Hello guys. Just want to clarify a certain issue: I was reading a Mark Dawson novel and I noticed it made reference to ghosts in almost a similar fashion to ones in this story. It is a coincidence. Thanks

He was still working on the carbine when a knock came from the door. He carefully placed the unfinished guns back into his bag. He walked to the door, holding the pistol behind it. "Who's there?"
"It's me," a croaky voice said. It was the landlord.
Chris opened the door by a few inches and peeked through the crack. "What's the matter?" The man opened his mouth to speak. "I thought I paid you to let me have a bit of privacy?"
The man inched closer to the door, sweat accumulating on his forehead. He whispered. "Some guys came in here some minutes ago. They had guns. Big ones."
Chris flinched at the staunch smell of alcohol. "So?"
"They were looking for you," the man said, adjusting his posture and looking to his left down the corridor.
Chris didn't miss the glint in the man's eye and sounds of footsteps approaching. There was no doubt the landlord had been paid handsomely by the unknown people to reveal his location. He quickly grabbed the man -using him as a human shield- and pointed his gun at the closest target. He fired twice. The others, all dressed in black military uniforms, took cover in the nearest rooms.
"Ha!" the landlord exclaimed, sweat pouring down his face. "Please, please. Don't kill me." He was cowering in fear.
"Drop your weapon!" A voice called down the corridor.
Chris stepped sideways towards his room before pressing the gun at the back of the landlord's neck and pulled the trigger. He closed the door behind him.
The footsteps were now running.
He picked his bag, took a few steps backwards, and ran towards the window just as the door behind him opened. He jumped, crashing through it at speed.
***********
JAMAL BLINKED several times. He felt lost. The place was almost pitch black. He made to sit up from his lying position but a burning pain in his abdomen stopped him. He exhaled sharply.
Movement on his right. Then the sound of a match being struck somewhere.
Then more movement. Then the room was illuminated by what Jamal guessed to be a lamp or torch. The fire danced around, casting dizzying shadows across the room.
Jamal grunted in discomfort.
"Good you're awake," a clear voice said, loud enough for him to hear.
Jamal looked at the thatch ceiling. "Where am I?"
"Just somewhere in the middle of nowhere," was the reply.
Jamal moved his head in an attempt to see the man, but all he saw was a silhouette. "Who are you?"
There was a brief silence. "Don't you want to know what happened to you?"
Jamal exhaled, then closed his eyes in an attempt to remember.
Nothing.
"I can't remember anything."
That was when he felt it. Like a sharp tug at his back. He gasped loudly, arching his back upwards; his eyes and mouth wide open. Then he blacked out.
************
"I'VE BEEN compromised," Chris announced over the Bluetooth device in his ear. "C.T Securities."
There was silence over the line.
"Don't you f*ck around with me over here!" He said through his teeth.
"Okay. It seems our source leaked some information," the voice answered. "Kolade Abiodun."
Chris nodded. He understood.
"His details would be forwarded to you shortly."
Chris hung up.
He wondered why orders changed suddenly as he walked through the thick crowd in the market square. The heat of the sun was relentless in mid afternoon.
*********

Sorry guys. Updates coming tomorrow

"I'VE HAD to store your memories somewhere safe," the stranger said. He paced slowly around the room. "If I hadn't, your memories would have been corrupted under intense fatigue."
Jamal's head wobbled slightly from side to side. He could hear the man alright, but what he said didn't make much sense. Keep his memories?
"What do you mean by storing memories?"
The man stopped in the middle of the room as if thinking of how to answer the question.
"It's complicated," he shrugged.
Jamal sat up. The joint pains and blacking out had reduced significantly over the past few days. How long? He had lost all sense of time.
"You should let your body heal properly," the man said as he walked to a table at the far side of the room.
"I need answers," Jamal called. He took the opportunity to scan the room: it was just about enough to contain two people. The walls and ceiling were made of concrete. He tried to add up the clues but his thinking seemed limited. He was distracted by the shadow that loomed close to him. He looked up just in time.
"Here are your memories," the stranger stretched his hand. He was holding a very small bottle containing a clear liquid.
Jamal scoffed. "Just like that?"
The man sighed heavily then pulled up a chair to sit near Jamal. All their their time together, Jamal had never for once seen his face. He always wore a black hooded robe and the fire didn't make things easier.
"You're a smart kid," the man said, his voice clear as usual. He rolled the small bottle between his fingers. "I'll give you knowledge; power you've never experienced in your life."
"In exchange?" Jamal looked warily at the man.
"I want you to join my cause, Jamal," the man said, boldly.
"And what cause would that be?"
"The hunt for the ultimate prize," he said, raising his free hand in a fist. "The Torpedo."
Jamal laughed. "You believe in that 'ghosts' bullcrap?"
If the man was surprised he didn't show it in his body language. He simply stood up.
"You've met my brother," he said, resuming his pacing around the room. "He's got the key to the treasure. He's had it all along."
"What are you talking about?"
The man raised the small bottle to be level with his face, as if checking its contents. Then he handed it to Jamal once again.
Without a word, Jamal collected it. It was feather-light. He opened the cap and immediately gulped down the contents.
"Listen to my voice alone," the man's voice called from somewhere nearby. "If you get lost, you'll be lost forever."
Jamal felt groggy, then the dragging feeling started again. He tried reaching to grab something but couldn't as he was pushed back to the bed. His eyes closed.
*************
JAMAL FOUND himself in the dark forest again. But this time he was seated opposite a man, with a fire crackling between them. The man looked up; his thin face pronounced by the lighting. His deep blue eyes and hairless head made him look even more ghostly. He wore a golden cloak with a white hood.
"Father is handing over leadership to me," the man said, his voice a bit hoarse. "That'll make me the youngest Elder in the village." As he said that, his eyes twinkled in something that looked like victory and Jamal felt a sharp pang in his stomach.
"Congratulations," he heard himself mutter. "Brother."
The man chuckled. "You don't have to look so depressed, Shin. You reign after me."
Jamal quickly realized he was experiencing the life of one particular Shin guy.
"Actually brother," he heard himself say, louder. "I choose a different path: I want to experience the world."
The man looked solemnly at Jamal. He could see the sadness spread across his face from where he sat. "You are breaking tradition, Shin. Father wouldn't--"
"What father thinks doesn't matter!" Jamal could feel his head start to heat up, his jaws clenching. "He's supposed to use that thing to his advantage. That's what I'll have done."
Silence.
Then the whole place started to warp away in a swirling motion. Jamal felt his body spin as everything around him distorted.
Jamal found himself standing in a room. He wasn't alone; there were people beside him and in front of him. They all wore the same outfit: black cloaks with the hoods pulled down. They were arranged abreast with a few feet of space between the ones opposite them facing each other: a guard of honour.

hmm

I just joined the thread. Nice piece you got here. So addictive

Evold:
I just joined the thread. Nice piece you got here. So addictive

You're welcome. Thank you

Hmmm...What is happening?

"Today we celebrate the coronation of my eldest son, Taka, as the heir to my throne," an old man's voice announced somewhere from Jamal's right. He tilted his head towards that direction, glaring at the old man seated on a throne which was placed on a raised platform.
Then came the sounds of drums approaching from the left followed by marching steps. Jamal felt another surge of anger as he saw Taka with an entourage following suit. He stopped in front of Jamal, addressing him without turning to look at him.
"Shin," Taka muttered. "Your time would come."
"And when it does," Jamal replied, seething. "I'll destroy you. All of you."
Taka scoffed, adjusted his overflowing clothing, and waved at his followers.
The whole scene started turning again. Then Jamal felt himself being sucked back into darkness. His head fizzed.
*******
JAMAL woke with a start, his whole body soaked in perspiration. He sat up, momentarily forgetting where he was. When the memories came crashing back, all he could do was grip the sheets tightly.
"You lived in my past," he heard the clear voice nearby just as thunder boomed outside. "I let you relive my greatest memory."
Jamal couldn't answer the man. His brain was skipping through different unfamiliar events. All he heard were indistinct voices.
*********
((East, miles away from Jamal's location))
THE OLD man opened his eyes, they looked wild. He was sweating profusely.
The outside breeze didn't seem to calm his nerves. Even as different figures loomed around him to provide protection when needed, the unease grew.
"What have you done, Shin?" the old man whispered to himself, casting his gaze on the full moon hidden behind the clouds. His hands absentmindedly caressed the staff he wielded. "What have you done, brother?"
**********
Time: 21:30 West African Time.
CHRIS WATCHED the club from across the street. He observed that whatever was going on behind those doors was on an invite only basis.
Tracking the bug was not a problem, but killing him amongst all these people would prove to be a challenge Chris was willing to go up against.
Chris walked round the block, towards the side of the building, keeping to the shadows as he did so. It was standard routine for night clubs to be equipped with so much cameras. The last thing he needed was a face rec software tracking him on his first assassination mission.
************
JAMAL BLINKED at the sudden sun rays that penetrated through the curtains of the room. He heard birds chirping somewhere nearby with light raindrops on the roof. He tried to sit up again and was successful this time around. He saw the stranger sitting a few paces away, still hooded.
"Breakfast?" The man gestured at the steaming pot of rice at the foot of Jamal's bed. "Had nowhere to drop it."
Jamal grabbed a plate and helped himself.
"I know you have a lot of questions," the man said. "I'm willing to share."
Jamal scoffed. "You sound like someone I met."
"Yes," the man replied. "Fujikashi was my student."
Jamal nodded. He had no idea why he wasn't surprised.
"So tell me the whole truth."
The man kept quite for a moment, then readjusted his pose.
"Taka was my elder brother, heir to the throne of the Monarchs -protectors of the ultimate weapon." The man stood up, pacing around slowly. "It was tradition for the heir to be the eldest son of the current leader, but I knew I gave it my best for the family. Our father knew that too."
"But I was ignored in favour of my coward of a brother. After his coronation, I left in search of power and knowledge. I travelled across the world for years, learning from different tribes and cultures, all with the main objective of usurping my brother."
Jamal dropped his empty plate on the floor. "Okay?"

Wow

Wow Nice

"The Torpedo was designed as either a weapon in the wrong hands or a mercy in the right hands. It was created centuries ago by the greatest scientists of all time."
"But what's it's purpose?" Jamal asked.
"To even the battlefield," the stranger said grimly.
"So you are basically saying there are weapons out there that are as powerful as the Torpedo?"
"Yes," the man was standing now, pacing around slowly. "A certain type of virus: a proton virus. It has the capability of gene mutation and producing a certain kind of high-end soldier."
"High-end soldier?"
"Humans with superhuman capabilities used in advanced warfare," the man was still pacing. "Different government agencies worldwide had tried -unsuccessfully- to recreate a version of the original."
"Where can it be found?"
"Bits can be found in western parts of Africa. But the rest was used to create the Torpedo."
Jamal stared blankly at the ground, in thought. "Like an antidote?"
"The Torpedo is used to fight those who have been contaminated with the proton virus. Literally, it is a weapon."
"So what's my part in all of this?" Was the question Jamal had been dying to ask since the beginning.
"We had a deal with your uncle," the man sniffed. "I saved your life to repay a debt."
"Where are the other members of your Peacemaker crew?" Jamal asked.
"Dead. We were betrayed by Fujikashi."
Jamal shut his eyes. His head was pounding hard again. "What's wrong with me?"
"I have implanted in you most of my knowledge," the man said. "You will soon synch and you will understand everything in due time. But some memories would need to be activated by certain events in your life."
Jamal fell on the ground, groaning. He blacked out again.
***********
"SO HOW did you do it?" Kelvin asked his doctor girlfriend while they had dinner at her place. "Changing Freddy."
"Well…" she let her voice drift. "My father found and was researching a specimen he collected before he died."
Kelvin raised both hands in sympathy but she waved it off.
"His death was necessary," she said coldly. "It provided me the necessary data to dig deeper into the proton virus."
"Which will lead me to my own objective?" Kelvin smiled.
She smiled at him too. "Yes, my love. And soon the whole world would grovel at our feet."
"I like that idea," Kelvin said darkly.
They both laughed, for different reasons.
***********
CHRIS WALKED briskly towards the door labelled 'MEN' and closed the door behind him. A man wearing a blue suit had walked in a few minutes ago and Chris was sure no one else was about to go in for a piss too. As he walked to the stalls located on either sides of the room, heard groaning sounds coming from the the third stall to his left. He stood a few paces away from the door, preparing his silenced pistol and aimed steadily at eye level.
Another groan and then flushing sounds.
"F*cking pubs. They lack proper maintenance." Chris heard the man mutter. The door opened by a crack and Chris lunged gun first, pushing the started man back inside the stall. "Kolade Abiodun."
"I have no idea who that is," the man gulped. He was shaking badly, eyes bulging.
Chris backhanded the man across the face with his free left hand. "I won't ask again. Kolade Abiodun."
The man stared at the dead set of eyes in front of him. "Please."
Chris hissed, pulling the trigger. The man slumped on the toilet seat with blood draining down his face. He searched the body; picking up the ID card and phone from the breast pocket then went over to the opposite stall and pulled out his backpack from the toilet tank.
A few minutes later, Chris was heading towards the entrance wearing a blue suit complete with a red tie: business class. He was searched at the entrance, logged in as Dauda Hassan, and was in the club a moment later.

wow wow so jamal broda is involve with the game ok ride on i got ur back thank for the update

"I AM recovering faster than I expected," Jamal said, checking his injuries. The gut-wrenching pains he felt on the first few days had been replaced by just regular itches.
The man nodded in agreement. "I was expecting that."
Jamal's eyes narrowed, "what do you mean?"
"I reconstructed your lost tissue using a genetic enhancer which improves recovery speed," the man explained. "So when your body has attuned to the new system, you'll have a boost in abilities."
Jamal shook his head this time, "what's in all this for you?"
The man walked over to his table in silence. "I am a scientist; I make life better."
"You talk a big deal," Jamal said. "But I'm yet to see proof of your claims."
He heard the man scoff, then rose from his seat. "Then allow me to demonstrate."
He stood in the middle of the room with his back to Jamal. Then reached for his hood and pulled it off.
Jamal sat up to watch the show. Early morning rays penetrated gaps in the wall of the room to provide little illumination. All he could see was a clean-shaven head marred by deep scars.
The man stretched his right hand sideways and a blue light flickered from his palm. "The cohesive force of electrons," he whispered, inhaling sharply. Then he stretched his left hand in similar fashion and a red light flickered from the palm. "And the destructive force of protons," he said a bit louder this time while he turned around, bringing the two palms together slowly. By the time he was fully facing Jamal, his hands were engulfed in a vortex of red and blue lights. His face was lit momentarily.
A cold chill ran through Jamal's veins as his eyes met the hollowed out holes of the strange man. There were small marks at the edges of his face but ostensibly dark holes for eyes were enough to give nightmares for years. Yet, Jamal felt no fear. He stared with an expressionless face.
The man smirked. "Each element," he explained, "fighting for superiority over the other for all eternity." As he said that, the vortex grew bigger, shaping into a sphere comprising of red and blue dots loosely connected to each other.
Jamal saw the sphere expand, enclosing the man in a red wave of energy. The corners of the room glowed of lightning blue energy. Just then, the sphere exploded, making a low screeching sound, and vaporized into thin air.
Then the room temperature started to stabilize.
"What was that?" Jamal asked, almost to himself.
The man strolled back to his seat and pulled his hood back on. "That was energy in its purest form. Channel it correctly, in the right proportion, and you can use it to your advantage."
"Wrongly?"
"The body wouldn't be able to stand the surge. As our bodies are made up of atoms, the foreign energy would cause a shift in the balance of electron bonds," the man explained. "New bonds would be created and the sphere would consume it's victim whole."
"How did you come across this…" Jamal paused, looking for the right word, "…this THING?"
"Oh I created it," the man waved. "After studying and extracting some data from the staff of our tribe."
Visions of a staff with engravings on it suddenly flashed through Jamal's mind. He closed his eyes, trying to fight it. "Don't fight it." He heard the man's loud voice say. "Allow the memories to flow through you. Be one with them."
Then everything went black and Jamal felt himself being sucked into the black pit again.
***********

This science is too much to handle. Thanks for the update

CHRIS OBSERVED the hall from his seat at the back of the building. It was a medium-sized hall, nothing luxurious. The white paint in the interior faded into a dull grey and the wall fans had seen better days. The air smelt of beer mixed with sweat covered with cheap perfume. The music playing was a DJ mix that Chris couldn't identify. Seats were arranged in two columns around the room in a circular formation with a huge gap in the middle serving as a dance floor of such. The whole place was filled to the brim with bodies and chatter
"Mr. Hassan," a female voice called from the crowd. She raised a hand to signify herself as she pushed past bodies. She seemed in a rush.
Chris recognized her as the woman introduce to him as the target's P.A. He glanced at her behind his fake glasses, his chin jutting out in a show of arrogance. He beckoned her to come closer. "Is he here already?" He asked with perfect Hausa accent.
"Yes," she said, taking a seat. "But he has some guests at the moment. You know, best wishers."
Chris ignored her statement. "You look beautiful tonight." When she blushed he pressed on. "Mind if we go to the back for a while?" He asked casually. She giggled but said nothing. "Come on. A little bit of fun wouldn't hurt."
She finally agreed and led them towards the back door of the hall. Chris felt for the object in his inner jacket pocket and smiled viciously.
They reached a small dark corner at the back of the building when she turned around, pressing her curvy body against his. Chris inhaled the scent of her hair and immediately felt himself go weak in the knees. Without a word, she locked her lips with his own, pushing her tongue into his mouth. They breathed heavily against each other's faces.
Suddenly she broke off. Taking several steps back. She smiled. "He's all yours."
Chris looked lost for a split second before it dawned on him that it was a trap. He felt his pulse quicken. His eyes shifted to the numerous shadows that suddenly transformed into human figures -they had been hiding there, waiting for him. He heard a gun click somewhere nearby.
"Get on your knees," a voice barked. Chris went to ground slowly, hands in the air. Then he felt his face being covered with a cloth and his hands being restrained behind him. The next things he heard were feet shuffling and sounds of doors being opened -or closed- somewhere to his one o'clock.
************
"WHAT EXACTLY did you do to get those powers?" Jamal asked Shin. They were strolling through the forest, 'gathering data' as Shin called it. He had insisted on it after every training session.
"I travelled with different men of knowledge throughout my life," Shin explained. "Most of whom mentioned something about a powerful staff that could help advance science. I immediately knew it was my brother's staff they were talking about so one night I infiltrated our village and cut out a piece from the staff itself since -of course- it was made from the same element as the Torpedo."
"I spent years experimenting different techniques until one day I found a balance. I just woke up one morning and reversed the properties. Unfortunately, I was caught in the explosion that ensued."
Jamal closed his eyes and experienced the painful memory. The feeling of being burnt by a cold flame. "But you felt frightened." Jamal frowned.
"Yes, I was on the run from the government. They eventually found my hideout a few years ago when I tried triggering the reaction again. The blast annihilated half of the forest. I was the only survivor." Shin leaned on a stone nearby, lost in thought. "I still can't figure out how they found me."
"In one of my memory flashes," Jamal said. "I saw that you were trying to replicate something that resembles a nuclear fusion?"
Shin sighed and nodded. "That feat has been unattainable for centuries now. Even with the advancement of science."
"You wanted to create a proton energy nucleus in one hand," Jamal said, making his left hand into a fist, "and an electron energy nucleus in the other." He brought both fists together. "Creating a nuclear vortex of energy capable of neutralizing a whole continent."
Jamal felt Shin's eyes pierce through him from beneath the hood. "And much more. It could be a one hundred percent cure for ailments, and even create an infinite--"
"Clean source of energy if bonded with the correct isotopes of carbon," Jamal finished for him.
"I see you don't need blackouts anymore to experience my memories," Shin said, his voice carrying an edge of pride.
"Does Fujikashi have your powers?" Jamal asked.
"No, I could only teach him the ability boost," Shin muttered. "His body couldn't handle the sphere."
"And unless one can produce the sphere," Jamal thought, "the ability is useless."
"After my success with this ability," Shin said, generating a glow of blue energy. "Taka recruited the best scientists of that time to give him similar powers. But all they could do was bind his mind to the staff. His body feeds off the energy from the staff, thus his longevity."
"How was the proton virus created, then?"
"It was narrated that a meteor struck the earth centuries ago. The rock released a special kind of energy as it decayed. Some people got to it first but by that time only the proton atoms remained. They couldn't control it and it mutated into a viral infection."
"So the real villain here is the proton virus. But to find it one has to get the Torpedo first," Jamal acknowledged.
"That's why my brother keeps it hidden," Shin said. "I want to find it so as to locate and destroy the proton virus once and for all." He got off the rock, his gaze fixated on the sky. "More rain. Let's get back to shelter."
***************

Wow science is free

Apologies. I'll tune down the science buff a notch. Thanks for the notification

Keep it up. We have to learn

Since weeks now, i cant comment on your post... I really hope this goes through, you're one of the best we have here

pacifust058:
Since weeks now, i cant comment on your post... I really hope this goes through, you're one of the best we have here

Thank you very much

Zhayyd039 pls kindly profile yourself to us, me exactly. I am curious about alot like your age and discipline in university. Your writing is good, pls tell us about yourself. Thanks

Fazemood:
Zhayyd039 pls kindly profile yourself to us, me exactly. I am curious about alot like your age and discipline in university. Your writing is good, pls tell us about yourself. Thanks

I'm 21, I was studying Business Administration in Unilorin but I made a turn around and applied for Geology (had to write another o'level, now waiting for admission), I love reading Chris Ryan, Dan Brown, and Josh Grisham novels. I've been writing stories but kept on deleting them until I decided to give this one a try. The support I get from you people is what kept me going.

zhayyd039:

I'm 21, I was studying Business Administration in Unilorin but I made a turn around and applied for Geology (had to write another o'level, now waiting for admission), I love reading Chris Ryan, Dan Brown, and Josh Grisham novels. I've been writing stories but kept on deleting them until I decided to give this one a try. The support I get from you people is what kept me going.

For a man of this age and of a total different interest of study, I must say you are very talented and imaginative, very impressive. Keep up the good work.

Fazemood:

For a man of this age and of a total different interest of study, I must say you are very talented and imaginative, very impressive. Keep up the good work.

Thank you very much

KELVIN STIRRED in the bed, feeling a presence near him. It was shifting. He opened his eyes to meet the dreamy gaze of Laura.
"You slept well?" she smiled, planting a soft kiss on his lips. He felt the heat from her n#aked body merge with his. He stared down his own n#akedness in confusion. "We did it all night, remember?" He heard Laura say.
Kelvin screwed his eyes with both hands. The hang over was terrible. It always had been for him. "Yeah, yeah. I do."
Laura smiled. "Breakfast is ready." But pushed him back when he made to get up. "I need your attention for a moment." She flung her leg across his body, striding him. Kelvin groaned before pulling the blanket over their writhing bodies.
***************
THE ARCHITECTURE of the building felt rather strange to Faruk: the sitting room felt comfortable. But the oddity was the spiral staircase located almost at the centre of the room. It led to the attic. The furnishings were forced to cope with the abstraction. He'd been seated in the couch for almost thirty minutes now, with the cup of coffee offered to him by the maid running cold on the small table in front of him.
A few more minutes later he heard footsteps descending the stairs behind him. He didn't need to turn around to identify the owner of the steps. "Sorry to keep you waiting." David's gruffy voice called a few paces behind him. Moments later he was seated near Faruk, dressed in a bathing robe. The maid reappeared again and David signalled her to bring him some water.
"I came immediately I got your call," Faruk said, adjusting his weight on the leather couch.
A pause as David gulped down the glass of water the maid brought. He handed the glass back to her then looked sideways at Faruk. "Yeah, about that. I want you to be my eyes and ears in our Lagos branch."
Faruk's head shot sideways in surprise. "I thought you wanted Thomas there?"
"I want someone I can trust, Faruk," David said sternly. "Thomas has been a shady snake since the first day I met him." And when Faruk shot him a questioning glance he quickly added, "he's only here because he's my wife's cousin."
"I miss that woman," Faruk whispered. "She made you a better person."
"I know," David agreed. "That's why I'll trace those bastards to my grave."
Faruk bowed his head. He didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything. Building a family was never his thing, he believed they became one's weakness. And in his line of business, that was a risky affair.
"I'll take my leave," he finally announced.
"I'll ask my secretary to forward the flight details to you," David said, standing up. "The private jet should be prepared in the next twelve hours."
"Thanks," Faruk said curtly.
They exchanged goodbyes and he closed the door behind him.
Immediately Faruk left and was out of earshot, David dialled a number. It rang twice then it was picked.
"He's just left my premises," David said in a low, dangerous tone. He listened to the reply then, "no, no. I don't want it like that. Let him land in Lagos and get comfortable. I dangled the carrot, remember?"
He hung up and looked to the kitchen door. The maid stood there staring at him with a blank expression. "Upstairs," he grumbled. "Now!" She started, dropping the tray she was holding. "I want you undressed before I reach there."
**************

Betrayal at every turn. This mission is something else

CHRIS WOKE up on his back, shirtless. The cold floor made his body sore. The whole room was dark with no source of light. Standing up, he started feeling his way around the room but stopped abruptly when he his hands fell on a rock hard body. It felt like warm sculpture. Then he heard a switch being flicked and there was light. He used his left arm to shield his eyes from the sudden blindness as he retreated backwards. The light shone from behind the figure standing in front of him, making his face unidentifiable.
"We can do this in two ways," the figure growled. "The easy way," then he laced his fingers and cracked them. "Or the hard way."
Chris swallowed. He felt too groggy to stand a chance against this guy. If he could buy himself some time---
But there wasn't any time left to be bought. "Fine by me," the guy said, striding forward. He was huge, approaching Chris slowly and cutting off all corners. He was a bulldozer.
Chris breathed calmly and entered a fighting stance. If he'll go down he might as well go down fighting.
The bulldozer guy was just a few paces away now. Chris adjusted his pivot leg and sprang forward. The guy easily dodged the right cross but that was what Chris wanted -a diversion. He quickly followed through with a right uppercut which caught the guy square on the chin, sending him tumbling backwards. Chris charged again, seeing an opening. But he was cut short with a destructive left hand. The punch carried no technique but absolute power. Chris staggered, his vision becoming woozy. He collapsed on the hard floor due to the mental exhaustion he went through the past couple of days.
"By the time we're done with you," the man continued, "you'll be begging to tell us everything you know."
The the lights went off.
**************
JAMAL CONCENTRATED, blocking out the surrounding noise as he pulled the string of the hunting bow he wielded. "Breathe," he told himself. He let fly. The arrow grazed the tree and disappeared into the thickness beyond.
"That's impressive," he heard Shin say from the entrance of their cabin. "For starters."
Jamal looked over his left shoulder, plucking another arrow from the carrier strapped behind his back. "We have been on it for weeks now. I can do better," he breathed. "I KNOW I can!"
"You won't have second chances in the heat of battle," Shin lectured. "So, make every aim count."
"I was trying to achieve the 'true aim' you mentioned," he replied, drawing the string back again and taking aim.
"You don't need a true aim standing fifty yards from the target," Shin said. "On a second thought, how can you achieve it when you can't shoot an arrow properly?"
Jamal released the string again. Same result. He sighed.
"You don't need to tax yourself too much," was the comment. "Feel the air," Shin breathed deeply. He raised his hands like shooting an arrow in empty air. "And shoot." He made a releasing gesture. "The true aim is just the ability to fire an accurate shot across long distances with proper technique, increasing the power of the shot."
The sun suddenly disappeared behind the dark clouds. And thunder roared from somewhere towards the east. There was a vertical blue beam of light pointing towards the sky.
"What's that?" Jamal asked, pointing towards it.
Shin gazed at it. "Concentration of electron energy. It can only be that much when it's released from a powerful source." He looked at Jamal.
"The staff," they said in unison.
Moments later they were rushing towards their small home. "We need to speed up your training," Shin said matter-of-factly.
"Why," Jamal asked in confusion. "What's going on?"
"My brother is sending an invitation to me," Shin said in a low tune. "I can't be sure what he has in stall for me. So I need a backup plan."
"I can be of help," Jamal offered. "With my synchronization with your memories going well, I can take care of the guards."
Shin seemed to consider it for a while. "No," he said flatly, looking Jamal in the eye. "This is my fight. If it comes down to a fight. You have a brighter future ahead, kid."
Memories of Samad crashed on Jamal like tonnes of brick. "I'll provide support," Jamal said in a dangerously low tune. "If it comes down to a fight."
Shin shook his head slowly. Just then, thunder rumbled again and the rains started, heavily.
**************

Thanks for the update

Nice Bro. Fire On

nice bring it on

THE LIGHTS came on again. That was the third time it came on. And on all occasions, Chris was given the same treatment: a few unanswered questions and a beating to cap it off. Chris grunted. The pains at his side were subsiding but the headache and grogginess were a constant. He sat up, leaning against the wall. The pains eased a little -no broken ribs. He didn't need to see the figure approaching, he could hear it. The same boots as before.
The man stood a few paces away. "What's it going to be?" He said, stretching his arms sideways.
"I already told you," Chris' voice slurred as he spoke, "I am Dauda Hassan."
The man spat, "Bullsh#t!" He moved forward, grabbing Chris by the collar of his drenched shirt and slamming him against the wall, hard. Chris coughed. "You tell me what I want to know before I start plucking out your body parts."
Chris grunted. The wall slamming knocked the little energy he had been saving out. But the man was close enough.
Without thinking, Chris lifted his right knee, aiming for the gut. With his strength waning, all he could do was find the man between the legs which sent him kneeling to the floor, gasping for breath. Chris quickly frisked his downed opponent. He found nothing. Cursing, he ran towards the door.
Chris immediately knew it was a bad idea. If it wasn't, why wasn't his torturer holding any weapons? The question was answered for him when he felt a cold barrel touch his temple. He froze.
Clapping coming from a few distance ahead. "Impressive," a posh voice said. The clapping continued. "Very impressive."
The gun clicked and was withdrawn.
Then the figure of a man wearing a suit appeared. He stepped into the light, a dark-complexioned man with days old of stubble. He extended a hand at Chris, "Congratulations," he said. "You've passed the final part of training."
Chris was too weak to reply, he staggered and was soon on the ground, unconscious.
**************
SWEAT DRIPPED from his forehead. He barely noticed. He blocked out the chirping of birds and the usual noise that surrounded the forest he now calls home.
Jamal closed his eyes once again and concentrated on the two forces. There was a sparking sound somewhere in front of him. He concentrated harder. The sparking sounds multiplied. They surrounded him.
Jamal opened his eyes and saw a shower of red-and-blue-like balls floating around him.
Just as suddenly as they appeared, they disappeared. Dissolved into thin air.
"You are progressing well," Shin noted. "Beyond expectations. But not enough to be my sidekick tomorrow." He was standing in front of the house, fifteen metres away from Jamal.
"Aw, come on!" Jamal complained. "Yeah I admit the energy ball thing is difficult but that doesn't make me useless."
"No," Shin agreed. "It doesn't. But it means you are not suited for the battle that is to come. Use your abilities elsewhere, kid."
"My mind's made up," Jamal pressed. He picked up his towel and a map folded near it and headed eastwards. "Wanna cool off."
Shin watched as the young man walked away. He looked so carefree. Shin laughed at himself. "You are one hell of a kid, I'll give you that."
*************