors chairs in Benson's office. He had called the corporately dressed lady who was his secretary immediately after the guests had left and asked from her those who had been cleaning his office throughout his days of absence. The secretary in turn had called the three cleaners who worked during that time.

"Who cleaned this office today?" Benson asked in a strict tone.

"It's me sir," the woman standing a the left end answered with courtesy.

"You saw this document in the toilet, why did you not bother to tell me or her about it?" He asked, pointing with the direction of his eyes to the secretary. He picked up the file and raised it up for her to see.

She squinted her eyes like she had never seen the document before and shook her head in negative.

"Can't you talk?" the man fired angrily.

"I've never seen that file before," she answered.

Benson frowned at her. "How did it get into the restroom? I found it behind the water closet."

The women stared at him cluelessly. None of them could give a reply.

"Nobody can reply me?" he fired.

They trembled in fear but remained silent for the lack of answers.

"You all, just get out of my office, I'll make sure I deal with you later." He dismissed them angrily and turned his swivel backwards to face the wall.

He turned only after all of them had left his officer. He heaved a sigh and got up to his feet. He was sure one of the cleaners must have seen that document in the restroom and was careless to leave it there, but what bothered him the most was how the file got into that office. He did not remember taking it out of the other office which was in an entirely different state in the country, far from the capital which they were presently.

**

"How did it go?" Henry asked as they all got into the car. "I was listening and I know he agreed to speak with Richard, but were you able to distract him?"

"Yeah, we did and installed it on his phone. He promised to get back to us before evening tomorrow." Cole replied.

"Okay, let's keep tabs on his calls from now."

____

13:45PM

"Good afternoon, Benson Mike on the line. I would like to speak with Mr Richard Brad."

"Good afternoon Mr Benson, Mr Richard is not available right now. Is there anything you would like us to help you with?" A female voice answered.

Benson sprung up to his feet and proceeded immediately to the window. He muttered some words under his breath. He had not spoken to Richard Brad for more than five years but he had heard how Richard Brad had grown big and so unavailable even to his family and friends.

"I'll like to speak with Richard directly, when would he be available?" Benson asked.

"We can't tell for now but you can call back to confirm tomorrow," the voice replied.

"I'm not calling back to confirm, I'm calling back in the next thirty minutes, tell him that Benson Mike has something important to discuss with him."

"Sir..."

"Tell him what I just told you."

Benson did not wait for her to reply before he cut the call. He found it irritating to now have to go through protocols before he could speak with Richard Brad whose boss he used to be. Getting in touch with the President of Bethanna wasn't even as difficult as the process of reaching Richard as he had been told.

He returned to his seat and begun to round up his office work in preparation to leave. Fifteen minutes after the call, he received another call on his phone.

"Hello, Benson Mike on the line."

"Good afternoon sir, it's Richard."

**

"Hey, tell the boss Benson Mike is on with Richard Brad now." Cole shouted in a loud voice from the door and quickly fixed back the second earpiece into his ears before he returned to his seat.

The seat was somewhere at the center of the ten squared metres room, at the edge of a long table with four computer desktops arranged straight with half metre space between each.

Cole tapped the keyboard of his computer and the desktop came on, the details on the screen also being projected on the wall in front. It was a 2.25 squared metre projection, displayed half metre below the ceiling of the building.

Cole clicked on a software and it processed within two seconds, a page of codes appeared on the screen.

Cole turned as he heard some sounds behind him.

"Sam, where is Henry?" Cole asked.

"He's coming," Samantha replied as she moved closer to him.

**

"Oh Richard! Thank you for calling back so soon. I need to have a brief meeting with you, I want some services from your shelling company."

"Okay your excellency, but have you made any prior contact with the director?" Richard asked.

"My MD has tried to make some contact but returned with the report that your MD doesn't want to offer a partnership. I believe I could get you to see the advantages of the partnership if we see and discuss it." Benson Mike answered.

"Sir, I do not really interfere with the running of that organization at this time of the year. I only get to come in and review twice in a year." Richard replied.

"I know Richard but you've got to do this for me, it would benefit the two companies."

"Are you in Bexford currently?" Richard asked.

"Yes," Benson replied.

"I'm flying into Bexford this evening, I'll come straight to your apartment from the airport."

"What time?"

"The flight kicks off by four o'clock, I'm coming from Benuit, the flight time is twenty five minutes."

**

"Sam, get seated and log on to check the airlines operating in Benuit. You'd find out which ones take off to Bexford by four o'clock while I try to get information about this number," Cole turned to talk to her and then took the earpiece off his ears.

"Alright," Samantha replied him and quickly sat on the seat at the center. She tapped on the computer and clicked open the browser immediately.

Henry joined them in the room two minutes later.

"Hey Cole, you called for me."

"Boss," Cole turned immediately. "Benson Mike has reached our target on phone. Our target's number is protected as expected and I can't retrieve the digits and his location."

"Did they make any agreement yet?" Henry asked, rubbing his hands with a face towel as he moved closer. It seemed he had been involved in washing.

"Yes, they are meeting at Benson Mike's apartment this evening." Cole answered. "Richard Brad is coming somewhere from Benuit and Sam here is trying to ..."

"Erique Airlines, trip from Dalas City, takes off at four o'clock and would be dropping the Bexford passengers at the International airport by four thirty." Sam interjected before Cole could complete his statement.

Henry and Cole moved towards her to view from her screen. She typed in the commands to project it on the wall but they kept their gazes on the desktop's screen.

"Cole, check if you can get a list of the passengers on the flight from the airline's database while I go with Sam to make arrangements for the evening." Henry said and beckoned on Sam for them to leave. She picked her cellphone on the table and got up quickly.

Dave walked into the room as the two others turned towards the door.

"I'm here boss," Dave announced after closing the door behind him.

Henry proceeded silently until he got to Dave's position beside the door.

He held Dave by the arm. "We need three cars for the evening, you, Sam and Jenny would rent the cars from a neighboring town and park at three different public garages close to Benson Mike's house before three thirty PM, how feasible is that?"

Dave took out his phone to check his time. "We need forty minutes to do that, it's achievable."

"Do go with your communication gadgets," Henry added quickly. "I'll tell you what the plan is as you move," he patted Dave on the shoulder and Sam at the back before opening the door and stepping out. Dave and Samantha made some signals to themselves with their eyes before following Henry.

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

Restless - Episode 31

® 18+ SNVL

© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

"Yea, how much are we getting compensated with for this training?" Another person asked instead of Cole. She took a step forward, it was the cook, Jenny. "You never told us we would be fighting against the FOX. How can we fight the FOX with just two weeks training?"

"We aren't fighting the whole corporation, just a few bad eggs working with the terrorists and I would be leading our team." Henry tried to explain.

He looked at Cole and Jenny's faces, there seemed to be no willingness to continue on their faces. He felt shattered. He couldn't imagine how he would explain to Sheila that he had made the wrong choice of people and would have to waste some more time to get other people.

"You'd be compensated with a million Anthanna Dollars," Henry answered them reluctantly. From the look on their faces, he was almost certain even the others would want to take the money and leave, it was a whole lot which could set them up for life if used wisely. "So are you in or out?"

Come giggled and shook his head. "How can I be out for that amount? I can siphon far more than that in a transaction. I would never miss the opportunity of fighting with the Legendary Carl Winston and the opportunity of hacking into systems of African top most secured country - Bethanna." His face carried so much excitement as his words.

"I love adventures and would not miss being in this team, even if we're fighting the whole world." Jenny also put in.

Henry heaved a deep sigh of relief. A bright smile appeared on his face on seeing the team laugh at him.

"Is this a revenge for the prank I played on you during the training?" He asked, laughing heartily as the volumes of their laughter increased.

He stepped forward again and stretched out his hand. "So we do this as one team, one mind, one spirit."

"One team, one mind, one spirit." they chorused as they joined their hands with his.

____

February 2016

Location: Bexford, Bethanna.

They drove into the company in a grey coloured Camry sports car. Four of them in total in the car, and all except Henry dressed in fitted black suits and white inner shirts. They had navy blue ties to match their outfit.

Henry was dressed in a sky blue shirt and black pants, neatly tucked in but without a tie or suit jacket. He was the official driver of the team for that occasion. Cole was seated beside him at the front while Samantha and Dave sat behind.

Henry halted the car as directed by the official in the car garage of the company. He took a glance into the rearview mirror to see Samantha and Dave's face as he turned off the engine.

He sat in the car while they all stepped out, one after the other. He watched as they all straightened their suit jackets and then proceeded towards the building. Cole and Samantha had only their devices in their hands while Dave carried an additional briefcase. Henry took out his one side wireless earpiece and plugged it in his left ear.

"Good morning."

"Good morning sir, welcome to Lux international."

Henry heard their voices through the earpiece and his eyes located them at the entrance of the building, exchanging pleasantries with the security guards.

**

"Good morning sirs," the managing director greeted as he and the other executives sitting at the same side of the table with him got up from their seats to welcome the visitors.

"Good morning," Cole's voice was louder than his colleagues. They all shook hands with their hosts.

"You may be seated please," the managing director said after pleasantries were exchanged.

"Thank you," the visitors replied pleasantly and took their seats.

"Let's go straight to business, please table your offer here so we can have a good view of it again." the MD spoke after clearing his throat.

"What we have come with is not totally different from what we sent in the mail," Cole began. Dave placed the brief case on the table gently, he opened it and began to bring out the paper documents. He handed over some copies each of the same document to their hosts.

The discussion continued for more than twenty five minutes and the visitors were yet to convince their hosts about the offer.

"Your proposal seems so attractive, but we can not take it, the risk to bear is so much."

"But we would be taking this risk with you, we know it's much but it's certainly going to be a success." Cole interjected.

"Mr Andrew, we are not sure of the outcome yet, bearing the risk together would only reduce our loss, but it would not avert or avoid it. The main point here is we cannot afford to lose anything at this time of the year, it's crucial." The MD replied.

"I don't know why you don't see this already succeeding sir, I think you need to take your time to look into it very well, I'm sure you would change your mind totally." Cole tried to persuade.

The MD shook his head. "I'm not sure I would change my mind," he said pessimistically. "We only have one Shelling company here in Bethanna to provide us the shells but this company has not been in partnership with any other for a long time and seems to be totally closed to partnership. There's zero percent likelihood of getting a partnership deal with them, and our company can't afford to purchase the shells from them now, it would crash all of our other activities and..."

"We can get partnership from them, it's easy..." Cole interjected again.

The man looked at his face as if to confirm if he was talking in his right senses.

"You come from Europe and don't stay in Bethanna, you obviously don't know the way things are run here." the MD dismissed his interjection.

"No sir, we did a lot of research before coming to you with this offer," Cole insisted as he leaned closer to the table and placed both arms forward. "We are very certain that Shelling would be no problem to us, your company would secure the partnership."

"You speak in parables, it would be of more benefit to all of us if you speak in clearer terms and tell us why you are so confident."

"Your CEO has a very good relationship with the CEO of the shelling company, we do think this can be used as an advantage to get us the partnership."

The MD squinted thoughtfully. He leaned forward and placed an elbow on the table. "Can you explain this further?"

"If you make the CEO see the advantage this deal would provide for your company, it'll urge him to explore his friendship with Richard Brad," Cole explained. "We can talk to him if you want us to."

The MD glanced at the faces of his colleagues and they both nodded thoughtfully.

"Don't worry, thanks. We would talk to him about the offer and call on you in case he needs to see you," the MD said to Cole.

"That's fair enough."

"Yeah, but for now, I can't promise you anything."

"Understood sir," Cole nodded and leaned back. "I guess now is a good time to take our leave," he said and made way to get up.

"Thank you so much Mr Andrew," the MD and his colleagues also got up. They exchanged handshakes and remained standing until the visitors stepped out of the room.

**

The next day
10:00AM


In the CEO's office. Cole, Dave and Samantha were seated on the visitors seats. The CEO of the company, Benson Mike was sitting behind the table.

Ten minutes into the conversation, Cole had been able to make his point to the man.

"Everything you said to me is exactly how your message was relayed yesterday, I was told the only disturbing factor is the shells and that you have an idea on how I can use my personal influence to procure that." Benson said in response to Mr Andrew.

"Yes sir, we've done a proper study of your profile and found out that the CEO of the shelling company was a special adviser to you while you were the governor of Benuit state..." Cole was explaining when someone let out a loud sneeze. All eyes turned to the person.

"Oh! Sorry," Dave covered his nose and mouth with an handkerchief and sniffed in.

Cole was about to continue when he sneezed twice again.

"Take care, I see you've caught cold." Benson asked in concern.

"Yea..yeah," Dave replied, wiping his nose with the handkerchief. He sniffed in again. "May I use your restroom please?" Dave asked nodding in direction of a door situated at the right hand side behind the seated CEO. He adjusted his suit jacket properly.

"Oh, please, you may." The CEO said with a wry smile. He got up and led Dave there, he opened the door for him to step in. He closed it back and returned to his seat. He was silent for a moment, wondering if they should continue with their conversation or not.

Normally, he would have called a staff of his to lead the guest to another restroom and not the one for his personal use but since the guest had nodded in direction of the door, he could not refuse.

"Sorry about that sir, he wasn't sneezing on our way here, he must have sniffed in maybe some fragrance of perfume he's allergic to," Cole apologized on his behalf.

"Oh, no problem. Can we conti..."

"Excuse me sir," Dave called from the toilet door. "Someone seems to have dropped some documents here, one of the papers is flying around, it's a blue paper file."

Benson raised a brow. He had not used the toilet for more than five days and he couldn't recollect leaving any document there the last time he used it and even if he had left any, the cleaners should have discovered it.

Dave closed the toilet door and proceeded to his seat, holding the paper in his hand.

"This is one of the documents there," Dave handed over the paper to Benson before taking his seat.

A frown appeared on Benson's face as his eyes scanned through the paper. "You said there's a file there," he asked Dave to confirm.

"Yes sir."

Benson let out a breath as he got up from his seat. "Please excuse me," he said before proceeding to the restroom.

The paper in his hand was part of a file which he had no idea how it got to that office. He had left the file in his other office in one of his very small companies.

He got into the bathroom and located the file on the window behind the water closet. He picked up the file and opened it, he was shocked to find all complete documents of a dubious deal he had done while he was Governor. He couldn't explain how the file got into the restroom. He tried to recall if Dave held anything with him while entering into the restroom. He didn't see anything with Dave, he was sure.

He took in a deep breath and arranged the document in the file quickly, then he proceeded back into his office with the file. He apologized to his guests for taking their time and they continued with their meeting.

Agent BrynX - Episode 7
Shut up!

By Brian Ngoma


My heart could be felt pounding as fast as it could. My lips were dry despite the cold of the night. It was as if death was the highlight of the night. Whatever was behind the squeaking door knob was what all the four of us were thinking about in that moment. James stepped back and looked at Olivia as if assuring her that he would do anything to protect her. Mrs. Vimbuzi was sweating i could see from where she was standing and Olivia’s eyes were fixed on James.

The door opened and an old man came in. He looked at the four of us with our jaws almost dropping. "Is everything alright madam?" he looked at Mrs. Vimbuzi.

"Johnson!" Cold toilet groaned angrily. "You gave us a scare. Whats with the sneaking?" she asked.

"I thought i heard something and thought of checking out on you," Johnson answered expressionless. "Who are these people madam?" he looked at the three strange faces standing uneasily.

"Workmates," she answered. "You don't have to worry about anything, I'm alright Johnson, you can go back to your quarters."

"Okay madam," answered Johnson suspiciously looking at us.

"You can go Johnson, we have something to discuss here," I said.

"Shut up," Mrs. Vimbuzi yelled at me. "You don't tell my worker what to do."

"What wrong have i done Cold toilet?" I asked looking at her.

"What did you just call me?" She asked stepping forward.

"Nothing," I raised my hands in the air surrendering.

"Johnson!" Mrs. Vimbuzi called Johnson. "It's alright, go back now."

Johnson was very fond of Mrs. Vimbuzi and it was obvious our strange faces bothered and nerved him. He carefully studied the three of us. He saw how uneasy James was, how scared i was and How nervous Olivia had been since he opened the door. He didn't want to inquire more because his boss had told him she was alright, so she was alright. No need of playing detective now. "Alright madam, I'll go back to my quarters. If anything don't hesitate to call me," off he went out of the room.

We all breathed in and out in relief. We sat down looking at each other not knowing what to say to one another after that scary moment. "What is this all about?" I asked breaking the silence.

"It’s none of your business,” Olivia responded. "You are no longer part of Agency X Corps."

"Then why did you take me with you?" I asked. "You refused to take me home saying it's not safe and here you are, telling me I'm not part of the Agency. Don't tell me you just got me for my car."

Olivia was stricken by my sarcasm. She looked at James and Mrs. Vimbuzi In defeat. One of them had to tell me what was going on because I was fade up. I had it up to my throat.

"Sit down!" Mrs. Vimbuzi ordered me.

I wasn't going to be taking any one’s orders. I no longer worked for her. "How would you feel if my boss hear you giving me orders?" I looked at her. "I don't work for you and just like you don't like other people to order your workers around, my boss doesn't like that either. "

"Which boss?" she rolled her eyes. "You don't have a job."

"I'll find one and i know he or she will be a million times better than you," I said.

"Do you ever shut up?" she asked irritated.

"It seems like you don't either. Someone has to shut you up forever," I said stepping aside.

She looked at me defeated. She knew we would be just moving in circles. She sighed and said, "So those people who are after you," she paused. "After us. Those people are the most wanted blackmailers in the country."

"Is that even a thing?" I asked.

"Just shut up and listen," Olivia said.

"Enough with the shut ups, it's boring now," I said.

"As I was saying, these people even call themselves the Blackmailers and their leader is Noob but we are not entirely sure he runs the team but according to our resources so far, he's in charge of The Bordello. We have been after them for a while now till you blew our cover."

"I didn't blow anyone’s cover, excuse me!"

"You did," James joined in.

"So who do they blackmail?" I asked.

"You were at the brothel, right? Someone leads important people from all walks of life to that brothel and when they have information on how loaded he is; they sneakily blackmail that person. They usually scare them with the old trick of publishing a story on them and their private life," Olivia answered.

It then struck me that that was the reason I was a threat when I got at the brothel. I felt sorry for those old men. But what bothered me was Floyd. Was he also working for the Blackmailers? "But don't these men who are blackmailed report to the police?"

"Why do you think we have been working on the case?" Mrs. Vimbuzi asked. "Agency X Corp stands in for where the legal authorities fall short. We work in the shadows."

"Stop bluffing," I interrupted curtly.

"Can someone get this boy out of my house?"

Funny thing about people who are rude to you is that once you reciprocate their rudeness, they get offended. Such a funny world, who told them they can only be rude and not others? "I'm not going anywhere," I said firmly. "Continue I have more questions."

She looked at me disgustingly. There was nothing she could do to me.

"Why no police?"

"Because some of the blackmailed are the police," James answered.

"Wow, the irony," I said. "Who could have thought? I thought Agency X Corp only dealt in handling low life cheats and the likes."

"There is so much you don't know Bryn," Olivia said.

"So what next?" I asked.

"We stay low," Mrs. Vimbuzi said. "They followed you to the Agency and I'm sure they have their eyes everywhere. You have to stay here for a while."

"If the Agency is capable of dealing with thugs like that, can't they send protection?"

"You think this is James Bond?" Mrs. Vimbuzi asked.

"You are making it look like it," I responded. "Who could protect us better than the agency? I almost got shot and Mrs. Dakas body is laying back at the agency. OH Leah!" I exclaimed.

Shit! It was two in the morning and I hadn't called Leah to let her know how I had gone. I reached for my phone in my pocket and it wasn't there. I searched myself but my phone was not with me. "Where is my phone?" I looked at Olivia.

She shrugged.

"Come on, where is it?"

"How am I supposed to know?" she answered irritated.

"Check the car," James said. "It must have slipped while you were unconscious," he threw me the keys.

I needed to talk to my wife. I left the house and went to where the car was parked. It was dark cold and scary outside. I ran to the car and quickly unlocked the doors. I thoroughly checked the car and couldn't find it. There must be a phone I could use in the house, I thought to myself. I quickly closed the car door and went round the other way. I sprinted and hit into something and I fell on the ground. The fall brought back the hurting feeling on the ear. It stung and reminded me of the hole in my ear. Whilst checking myself, I felt something on my legs. It was too dark to see. I stretched my right hand to feel what it was and directly touched a face. Staying in the dark for a while improved my vision, i could now clearly see the person. It was Johnson with his eyes wide open. I shook him but he didn't budge. Fear creeped in. I looked around to see if there was anything or anyone in the dark. I shouted for help but the silence kept getting louder and scarier. I slowly got up feeling my body hairs erecting. Something moved on the other side of my car. I don't know if i had started imagining things but i couldn't take a chance, i had to get out of here. I quickly got up and ran like Usain Bolt to the house and closed the doors behind me. "There is a body outside, I think Johnson has been killed," I said stepping backwards.

"Thank you for joining us," A familiar voice said behind me.

"OH snap," I exhaled.

"Turn around with your hands where I can see them."

I turned with my hands in the air. It was the gang at the brothel and Floyd was there too. His face wrote shock all over it when he saw me. He fidgeted nervously. We were the only two people in the room who knew about us.

"Why did you come back?" James asked looking at me. "I figured you ran away."

How can I run away when I saw a body outside? James was crazy. But I regretted ever coming back. I could have just gotten into my car and drove off.

"Well I heard so much about you people," Noob said. "That thing you do, dealing with people like us" he laughed. “Does that even pay off?"

"It does," Mrs. Vimbuzi answered.

"I guess it does," Noob looked around. "You are living hefty," he stood her up. "Now it seems like you are the boss here that's why these puppies ran to you. How unfortunate that we followed you," he crookedly smiled.

"You are not getting anything from me, you son of a b#*," She spat on his face. "You killed Mr. Johnson," she defiantly looked at him as if she could rip out his throat.

"You wench," he shouted slapping her sending her to the ground. "You know how bad have been looking for this Agency X Corp?" he asked agitated. "If it wasn't for him," he looked at me. "We wouldn't have known. Him mentioning Agent JamesX raised all the suspicions we've had about James here. He was playing undercover," he nodded. "And i grew to like him because of his swiftness. Now you," he looked down on Mrs. Vimbuzi," Stand up so that we have a talk!"

"Go to hell!" Mrs. Vimbuzi shouted. Her courage and Zeal astonished me. She showed no feeling of horror. "Low life," she spat on his shoes.

Noob looked at everyone. He was irritated by Mrs. Vimbuzi it could be seen from his eyes. His henchmen looked at him being disrespected. I saw Floyd stepping backwards as if aware of what was about to happen. One henchman laughed.

"Kill us if you want," she shouted.

What was she talking about? Kill who? I wasn't going to die because of her stubborness. If there was something i could do to save myself, i needed to do it before cold toilet gets everyone killed. I looked at Floyd and the others. "Can i say...."

"Talk to your bosses and tell them you are not getting anything from us," Mrs. Vimbuzi interrupted me making Noob go into fury mode.

"Shut up!" he pulled the trigger and shot Mrs. Vimbuzi sending her body to the floor shaking the room.

With everyone's mouth wide open, we all turned our heads to Noob. Could this night get any sicker? Olivia wanted to run to her but she was stopped. "Dare move an inch and you are next," Noob warned her looking at the three of us. "We have so much to talk about," he grinned. "I need to know more about Agency X Corp, believe you me, we have been after you the same way you have been after us."

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

January 28, 2016
El Deols, Anthanna
In an open space in the middle of what seemed like a thick forest, Henry stood in front of the four who were listening to him with rapt attention. He had on a black armless top which revealed his well built muscles, navy green pants on and black jungle boots. Behind Henry was a large bamboo made hut wherein the team had camped for the past fourteen days. The forest had been a place of training and instruction for the team and Henry had taken them through several rigorous physical and emotional trainings. He also took them on the use of guns and weapons which they all had some clues about before. He additionally gave them some important dos and don’ts but was still yet to reveal details of their mission fully to them.
All the four of them were dressed in the same pattern Henry was, the ladies stood at the center while the men flanged them. Their bodies and the looks on their faces testified to the trainings they had gone through.
For the past fourteen days, they slept for nothing more than four hours at night and were allowed to take a nap of only one hour maximum during the day.
“Today is our final day here, I must thank you all for being patient up to this moment. I have seen your abilities in the past fourteen days, your strengths and weakness but I’ve also seen how we can work with them and come out victorious.” He paused to pick a Grasshopper that perched on his head, he squeezed it in his palm and let it drop on the floor. He took a quick glance at his dirty palm and pulled out an handkerchief from his back pocket to clean off the stain before he continued talking. “I promised to tell you our mission fully at the end of the training with the condition that all of you must successfully pass the tests in the training. I can boldly say I made the right choice, four of you are the perfect people to work out with.”
They watched as he paused and let out a smile. None of them smiled or moved in response to his words, they stood still staring at him.
“After I tell you the mission fully, you would be given a chance to stay in the team or opt out. And if you choose to opt out, you would still be compensated for your time with me, but I really hope you do stay.” Henry continued. “I’ll start by telling you who I am.”
“My real name is Carl Winston, I’m a rank 9 Agent of the FOX corporation Bethanna, code 4679. You must have heard how I and my friend and partner Rex got killed by the invisible terrorists ten months ago. The World News broadcasted that but they never told you about my family and Rex’s family that were also murdered that night. I was shot thrice that night and left to die in the Bexford sea, some men picked my body from the sea and brought me to Anthanna, they thought I had died and dumped my body to avoid trouble for themselves but I got help from another wonderful heart, that’s why I’m alive today with you.”
Henry stopped and turned left wards, he took some few steps in the direction and picked a bottle of water from the ground, he opened it and gulped it halfway down before he returned to his previous position.
“So you are FOX Agent Carl?” Samantha asked, keeping an excited expression on her face for the first time since he started speaking.
The other three all felt the same way she felt. Having the legendary FOX Agent with them made them have goosebumps.
“Yes, I am Carl Winston. Only five people know I’m alive and are aware of my plans, the four of you and the one who helped me live.” Henry replied her.
“Agent Carl,” Samantha called and chuckled. “That sounds nicer.”
“No, you would call me Henry, just Henry. Remember you’re the only ones who know who I am.”
“Understood boss,” she said and nodded with a smile on her face. The smile gradually faded away and was replaced by a serious look.
Henry also nodded gently. He gave them some time for his words to sink in before he began to speak again.
“We were betrayed, I and Rex, by some people in the FOX. I’m not too sure who it is, but we would find out together when we get to Bexford.” Henry continued. “These people who are part of the FOX’s executives set us up and planned our death by the terrorists, and this means our battle is not just against the terrorists but these FOX executives.”
Henry paused again and took two short steps back. He stared at their faces for a while, giving them enough time to connect his words as the reason he initially told them the security agents can’t help them in the fight.
He stepped forward again after a minute.
“So having established that the invisible terrorists have their allies in the FOX, it is safe to say we’re going to be fighting men from the FOX and the terrorists.” He drew in a breath and glanced from the first person’s face to the last from left to right.
“Now, I go to the important question. Is there anyone who would want to back out at this stage?” He asked, even though he believed that no one would. The morale they showed during the training showed that they were ready. “Are you in or out?” He asked again.
He waited and stared at their faces for close to a minute and got no response. He took in a deep breath and took a step forward. He stretched his hand forward towards them for them to join hands together as a sign of unity.
“Wait? How much are you going to pay us off with if we choose to back out?” Cole asked. His question come as a big surprise to Henry and the rest of the team but he wasn’t perturbed. “Yeah, how much?” He repeated when he saw Henry and others staring at him with questioning eyes.
Henry stepped back. He felt disappointed that one of them was considering backing out but he tried not to make his disappointment look obvious. He knew in his mind that he would be forced to kill whoever tried to back out at that stage, he had already warned them before the training that it was a dangerous mission they were about to embark on.
“You want to back out Cole?” He asked in soft tones.
“Yea, how much are we getting compensated with for this training?” Another person asked instead of Cole. She took a step forward, it was the cook, Jenny. “You never told us we would be fighting against the FOX. How can we fight the FOX with just two weeks training?”
“We aren’t fighting the whole corporation, just a few bad eggs working with the terrorists and I would be leading our team.” Henry tried to explain.
He looked at Cole and Jenny’s faces, there seemed to be no willingness to continue on their faces. He felt shattered. He couldn’t imagine how he would explain to Sheila that he had made the wrong choice of people and would have to waste some more time to get other people.
To be continued

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

Restless – Episode 30
(In Or Out?)
® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel
December 12, 2015
Location : El Deols, Anthanna
Sheila sat quietly on the bench after thirty minutes of workout. She breathed in and out slowly and noiselessly. She had an armless top on, a football shorts and a face towel hung around her neck. Drops of sweats rolled down her neck into her cleavage and she used the towel to wipe off the sweat from her forehead.
For a minute, she remembered Henry and missed the times of workout they had together. She remembered how they started going to the workout centers together until the fight happened, and how Henry had advised had helped her set up a place in the house where she could do her workout without having to leave the house all the time. And even though she did not have enough facilities like she would find at the workout center, the setup was still good enough to help her keep fit.
Henry had been gone for more than a month in search for members of his team after he returned to El Deols. He called her almost everyday to give her updates but he never came to the house even though he was in Anthanna. He had told her he would only return after selecting his team members successfully.
She picked herself up and wiped her face with the hand towel again. She also wiped her arms and neck. She then walked out of the room and headed straight for her bedroom to take her bath before going for breakfast. She was surprised at who she met at her door, calling for her inside.
“Henry,” she called his name in surprise.
“Sheila,” he turned to her with a bright smile.
She shook her head happily and proceeded towards him. He opened his arms wide and she embraced him.
“I thought you were not going to show up until next year,” she mumbled as she placed her head on his chest.
“How would I not?” He chuckled. “I don’t miss Christmas with my family.”
“I see,” she said as she disengaged from him. “So, does this also mean you have selected all your team members?”
“Yes, for now. I selected the ones I need.”
“How many people are in the team?”
Henry smiled at her inquisitiveness. “I’ll introduce them to you,” he said and stepped back. “I can see you just finished your workout session, why don’t you go and take care of yourself. We would get to talk once you’re ready.”
“Okay,” she smiled and stepped forward to hug him again. “I’ve missed those workout sessions with you and the self defense classes you take me.”
“We’d have some more during this holiday, more than self defence and even on attacking.” Henry said before he released her from his embrace. He patted her on the shoulder.
He watched her walk in and close the door. The smile on his face broadened and then slowly faded as he let out a deep breath and walked away.
Two Hours Later
In Henry’s room. Sheila sat about three metres away from the table where the laptop was placed. Henry was leaning against the table just beside the laptop, facing her and telling her about his selection.
“Cole, the first member of the team. He is an intelligent developer and seasoned hacker. Three years ago, he siphoned funds from three politicians bank accounts and distributed the monies into the accounts of orphanages and motherless baby homes. The politicians are still in court against the Banks till date. He recently attacked an Honorable’s house and went away with a briefcase which contained money just withdrawn from the bank by the honourable. The money was meant to be used for a community project but the honourable sent only forty percent to the chairman of the committee in charge of the project and kept the remaining to himself. This means the project would not get done because the chairman would also distribute the money within his committee. He’s also going after the project committee this weekend to get the balance.”
Sheila listened intently while a slide show of Cole’s pictures displayed on the laptop screen.
Henry turned to the laptop for a moment and switched the pictures to Dave’s.
“The second member of the team. Dave James is a seasoned security agent. He had worked with the IJF, the police and the State Security Service. He’s led the security for important events in the community and he currently serves as a bodyguard for the Minister of Gege Local Government Area. I chose him for his love for justice and hatred for politicians who derive pleasure in hurting the masses. His use of guns and ammunitions is 70 percent, he has good speed and is intelligent and tactical.”
He paused again and displayed Samantha’s picture.
“Samantha Osman, a young strong woman. Grew up in one of the toughest slums in Nigeria. Her father was a drug dealer and she lost him while she was little. She survived through unpleasant conditions in the slum, she learnt to defend herself by fighting with her hands. She got into a gang at sixteen after her high school education and learnt the use of guns and arms.”
“Hmm,” Sheila chuckled interestingly. “And who is the fourth person?”
“Jenny. Jenifer is a cook at the Glory Spring House Restaurant. Her parents gave birth to her out of wedlock, both were alcohol and drug addicts. She finished her high school education living with her grandmother and joined the catering school. She’s a strong and tactical woman.”
Sheila stared at Henry’s face with a light smile on her lips. “How did you find these people?”
“I picked out over thirty people during my first five days in Gege, then I watched for those whose lives had regular patterns. I narrowed my option to twelve of them and finally selected this four people.” Rex explained.
‘So these ones are everything you need?”
“Ermm… Maybe not, I’m sure some others would need to join us as we proceed.”
Sheila closed her eyes briefly and took in a breath.
“When are you returning to Bexford?”
“Let’s say two weeks after the holidays, I believe that would give me enough time to prepare the team.” Henry replied.
“It will also give you more time to teach me extra fighting moves,” she said with a smile.
_ _
__ __
___ ___
__ __
_ _
January 8, 2016.
Location: Bexford, Bethanna.
The new year has seen two major victories of the FOX over the Invisible terrorists, fourteen members of the terrorist group who were positioned to attack fourteen different places on the new year celebration day were nabbed by the FOX team and ten more were nabbed this past Wednesday. The Chairman of the Agency Paul Edwards has addressed the country this morning, and urged everyone to be calm. He encouraged them to keep reporting any suspicious activity immediately they notice. He also called for the continuous support of the international forces and governments in their fight against the terrorists. The…
“This is trash! It’s nothing to celebrate,” Agent Evelyn cursed in anger and banged her hand on the table. She got up from her seat and began to pace about the floor.
Agent Steve and Agent Jeffery were also in the room with her, all dressed in black shirts and black pants. Agent Steve was playing with a pistol in his hand while Jeffery had a pistol resting on the table in front of him.
“How can we have twenty four terrorists arrested and still have no idea about the main source?” Agent Evelyn complained on.
“You need to calm down Evelyn, I’m under more fire than you are. I am the team leader you know,” Agent Steve reminded her.
She stopped and looked at his face. She placed her palm on the handle of the gun prodding out of her trouser at her belly.
“All the men we arrested this past Wednesday only had bomb jackets on them, they had no idea of how or who put it on them. They were all kidnapped and placed at the locations we found them,” Evelyn ranted on.
“It looks to me like the Red Wolves have changed their strategy,” Jeffery put in.
“They keep changing strategy every time we identify the previous one,” Evelyn added.
Steve stared at her face. “I think it’s quite more than changing of strategies, there’s a pattern to it.”
Jeffery and Evelyn stopped to look at him, they were yet to understand what he meant clearly.
Steve got up from his seat and moved closer to the computer control. He punched some keys and the word processor dashboard appeared on the screen.
“Check out these names, all of them are professionals.” Steve said and turned to them. “The invisible terrorist attacks kills people of different kinds but mainly target professionals.”
“Yeah, right from when we worked with Agents Rex and Carl, the terrorists main target have been the working class population.” Evelyn added, looking at Steve’s face.
“Yeah!” Steve nodded in agreement.
Jeffery was the only one who couldn’t agree or disagree. Steve and Evelyn worked with Agents Carl and Rex during the first fight against the terrorists but he was new to the case.
“I haven’t seen any identifiable pattern yet, but with what I know, we have millions of professionals in this country.” Jeffery put in.
“You’re right,” Steve replied. “But this observed pattern began after they resumed attack last year. They started by attacking financial institutions and their top workers, then they moved to Educational Institutions and their workers…”
“And during the Christmas and new year holidays, they attacked the entertainment sector.” Agent Evelyn cut in thoughtfully.
“Yes,” Steve agreed with her.
“Does that mean they direct their attacks based on seasons, they identify the industry busy at a particular season and attack them?” Jeffery joined in, now beginning to understand the point.
“Exactly, they attacked the financial institutions at the point where business men needed their funds for investments and buying of stocks and then they attacked the educational sector when the schools were offering admission and students were resuming to school, recently the entertainment industry when it was a season of fun and partying…” Steve said thoughtfully in a loud voice.
“And now, what season are we?” Evelyn asked and ran back to the table to pick her tablet device. She unlocked and quickly opened an app to check for statistics.
After some seconds, she looked up and stared at her partners with her mouth agape. “Very soon, mining would be in operation, gold, cola, coke and other resources,” she voiced out.
“There would be a lot of importing and visit of foreigners into the country towards the end of February.” Jeffery put in.
“Now , we know their next target and all we have to do is go ahead of them.” Steve declared.

People currently online, I'm inviting you to join us here

Davidpaul
TAYO124
Eyimama
rossyV226
Tinu02
Maverick7901
Sbsrules
Skubido
Kimzylove
Rapfrick
Tolanitycoon
milez7
holleyboy
Blackween
diamondsword
Igyeseh
Christipsy
breeze23
toppy1234 ,
VicThory
AryEmber
Gotee11
Omittesb
Jegie
SirGentle2
Kingsteve
AbuAmmaar77 ,
Hardes,
prinzedy
newlinecomm
gidex04
dasugar
Thomanad
Haphor
dinodesmond
Anny505
tsquare299

Agent BrynX - Episode 6

By Brian Ngoma

Hole in your Ear

"Bryn!" Olivia shouted.

I was lost in thoughts I didn’t hear her call. She called me countless times while I laid on the floor looking at Mrs. Dakas body. A woman so kind with a heart of gold. The only woman I had known in my life as a mother. Just a single bullet to the head and she was no more and for what? I didn't know. I had no clue.

"Snap out of it Bryn!" Olivia shouted angrily. "She's dead. We'll be dead too if you keep staring at her body."

I snapped out of it and wiped my tears. Everything seemed surreal. I wished to wake up from whatever nightmare this was. "What?" I looked at Olivia.

"They are still outside," Olivia said. "Obviously waiting for one of us to stand so that they take us down. Did you park the car behind the building?"

"Yes i did." I answered. "What is this all about Olivia?" I asked. "Call the police!"

"You don't know what's happening, involving the cops will only make things worse and this is not the time for questions Bryn," Olivia said. "Go and lock the door."

"What?" I asked shocked. "They have guns, how will locking the door help?." I shouted like a little girl. "Can't you see Mrs. Daka was shot?"

"Close the door!" James said gathering his strength. "Hurry!" he crawled. "You locking the door will distract them while i try to crawl out of this place and go to the back."

"The back door is locked," I told James.

"Don't worry, i have the keys," he looked at Olivia. "Give me your car keys."

"My car keys?" I asked.

"Yes Bryn, we don't have time to argue, we need to get out of here otherwise we will be dead."

Olivia looked at me. I could see she was scared. We were all scared. The people outside came prepared and we were not. Hesitating meant one of us would follow Mrs. Daka. "Give him the keys Bryn," Olivia said.

I got the keys out of my pocket and threw them to James. I crawled my way to the door and pushed it. I waited for a gunshot but it was quiet. I looked back at Olivia and James. "Maybe they are gone?" I whispered.

James nodded his head.

I stayed silent in my position and didn't hear any movement. The headlights were turned off and i heard an engine start. I slowly got up. I was putting my life as bet and was very sure they had gone. Olivia kept signalling me to stay down but I didn’t listen. I finally stood upright. "You see? They are gone. Now can someone tell me what's going on. Mrs. Daka is dead."

"Bryn get down!" Olivia shouted.

Damn! Next thing I heard was a gunshot and a funny feeling on my ear. I felt the world crumbling down my feet. I heard a thud sound with a mixture of a woman’s voice screaming in terror. All I could think of in that moment was Leah.

"Wake up Bryn!" a voice called out on me. A light shone on my face. I wasn't a believer of heaven but this seemed like it. The light was too bright and a voice sounded angel like. As if I had heard an angel voice. Was this my time of atonement? In an instant, I thought about all the bad things I had done especially making Leah suffer. She didn't deserve the life I had given her. I didn't have to have any excuse because as a man i was supposed to give her the best life. If I was in heaven, that means I had lived good so why was I worried?

"Bryn wake up!" Olivia slapped me.

"You died too? I asked. "No shit."

"You are still alive you idiot," she said.

"Am I?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered. "Sit upright."

As I sat upright, I felt a sensation in my ear. I tried to touch it but it hurt even more. I slowly touched it and felt a cloth on it. "What is this?" I asked Olivia.

"You have a hole in your ear," she answered. "I managed to control the bleeding."

"What do you mean a hole?" I touched it and squealed in pain. A whole in my ear? I then remembered what had happened. The gunshot and the funny feeling in my ear before blacking out. I had escaped death by an inch. Fully gaining conscious, we were in my car and James was driving. "How did you escape?" I asked.

"Through the backdoor," Olivia answered.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"That's not important right now. What matters is getting where we are going safely," she answered.

"Is anything ever important to you?" I asked frustrated. "A person I consider my mother has been shot and no one wants to tell me anything. What's wrong with you?"

"Be patient Bryn," she said.

"Patient?" I laughed. "Tell me how? I have a wife at home waiting for me and you are telling me to be patient. I almost got shot, infact i have been shot and you are talking about patient. You must be joking," I said. "Take me home."

"It’s not safe," James said.

"Whatever is happening, i ain't no part of it. Since no one wants to tell me what the hell is happening, i want to go home!" I shouted.

"I'm sorry but we are not taking you home,"Olivia joined in.

"Where are you driving to?" I asked James.

"Upstate," he answered.

Upstate was the suburb of Hillpark. It was located in the north of the town. It's where the rich and glamourous resided. "Whose in upstate?" I asked.

James kept driving ignoring my question. It was very dark to see where the car was going to but all I wanted to do was go home. The car came to a stop before a big gate. James made a call. The gate opened and he drove in. I could see a tall dark figure signalling where to park the car. James obliged. After parking, he told us to get off the car.

"Are you sure you were not followed?" Mrs. Vimbuzi appeared from the dark. She didn't even greet any one of us. "What is he doing here?" she pointed at me. "Is that a hole in your ear?"

"Yes," I answered. What was wrong with this woman? Can't she have asked how we were doing? She led us into the house.

"What happened? I thought you had it under control," Mrs. Vimbuzi asked James.

"I did till he showed up," He looked at me.

"Wasn’t he led off work today? Can someone tell me what he's doing here?" She asked looking at Olivia.

"Good question to ask him is what was he doing at the brothel?" Olivia stared at me.

I shifted nervously. I couldn't tell them that I was looking for my brother in law who apparently was working with the men who had killed MadamX. I wasn't sure though because the time the guys stopped me at the brothel, I didn’t see Floyd. Was it that he had seen me and avoided me? I absolutely had no idea but I was going to find out without telling them that one of the guys was my brother in law. I had to hear their story first. "I was there for a hooker," I said composing myself.

"Aren't you married?" Olivia asked bewildered.

"That's none of your business, " I answered.

"Men," she sighed heavily.

James stared at her. I could see that he wanted to defend himself but that wasn’t the time nor place to do so. "He called me Agent JamesX in front of Noob, he blew my cover,” James said disappointed.

"How was I supposed to know Huh?" I asked. "I thought you were there for some broads. I thought perhaps you weren't getting some," I looked at Olivia who shifted uneasily.

"Just shut up!" Mrs. Vimbuzi yelled. "You only cause trouble. Look where it has gotten us now. Mrs. Daka is dead all because of you."

"Don't you dare put her death on me," I jumped to my feet. "Don't try to do that," I nodded and went on. "If anyone, I should be crying now because she meant more to me than she will ever mean to all of you. She was a mother I never had while she was just an asset to all of you," I said. "And how do you know she's dead? No one has told you since we got here?"

Mrs. Vimbuzi looked at me and nodded her head. "Am i supposed to answer that?"

"Obviously, yes," I answered looking at her suspiciously.

"How long was he out?" she asked James.

"Close to two hours," he answered.

"I see, step aside," she told me.

"And go where?" I asked.

"Whatever,” she said turning her attention to James.

Was this woman ever going to take me seriously? What did I need to do for her to realise that I wasn't just some sort of millennial in her eyes?

"Did you hear that?" Olivia asked spooked. She looked at the three of us with her eyes wide open. "You heard that, right?" she asked again.

"What?" I asked feeling my legs going numb. I wasn't going to die tonight, No. "Check it out," I looked at James.

"Why me?" he asked obviously scared too. Cold toilet and Olivia looked at him too. He was the typical agent. He took a beating earlier and he could take another one, no big deal. He walked to the door.

As he walked to the door, footsteps could be heard outside. James stopped. We all froze hearing the footsteps walk to the door. The door knob made a squeaky noise. It then slowly started moving. We all looked at each other.

"We are going to die," I said shakingly.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Restless - Episode 29



Another man moved closer and threw a kick to her face but she dodged and grabbed his leg, she kicked him on the knee of the other leg and pushed him away. She bent to dodge a blow and threw two punches into the man's belly. The man threw a blow which she dodged and then punched him twice at the top of his chest before kicking him in the groin. He let out a yell and fell on his knees grabbing his manhood.

An unexpected blow hit her from behind and she staggered forward but managed to regain balance and turned quickly. The man who punched her rushed towards her with a yell but she met him with a kick on the chest. She landed on her feet quickly, turned and rolled to give him another kick on his face.

A man grabbed her two hands from behind and tried to pin her legs down with his but she struggled and was able to elbow him twice in his belly. She got free and turned quickly to launch an attack but see was surprised to see someone who had come to help her.

The tall and heavy muscled man grabbed the man by the neck and twisted it. He released the man and the man dropped to the ground with a broken neck. Without turning, he grabbed the fist of another who tried to punch him from the left. He twisted it and it made a crack noise as the man cried out. He pulled the man closer, grabbed him by the neck and slammed him to the ground. He stood upright, dusted his palms and then adjusted his face cap which had turned backwards.

She looked around and saw that all the men were on the ground, writhing in pain. Her helper must have stepped in so early to help her. She spotted Baddo and one of his men far away watching them frightfully. She located the coach and quickly walked to him.

"Are you okay sir?"

"Yes, thank you." The coach replied breathlessly.

"Get your bag sir, I'll walk you to the road to get a taxi."

She turned back and walked to the man who joined her to fight. She wasn't sure she would have been able to defeat all of them if left alone. She eyed all the other basketball players who had now returned after running away in fear of Baddo.

"Thank you for stepping in," she said as she stepped in front of Henry.

"You're welcome Samantha," he said with a smile and took her handshake.

She squinted at him and withdrew her hand, wondering how he knew her name.

"Have we met before?" She asked.

"No, but I've been watching you for about three weeks now," Henry replied.

"Oh!" Her eyes caught the coach who had picked up his bag and was ready to leave the pitch. She began to walk towards the coach. Henry followed her. "So, have you been stalking me or you're just one of those men who have a crush on me?" She asked blankly.

She stopped beside the coach and waited for another basketball player who had gone to help her take her bag.

Henry laughed out at her response. She seemed to be a very bold lady. He noticed Cole and Dave had also come closer.

"You're very beautiful Samantha, no doubt..." He tried to reply but she cut him short.

"I'm not ready for a relationship," she said as she took her bag from the team mate and turned to take her leave.

"Haha!" Henry laughed more loudly and followed quietly.

"I'm not here to ask for a relationship like the other guys, I'm married." Henry replied.

She glanced at him to check for the wedding ring on his fingers. "You lost your ring?" She asked when she didn't find it.

"My job, it doesn't let me carry my ring." He answered.

"Oh!" She exclaimed.

"I actually wanted to see you for something else, something important." He quickly added.

"What could that be?"

"I can't say it now, can you meet me in the restaurant after you see him off?"

"I've just finished playing ball, I'm dirty." She complained.

"It won't take long please, I promise." He pleaded.

"Is that a way of asking for a date? I thought you said you were married?"

"It's no date Samantha, these men here are also going to be in the restaurant with us." Henry said, talking about Cole and Dave who were walking behind them.

Samantha glanced back at them and continued walking.

"Okay, I'll be back in five minutes."

"Thank you," Henry replied and stopped. "We'd be expecting you."

He turned back to Cole and Dave. He took in a deep breath and he stared at them with some excitement in his eyes.

He waited for Samantha and the coach to walk farther away before he spoke.

"She's Samantha and she's also a team mate."

Dave and Cole nodded their heads. They needed no prophet to tell them that she was perfectly fit to be in their team even though she was a lady.


Twenty minutes later

The four of them sat on a table with a plate of fried rice each in front of everyone except for Samantha who only had a drink. She had insisted on taking a drink only because she needed to wash up before eating.

"So, we're going to join you in your quest for justice?" Samantha asked.

"Yes, but it's more than a quest for justice. It's something you'll understand better when I introduce you all to the deeper details." Henry replied her.

"It sounds like it's gon be interesting," she said in an America accent. "I'm in."

Henry let out a light smile and nodded gently.

"Thank you," he said in soft tones.

She replied with a wry smile.

"You said we had two mates to meet here, she is just one." Cole cut in.

"Yeah, the other one is right here." Henry replied and then turned, looking at a lady walking past them towards the kitchen of the restaurant.

"The cook?" Dave and Cole asked in unison.

"Yes, the cook, she made this dish we're served. We're going to need someone to help with food, right?" Henry questioned in a cheerful tone. "She's also good in using guns, I watched her scare off two petty robbers."

They all watched in silence as Jenny, their new unaware team mate talked to another cook before walking into the kitchen and closing the door.

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

Restless Episode 29

Cole got up and proceeded with him out of the house.

"We're going to be using your car," Henry said as he proceeded down the balcony.

"My car?" Cole raised a brow. He stepped back to lock the door with the key. "Where are we going to?"

"Somewhere around Gege Round About," Henry replied.

They soon got into the car and on the road. In ten minutes they got to the roundabout and drove a kilometre past the place.

"You can stop here," Henry said to him as they approached another u-turn.

Cole pulled over and parked behind another car.

"We would walk to the other side and wait, he returns home every night on his power-bike," Henry said as he opened the door.

"Hey! Who are you talking about?" Cole asked, but Henry already closed the door without listening to him. He got out of the car and locked it before following Henry.

"Who are you talking about?" Cole asked as he leveled up with Henry.

"Cole, the third member of our team." Henry replied.

"So, I'm the second?"

"No," Henry stopped and turned to answer. He had just thought about Sheila. "Sorry... Yes, you're the second."

He continued walking with Cole by his side.

They turned to the other side and walked some distance. The new street was dark, not every building had security lights outside and some buildings had no signs of electricity. They walked past a medium sized gate before Henry began to talk again.

"This is Dave's house, he stays at the ground floor. He works as the bodyguard for the Minister of the local government area." Henry said and tapped on his phone to check the time. "He would be back anytime from eleven o'clock, we have to stick around and wait for him."

They both waited at the corridor of store building that had no security light turned on.

"He's here," Henry announced at exactly five minutes past eleven.

Cole looked around, he couldn't see anyone or any vehicle. He was about to ask questions when he looked in the direction of Henry's stare and he saw a man riding on a power-bike approaching the place.

"Let's meet with him," Henry said and stepped out of the corridor.

The man riding the power-bike stopped at the front of the medium sized gate and stepped down from his bike. He parked it temporarily and brought out his key to open the gate. He opened the small entrance first and then stepped into the compound to open the larger entrance from inside.

He pulled out his gun after stepping back out through the larger entrance. Two unknown men were now standing beside his vehicle. One was sitting partially on the backseat of the bike.

"Hey man! We're your friends," Henry said with a smile.

"What are you people?" Dave asked, looking at both men's face.

"I've come to give you something to relieve you from your job, I know how much you hate protecting the corrupt minister. So I'm here to enable you submit your resignation letter tomorrow."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I've been in the security sector like you Dave, I know what it means to protect someone who specializes in hurting others and living on other people's sweat."

"Gentlemen, I don't know what you're talking about and I want you to leave this place right away." Dave replied.

"Do you not also know about the thugs who stopped your Minister on the way on Tuesday when he was on his way to command the demolition of the stores."

Henry's words struck a nerve in Dave but he managed to maintain a calm look.

"Gentlemen, you have to leave now or you force me to do what I do not want to do." Dave threatened.

"It's okay, we'd leave but I have to warn you about something important," Henry said as he rose from the bike. "Your Minister has planned your death on your way to South Husan next week, he's going to make it look like an attack on his life and that you died while trying to save him. That's why he insisted that only you should follow him."

Henry made a sign to Cole for them to leave.

"Hey!" Dave called. "How do you know that?" He asked as he lowered his gun. He was the only one the Minister had told about the trip to South Husan.

Henry turned back. "I've been watching you for two weeks, and I also watched your boss."

"How exactly do you know he plans to kill me?"

Henry moved closer to him. "Haven't you wondered why the CP has told you to give details of your job with the minister to your colleague? It's because there would be a need to replace you soon," he answered.

Dave widened his eyes. Henry had told him what a stranger should know. He wondered if he should take Henry's word seriously or if he should take Henry as an enemy planning something bad for him.

"I need you to join me for an important cause, I'll explain to you if you allow."

"Explain now, " Dave said to him.

"Would you at least invite us in?"

"No," Dave answered, shaking his head.

"Okay, this is it..."



Some days Later

Location: Glory Spring House, Gege Slum
Day: November 21
Time: 9:32AM

Glory Spring House, the most beautiful facility in Gege. It was a combination of social centres including recreational spaces, pitches for different sports, restaurants, event halls, a Cinema and a guest house. It was mainly patronized by visitors in the place or passersby during the year. It was usually busy during the holidays and special festival days.


Henry and Cole stood outside the basketball court, watching the basketball training involving both male and female participants. Henry was dressed on a white top and a blue pair of jeans with white sneakers and his face cap while Cole was dressed in all white track suit and black canvas.

Cole was standing at Henry's right hand side. He had his arms wrapped together across his chest as he enjoyed the game. He was of average height and medium slenderness. He had a fairly dark complexion. His neatly cut Afro hairstyle gave his face a handsome look. He had little beards and no moustache on his oval shaped face.

"I've been looking for you two all over," Dave said as he joined them, standing at Henry's left.

The two turned their gazes to him.

"Hey man!" Henry hailed. He offered him a handshake and stepped back and looked back briefly at the game to allow Cole also shake him.

"So how did it go?" Henry asked, after they were done exchanging pleasantries.

"Rough," Dave answered. "It was difficult to convince the CP on why I was resigning, I think he finds me suspicious."

"What about the minister?" Henry asked.

"He literarily begged me not to leave," Dave replied. "But I insisted my mind was made up."

"You did the right thing," Henry said and patted him on the shoulder.

"I hope I really did," Dave said, unsure of himself.

Dave was tall but not as tall as Henry. He had almost the same body size as Dave but of a fairer complexion. His face looked tough and rough and he had a small scar at the left side of his forehead which he had gotten while on his job. He was putting on a white T-shirt, a black pair of jean and brown sandals.

Henry stared at his face for a while and he could read all over it Dave's uncertainty about the future. He was sure the only reason Dave had agreed to resign and follow him was the death plot he had revealed. There was no other reason a person who had a job with manageable income would quit it to follow the cause of a man who was yet to promise them a future.

Cole's situation was different. It was easier for him to make the decision. He was the boss of his own and could go back to his job at any time.

Henry was however not going to take any of them for granted. He was yet to tell them who he really was. All he had told them was the injustice did to his family and his friend's family. He knew they were taking a risk for trusting him and he wasn't going to let them down.

"You said we were going to meet the other two team members here, where are they?" Dave asked Henry.

Henry glanced at him and smiled lightly as he faced forward. He also noticed Cole staring at him. He was sure Cole had the same question in mind and must have been waiting for Cole's arrival to ask.

"Yes, our other two team mates are here," Henry replied, putting his eyes focus on the game. "We would meet them soon."

Both men decided to be patient, expecting that Henry would take action after watching the basketball training.

Henry turned up his wrist to check the time on his wristwatch. "We have less than ten minutes for the training session to end, we would meet our new team mates after that."

"Are they part of the basketball players?" Cole asked.

Henry looked at his face and chuckled. "One of them is."

He looked back to see a different scene on the pitch. It seemed like an argument had broke out. Some guys from elsewhere had come into the pitch to attack the basketball coach. The new men numbered up to nine and one of them had a machete in his hands, they circled the frightened basketball coach.

The players seemed to steer off the scene, backing out fearfully and leaving the panicking coach alone with the assailants.

Surprisingly, a young lady ran into the circle and stood protectively in front of the coach. She had on a grey armless top and a navy blue sport trousers, with a white sneakers on her feet.

Henry tried to step into the pitch but Cole grabbed him by the arm.

"That's Baddo, he and his men are the most dangerous thugs in the slum." Cole warned.

Henry turned his neck to look at him. "Really?" He raised his brows.

"Henry, no one comes in Baddo's way, even the police do not come near him."

"But he looks like he's gonna butcher someone there. Do we just stay here and watch?" Henry turned his neck to Dave.

"The man he is attacking must surely be guilty of something, Baddo does not attack anybody without a reason." Dave defended himself.

"Even if it has a reason, he doesn't have the right to go around punishing people." Henry insisted. He took Cole's hand off his arm. "So, is this how you watch while someone is being battered here?"

Henry turned and looked at Cole's face and then Dave.

"Hey! There's nothing we can do to help, he's got eight men with him, we're outnumbered." Cole replied.

"Outnumbered?" Henry raised a brow. "What of all these basketball players on the pitch?"

Henry took a look and saw all the basketball players shying away.

"They won't go near Baddo as you can see," Dave replied.

Henry looked again at the assailants and the victims at the center of the circle to see if anything had begun. He noticed they were only still talking.

"That's because you all say that, why hasn't anyone made a move like the lady in there?"

"She's gonna get herself trashed," Cole said with a mocking note in his tone.

"I'm going in to..."

Henry could not complete his statement as he looked to see the combat already started. One of the men who tried to pull the lady away got his hand broken and a punch on the face.

Restless - Chapter 29
The Team

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

November 24
Location : Gege Slum
Time: 20:45PM

Cole pulled up in front of the one story building where he lived. He parked just beside his neighbour's car and stepped out of the vehicle. He walked back to the gate and locked it from behind. He returned again to his Toyota Corolla and opened the backseat. He picked out a backpack and hung it on his left shoulder. He closed the front door and locked securely before he proceeded to his apartment, a two bedroom flat with the entrance at the side of the building.

He climbed up the balcony and turned on the outside bulb from the switch beside the door. He took out his key and inserted it into the keyhole. He was about to turn it but he paused. He took out the key and inserted it again. He squeezed his face as he noticed something wrong. He took out the key again and stepped back to check the keyhole. He brought out his phone and turned on the flashlight, then he bent and pointed the light to see keyhole, he closed an eye and peeped in with the other.

He quickly rose up and looked around to check for signs of burglars visiting the place, he saw none. He bent again to check the keyhole. It was not as tight as it ought to be, a sign that someone had put in something wider than the key in his hand in a trial to open it. He looked around again, there was no one in sight. He dipped the key into the hole again and turned twice, the door opened. He pushed it in and waited at the entrance for a while. He looked around once more to check if any one was in view before he pulled out his pistol from the backpack and proceeded into the house with his phone held as a torch in the left hand.

He turned on the light immediately he stepped into the house and reached where the switch was.

"Damn it! Who the hell are you?" He pointed his gun at a strange man he found sitting at the center of his three seater sofa. The man had his two hands raised in the air already, to signify that he was harmless.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?" Cole asked again. The man was putting on a face cap and was yet to look up.

Henry raised his face up gradually and stared at Cole in the eyes. He lowered his right hand slowly and picked his face cap from the center off his head with his thumb and index finger. He dropped the face cap on top of the backrest and raised back his hand.

"Hey! I'm a friend," Henry finally spoke with a smile. He watched Cole frown and moved slowy towards him. "Ermm... Not a friend yet but I mean you and I can be good friends if you allow."

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"You can call me Henry, I'm here to meet with you, I'll like us to be friends." Henry replied.

Cole felt there was something sinister about this man. "No one becomes friends with another by breaking into his house," he replied in an unwelcoming tone. "Tell me what you're doing here before I'm forced to pull the trigger."

"You won't pull the trigger," Henry said confidently. "I know you well, you won't pull the trigger at an harmless man."

Cole squinted. Henry was trying to play mind games with him, he thought. "No one breaks into another man's house without meaning any harm, so you better start talking." Cole answered and cocked his gun to show he was serious.

"Calm down mate," Henry sat up. "I was only trying what I learnt from you by breaking into your house, you also broke into the honorable's house this past Tuesday."

Cole squinted at him, shocked at the information Henry just released.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He tried to feign ignorance. He felt Henry could be a police officer or investigator who had been monitoring him.

"I've been watching you for the past two weeks, I know you killed the guard men at the honourable's house and you took the brief case containing cash with you."

"Does that make sense to you? Brief cases are electronically secured these days, how can I just steal one without being caught?"

"Hehe!" Henry chuckled. "You're a bad ass hacker, you hack into bank accounts, a brief case is small for you?"

Come widened his eyes. "Who are you?"

"We can get to know each other better if you only put away the gun."

Cole shook his head stubbornly.

"I'm not here for a fight, put it down." Henry urged.

Reluctantly, Cole uncocked his gun and lowered it slowly. He finally returned it into his trouser.

"Don't try shi*t with me man, you're in my house." He sounded a note of warning as he sat on a seat at a safe distance from Henry. "Can you make me understand you now?"

"I've been watching you because I have a job I think we can together, your services as a seasoned developer and hacker would be required."

"Just tell me who the hell you are first," Cole snapped at him. "You only told me your name is Henry, how do I start planning a job with someone I bleeping know nothing about?"

Henry breathed in gently. He stared at Cole with raised brows for a moment before he began to speak. "I am not planning to hide anything from you, I would tell you who I am at the right time."

"The bleeping right time is now!" Cole slammed. "Or you get the hell out of my house."

Henry did not look ruffled. He adjusted his seating position and locked all fingers of both hands together close to his chest.

"I'm Henry, I live in El Deols for now, you can say I'm someone who has come back to life from death to do something important." Henry said in soft tones.

"What are you talking about?" Cole asked with a chuckle.

"I died eight months ago but I'm back to make a change and I need you to help me," Henry replied.

Cole shook his head and wondered if Henry wasn't sounding stupid to himself. Henry seemed to him like someone who had lost his mind. "How does that sound in your ears?" Cole asked, giggling.

"You don't have to believe now, just listen to the job I have for you." Henry replied. "My wife and my son were killed eight months ago when the enemies also tried to kill me, my best friend and his wife and children are also killed." Henry leaned forward and began to talk. "I want to get justice for my family and that's why I need your help. By doing this, we would also prevent deaths of other innocent people."

Cole shook his head and sighed, he was tired of hearing the tale from Henry.

"You haven't told me who are yet, you only told me a fairy tale of coming back from the death to life." He said in an interested tone. "I'm sorry about the death of your wife and child, but I'm not a security agent, you should make a report to the security agencies instead."

"I would have done that if they aren't the ones who planned the murders," Henry replied.

Cole glanced at him. He sighed and shook his head. "Sorry, I can't help you." He got up and pulled out his gun again.

"You can," Henry insisted in a strong tone. He got up to his feet and stood in front of Cole. "I know you're scared of associating with just anybody because of what you do but you need to know I'm one person that understands you so well. I know why you do what you do. The money you get from what you do is used in helping people who ought to have been helped by those you rob."

Cole stared at his face again, no one had ever spoken so accurately to him about his intentions.

"Don't be scared, I'm not an officer here to investigate you, I need only need your help."

Cole sighed. He put the gun back in and stepped back to sit. Henry also returned to his seat.

"So what job are you talking about? You want us to go after those who killed your family and your friend?"

"Yes, that's why I need to to join me."

"I need to understand well, you said you were dead."

"I was shot thrice and left to die, but I survived because someone helped me." Henry replied.

"So they don't know you are alive?"

"No one knows I am."

Cole shook his head gently and took in a breath to assimilate the information.

"I want us to get the killers of my family and friends' family, those who sponsored them and the security agents who aided them." Henry continued.

"How are we going to do that?"

"We'd move to Anthanna, all of us and I'll explain better when you meet the rest of the team."

"The rest of the team?"

"Yes, the two of us cannot get it done alone." Henry answered.

"When am I meeting them?"

Henry got up to his feet, he walked to the center table and took out a backpack he had put under. He turned briefly to Cole. "Come with me."

dimssy:
Hey Oyinprince, nice one manh...how is hustle?

We thank God o

Agent BrynX - Episode 5

By Brian Ngoma

The Brothel

"I will help," I said after much thought.

Triza quickly got her bag and removed a piece of paper from it and handed it over to me. Getting the piece of paper, I looked at Leah. She knew what was on that paper. She nodded motioning me to flip it. I did and there was an address written on it. I looked at Leah again and she looked at her sister.

"If you go now, you will find him at this place," Triza said.

"Now?" I asked checking the time. It was 4pm.

She ignored my question and said, "Last time I followed him and he saw me," She paused.

I could tell that what happened after he had seen her. It was not a tale tell. It was best not to ask either. Despite spending the day with Leah, I had missed the air and saw this as an opportunity to leave the house. I left like a hero going to war. The way Leah and her sister looked at me, as if I was some sort of saviour going to redeem someone.

I drove to the alleged address. It was located in Hillpark Central just after town. I even drove through BOB & BOB and it was deserted. I reached the place around 5pm. To my surprise, it was a brothel . Why didn’t Triza tell me? Was it because she knew her sister would not be of the idea if she knew it was a brothel? Or perhaps they both knew it was a brothel. I parked my car in the premises. I looked around and the surrounding was nicely taken care of. My car was the only car in the parking lot. The building was a two storey building. It was huge and built with pan-bricks. I could see a number of windows were opened and two women from different rooms peeped. Whoever owned this building was loaded. This business was illegal and it made me wonder why my former Agency had not mentioned it before. Anyway that was not the reason i had gone there.

I started heading for the entrance when i met a young man who seemed too young to work in a place like this. He received me well, like a president back from his travels. I could infer from the way he talked to me that he was well taught on how to receive people especially strange faces. In a place like this, strange people were much of the interest because no one knew how much dough was stacked up in their trunks.

"Welcome to the Bordello sir," the young man said stiffening his face. He said Bordello so nice like he was Italian.

I didn’t say a word but look around. After a moment of silence and making the young man rather uncomfortable, I said, "Is this the right place as this address?" I showed him the written address.

"Well sir, this is that address. You have come to the right place," he smiled chiefly ensuring I was in his hands. "Would you care for a drink?" He asked pointing me to a chair in the reception.

"I will let you know when I need one," I sat and made myself comfortable. I kept looking around to catch a glimpse of the place. Apparently, I was an early customer. I sat in a bar with an odd looking man who wore a black cardigan coat and his eyes were as still as the Queens guards. The man obviously was at the place for a good time and he was waiting for the fish to come out. Expectedly, a young girl came down the stairs with her eyes fixated on the man. She went right up to him and stood by him. All I could see from the distance were nods. After a brief moment, the oddly looking man looked my direction. I quickly looked away. There was something about his stare, it didn't feel right.

"Sir!" The young gentleman came back.

"Yes," I answered.

"I think we have something ready for you," he smiled wickedly. "You won't be disappointed."

What was I getting myself into? I cussed under my breath. I needed to do something quickly. I got my phone out of the pocket and made a fake phone call. The young man suspiciously looked at me while looking around. I ensured he was on the back side of the phone so that he couldn't see that I didn't make any call.

"Can you just wait a little bit more?" I asked him avoiding his eye contact.

"Okay sir, take your time," he said walking away with a rather sad face.

Why was he sad? Did he work on a commission basis? Perhaps he did but that was not my concern. My sister in laws husband was the main reason I was here. As I sat, well dressed men started flowing in and one or two could take a look at me and quickly looked away. I somehow made them nervous. I was a stranger in a brothel. I knew what was going through their heads, I could be anything; a reporter; there to expose these men’s lifestyle or a police officer; there to arrest them, but I was just a man who had lost his job trying to please his wife and his sister in law.

Everyone knew what they were doing except for me. I was becoming uneasy with all the stares. Everyone who came in could stare at me and murmur something in their friend’s ears. Unknowingly, I had sat at a spot where everyone could clearly look at me. I decided to switch seats. I stood up and walked to where the man in the cardigan coat had sat. He had left after people started flowing in. He left with the young lady. Sitting down, I heard laughter from outside. It was a group of men I could tell. I curled myself into the chair and my eyes fixed on the entrance. It was there that I saw Floyd; Triza's husband with three guys. I felt relieved, at least he was fine Triza didn't have to worry.

Out of the four, Floyd looked rather nervous. He looked around but didn't look in my direction. I wanted to stand up and go to him but my guts told me not to. I never used to trust my instincts but in that moment, something told me to. The guys Floyd was with looked dangerous. I sat my butt down and waited.

The young man came downstairs and walked to where I had earlier sat and didn’t find me. I saw him look around in disappointment. I didn’t want to call him lest my brother in law see me. The young man was called by one of the guys Floyd was hanging out with. He walked to them and took orders. After a while, he brought some bottle of wines with him and placed them on the guys table. They were celebrating something but Floyd didn't seem to be having a merry time. His eyes were everywhere.

"Care for company?" a female voice asked behind me. "You seem lonely."

I turned my head around and saw her. Whoever said the world would be okay without women had to take back his words. My face lit up seeing an angel in a devil’s palace. My mind wondered off. In a split second, I could feel my bulge rising.

"Leah!" I said silently.

"What?" she asked.

There was no way in hell I would cheat on my wife. Literally, I was in hell and was faced with angels in disguise and demons roamed the place.

"I am good," I said looking away.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You have gotten everyone's attention and they are wondering what you are here for. Some are saying you are a reporter, are you?"

That I figured already. I had been in the place for close to three hours without showing any interest in any girl like every man had done. I was slowly raising suspicions and heating myself up."Join me," I told her.

She obliged and moved her seat next to mine.

"So what's a man like you doing in the Bordello?" she asked.

Apparently, these people were making Bordello sound so beautiful with the way it was pronounced. Someone would even think it's a food meanwhile it's an Italian name for Brothel; a pleasure house. "A man like me?" I asked carefully looking at her.

"Yes," she looked at my ring.

The ring had betrayed me but I didn’t feel betrayed, I loved Leah and that ring was evidence that someone somewhere had my heart and I had hers with me.

"I just came to have a good time," I sipped on my lager.

"Wife problems," she probed.

"Not really," I answered. One of the guys that came in with Floyd stood up and walked to where we were with the girl. He had a facial expression of a kid who had their candy stolen. "Someone is coming, know them?" I asked.

The girl turned around and groaned. Before he could reach where we were, she stood up. "What now?" she asked him irritated.

"Marie, come with me!" he ordered her.

"Tell him I’m not in the mood," she sat back in her chair.

The man got furious and told her to stand up. I could tell from his voice that he was warning her. I looked at her as if telling her to listen to him. The girl was hard-core stubborn. He got her by the wrist and dragged her. She resisted hitting him with her bag. He was furious and fuming with anger. What was wrong with this girl? Couldn't she just go away with him?

"Leave me alone!" she shouted causing a scene.

My cover was blown. I saw Floyd and the rest of the guys stand up and started walking our direction. I didn't have any business with what was happening. My job was done. I had seen Floyd. he was alive and well. Whatever reasons he had for not going home, he would later explain to his wife obviously. I had set my peace. At least my wife would be proud of me for even getting this far. I had to leave the brothel.

To be continued

Read more here- www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Restless - Episode 28
Agents Steve and Evelyn

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

The FOX Corporation, EPA Hill
Bexford, Anthanna.

All dressed in black suits and white inner shirts, eight agents stood side by side on straight line. Standing in front of them was the Chairman, he was with the grey haired Agent and Agent Elkim.

The Agents lined in front of the executives consisted of six men and two ladies. One of the two ladies was standing at the rear at the left side while the other was standing at the center. They had their attention fixed on the executives and seemed to be waiting for some sort of judgement.

"Step out Agent Evelyn, " Paul Edwards said in a commanding tone.

The female agent standing at the center stepped forward and remained at an alert position.

"You mobilized seven of your team members and launched an operation without the getting direct permission from your leader, three innocent people lost their lives in the operation and the FOX has no credible explanation to make. What excuses to you have to give for this careless step you took?" Paul Edwards asked in an angry tone.

Agent Evelyn stared for a second into the eyes of her angry looking boss. He was some inches taller than her, his well built body was still perfectly in shape even at sixty one years of age. He had a clean shaven head and no single strand of beards but still looked handsome and so strong the for a sixty year old man.

Evelyn Alexander was a twenty seven year old female agent. She had good heights for a lady and a well formed body. She had graduated from the Anthanna Military School at the age of eighteen after distinguishing herself as a an excellent student. She joined the FOX training institute and completed the one year training mandated for all graduates of the Military School recommended to join the FOX. Seven years of being in the FOX, she excelled greatly and always found herself being preferred by senior agents.

"You're not talking, are you deaf?" Paul Edwards slammed at her when she kept quiet and began to stare at the ground.

She raised her head and looked at his face.

"Sir, we had sixteen terrorists who died in that operation and we made two arrests. We were also able to stop two planned major explosions. The civilians who died were not killed by us but by the terrorists." She said in defense of her actions.

"Your operation caused their deaths," Paul Edwards slammed. "And the FOX is being held responsible for killing the innocent men."

"Sir, while it hasn't been proven whether those men were innocent or not. There was nothing we could have done to avert their deaths, and many more would have died if I did not lead the operation."

Paul Edwards paused to take in a breath, he knew she was saying the truth. Her boldness in replying him was however annoying to him and the non-remorseful look on her face also made him more willing to punish her.

"What gave you the boldness to launch the operation without direct orders from your leader?"

"It was urgent, Agent Steve was in a meeting with the board and all our efforts to reach him were unsuccessful. If we had wasted more time, we would have lost the opportunity to make any arrest or stop their planned attack. This appears like the biggest success we've recorded since this team was assembled."

"Shut the bleep up! What you did was an act of insubordination and it's a proof that you can do worse." Paul Edwards fumed. He kept quiet for a while in order to gain composure. "Listen, I'm not suspending or penalizing you because you arrested two people, but any other act of insubordination from you henceforth will attract disciplinary action."

She heaved a sigh of relief on hearing that she would escape punishment, and bowed her head in silence. Her lips moved like she wanted to mumble a "thank you" but no words came out.

"I must however commend you for taking the audacious step and for having that confidence," he added in a less harsh tone.

Evelyn quickly looked up on hearing his words. She watched him continue speaking but his face carried an expression totally different from what his words.

"We made the first arrest after sixty days, it's a commendable effort. Next time, what you need to do to avoid trouble is to make sure you get permission from your leader."

"Thank you sir," Evelyn curtsied. Her face loosened up a bit but a smile refused to speak.

"And you all," Paul turned his gaze to the men behind her. "You should know you are not supposed to follow orders that did not come directly from your team leader and it's interesting that some of you are seniors to Agent Evelyn." He paused for a second. "You won't be punished this time around because the operation worked, you'd however get a punishment next time it repeats itself. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir," the men chorused.

"You can leave now," he ordered and watched as they turned one after the other. Evelyn stepped back and waited for the rest to proceed to the door first. She then looked at Paul's face again and saluted him before following the rest of her team members.




Agent Sam, the grey haired man turned to Paul Edwards as soon as Evelyn closed the door.

"Don't you think it is dangerous to leave this female Agent in the team?" Agent Sam asked.

"It could be," Agent Elkim joined in. "But we have to watch her carefully and see if she doesn't break ranks anymore."

"There has to be a better reason to take her off," Paul Edwards said with a chuckle as he turned back and headed towards the exit door behind. "No one removes an Agent from the team after achieving a major milestone in the case."

"So, are we still going to have Agent Steve lead the team?" Sam asked as they got closer to the door.


"Yea, he had no hand in what happened."

Agent Elkim stepped forward and opened the door for Paul to step out first, he followed after and Sam followed.


Location: Interrogation Room, FOX Corporation.

The interrogation table stood at the center of the room with two chairs each at the opposite sides. Recording cameras were hung at the corners of the room except the one where the front door was, the other door was at the center of the wall at the right wing wall.

Agent Sam and Evelyn sat at one side of the table while a man dressed in the prison uniform sat at the other side, two unformed police warders stood on both sides of the criminal, giving him a space of about one metre. The other chair beside the prisoner seat was empty.

"Judas, why don't you let's make things easy for you? Tell us where to find who created the device we saw with you," Agent Steve said in a calm voice to him.

"I told you all I know already, I don't know where to find him. He reaches out to us and gives us instructions when he wants to," Judas replied.

"And you really want us to believe that?"

"I've been saying this since yesterday, you have to believe it because it's true." he insisted.

"I would not like to torture you again tonight, so I'd advise you say the truth."

"You can torture me hard but it won't change the truth."

"Judas," Evelyn joined in, staring into the interogatee's eyes with calmness and with a reassuring look, to make him feel more comfortable with her. "That dude gave you an explosive device and he asked you to install it in the company where you work, he wanted to explode the place and kill several people. And you know, that's what the invisible terrorists have been doing." She paused and leaned forward before she continued. "If we don't stop him, he'd do the same to several other organizations but if you allow us stop him by telling us all we need to know, we can end this terrorism ravaging the nation once and for all."

Judas sighed. He knew absolutely nothing and the Agents were expecting to get tangible information from him. There was no way he wasn't going to be tortured again like he was tortured the day before.

"I don't know any other thing about him apart from the ones I told you already."

The two Agents rested back and watched him silently for a while. Then Agent Steve leaned forward again. "The Multi Marketing Network, how did you come across it?"

"It was introduced to me by a friend, he told me it only involved recruiting more professionals online."

"Which of your friends are you talking about?"

"Salmon Ali," he replied.

"Where does Salmon Ali live and where does he work?" Agent Steve continued with the interrogation while Agent Evelyn did the writing of important points.

"He lives in Bexford and works in Century Networks."

"Century networks?" Steve and Evelyn muttered under their breaths simultaneously.

"Yes, Century networks."

They exchanged glances. Century networks was one of the companies that had been affected by explosion in the past weeks.

___

Paul Edwards' Residence.
Ruthernard, Bexford.

Time: 21:19PM

"But honey, the poor boy cannot continue hiding all his life," Mrs Edwards replied back in a loud voice, following behind Paul who was walking angrily through the hallway.

Paul stopped at the entrance of the hallway and turned.

He raised his brows at the woman. "Has anyone said he should hide all his life?" he asked and waited for a response from her. She couldn't answer. "He is only supposed to stay away until everything is solved, he shouldn't be coming to Bexford like nothing is happening."

"His father said he had to see his Doctor," the woman replied.

"Doctor my foot! Aren't there doctors everywhere else? There are doctors where he can not be recognized, he should not be here in Bexford at all."

"I'm sorry honey, but he's here already. We only have to make sure he isn't seen by anyone else."

"He's leaving Bexford tonight," Paul said and continued into the living room.

"What are you going to do Paul? Force his father to take him out of Bexford? Remember he's only our grandson and only the father has the right to what his son would do."

He turned again to her. "If I have to force his father I would. You are yet to understand this," Paul complained bitterly. "The whole world thinks the boy is dead but the men that carried out the bomb attack must not find out that he was not in the hostel that night. Once he is seen again, he would become a target for them."

"God forbid!"

"Oh yeah, you see why he has to leave Bexford tonight?"

To be continued

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

dimssy:
So I was left alone without a mention to wander in the literature session.
Then I found this.
Oyinprince, nice work....you didnt mention me.
Queenitee, how are you? Came to see you joined already

Welcome sir

Agent BrynX - Episode 4

By Brian Ngoma

The Brothel

"I will help," I said after much thought.

Triza quickly got her bag and removed a piece of paper from it and handed it over to me. Getting the piece of paper, I looked at Leah. She knew what was on that paper. She nodded motioning me to flip it. I did and there was an address written on it. I looked at Leah again and she looked at her sister.

"If you go now, you will find him at this place," Triza said.

"Now?" I asked checking the time. It was 4pm.

She ignored my question and said, "Last time I followed him and he saw me," She paused.

I could tell that what happened after he had seen her. It was not a tale tell. It was best not to ask either. Despite spending the day with Leah, I had missed the air and saw this as an opportunity to leave the house. I left like a hero going to war. The way Leah and her sister looked at me, as if I was some sort of saviour going to redeem someone.

I drove to the alleged address. It was located in Hillpark Central just after town. I even drove through BOB & BOB and it was deserted. I reached the place around 5pm. To my surprise, it was a brothel . Why didn’t Triza tell me? Was it because she knew her sister would not be of the idea if she knew it was a brothel? Or perhaps they both knew it was a brothel. I parked my car in the premises. I looked around and the surrounding was nicely taken care of. My car was the only car in the parking lot. The building was a two storey building. It was huge and built with pan-bricks. I could see a number of windows were opened and two women from different rooms peeped. Whoever owned this building was loaded. This business was illegal and it made me wonder why my former Agency had not mentioned it before. Anyway that was not the reason i had gone there.

I started heading for the entrance when i met a young man who seemed too young to work in a place like this. He received me well, like a president back from his travels. I could infer from the way he talked to me that he was well taught on how to receive people especially strange faces. In a place like this, strange people were much of the interest because no one knew how much dough was stacked up in their trunks.

"Welcome to the Bordello sir," the young man said stiffening his face. He said Bordello so nice like he was Italian.

I didn’t say a word but look around. After a moment of silence and making the young man rather uncomfortable, I said, "Is this the right place as this address?" I showed him the written address.

"Well sir, this is that address. You have come to the right place," he smiled chiefly ensuring I was in his hands. "Would you care for a drink?" He asked pointing me to a chair in the reception.

"I will let you know when I need one," I sat and made myself comfortable. I kept looking around to catch a glimpse of the place. Apparently, I was an early customer. I sat in a bar with an odd looking man who wore a black cardigan coat and his eyes were as still as the Queens guards. The man obviously was at the place for a good time and he was waiting for the fish to come out. Expectedly, a young girl came down the stairs with her eyes fixated on the man. She went right up to him and stood by him. All I could see from the distance were nods. After a brief moment, the oddly looking man looked my direction. I quickly looked away. There was something about his stare, it didn't feel right.

"Sir!" The young gentleman came back.

"Yes," I answered.

"I think we have something ready for you," he smiled wickedly. "You won't be disappointed."

What was I getting myself into? I cussed under my breath. I needed to do something quickly. I got my phone out of the pocket and made a fake phone call. The young man suspiciously looked at me while looking around. I ensured he was on the back side of the phone so that he couldn't see that I didn't make any call.

"Can you just wait a little bit more?" I asked him avoiding his eye contact.

"Okay sir, take your time," he said walking away with a rather sad face.

Why was he sad? Did he work on a commission basis? Perhaps he did but that was not my concern. My sister in laws husband was the main reason I was here. As I sat, well dressed men started flowing in and one or two could take a look at me and quickly looked away. I somehow made them nervous. I was a stranger in a brothel. I knew what was going through their heads, I could be anything; a reporter; there to expose these men’s lifestyle or a police officer; there to arrest them, but I was just a man who had lost his job trying to please his wife and his sister in law.

Everyone knew what they were doing except for me. I was becoming uneasy with all the stares. Everyone who came in could stare at me and murmur something in their friend’s ears. Unknowingly, I had sat at a spot where everyone could clearly look at me. I decided to switch seats. I stood up and walked to where the man in the cardigan coat had sat. He had left after people started flowing in. He left with the young lady. Sitting down, I heard laughter from outside. It was a group of men I could tell. I curled myself into the chair and my eyes fixed on the entrance. It was there that I saw Floyd; Triza's husband with three guys. I felt relieved, at least he was fine Triza didn't have to worry.

Out of the four, Floyd looked rather nervous. He looked around but didn't look in my direction. I wanted to stand up and go to him but my guts told me not to. I never used to trust my instincts but in that moment, something told me to. The guys Floyd was with looked dangerous. I sat my butt down and waited.

The young man came downstairs and walked to where I had earlier sat and didn’t find me. I saw him look around in disappointment. I didn’t want to call him lest my brother in law see me. The young man was called by one of the guys Floyd was hanging out with. He walked to them and took orders. After a while, he brought some bottle of wines with him and placed them on the guys table. They were celebrating something but Floyd didn't seem to be having a merry time. His eyes were everywhere.

"Care for company?" a female voice asked behind me. "You seem lonely."

I turned my head around and saw her. Whoever said the world would be okay without women had to take back his words. My face lit up seeing an angel in a devil’s palace. My mind wondered off. In a split second, I could feel my bulge rising.

"Leah!" I said silently.

"What?" she asked.

There was no way in hell I would cheat on my wife. Literally, I was in hell and was faced with angels in disguise and demons roamed the place.

"I am good," I said looking away.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You have gotten everyone's attention and they are wondering what you are here for. Some are saying you are a reporter, are you?"

That I figured already. I had been in the place for close to three hours without showing any interest in any girl like every man had done. I was slowly raising suspicions and heating myself up."Join me," I told her.

She obliged and moved her seat next to mine.

"So what's a man like you doing in the Bordello?" she asked.

Apparently, these people were making Bordello sound so beautiful with the way it was pronounced. Someone would even think it's a food meanwhile it's an Italian name for Brothel; a pleasure house. "A man like me?" I asked carefully looking at her.

"Yes," she looked at my ring.

The ring had betrayed me but I didn’t feel betrayed, I loved Leah and that ring was evidence that someone somewhere had my heart and I had hers with me.

"I just came to have a good time," I sipped on my lager.

"Wife problems," she probed.

"Not really," I answered. One of the guys that came in with Floyd stood up and walked to where we were with the girl. He had a facial expression of a kid who had their candy stolen. "Someone is coming, know them?" I asked.

The girl turned around and groaned. Before he could reach where we were, she stood up. "What now?" she asked him irritated.

"Marie, come with me!" he ordered her.

"Tell him I’m not in the mood," she sat back in her chair.

The man got furious and told her to stand up. I could tell from his voice that he was warning her. I looked at her as if telling her to listen to him. The girl was hard-core stubborn. He got her by the wrist and dragged her. She resisted hitting him with her bag. He was furious and fuming with anger. What was wrong with this girl? Couldn't she just go away with him?

"Leave me alone!" she shouted causing a scene.

My cover was blown. I saw Floyd and the rest of the guys stand up and started walking our direction. I didn't have any business with what was happening. My job was done. I had seen Floyd. he was alive and well. Whatever reasons he had for not going home, he would later explain to his wife obviously. I had set my peace. At least my wife would be proud of me for even getting this far. I had to leave the brothel.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Devilpen:
TOP 5 STORIES THAT CATCHES THE EYE
1. Let the guns speak (by Larrysun)

2. Agent Brynx (by Oyinprince)

3. Emi(Spirit): Legend of the Human god (by Devilpen)

4. The devils touch (by Topher052)

5. King of Kentworth(by Slymer)

Please note that I'm not the writer of Agent Brynx, like someone else has mentioned here, my current ongoing story is Restless

Agent BrynX - Episode 3

By Brian Ngoma

Everything has a cost

Women! They have always amused me. I didn't know what wrong I had done. If anything, I was the one who was supposed to be mad at her for telling her sister about my job. I figured she knew I was going to be upset with her and projected. I wore a short and a vest with some slippers and went to the kitchen. When i got there, she had finished preparing supper. She put food on her plate and left me in the kitchen. I got the food too and went to join her in the living room.

"This is delicious," I said.

She ignored me.

"I'm sorry," I said after an awkward moment of silence.

"Was that hard to say?" She stared at me.

Whatever it was I needed to apologise for, I couldn't figure it but I didn't want to say anything lest an argument. We had our dinner and went to the bedroom.

"I'm sorry too babe," Leah said.

"About?" I asked knowing what she was apologizing for.

"Huh Bryn," she frowned pulling the sheets. "Turn off the lights."

"No I'm just asking," I turned off the lights and laid on the bed.

"I overreacted. I was overwhelmed. My sister seems to be going through a lot. She's young and it hurts me seeing her like that. But I'm not Making excuses for talking to you like that, i was wrong, i shouldn't have come out like that," she sighed. "Forgive me?"

I was quiet.

"Babe!" she called.

"I dosed off," I said jokingly.

"Are you kidding me?" she got up and pinched me.

"I'm kidding babe," I laughed. "I understand why you reacted that way. She's your sister and you care for her."

"Thanks Babe, i love you," she said laying back. "And Zoey loves you too," she giggled.

"So we are going to stick with the name Zoey?" I asked.

"Yup," she answered.

"Anyway I love you both."

"Goodnight."

Following morning I woke up and Leah was on the treadmill exercising as usual. "You will go to labor on that thing," I said getting out of bed. She didn't say anything but continued exercising. I prepared myself and off to work, i went.

Before leaving, I assured her that I was going to do whatever it takes to help her sister. Perhaps i was going to use the resources at Agency X Corp; that's what every man in my situation could have done; happy wife, happy life. "See you this evening babe," i had said.

"Enjoy your day love," she said.

I got to BOB & BOB and found some people queued up outside the office. Beside what we were doing, we were also trained to be actual plumbers and because of the influence of the agency, we had a lot of clients. I went inside and to my surprise, i found Mrs. Vimbuzi addressing our team. As soon I walked in, everyone's eyes were on me. I changed my pace and walked faster to join them.

"As I was saying, the Agency will be disbanded," Mrs. Vimbuzi said.

"What?" I shouted.

They all looked at me while Mrs. Vimbuzi didn’t care about my bewilderment. She continued. "Agent JamesX and OlivX, you will be assigned a new assignment and you have to report to headquarters this afternoon,” she turned her attention to MadamX. “Mrs. Daka, “Your services will be required at the head office.” She paused and looked at me. “Bryn,” she sighed. “ What do i have here?" she looked at me. "Iam sorry but we are letting you go.”

What she said couldn’t come at a bad time. I was still processing the fact that our agency was disbanded and she had to hit me with the letting go words, how cold can a person be? Everyone’s attention shifted to me. Obviously, they expected a dramatic scene like that from an African movie but there I was, staring back at them with a straight face completely shattered. I didn't show how broken i was. My emotions were concealed. Honestly speaking, I could read everyone’s minds. They all felt sorry for me except for cold toilet. James and Olivia knew i had a wife and a baby on the way and losing my job would be devastating but how would Mrs. Vimbuzi have known? She didn't even know me. Meeting her at the headquarters was the first. So thats what the disciplinary committee had decided to do; suck me. I deserved it i guess, I was careless.

“I’m sure there is something that can be done," MadamX said in my defence.

"That’s the final decision of the disciplinary committee I'm afraid," Mrs. Vimbuzi said. "I know he’s like a son to you but we cannot have immaturity in the agency; it's costly. We have a lot of people to protect and having one of our own disseminating information carelessly will be the downfall of this company. We have been operational for over ten years and losing one agent won't be a loss to the agency," she said coldly. "Only thing he can do is clear his desk," she couldn't even look at me.

MadamX always came to my rescue and I was grateful for it but it was time to own up to my screw ups. At that point I knew nothing could be done. The heartless woman had made everything clear and there was no way she was taking it back.

"Alright," I said turning away and headed to my desk. I could feel their eyes on me and that pissed me off. The last thing I needed was pity. "Shit," I thought about my wife. What was I going to tell her? I felt like skipping town but there was nowhere I could go. My bank account was as dry as a bulls bum. I had to face her.

"You know you can rely on me for anything," Mrs. Daka said whilst we were packing.

"I’ll be fine, you’ve done enough, really," I said.

"I will see if I can find you something to do to support your family," she said.

There was no way I could turn this woman down. She had me wrapped under her wings. I was like a chick and she was a hen. For some reason, she felt responsible for me and my wife. I knew the more I refused her help, the sooner my wife would know I got sucked. Whilst packing, I decided not to tell Leah I had lost my job until I found something to do and I had to quickly.

While i was talking to Mrs. Daka, James and Olivia were talking with Mrs. Vimbuzi. I couldn't hear what they were saying but from their facial expressions, it seemed serious. They watched her talk and nodded their heads in agreement. I felt sad. They had their jobs while i had lost mine. I turned to Mrs. Daka and asked, "Any idea what they are discussing?"

She looked at me and said, "Finish packing Bryn. You know I'm not allowed to tell you anything about that."

"Oh right, i no longer work here," I said in frustration. After a while, Mrs. Vimbuzi left and i saw James walk to me. "There comes trouble," I said Silently while Mrs. Daka looked at me and nodded.

"What happened back there?" James asked standing at my desk with a proud face as if telling me how much of a failure I was. I knew he didn't come with good intentions but to mock me. "What did you do? Is it about yesterday? The committee?" he probed further.

"You know that thing called confidentiality?" I asked sarcastically.

James looked at me blankly.

"I bleached some of it. Apparently I didn’t know what was going through my head and told a couple of people," I threw a box in frustration. "Why they hell am I even telling you this man? You are not even my friend."

James knew what I said was true. He wasn't my friend. If anything, I knew he was happy I was off his back. He could now be screwing Olivia all he wanted without anyone prying into his business. I was somehow making them uncomfortable i could tell.

"Easy," Olivia said stepping towards us. "It's not our fault you lost your job. Had you been careful, things would have been different. Suck it up Agent," she rolled her eyes and looked away. "And please grow up!"

Olivia always had a way with me. She had that effect on me that sent me down to hell. She made me feel inferior and I hated it. The only person who managed to do that was Leah. Perhaps, it was what every woman did to a man. I could not say anything to her because Mrs. Dakas eyes were on me carefully studying me anticipating my next words. I played it cool and let it slide.

"Goodbye, tell your wife I will pass through next week," Mrs. Daka said.

"She will be happy to see you, she's been asking about you," I said and walked out of the office slowly been hit with reality that I had lost my job. It was still early in the morning. Somehow, I was finding it hard to accept the fact that I no longer had a job. Mrs. Vimbuzi had taken away the pride I had as a man. Now the only thing I had to my name was that I was going to be a father; a jobless one for that matter . I hated myself.

"Home early?" Leah asked while packing some baby clothes.

"No assignment today," I said resting myself. "They told me i can have a day off," I lied.

"That's good I can use your help around the house," She said.

How I hated that. I didn't have to show it because the last time I did, I found her crying in the bathroom. I asked her why and she said, I was being a bad husband, whatever that meant. Driving home, I thought of going to an opened Bar but I couldn’t do that because it was too early to start drinking and Leah hated beer. Her telling me about helping around the house made me question my decision of coming home.

Surprisingly, we had fun cleaning the house. In fact, I was the one doing the cleaning and she was cooking. I was her gossip mate. Spending that day with her made me realise how much she had to tell me. It ranged from the neighbours, the market, what Mr. B does to his wife and her relatives. Talking about relatives, my wife's sister came crying again at our house. I was getting fade up with her drama. She had to ruin a perfect day Leah and I were having.

"It's getting worse," Triza said. "My husband didn't even come home last night."

Leah and I looked at each other. For some reasons, I felt sorry for her. Her husband was making her suffer and he didn't seem to care.

"You have to do something Bryn," Leah looked at me making a face that made me shiver. I felt sick in my stomach. Not because of the face she made but because the only thing they thought I had that could help them was no more; my job. I had even planned of using the resources of the agency. All day, I had forgotten that I had lost my job and in that moment reality dawned on me. "Baby," she even held my hands.

"Please Bryn," Triza begged weeping.

What can you possibly do when two women gang up against you? One busy making you feel less of a man and the other emotionally blackmailing you. I felt rat-trapped. I had to impress Leah. I had to do right by her sister and since everything has a cost, this came at a great cost.

To be continued

Read more here- www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Restless - Episode 27
I need a team

® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel

Location: El Deols, Anthanna.
Date: October 28, 2015

Sheila laid on the three seater sofa in her living room. She was dressed in a black armless singlet and a white jean bum shorts. She had her right leg crossed over her left knee and her head resting on the armrest of the sofa. A throw pillow on which she placed her elbows rested on her chest. The TV was on and the current channel was a music station but she was too busy with the phone in her hands to be conscious of what was airing on the TV.

She was so lost with the internet surfing on her phone that she did not notice that she was no longer alone in the living room.

She noticed that the volume of the television had reduced and looked up to check when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hi Sheila!" Henry greeted, smiling with the remote control held in his hands.

"Henry!" She shouted and jumped up to her feet. She ran into his wide open arms and embraced him.

Henry hugged back tightly and rubbed her gently on the back.

"You didn't tell me you were coming today," she said as she tried to get off the embrace but he still held her close.

"Yeah, I thought it would be nicer if I appear to you this way. Remember I told you that I would be coming soon," He replied.

"Yeah, but where is your luggage?" Sheila asked, looking around.

"I kept them there, since I still do have enough clothes to use here."

"Okay, good enough." she said, looking into his eyes again.

He smiled back at her for a moment until he realized she was already feeling uncomfortable in his embrace.

"Oh! Sorry," he said and released her.

She smiled and returned to the sofa. Now sitting with a leg placed on the sofa and her hands on the armrest.

Henry sat on the seat adjacent to her position.

"It's 10AM now, would you like to have something to eat?" She asked after looking at her phone's screen.

"No, I took breakfast before the flight."

"Okay, so how did it go? I mean your work in Bethanna."

Henry sighed and shook his head.

"It wasn't successful," Henry answered in a sad tone.

Sheila raised her brows. "What do you mean?"

"I did not fulfil my mission there, I went to get some questions answered but I returned with more questions and almost no answers," he replied.

Sheila was yet to get the reason for his complaints.

"Uhmn... But why did you change your mind about reaching Paul Edwards?"

"That Sheila," he said slowly and added a brief chuckle. "It'sreally complicated."

"That was the same thing you told me over the phone, but you promised to explain better when you get here."

"Sheila, I discovered that I can't trust Paul Edwards."

"Why? You told me he was the only one you could trust."

"Yes, I thought I could trust him but I discovered after few days in Bethanna that Paul Edwards has some links with the invisible terrorists."

"What? Why would you say so?"

"He fed lies to the media," He replied with a glance at her face and then fixed his gaze to the ground again. "The FOX claimed that they nabbed all the men who killed Agents Rex and Carl but in reality, none of those men were caught. Until I got there, every of those men that attacked us that night were still alive."

"What?" Sheila muttered as she squinted her eyes. She remembered that she had also read on the news how justice had been meted to those who carried out the assassinations of the two FOX Agents.

"I believe the FOX made no single arrest, but they fed lies to the world. This couldn't have happened without the knowledge of Paul Edwards. He confirms everything before it is released to the public from the FOX media."

"So, I don't quite get it, why would Paul lie about punishing the murderers? And why would he live them alive? Are you suggesting he knows about the plot to kill you?"

"Yes, it was well planned. I and Rex were led to the slaughter like animals for sacrifice. Paul knew the invisible terrorists before their ever first attack, he planned how he was going to send Rex and me to them and he planned with them the limit to which we could kill the terrorists men."

Sheila took in a deep breath. She stared at Henry's face and could see the hurt and pains of betrayal written all over. She wished there was something she could do to help him feel better, but she had no idea of what to do.

She remembered again the news of the terrorists attacks claiming the lives of family members of the FOX's executives family and a thought came into her mind.

"So the death of Paul's grandson in his school hostel, was that a willing sacrifice done by Paul?"

Henry glanced at her face.

"I'm not sure, the Paul I knew values family so much and would not give his grandson's life for anything, but the Paul I knew was also not a terrorist. I just found out that the real Paul Edwards is a man I never knew, he is a murderer and a betrayal, and he could have done anything including killing his own grandson." Henry grated out with so much anger.

"You need to be calm Henry, don't get yourself worked up." Sheila said, seeing he was already giving in to his rage.

Henry glanced at her and then took in a long deep breath.

"Paul did not only betray me, he betrayed thousands of people whose family members have been killed in the attacks, he betrayed those who have lost billions of money and their properties, he betrayed his home country Bethanna and he betrayed the world." Henry fumed.

"I understand you quite well, you're mad at him for all this," Sheila said in soft tones.

She inhaled deeply and placed both feet on the ground, she then rested her back. She closed her eyes and inhaled again, several thoughts ran through her mind.

She realized that Henry's job was more difficult than they thought it would be and it was going to require a lot more.

She looked up to see Henry already pacing about the living room in a frantic mood. She watched him for a while and noticed he was mumbling some words under his breath.

He stopped and gazed at her. Then he paced about for some more few seconds and stopped again, facing the wall.

"Sheila, I feel so weak inside." Henry confessed to her. "A kind of weakness worse than being dead," he continued. "All my life, I've lived in dedication to the FOX. They determined every minute and second of life and I did give them willingly. They determined how I could live my life, how I could choose my wife and even how many hours I could stay with my family. I gave all to make the FOX great and record success in every mission, all in service to people..."

"Henry, stop!"

He turned back to see Sheila standing behind him. She was staring deeply into his eyes, like she could read something crucial in it.

He took in a deep breath and raised his head up. His thirst for revenge had gone beyond the pain he felt by the death of his wife and child only, he felt more shattered and haunted because the FOX which he dedicated his life had tried to destroy his family.

"Sheila, the FOX is said to be built on a foundation of trust and deep loyalty to the country and dedication to protect human lives. It's heart breaking to find out that the foundation itself was a lie, it was built by unpatriotic men and betrayals who have selfish intentions I'm yet to understand."

"Henry, is there any other person other than Paul Edwards you do not suspect? I mean is there any other executive you can trust?"

"The whole board members are suspects, Paul Edwards could not have done these things alone. Other board members would be involved, that's the only reason he's successful in doing it, else he would have been challenged."

Sheila sighed. She could feel Henry's hurt and pain. It felt like the whole world was against him and he was alone.

"Sheila, I..."

"Shhh..." She hushed him and closed up with a warm embrace.

He wrapped his hands around her in response. He closed his eyes and breathed in gently, the scent of her hair treatment filling his nostrils.

He had never felt like he needed comfort like he felt now. This mission of avenging his family was totally different from every other one he had ever embarked on and it seemed as if he needed something more to encourage him.

"I know you feel so hurt, but you've got to move forward and face it like the fearless agent that you are and I'm sure you would defeat every one of the enemy like you always do." Sheila said after detached herself from him. She looked straight into his eyes.

Henry took in a breath before speaking. "This is quite different from every other mission I ever faced. I'm going to be fighting without my friends, I may actually be fighting against them." He said and chuckled in amusement and realization of the meaning of his words.

"I know but you can pull through, you are strong and you've got the ability." she said and patted him on the shoulder.

He held her hand and pressed it softly in his. He stared deep into her eyes.

"You were built for this Henry," she said in soft tones, their eyes connected to each other just like their hearts seemed to be connected.


6 Hours Later

"If we want to reach these people, we need to give you a good and reputable profile but it would take some time to create that." Sheila said in a thoughtful tone.

They were in Henry's bedroom now. She was sitting on a chair with a laptop on the table in front of her while he sat on the footstool beside her.

"That's my point exactly, I've got several profiles created over the years but the FOX has knowledge of my possession of these profiles, I can not use any against them." Henry replied her.

"We have to create a new profile for you."

"It would take months or probably years to do so, you just admitted that," Henry retorted.

"Yes, but that's probably the only option we have." Sheila said, looking at his face.

"It's not the only option, I can continue how I started, it may be difficult but I'd do well if I take the right steps."

"How did you start?" She asked, squinting at his face. She opened her mouth and widened her eyes as she remembered something. "Uhmn... What happened with Mark, the man you picked from here? The one took you to Nura."

"I sent him back to his home," Henry replied. "He's innocent, he only tried to help me just like you did."

"You confirmed that?"

"Yes, he knows nothing about the murder that was carried out. He took my body from the sea in an attempt to save me but he said I died on the way to Anthanna. Out of fear, he and his friends took the body to Nura where you saw them."

"Oh! I think that's true!" Sheila said, nodding her head. "I remember Osey said something about the men talking in a language and they suggested they were trying to help you."

"Yeah, that's why I sent him back to his family."

"What about the other men he led you to?"

Henry was silent for a while. He took in a breath and took his eyes off her face.

"They are dead," he finally answered.

She frowned. "You killed them?"

"Yes, they were the men who tried to kill me and the ones who burnt my wife and Kellar alive."

Sheila took in a deep breath. She felt sorry for him again.

"But, killing at this stage when we aren't sure of what steps to take, won't that affect the bigger plan?"

"No, it won't." Henry said and then looked at her face. "And I know what to do, I'm sure of what steps to take."

Sheila was quiet for a while as she stared at his face. A while ago, he was sounding so weak and traumatized and now he was sounding so confident. It made her remember some of the things the doctor had told them and why he needed to rest and recover fully before going to work.

"Won't the invisible terrorist suspect that you killed them?"

"No," Henry raised his shoulders for some seconds and dropped it. "The men I killed aren't terrorists but they were contracted by the terrorists to do the attack at the Turin Province."

"And no one knows you did the killing?"

"No one knows Agent Carl was there, no one knows Agent Carl is alive, the only two people who knew are dead already. A third person who has an idea is Mark, but he cannot be known by the Invisible terrorist, the only person who could link them to Mark was Odio."

Sheila was still confused with his answers but decided not to question him further. "Well, it's okay..."

"You don't understand yet, right? Let me explain better." Henry said, reading the look in her eyes. She nodded in affirmation. "I brought down two men, Odio and Eddy. Odio and Eddy are two different people, they only worked together to attack us at Turin Province, their deaths and abduction would not be connected to each other. The invisible terrorists also have no connection with these men and they may only hear but would not bother to investigate their deaths."

Sheila nodded. She got a bit of the picture. "It's cool, so what steps do you plan to take?"

"I'll tell you everything, but first, I need a team."

"A team?"

"Yes, I'm fighting against the invisible terrorists and probably the FOX. These two organizations are well structured, I need to have a structured team to win."

"So what kind of people do you need in your team?"

"Personnels with intelligence, good gun usability, good fighting skill and technological skills."

Sheila heaved a sigh.

"How do you get such people, except in the FOX or in other security agencies?"

"I don't need the FOX, I know where to get them."

"Where?"

Henry looked at her face, a light and brief smile formed on his face.

"Gege slum," he said to her.

"Gege slum?" She widened her eyes. "That place is full of dangerous criminals."

"The FOX and security agencies are full of more dangerous criminals," Henry replied sharply. "The FOX is worse, it's full of murderers who are trusted with the security of the nation while that Slum has people who probably have no choice of what to do to make a living."

"So you're going to make a team of wanted dangerous criminals?"

"No, I won't go for the wanted ones. I'll go for the undiscovered ones."

Sheila frowned at him.

"Yes, you see... Within the next few weeks, I'll start a task to investigate some people in the slum and I'll select my team members. It'll surprise you that there are more dangerous people than the ones who have been declared wanted or who are known as notorious."

"It's cool... It's your specialty, so I think I have to trust your judgement."

"Thank you."

"I have a request to make please," she said, looking at his face with pleading eyes.

"What's that?"

"Can I be part of your team?"

"NO."


To be continued

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

Agent BrynX - Episode 2

By Brian Ngoma

The Wife

Our camouflage offices were situated along HillView road next to Vodafone Branch. We were operating under the name BOB & BOB Plumbers for Hire. How the name came about, I don't know, no one knew. Even the longest serving Agent, Mrs. Daka didn't know.

"How was it?" Mrs. Daka asked me as I sat on my chair.

I sighed, "Haven't they called you MadamX?" MadamX was her agent name. I was afraid they might have called to ask her how she got a slob like me into the Agency.

"Tell me!" She said curiously. "No one Called me."

MadamX knew me from way back. Apparently, shes the one who took me in when my parents decided to abandon me. That's how i dropped my parents names and named myself Bryn Williams. There was nothing special about the name, i just loved it. Mrs. Daka gave me shelter, food and clothes. Even though i was a teen, she practically raised me. After completing secondary education, She found me a job so that i can take myself to college. She believed in me and that daunted me. I always told her not to trust me because I'm only human and prone to error. She kept saying i was a straight guy till i told her that i got a girl pregnant. She was shook. Her facial expression was like she had seen a Lion in her bedroom. By then it was a lie, i just wanted to marry Leah. "I don't know but I think I still have my job," I said.

"That's good," she said exhaling relief. She knew Leah was expecting and me losing my job would have been a blow. She loved us both and wanted the best for us.

"Have you met those people before?" I asked her.

"Who?" She asked back.

"The Disciplinary committee?"

"OH, I have. Several times."

"Really?" I asked surpised.

"Yes, I know that panel very well. Mrs. Zimba; the old dark lady who thinks she's got it all. Mr Keyala; that stupid son of a gun. Imagine he was hitting on me sometime back, " she laughed.

"There is also a Mr. White and Cold toilet," I added.

"Who are those?" she asked curiously. "So if it's you, you have started nicknaming people."

"Mrs. Vimbuzi," I laughed. "Mr. White is a middle aged simple looking man. Very serious, doesn’t laugh nor smile and has a funny accent."

"I only know Mrs. Vimbuzi. She's been my boss since forever," she said. "You should be grateful you still have your job. You have to go home; I'll cover for you. A pregnant woman doesn't need to be left alone for too long."

I thanked heavens for Mrs. Daka, she was a blessing. She was a mother to me. She understood me. She was the only one who put up with me. She never seemed bothered.

"Thank you," I stood up grabbing my bag.

"When is Leah due?" She asked. "I know you told me about it but I'm old i forget things," she chuckled.

I laughed. She was getting old it was true. Despite saying it alot, she never liked to be told that she was getting old. I cleared my throat and answered. "Any day."

"Pass my regards," she said.

I got up and noticed the desks were deserted. "Where is everyone?" I asked her.

"Everyone?" She looked at me expressionless. "Which everyone?"

"James and Olivia of course?" I asked.

"You asked as if we are ten," MadamX answered. "They left after you had left. "They were also called by headquarters. I'm sure with their last successful job together , they’ll be assigned another job."

I remembered the two agents that the old man talked about at the headquarters and said. "I don't know how they do it but those two are bad news." I envied James and Olivia. They seemed to have it all. They never had problems with their tasks. "Good for them." I said.

"Yes good for them. I think they are also shagging each other," MadamX laughed. "They have become too close."

I laughed at her remark and left. Knowing James though he wasn’t my friend, he must have been screwing Olivia. He was too straightforward and took work serious. Suffice to mention, he was good looking. James had a baby face that drew women closer to him. I failed to get it. Why would a grown up woman be attracted to a man with a baby face? Wouldn't that make her feel less secure? He was tall but not taller than me. He was light as hell and i was on the other side. Olivia was a goddess too. She was slim and tall. Chocolate brown in complexion. Tough, strong and a willed woman. She never took trash from anyone. They were perfect for each other; no one could blame them anyway.

I drove home thinking about my wife. Life always had a way of making us content. While James and Olivia were a perfect match, I also had my match Leah. She was the most beautiful woman in my eyes. I loved her even more when she got pregnant. I would always scold her that she looked like a ball. With her short height, she was fun size. Over the last months she had gained and she hated me saying it. She would always say that it was the baby making her eat too much.

I parked my car and walked to the house. I found Leah with her sister. I didn't notice her sister crying. My wife’s sister was a married woman but she behaved like a twelve-year-old girl; every time she fought with her husband, she ran to Leah and she entertained her which pissed me off. On most occasions, I told my wife to show her some tough love but my wife was too good of a person.

"Baby!" Leah called me to the kitchen.

I got there and found her sister shading tears. I kissed my wife and only looked at her sister.

"Sit down baby," Leah said.

The way my wife was talking, I could tell that something was happening. "What is wrong?" I asked feeling my legs tremble. I could see the seriousness and focus on her face. She was letting out words as if she was the one in pain.

"My sister has a problem," she said looking at her. "Triza tell Bryn."

I looked at my wife startled. She didn't even look at me. I turned my attention to her sister. She was busy sobbing. I was patient and waited for her to ready herself. "It's my husband," she finally spoke.

"What about him?" I asked her.

"I think Floyd is involved in some shady business."

"Shady?" I looked at my wife. The way i knew Floyd i couldn't put together what she was saying about him being involved in some shady business. He was one of the straight guys i knew. He never talked much but was a debater. Whenever he came over to pay us a visit, we would always argue about football, Politics, the economy etc. One thing that amused me about him was how he talked highly of the police. He never talked much about his job. He was a business man. His wife never asked for anything from us but just came crying everytime they fought. I understood why she acted like that because Leah was like a mother to her and she was young. "How shady?" I asked curiously.

"He goes for days and when he comes back, it's either he comes with a black eye, broken arm and the other night, he came with a cut so deep I wanted to take him to the hospital, he refused."

"I told her about what you do," Leah said.

"What?" I yelled. "You told her what?"

"I told her you're an Agent," Leah answered.

"Why would you do that?" I stood up upset.

"Baby sit down, I told her so that you can help her," she said.

My wife had an absolute different perspective of what I was doing. For her, she thought I was a James Bond like Agent; there to save the day but I was nothing like that. I had never even held a gun in my hand and if it's combat, i was pathetic. I blamed myself on the other hand, when telling her I made it sound so interesting. The way she looked at me when i narrated the whole thing, i could tell she was visualizing everything and i was tempted to spice it up even more. "You are not supposed to talk to people about my work," I told her.

"She's family baby," Leah said with a sad face. "She's not people."

I couldn't say more. I sat down and was forced to hear what she had to say. "I love my husband please help him," Triza looked at me. "Before anything bad happens to him." Her face seemed tired. She was going through a lot.

I looked at my wife. I knew she was waiting for my response. A lot of things were running through my head. I didn't even know what the disciplinary committee had decided and there I was, being asked for assistance.

"Baby!" Leah called me.

"I'll see what I can do," I said after a long breath.

"Thank you," Triza said getting up.

I watched my wife escort her outside as I walked to the bedroom to freshen up. I didn't even know what to do with Triza's husband. For some reason, Triza looked up to me and my wife, she thought we had everything all figured out. Sometimes, her reliance on us made me feel old when I was only 26 and my wife 22.

I came out of the bathroom and found my wife sited on the bed pressing her phone with a straight face. I acted like I hadn't seen her. I sat on the other side of the bed and applied some lotion.

"What was that all about?" She asked.

I was aback. "What?" I asked.

"Your reaction? You know Triza relies on us and you acted like you didn't want to help her," She raised her voice. "Talking about how I'm not supposed to be talking about your work with other people when you know she's family."

"Didn't I just...."

"I just forced you," she cut me. "A husband and wife talk about things together. When telling her about your work, i assured her you would help and there you were behaving like a ten year old boy. You almost embarrassed me in front of my sister."

"Baby."

"Don't baby me Bryn," she stood up. "I'm your wife. If my sister comes to me with a problem and if i can't help her, i turn to you. How do you suppose i do it Huh? Go and ask for help from someone else when my husband is there?" she stormed out of the bedroom.

"Hormones," I said under my breath.

"What did you just say?" she came back and stood at the door.

"Nothing baby," I smiled nervously shifting uneasily.

"Pff," expressing annoyance, she left.

To be continued

Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Agent BrynX - Episode 1
Not Your Typical Agent

By Brian Ngoma

In my head, the disciplinary committee was ready for me in the next room while I sat on the waiting chairs. My hands were sweating and i was breathing like i was having an asthmatic attack. Two years i had worked for Agency X Corp, two freaking years and not a single day had i ever been summoned by this committee. I did my work and ensured i didn’t mess up. All I wanted to do was make ends meet to provide for my wife Leah and our unborn baby. Leah was due any day.

I looked on my right and saw a very tall slender but curvy woman coming my direction. She was the first person I had seen since I got to the agency except for the old sluggish man at the reception. I thought her to be one of the workers at the agency. Unexpectedly, she stood right before me and stared at me while looking at some papers in her hands. Looking at her upclose, she was very light in complexion. However, no matter how much make up she had applied, i could tell she was old.

"Agent BrynX?" She asked.

"Yes that's me," I answered extending my arm to greet her. She ignored it and looked back at the paper. That was embarrassing. I checked around to see if someone had seen me being left hanging. I sighed, I was just alone with the heartless cold woman. That’s how I got to know her; a heart so cold as mount everest. I didn’t need a name to put on her. She reminded me of Kanye West’s Heartless song.

"Follow me!" She turned around and started walking. I followed her. For a woman who seemed to have an ego higher than that of any mountain, her butt was as flat as an ipod I couldn't help but giggle. "Anything funny?" She asked stopping.

I quickly got my phone from my pocket and pretended I was laughing at something I had seen on it. "It's this Meme," I wanted to show her but she turned my phone away. Thankfully, there was nothing on my phone.

She continued walking while I trailed. I kept wondering where she was taking me because in my head, the office I had sat outside of was the disciplinary office. I didn't ask questions but let her lead the way. We got to a door with an imprint on it, it read; 'The Disciplinary Committee.'

"Wait," I stopped her. She looked at me irritated sagging her shoulders. Her stare was somehow scary I forgot what I wanted to say. I could see the wrinkles she was hiding under that make up. They were vividly clear and damn, she looked ugly.

"What?" She asked trying to keep calm.I touched my head trying to remember what it was I wanted to say. Luck wasn't on my side, I didn't. She smacked her lips in disgust and opened the door. "Now enter!" She ordered me.

I slowly walked in. For a moment, I forgot I was somewhere along Kwese Road in Hillpark, Lusaka. It was like I was in one of those blockbuster movies I could even feel the suspense music playing in the back of my head. As I stepped towards a chair which was obviously set for me, the door slammed behind me. She had closed the door and locked it. Was this all part of the discipline? I asked myself sitting on the chair. I felt some fresh air in the room that made me relaxed and calm. The disciplinary room was painted all white. Everything in it was white and was very tidy. Tha table in front of me had three chairs on the other side. Whatever game these people were playing, it was odd. I decided to keep myself busy on my phone.

A moment later, my phone battery drained due to excessive usage of the internet. I didn't know what else to do. I moved my chair so that I could rest my head on the table. I managed and rested on it. I dosed off.

"Agent BrynX," a voice called me.

I felt like I was home and Leah was waking me up. I quickly gained conscious and remembered where I was. I got up and met with disappointed faces. They all looked at me nodding their heads. "Hi," I waved at them embarrassed.

"Let's begin," a voice behind me said.

I turned my head and found Ms. Cold standing behind me. "Agent BrynX," she looked at me and went on. "This is the Disciplinary committee. They are also members of the board. On the far right is Mr. White, on the middle is Mrs. Zimba and far left is Mr. Keyala," she pointed at them. "And I am Mrs. Vimbuzi, we have already met," she said.

I chuckled. What kind of name is Vimbuzi? In my indigenous language, Vimbuzi means toilet. It was there and then that I nicknamed her cold toilet. Of course, only I knew the name.

"Are you ever serious?" She asked with an annoyed face.

"I'm sorry for that Mrs. Vim......" I paused and held myself not to blurt out. "Vimbuzi."

"Full names?" Mr. Keyala asked.

"Bryn Williams," I answered.

They all looked at each other probably wondering why i had that surname. They looked at all the documents at their table to confirm and they nodded their heads looking at each other.

"Mr. Bryn, do you know why you're here?" Mr. White asked jotting down something.

"I believe I do Sir," I answered. I knew why i was summoned but what i didn't know was how extremely serious it was.

"Why are you here?" Mr. Keyala added with his hand on the chin.

"Bleach of confidentiality," I bowed my head.

"Is that all?" Mr. White asked again.

"Yes unless there is something I don't know about," I looked at him.

"Well," Mr. White leaned back looking at Mrs. Zimba.

Mrs. Zimba Sat upright staring at me. She flipped the papers on the table and asked, "What is the name of our company Mr. Bryn?"

"Are you being serious?" I asked looking at everyone. It didn't seem relevant to ask me the name of the company i was working for. I knew the name obviously and that sounded like an insult to me.They all looked at me blankly. She was being serious and I needed to answer. "Agency X Corp," I answered.

"Do you know how important that X is?" Mrs. Zimba asked seriously.

I hesitated to answer.

"Do you know Agent BrynX?" She Raised her voice.

I was startled and leaned back in the chair. Truthfully speaking, I didn’t know what the X symbolized and all the two years I had worked there, I didn’t care to ask. So long as my job was done, I was happy and a letter X meant nothing to me.

"Yes madam," I answered nervously.

"Then why would you go around talking about what you do?" She asked.

Agency X Corps motto was 'Always Watching'. It was against this motto that this companies duties were based on. They dealt with everyone on the other side of the law; Law benders. It was like a police station but dealt with people that even the force was afraid to deal with. I was on the lower rank of the Agency. I dealt with small time crooks and cheaters. I never complained but I yearned for action. I finally got it but at a greater cost.

Confidentiality was a priority at Agency X Corp. It then hit me that while I thought I had been called for telling my wife what I was doing, it was another thing but who else did I tell? I didn't remember telling anyone. "My wife?" I asked.

Mr. White removed his glasses and asked, "You also told your wife? Jesus!" his hands were on his head.

"Oh shit," I cussed.

"Who recruited him?" Mr. Keyala asked angrily opening a file from his table. I wished the floor would open and swallow me. I also got worried about Mrs. Daka, the woman who hooked me up with the job. She had gone her way to find it for me. I hoped i didn’t put her in trouble. "When did you start working for this Agency?"

"July, 2028," I answered.

"So you are clocking two years next month," Mr. Keyala Looked at Mrs. Zimba nodding his head.

"Why would you tell your wife?" Mrs. Zimba asked. "Didn't you read the rules? What happened to protecting those close to us by not revealing what we do? To the outside world, what are you supposed to be?"

"A plumber working for BOB & BOB plumber for hire," I responded realising how stupid I had been. In my mind I kept justifying my actions. She's my wife and I'm supposed to tell her everything. 'The truth hurts but Secrets kill,' my wife’s words after she had suspected I was keeping something from her a year ago. And it's not like i had told anyone. It was my wife for crying out loud.

"Agent BrynX!" Mr. White called me.

I looked at him.

"So we have just known that you told your wife," he looked at the others and went on. "We have a recording of you telling some people in a club that you're an Agent. We also have a footage of you showing your I.D to a police officer."

"I thought the police knew what we do," I said.

"No they don't, what did that police man want to do with you?" Mrs. Zimba asked.

"He wanted to arrest me."

"You see, they don't."

"Your profile shows excellency compared to what I'm seeing here," Mr. Keyala said. "On paper you are intelligent and highly skilled but in person you are stupid and dumb," he said with disgust on his face. "Work ethics is very important to abide by."

"I understand I'm Not your typical agent sir," I smiled. "Atypical is the word."

"What?" Mr. Keyala asked angrily.

"Nothing sir," I responded.

"How old are you?" Mr. White asked.

"He's 26," Mr. Keyala answered looking at my profile.

"Millennials," Mrs. Zimba rolled her eyes.

"Go out we'll call you," Mr. Keyala dismissed me. All the three leaned back in their chairs disappointed in me. Only Mrs. Zimba was watching me stand while the others looked away. I had made a bad first impression to the bosses. "And please close the door behind you," Mr. Keyala said looking at the table.

I stood up and walked to the door. I wondered why Mrs. Vimbuzi didn't say anything. She kept watching what was happening. I got out and found myself a seat. An hour passed and the door opened. Mrs. Vimbuzi got out. "You may leave now," she told me.

"I don't understand," I said. "What's my fate?"

Before she said anything, the old man from the reception came with a file in his hands. He looked at me and then her. He hesitated to talk but she gave him a cold look. "Madam, those two agents working on the Brothel case are back," he said handing her over the file.

"You heard me," she turned her attention to me whilst getting the file and dismissing the old man. She looked at the file and nodded. "What are you still doing here?" she looked at me.

"But."

"Agent BrynX, leave!" She said with her Eyebrows squeezed together forming a crease.

I knew better not to say anything. She was angry. At least She called me Agent. I felt relieved. That meant I still had my job. I didn't want to do anything to sabotage that. As it was, I was in trouble. I left the building with no clue of what was to happen next. I needed my job. There was no way i could afford losing it. True, i had been careless but i deserved a second chance. I had a wife to take care of and a baby on the way. I crossed my fingers as i walked to my Corolla.

To be continued

Read up to Episode 10 here - www.youngicee.com/category/agent-brynx

Agent BrynX

I'm Agent BrynX, I worked for Agent X cops. I was fired when the organization found out that I'd told some persons about my identity and what I do for a living... Yea yea, I know it's dumb and stupid...

But then I gat my head in the right places.. I see opportunities and take them. My actions might be so dumb but I'll succeed..

Now, I've got to take down the blackmailers, I've also got my wife and baby to protect, and yes I'm a dummy... A big dummy!

You gotta believe me, Agent BrynX will always be Agent BrynX!

You've got to be ready for this comedy/action packed crime story...

By

Brian Ngoma


Source: www.youngicee.com

Restless - Episode 27


“So, if I get Richard Brad, can I get the rest of the terrorists?”
“I would say yes to that, but would you ever get Richard Brad?” Eddy asked mockingly.
Henry held his chin up. “What do you mean?”
“Richard doesn’t see anyone nowadays, he’s barely in town and even when you strike a deal to meet with him, you would only end up meeting a representative from him.”
“How did he meet you?”
“He came to my Club house just like you did and expressed his wish to play a game with me. The difference is that he never played any game, he doesn’t even know how to play the poker. He met me at the table and told me straight that he had a billion dollars deal for me.”
“A billion dollars?”
“Yes,” Eddy chuckled again. “You said I have grown more powerful in the last six months?” Eddy looked at Henry’s face to get an affirmation. “That’s what a billion Bethanna Dollars can do for you if utilized properly.”
“So how do I meet Richard Brad?”
“I don’t know,” Eddy shrugged. “Maybe you should try your luck by visiting one of his companies or his house.”
Henry drew in a deep breath. He sat back and folded his arms. He began to ponder on the answers provided to him by Eddy. He knew that the ingredient he had injected into Eddy’s body was no assurance that he was going to get the truth from him, it only made him more fragile and less thoughtful. It intoxicated deeper than alcohol and made the person do things he never planned to do and when used on a higher dosage, it inflicted internal torture which made the person under the influence confess to ease himself from the torture. However, some criminals had grown thick to torture and even the influence could never get them to confess except they were willing.
He leaned forward again after some minutes. “Are you sure of this what you’re saying?”
“I’ve never been so sure in my life.” Eddy replied him.
“And you want me to believe that you don’t know how I can reach Richard?”
“Whether you believe me or not, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s the truth.”
Henry took in a deep breath. “So, can you make a list of the other men that worked with you that day?”
“Yes, I can.”
Henry brought out a pen and jotter to write.
“Odio from the Bethanna Sea Corporation,” Eddy began his list. He paused to see whether Henry was writing and repeated his first item again.
“I have Odio already, can you mention other names please.”
“We also had Julius, Frank, Lucius, David…”
“Stop!” Henry raised a hand. “Julius, Frank, David, Lucius, who are these men and how can I find them?”
Eddy chuckled. “Julius, Frank and Lucius are my men, they were at the club house today, the man that brought you in to meet me was Frank. David is a friend of mine.”
“Can these men provide me any information about Richard?”
“I’m the only one who knows Richard, I gathered the other men that came to Turin Province that night.” Eddy answered.
“But…” Henry narrowed his gaze. “You should be able to tell me how you got to know our plan to be at the Turin Province that night.”
“Richard told me, he had it all planned and I only relayed the plans he gave me to the other men.”
Henry was quiet for a while. He stared at Eddy’s face, wondering if he could believe him or not.
“So, tell me this. How long have you and your guys been working for the Invisible Terrorist.”
“What?” Eddy stared at him with widened eyes. “I don’t work for the Invisible Terrorist and I never knew Richard Brad came from them initially. I was told we needed to kill two tough people from the FOX but I never knew the connection between Richard and the invisible terrorists not up until we finished the job and and heard the news.”
“So you are not a member of the Invisible terrorists?”
“No, I am not, all of the men I brought to the Province that night aren’t terrorists, I only gathered them together for that night’s job.”
Henry remained silent for some few seconds.
“So, why did the news read that members of the invisible terrorists were caught by the FOX a week after?”
“I don’t know what they did, and it doesn’t concern me. Nobody caught me or my men because we aren’t terrorists.”
Henry heaved a deep sigh. His quest for answers only made him more confused.
Why would the FOX lie to the world? Why did they claim to have nabbed the killers of Agent Rex and Carl when the killers were still roaming about in Bethanna freely? These and more were the questions running through his mind, and as he thought more about them so did they become more complicated.
“So, who in the FOX works with the Invisible terrorists? Is it Agent Paul Edwards?”
“I don’t know.”
“The invisible terrorists had some deadly recent attacks, in which they targeted family members of the top FOX executives. Do you have an idea of why this happened?” Henry asked again.
“I DO NOT HAVE A BLEEPING IDEA!” Eddy replied with a shout. “I’m not a terrorist, I don’t know anything about the Invisible or the FOX, I only know Richard.”
Henry remained silent. He seemed not to have anything to ask anymore. His eyes were fixed to the ground and lines of worry were formed on his forehead.
“Let me tell you what I know. The Invisible Terrorists had you and the other Agent well planned out. They knew you and your partner would be sent to them, so they only brought few of their men initially and you wiped them all out excluding the top executives. After your death was confirmed, they returned with the rest of their army to complete the job which they started…”
“And what job is that?” Henry cut in.
“I don’t know, what I’m telling you are my deductions from the clues I got from working with Richard.”
Henry heaved another sigh.
“Okay, do you remember that night well?”
“What night?”
“The night at Turin Province.”
“Yes.”
“How was Agent Rex killed?”
“The other agent?” Eddy questioned again. He closed his eyes and shook his head, then he drew in a breath. He opened his eyes again but he still had a blurred vision. “He was killed just like you were. His wife and two kids were also in the vehicle your own wife and child was taken out from and after we took your wife and child into that building to burn it. We drove to the place the other Agent was to have his wife and children also killed in his presence.”
Henry felt a rage building inside him as Eddy spoke. He clenched his fists as his body trembled but he managed to keep himself in.
“So, you supervised all those killings?” Henry asked.
His mind flashed back again to that night and he remembered Eddy’s face instantly. He could now recall Eddy as the man who carried his child that day.
His rage grew and he sprung up to his feet. He walked away from Eddy to suppress his rage for that moment and went to face the window. He grabbed the burglary proofs and performed some deep inhalations and exhalations. After two minutes of trying to keep himself calm, he returned to Eddy.
“So, who was that man that came out last from the building with the fuel keg?”
“The man who came out last?” Eddy squinted. “Ermm… He came with Richard. I don’t know him.”
“So, Richard is the only one who I can get further information from?”
“Yes.”
“And when was the last time you met with Richard?”
“We didn’t meet, he sent me instructions to confirm your death.”
Out of rage, Henry stepped forward and threw a heavy punch into Eddy’s belly which sent Eddy and the chair he was tied to flying back two metres and finally crashing to the ground.
He felt like following to end Eddy’s life completely but he remembered he still needed him alive for few more days or hours, if for no other reason but to retrieve the One million Bethanna Dollars that was left at the game center.
10 Hours Later.
Henry was still sitting in front of the laptop after two hours. His eyes were hurting and he felt the need to rest but he remained sitting and unwilling to give up until he got a reasonable solution.
His phone rang and he picked it up quickly.
“Hey! Sheila, have you had any success with it?”
“No Henry, it doesn’t seem possible to book an appointment with Richard Brad at this moment. I kept getting the reply to check back in two years time if I really wanted to meet him in person.”
“Oh Damn it!” Henry cursed.
“Hey! Don’t get yourself worked up. I think it’s time to return to Anthanna.” Sheila said.
“I…I need to fix this before returning,” Henry stammered. He buried his face in his palm.
“You need to come back, we can reach Richard but maybe not directly, we can go through the Governor he served under before.”
Henry raised his head sharply. “That’s true, ” he squinted thoughtfully. “But have you found a link?”
‘Yes, but we need to build a profile for you quickly.” Sheila replied.
“I’ll return to Anthanna as soon as possible.”
To be continued.

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

Restless – Episode 26
(More Complications)
® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel
“We just played a game, you won the first rounds but I won the last rounds.”
“And what do you mean by that?” Eddy asked in a frightened tone as he began to reach for the gun in his pocket.
“I’m Agent Carl Winston, ” he paused and rested his back. “I’m back from the dead to make things right.”
For a second, Eddy froze in shock and kept his eyes glued to Henry’s face. This man truly looked like the Agent Carl in terms of physique but his face was slightly different. He struggled in his mind to make the connection and in a second realized that the beards and moustache must be the reason for the difference in looks. His heartbeat increased and he dipped his hand further into his pocket.
“I could kill in seconds if you take out that gun,” Henry threatened, even though he had no intention to kill him.
Eddy froze again. He already caught the handle of the gun and all he needed was to pull it out but he knew that the Agent’s words were not something to take lightly. He had never faced him before, except for the day at Turin Province where the Agent was under the influence of drugs and even on that day, they did not have a direct clash.
He took a quick look at the men who were in the hall. Almost all the former gamers had left during his long time with Henry, so it remained only three of his men and one gamer. He could see that his men’s eyes were fixed on him but he was sure they didn’t know what was going on. They could have just noticed that he was acting uncomfortable but none of them was going to come close until he gave them a signal. He wasn’t sure however, if he would not be killed by the Agent immediately after the signal.
“Who the hell do you think you are? You think you can just come here and scare me by saying you are the dead Agent.” Eddy decided to try his luck, engage Henry in an unnecessary talk and signal his men.
Henry did not reply verbally. Instead, he pulled off the attached moustache and placed it on the table.
Eddy was in greater shock. Every iota of doubt was cleared, the man sitting in front of him was one of the men that was attacked at the Turin Province with his family. His instincts told him he had to play wise if he wanted leave the place alive. His men had no guns with them, as he was the only one allowed to bring in guns. This was put in place to avoid unnecessary deaths if ever a fight occurred in the place. The other people who could have guns with them were the security officials.
Henry leaned forward and stared at Eddy’s face, placing his both elbows on the table. “I only want to get the whole truth from you, if you do tell me the truth, you could get a soft landing.”
Eddy squinted back at him. With Henry’s hands on the table, he saw an opportunity to take the Agent off guard. Perhaps the Agent was too confident of the ability to scare him (Eddy) with his name.
Eddy dragged his right feet on the ground, making some slight noise to give a signal to his men.
“You ain’t getting anything from me, you would go back to hell where you belong,” he said to Henry as he grabbed the handle of his gun. His men were coming close already, in response to his signal.
Unknown to Eddy, Henry had noticed all his moves and leaning on the table was a deliberate effort.
He rested his back quickly when he noticed with his side eye that some men were already coming closer. At the same time he also saw the movement of Eddy’s hand and he knew the gun was being taken out.
Eddy’s men had seen the gun in his hand and they knew Eddy was about the go rough with the European gamer.
Henry saw Eddy’s hand moved, a sigh that he was about to raise the gun up. In a swift motion, he pressed his hands on the table and skidded the chair a meter backwards using his toes pressed on the ground. At the same moment, he raised the briefcase in his hands to his chest and and launched it straight to Eddy.
Eddy fired a shot at Henry but the bullet ran wide as the briefcase hit Eddy on the face. He almost fell from the chair but managed to keep his balance. He raised his head to see Henry already close to the table again. He fired another shot but Henry dodged it as he made a sliding movement under the table.
Eddy looked down quickly and tried to point his gun but before he could do so, Henry held the front legs of his chair, lifted it up and flipped it over.
Eddy crashed heavily into the floor, landing with the back of his neck, but he held on to his gun still.
He rolled over quickly and tried to get up with his broken neck but Henry was already beside him.
One of Eddy’s men tried to attack Henry from the back as Henry grabbed Eddy’s collar but Henry took a grip of his wrist and dug a kick into his belly. He released his wrist and followed with a punch on his face.
Eddy tried to use the gun in his hand but Henry was faster, he held his hand and turned it up, making two bullet go straight into the ceiling.
Henry stamped his foot on the chest of another man coming from the front, he then dug a blow into Eddy’s belly and turned his hand to the back and collected the gun. He pulled Eddy closer and wrapped his hand around his neck.
“Hey! Stay where you are or I’d blow off his brains,” he threatened as he put the mouth of the gun on Eddy’s head. The men held back and raised their hands.
Eddy trembled in fear in Henry’s hands. His heart was beating so fast and his legs were shaky. His already broken neck was heavy. He already knew the risk involved in trying to attack the Agent, and now that he took the risk, he knew there was no way to escape the Agent’s wrath except by a miracle.
“Step back or I blow off his brain,” Henry threatened as some security men entered into the hall. They were the three security men that searched him at the entrance and Henry knew they must have heard the sounds of the gunshots.
The three men stayed at the door but still held their guns pointed at Henry.
“We have to get out of here now if you want to live,” Henry whispered to Eddy’s ears.
Eddy took in a breath. He felt a gleam of hope with Henry’s request to go out. He believed that there was a possibility that he would still be rescued if they had to pass through all the gaming points in the gaming center and through the main club.
He was surprised when Henry turned him towards the back and whispered again into his ear. “Which of these men has your car keys, we’re leaving here in your car.”
“My car keys,” Eddy asked one of the men standing and stretched out his hand.
“Stay there!” Henry commanded. He cautiously moved with Eddy towards the back door. He took the keys from the man on the way.
Eddy watched, shocked and shivering as Henry pulled out the keys from the knob of the backdoor and stepped out with him. Henry locked the door from behind and took the keys. He never realized that Henry could have gotten information about a backdoor from Odio.
Prior to this time, only Eddy and his closest associates used the door. It was the fastest and safest way to get out of the facility. Now that Henry had locked the door from behind, it would take his men several minutes to be able to get to them from the other entrance or break the door. By that time, the Agent could have killed him and gone far away.
___
10 Hours Later
Eddy eyes popped open as the cold bucket of water poured on his head drenched his whole body.
His vision was blurry at first. He heard the sounds of footsteps around him but as he turned his neck to look back, he couldn’t tell if what he saw was a human being or an animal.
He tried to remember what happened before he closed his eyes. He remembered how Henry had driven with him out of the facility after handcuffing him, how they had stopped on the road and how Henry tied and gagged him and dumped him into the boot of another vehicle.
He recalled when they got to the present building they were in, how Henry had bundled and thrown him to the ground. He remembered the pain that surged through his body and how his broken neck made his head seem heavier. He remembered Henry asking him questions but he refusing to answer. He already resigned to fate and knew that giving the agent the needed information wasn’t going to save him from being killed at the end.
He also remembered how he passed out, how Henry had jacked him up and landed him a blow on the face. He had passed out from there and just woken up to find himself tied to a chair after feeling the water on his head.
After a few seconds, he was able to identify the figure in front of him as the Agent even though his vision was still blurry.
Henry dragged a chair and sat in front of him.
“Hey!” Henry called, leaning forward and looking straight into his eyes.
Eddy gave no physical response.
“Hey!” Henry called again and tapped him on the chin.
Eddy shook his head, thinking he could make his vision clearer that way but after shaking and shaking, his vision was still blurred.
“Hey! Listen up, I injected you and it is having it’s effect on you.” Henry held his chin up. “I know you’re not stable this way, and you’re feeling so much pains but the good news is that you would understand every question I ask you.” Henry said and paused to give some time for his words to sink in. “So, tell me how you got the information for your attack at Turin province.”
Eddy shook his head again and dropped it to the left like a drunk man but Henry slapped him hard on the cheek and his eyes popped open again.
“Tell me, who gave you the information required for the attack at Turin Province?”
“Richard did,” Eddy replied briefly.
“Who is Richard?” Henry asked.
Eddy raised up his head to see the Agent’s face. His vision was still blurry and even the Agent’s face was not clear.
“Richard is the man from the invisible Terrorists, he organized us and led us to Turin Province for the attack.”
“That’s a lie, Odio said you led them to the province.” Henry retorted.
“Yes, I led them but I was also led by someone else. I gathered the best of men I could and I gave them only information and instructions that Richard gave to me.”
“Who is this Richard?”
“Richard Brad, owner of the Braditt Firms, he gave all the instructions we needed that night.”
“Richard Brad?” Henry asked thoughtfully in low tones. He squinted at Eddy’s face again. “I know Richard Brad, he was special adviser to the Governor of Benuit during the last tenure.”
“Yes, he was. He’s the same man who led us there.” Eddy answered.
“You lie,” Henry snapped. “Richard Brad can not be involved with you, neither can he be involved with the deadly terrorists.”
Eddy chuckled, in a kind of mocking way. “Eight months ago, I would have agreed with you. Man, you’d be surprised when you discover more people in the Invisible Terrorists.” He said, keeping a mischievous smile on his face.
“So, you know all of them?” Henry questioned.
“No, I don’t.” Eddy replied sharply. “I have only told you what Richard Brad told me the day I expressed my surprise on hearing that he worked with the Invisible terrorists.”

RESTLESS - Episode 25

Henry smiled on seeing the bundles of money. He placed his briefcase on his laps and took out his. He placed it in his front and stared at Eddy’s face. Eddy smiled at him and placed his fingers on his cash bundles. Both at the same time dragged their bets with a finger to the middle of the table, at the left hand side.
Three cards were then flopped – opened up and placed at the center of the game. The flopped cards were a Jack, a 7 and a 3.
They both stared at each other’s faces and at the flops in suspense.
Eddy was at advantage.
Then the turn was dealt, a 9, keeping Eddy still on the lead.
The river card was dealt, it was a King. That left Eddy with two pairs and victory in the round.
Eddy smiled victoriously as the bundles of cash were moved to his side.
Another round started, with the same amount of bet. Eddy won a second time.
“Two hundred thousand Bethanna dollars,” Henry said, putting up his stake for the third game.
Eddy stopped and rested his back in the chair, he stared at Henry’s face with a smirk on lips.
“You lost the first two games and you want to stake higher?”
“Yeah, I need something serious to stir me up. A hundred thousand isn’t doing much of that.”
The third game was tougher. Henry was confident he would win on seeing the flopped cards. The turn was dealt and Henry’s confidence grew. After the river, the cards on the hands of both men were revealed and Eddy won him again with a straight flush.
Henry clenched his fists and teeth. He had lost four hundred thousand Bethanna dollars. His anger grew with the arrogant smile he saw on Eddy’s face.
Another game began and the flop cards were placed on the table..
“Five hundred thousand Bethanna dollars,” Henry offered.
Eddy looked sharply at his face. He was now sure something was wrong with him. One would think he would have given up after losing in the game thrice and almost half of his money but here he was betting a higher amount.
“You seem to be determined to win, can you share with me your source of determination? I’d like to learn from you,” Eddy said in a bit of a mocking tone.
“Why don’t we talk about what gives you confidence to keep sleeping with your brother’s wife behind him,” Henry fired.
Eddy’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped in shock. He stared at Henry with scrutinizing eyes for a while. “Who the hell are you?” His voice sounded so low, almost like whispers.
“I’m someone who knows the real father of your brother’s first son.”
The men around widened their eyes but quickly pretended not to have heard anything when Eddy looked at their faces.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Eddy fired at him.
Henry chuckled calmly, he rested his back and placed his chin on his palm, his elbow resting on the armrest. He gave no reply to Eddy’s question.
Eddy stared at him, still in shock. He looked at the eyes of the men around him and signaled them to give them some privacy.
“Who are you?” Eddy asked again in low tones after every other person had left the table. He still had his men around in the hall, watching from where they are but they maintained a far distance where they could not hear the conversation as far as it was done in low tones.
“Do not let us get carried away, remember we still have a game to play.” Henry said with a mischievous smile.
“What the bleep are you saying, you’ve got to tell me where you got that information from.”
“We have a Jack, King, Ace and a 10,” Henry mentioned the words slowly, his eyes fixed on the flopped cards on the table. “What have you got?”
Eddy took in a long breath and tendered his cards reluctantly. Henry also tendered his.
“Damn it!” Henry cursed under his breath. He lost the game again.
“You still wanna play?” Eddy asked with a sigh after moving the money to himself.
Henry heaved a sigh. He couldn’t explain how Eddy won every game they played but he admitted silently that whatever the trick Eddy used, he was really good at it.
“Let’s play,” Henry finally said after a lot of thoughts.
Eddy stared at him suspiciously. He knew there was something else behind the man’s gaming. He was ready to find out whatever it was even if it meant forcing it out of him.
“Tell me who you are,” Eddy said, not willing to start the game without getting an answer.
Henry took in a deep breath. He took off his face cap and placed it on the table.
“You’re a man Eddy, don’t let emotions ruin our night.” Henry said in a calm gruff voice.
Eddy stared at his face intently. He tried to see if the man was recognizable without the cap but he still couldn’t recall anyone he had met who looked just like the man.
They continued the game. The flop and turn was dealt.
“After this, you surely have to tell me who you are because you do have no more money to stake.” Eddy said, looking at the cards in his hands and the one on the table.
Henry sighed. His last hundred dollars was about to go. He felt bad, having not won in any of the rounds.
They tendered their cards, and surprisingly Henry won.
“Another game,” Henry offered, a light smile now brewing on his lips.
Eddy was getting impatient. He wasn’t bothered about the hundred thousand just regained by Henry, all he wanted was to know who he was.
“Two hundred thousand,” Henry staked and Eddy agreed.
“I have some few questions to ask you before introducing myself to you,” Henry said as they played.
Eddy was silent.
“What is your relationship with Chairman Paul Edwards Of The FOX?” Henry asked.
Eddy did not react to the question even though it came unexpectedly to him. He acted as if he was engrossed with the game until it ended. Henry won for the second time.
“Chairman Paul Edwards is a man I’ve never met, I’ve only seen and heard of him on the news.”
Henry did not answer immediately. They dealt with the cards for the next game and staked another two hundred thousand Bethanna dollars.
“Hasn’t he ever given you information or details about an agent or criminal?”
Eddy looked at Henry’s eyes sharply. “Hey! You’re mistaking me for someone else. I have no business with chairman Paul, I’m only but a thug, the difference is that I’m a rich thug.”
“I see…”
Henry was silent until the end of the game which he won again.
“I still wanna play, do you?” Henry asked.
Eddy looked at his face and raised a brow. “I don’t back out.”
Eddy’s mind was full of several thoughts. His relationship with his brother’s wife was a top secret and only his very close and loyal associates knew. He was wondering how this man knew.
They already began another round, this time both staking four hundred thousand. Then he remembered Odio. He had gotten the news of Odio’s kidnap and he did not feel much concerned about it until now because he had no reason to think it was connected to him. This man however, seemed to have met one of his loyalists, and the most likely person was the kidnapped Odio.
“You led a group of men six months ago for a tough job, where did you get the information used?”
“What job are you talking about?” Eddy raised his brows.
Henry remained silent. Four hundred dollars was at stake for this round of the game, it was his opportunity to get back his money. He didn’t want to get distracted at that moment.
Henry had an Ace and a Jack in his hand, Eddy had two queens. Both of them seemed to be confident about the game.
“So four hundred thousand or more?” Eddy asked temptingly.
Henry raised a suspicious brow. Eddy’s confidence seemed to intimidate him. He thought it was wise to play safe.
“Four hundred thousand,” he insisted.
The flop was dealt. A Jack, 4 and 6 were opened. The turn card was a Queen and the river a 2.
Henry dropped his Ace and Jack and got five cards of the same suit to win the game.
Eddy took in a deep breath. “You’ve got your money back, now I want to who the bleep you are.”
Henry was not in a hurry to answer. He packed the bundle of money to his side. He opened the briefcase on his laps and arranged them back inside.
“You’re yet to answer my questions,” Henry eventually spoke and looked straight into Eddy’s eyes.
“You’re talking in parables, how do you expect me to answer you?”
“On the thirtieth day of March, you led a group of men to the Turin Province, to capture two agents of the FOX.”
Eddy widened his eyes partially in shock and in fright. “Who the hell are you? And what do you want?”
Henry let out an evil smile.
“We just played a game, you won the first rounds but I won the last rounds.”
“And what do you mean by that?” Eddy asked in a frightened tone as he began to reach for the gun in his pocket.
“I’m Agent Carl Winston, ” he paused and rested his back. “I’m back from the dead to make things right.”
To be continued

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

Restless – Episode 25
Texas Hold’em
® 18+ SNVL
© Oyinloye Oluwatosin Emmanuel
Henry eyes widened in shock on hearing those words from Odio. Could it be true that they really had the backing of the FOX Agency? That would mean that Agent Paul Edwards was a part of the terrorist group.
“But… But,” he got up from his seat as he ran his fingers through his hair. He turned again to Odio. “Some weeks ago, the Red Wolves attacked the families of top FOX agents. How would they have done that to the FOX if the FOX was working with them?”
“I can’t explain that,” Odio replied.
Henry’s confusion increased. He remembered reading in the news how Paul Edwards grandson had been killed in a bomb attack in his school hostel. The Paul Edwards he knew was a man that valued his family so much and never would risk heir lives for anything.
“But, it’s not possible. Paul Edwards would never allow his family to get hurt for any reason,” Henry said thoughtfully, even though in a loud voice, it was more to himself than the listener. He turned and looked at Odio’s face. “I believe Eddy would have more answers, wouldn’t he?”
“He would,” Odio replied in a weak voice, nodding his head.
“Tell me, how can I easily recognize Eddy when I see him? Can you show me his picture?”
“I’ve got it on my phone, I did not take it from the office.” Odio replied him. “But you can find his pictures online if you search for his name and club DDY, he has a public profile.”
___
Friday Night.
Location : Club DDY, Bexford.
Time: 22:35PM
The DJ reeled out hit afro pop songs to entertain the clubbers. The music blasted through the loud speakers and the clubbers on the dance floor moved their feet to the rhythm of the music. As usual, the men and ladies were on the dance floor, the men grabbing ladies’ waists as the women in turn moved their bodies seductively.
Henry had been in the different night clubs on different occasions but he had never had a reason to come into one with a walking aid. Even though he could now walk well on the leg without the walking aid, the doctor had advised that he should avoid performing rigorous exercises that would involve the leg.
He however decided to continue using the walking aid for two reasons; the first was to reduce the stress on the leg, he knew he could possible have a need to run or do something strenuous with the leg, so walking with the walking aid would take off the stress that would result from walking on it. The second and most important reason was to maintain a perfect disguise as a man with an injured leg.
He was sitting silently at the bar, a bottle of wine and wine cup was in front of him. The wine cup was filled but he only took sips from it occasionally. He wasn’t dressed in a pullover this night. He had a simple T-shirt and leather jacket on with a white face cap covering his head. The same beards attached to his chin during his last outing was attached, but he had an additional attached moustache this time.
His eyes hovered around the place from time to time, trying to see if he would locate anyone he would recognize. The multi-coloured club lights made it difficult for him to recognize people from afar.
“Hey handsome, why don’t you come with me to the dance floor so I can rock your body all night…” he heard a lady saying in a melodic voice.
He looked up to see the skimpily dressed thick woman staring down at him with seductive eyes. He tapped his phone on to check his time and realized that it was only fifteen minutes to eleven o’clock. He made a brief chuckle as he stared the woman in the eyes. The night workers could call any man handsome as far as he looked like one whom they could get some money from, he said to himself.
He picked the wine cup and took another sip from it before answering her.
“I don’t want to dance,” he smacked his lips as he looked at her face.
“What do you want to do baby? You want a strip show or you want me to go home with you?” she asked, winking at him and biting the side of her lips softly.
He smiled. “None of that, I want to play with the best gamers tonight.”
“The game center is opened,” she replied, looking towards the entrance of the game area.
“I want to play with the best gamers, isn’t that cool?” Henry added.
She seemed less interested.
“You can go in, it’s opened.” She said and turned to leave.
“Hey! Wait,” he stopped her.
“Yes darling,” she turned back.
“I’ll like to get done with the game so that we can go home together,” he quickly put in and watched as a smile formed on her face. “But I was told that all game spots are already booked tonight,” he said to her.
“Oh! That means you would have to return tomorrow or next,” she said and then moved closer to him. She removed his cap gently with one hand and began to caress his head softly.
He stopped her and collected the cap. He put it back on.
“Can’t you help me get in there tonight? After winning some games, we would go to the hotel and we’d have a thrilling night together.” he offered.
“Hmm, I see you really want to play.” she said draggingly and took two short steps back.
“Yes,” Henry answered.
She looked at his face again and then bent over, she placed a hand on the table and the other on the armrest of his chair. Her face was so close to his, like she wanted to give him a kiss.
He didn’t move.
“How much do you have to play with? Only the big boys play on Fridays,” she asked in soft tones.
“I’m a big boy, I’ve got more than a million Bethanna dollars in here,” Henry said in a tempting tone, tapping a briefcase placed on the floor beside his feet where he also kept the walking aid.
Her eyes widened slowly as she saw the briefcase. She looked again into his eyes.
“Baby, why don’t you just lets go somewhere, you don’t need to spend much of your money and I’ll give you the best time of your life.” she offered temptingly.
“I would love to go with you but I also want to get some more cool cash from here tonight,” Henry insisted.
She exhaled and stood back upright. She saw that he was determined to play. She was sure he was definitely going to lose all the money before leaving that place, but since he didn’t take her advice to leave silently with her, he deserved to be stripped off all the money.
“I’ll help you get in, come with me.” she said and turned immediately. She turned out of the bar section and began to walk towards the gaming area, swinging her waist side to side as she walked.
She stopped and looked back to find him far behind her. She squinted as she saw him following slowly with the briefcase in his right hand and his walking aid in his left hand.
She waited for him to level up before she continued at a slower pace. They soon got to the gaming center and she asked him to wait while she went in to convince the access controllers that he should be let in. She stepped back out ten minutes after and asked that he followed her in. He followed and was briefly searched at the entrance before being allowed to proceed. He noticed that he had so many eyes on him. He knew at once that she must have told of his briefcase which he told her was loaded with cash.
“Which of the games would you like to play?” she asked him when she saw his eyes wandering about the several gaming point.
“That,” Henry smiled on locating the gaming area for cards. “I’ll love to play poker, Texas Hold’em.”
She stopped him as he moved in the direction.
“Why don’t you play something less competitive so that you can finish early and we leave together,” she suggested to him, more out of pity. She knew the gamers who were at the gaming board for cards, they were the most dangerous and skillful set of gamers there and they would show no pity until he lost all his money.
“No, I’ll play cards.” Henry insisted.
She led him to the place. A game had just been rounded up and a tall lanky man was arguing about his money. The man seated at the other side of the table gave orders and the lanky man was whisked away by the other men surrounding the table.
The attention of every man around the table was turned to the newcomer, Henry. He ignored them and placed more of his focus on the table and the cards on it.
“I hear you wanna play,” the man seated finally spoke.
Henry looked at his face. It carried an arrogant smile which annoyed Henry. He checked his phone, it was five minutes to eleven. From the information he got, whenever Eddy wanted to play games, he started around eleven o’clock. He was sure that the man seated wasn’t Eddy. He had seen Eddy’s picture online and memorized how he looked.
“I want to play with the best man, the one who has the unbeaten record.” Henry said in a strict tone. He was still not sitting. He had his weight resting through his palm on the handle of the walking aid.
The men looked at each other’s faces. They knew that by the man who had the unbeaten record, he meant Eddy. But not just anyone played cards with Eddy. It had to be a real game master.
“You have to beat me first, before you play with the man with unbeaten records.” the man behind the table said, folding in his lips in a desperate manner.
“I’ve got no time for that, I got up to a million Bethanna dollars to stake.”
The men were shocked and it showed as they looked at each other’s face. They seemed to make some non verbal communication before all their gazes fell on Henry again.
“Can we see your money?”
Henry slowly placed his briefcase on the table. He opened it and turned it to them. It contained cash, all in a thousand Bethanna dollar notes. He took out some bundles of the money and displayed to them to show that they were real.
Henry noticed the excitement on the faces of the men which they tried to conceal. He returned the cash back into the briefcase and closed it.
“So, can I get your best man?”
“I am the best man here,” the seated man answered him.
“No, you’re not. I want to play with Edwin Bill,” Henry replied.
The men flashed quick looks at each other’s faces, surprised that the man knew Eddy’s full name.
“You can just play with Eddy like that, you have to prove your worth by playing with me first.”
Henry leaned forward and narrowed his gaze at the man’s face. “I travelled all the way from Europe, not to prove my worth here but to have some grabs of your money. Do you have up to a million to stake?”
The man stared at Henry speechlessly for a moment and then shook his head. “I’ll talk to Eddy for you, come with me.”
He picked his phone on the table and rose up. Henry picked his briefcase from the table and held his walking aid. He looked back to search for the lady who had brought him in and he saw her walking out through the entrance.
“Wait here,” Henry was told when they got to a door after walking past different gaming points.
He stopped and watched the man proceed in. Five minutes after, he came back outside and beckoned on Henry to come in.
Henry’s body was searched again at the entrance before he was led through the hallway and to another small hall. About eleven people in total were already in the room, six sitting around the poker table and involved in the game while some others were just standing around.
Henry recognized Eddy immediately he stepped in. He saw him seated like the boss that he was, with some of his men around him. The game seemed to be between men of higher status. All of them were corporately dressed except Eddy. Eddy was smoking pipe and so were two other men. The game seemed to be a crucial one as nobody apart from Eddy noticed Henry’s entrance. The men apart from Eddy seemed bereaved and it was obvious Eddy had been having the wins.
It took a while for the current game to end and Eddy won as expected, the other gamers were embittered and there seemed to be an argument about the fairness of the game for a while. Eddy’s men who were present in the hall helped to move the bundles of cash won on the table into the bag to clear it for another game.
“Gentlemen,” Eddy cleared his throat and began to talk aloud. “I do have another important game tonight,” he continued, now with his eyes fixed at Henry. “This man is from Europe and has a million Bethanna Dollars to stake for a game with me. I know you will equally agree with me that the game is a very important one.”
Everybody’s eyes turned to Henry as Eddy began to talk and they began to scrutinize him with their eyes, especially when Eddy mentioned the amount.
The man on the table at the opposite end facing Eddy directly got up slowly and reluctantly after been signalled by Eddy. Eddy signalled for Henry to sit which Henry did gladly.
“So, are you ready to play?” Eddy asked.
“Yes, I hope you can give me a good game,” Henry replied, speaking for the first time in the hall. His voice sounded gruff and domineering, one that made the onlookers more interested in him.
The game soon began. The dealer shoveled the cards and placed two cards each down for both players. Henry picked his cards, he had an Ace and a 10. Eddy on the other side had a King and a Jack.
They paused to make their bets.
“Let’s take it slowly,” Eddy said temptingly. “I love it when the game is interesting and painful,” he added with a slow wink.
“So?” Henry raised a brow.
Eddy rested his back and raised his hand. He snapped his fingers as a sign to his men. One of them stepped forward with a case and brought out a bundle of fifty thousand Bethanna dollars.
“Let’s start with fifty thousand Bethanna dollars,” Eddy suggested as he placed it on the table.
“Too low, would waste too much of time,” Henry complained, surprising Eddy and the other men with his refusal. “Let’s start with a hundred, it makes more sense for matured gamers.”
Eddy smiled. He loved this man’s confidence. He didn’t look like he was high on alcohol or on drugs. Eddy loved whatever it was that was making this man so confident.
“Agreed,” Eddy replied. He made another signal and the man behind him added handed him another bundle of fifty thousand dollars.

Restless - Episode 24

“I’m saying the truth,” Odio answered. “We had the backing of the FOX agency’s boss and he made the arrangement perfect for us.”
Henry eyes widened in shock on hearing those words from Odio. Could it be true that they really had the backing of the FOX Agency? That would mean that Agent Paul Edwards was a part of the terrorist group.
“But… But,” he got up from his seat and he ran his fingers through his hair. He turned again to Odio. “Some weeks ago, the Red Wolves attacked the families of top FOX agents. How would they have done that to the FOX if the FOX was working with them?”
“I can’t explain that,” Odio replied.
To be continued

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