₦airaland Forum

phoenixchap:
Souloho oooo..... This update is about to have delayed diagnosis ooo, please nau update bikonu

sorry for the delay hombre....proof reading currently

Unlimited22:
I never finish devil wey dey wear okrika, this one bust out too

Lol before you burst in here check this out first
https://www.nairaland.com/3571801/delayed-diagnosis

That is the beginning

donteanz:
Souloho19, Where Art Thou?

Bro been swamped to my neck out here...but tomorrow hopefully

Amhappy:
I love this story Soul. You didn't tell us about the child Paul and his gang Kidnapped.

honestly been waiting for someone to point that out...I actually made an alteration to that part in the work I sent out for proof reading..turns out the child is Paul's secret daughter with the girl from the gang who was killed before they could succesfully run away hence Paul took the child to lay low in the next village

LemuelIrabor:
Thank you for your comment. ☺

Sometimes the fuel writers need to continue writing a series is an encouraging comment from faithful readers!

I'll be dropping the next update soon, I assure you.

CC souloho19

Woa...nice one bro, I'm still a couple pages behind but amma catch up immediately.
Please y'all readers should not ghost biko encourage the writer..

Bibi294

@ donkelz i'm good bro, just pushing the hustle. Would get your number from your siggy and send you a message. Long time bruv

Dedicated to

mhistahra Ann2012 phoenixchap princessadeola rchilee opeade939 queenitee stevodot22 waacut samwobi mrsochy mitchelljnr paafin bleeze2 solly1 EkopsparoAyara Gotee11 Cyndy1000 RegArmani coolie1 Evold pweeetygiftofGod stephengee12 virtuedagirl iAmkingoludav Oroolorun Kaycee9242 arrestdarrester charminee explosive04 helenbee emmyN TeameeMoses paqman preciousbouy donteanz cylovee mekonglobal igyeseh Wizsolzy donkelz bimberry1307 Silvertrinity

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


"Sister what just happened? we're going to just let him walk away with the baby?" Christie asked although she was secretly glad the baby was no longer in danger. Her sister could really have mood swings and Christie secretly feared she was bi-polar (Special emphasis on the word 'bi')

Her sister sat down tiredly "I met him before.....when she was still alive......"

"When who was still alive? I don't get you sis...."

But Christie would get no reply from her sister again as she only stared into space with a soulful look on her face.



::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Sensei Sparrow was quite akward with children, he didn't have kids of his own and of course to have kids one had to have sex first.

Agent Sparrow was meant to be a virgin. The monks back in the temple had practised the very highest form of abstinence which meant most of them even though very brave and fearless, 'didn't have the balls' but Master Wong hadn't let Sparrow become an eunuch. Castration shouldn't be forced on any man but has to be a conscious and deliberate decision the wise man had admonished.

The highest level of life essence the 'qi' was richest in a man's semen and he weakened himself with every ejaculation and basically reduced his life span spiritual purity.

There was another way; An ancient practice (Taoist sexual practice) from the Han dynasty in which the man forces the semen back before climaxing hence not releasing anything, but two things made the young Sparrow reject the practice;
1. What was the use in having sex without spilling any fluid?
2. Master Wong secretly advised him that although it was effective in preserving qi and spiritual advancement, there were very few cases where if done incorrectly could cause retrograde ejaculation, redirecting the semen from the urethra to the urinary bladder hence causing a UTI in the lower bladder (Urinary Tract Infection)

Sparrow decided to stay celibate with his manhood intact, but maybe it was the Nigerian blood in him because the few times he left the temple he began to find out he liked girls. There was this particular girl in the market who sold vegetables to the monks and Sparrow began to find out his meditation time was spent repainting her face over and over in his mind. Over time he began to sneak out of the temple to spend time with her. Her name was Chuan Li and Sparrow who was just 17 years at the time began to feel both love and lust in exponentials for the young beauty. One faithful day they went all the way. He had sex and he couldn't even hold himself or implement the taoist practice but it didn't matter in the end, nothing mattered when master Wong called him apart that same day as if sensing the sexual energy round the young boy and told him a story about the father he never knew. Since then Sparrow Ayara had been driven by one goal. Nothing else was important to him, Chuan Li was quickly forgotten and he hadn't touched another woman or even thought about any.
He had completed his martial arts training, gotten his black belt and the order Sensei 5th Dan and then he had come to is fatherland.....his father's land......his father......

The baby whimpered drawing him back from his nostalgic past.

He looked at the little bundle and managed to balance the baby in the cradle of his arm until he won the battle with the door.
He looked at the apartment for some minutes then got in the car.

With the baby in his left hand, he started the car with his right, put the gear in D and handled the steering.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The sirens turned out to be a fire truck and two police cars.

The fire service got down to business immediately. This was a top residential area. The people here had enough clout and one phone call could get the fire marshall demoted.

At Bami's insistence, the unconscious man on the floor was baptised with pressurized water from the hose. He jerked up immediately shouting incoherently "my.....chest.....my letters....my Emma"

"its alright bro.....we got the letters here" Bami said kneeling down to steady Rex who was looking left and right confused.

Andy and Dagnet were speaking to the police men, explaining what had happened to the two dead bodies on the floor.

Dagnet was farmiliar with the officers but they seemed to have been given special orders to be hostile to her.
"So the murderer vanished into thin air just like that?" one of them asked studying his former superior with dripping suspicion.

"come on Femi, he didn't dissapear I told you he drove off in a power bike"

"Is this true?" another cop asked Andy

"Yes of course....I will suggest you radio ahead for your men to be on the lookout for the killer...I would advice you to be careful, he's the shadow"

The first detective scoffed "Shadow? the shadow is dead incase you've forgotten"

"No he isn't....that was his brother"

"What kind of tales by moonlight is this?" the detective Dagnet had called Femi asked incredulously

Andy was already getting pissed "Hey look here...despite the overhaul and change of name and uniforms you people still remain as clueless as when you wore black"

Detective Femi literally blew smoke from his ears "hey look here(he mimicked)....we are still upholders of the law, and if you commit any crime we have every right to question and arrest you"

Andy muttered something unflattering under his breath. This was why it was better to avoid the foolish cops. They always muddied things up!

Once upon a time he had been on the receiving end of Sars brutality even when he showed them his Id and identified himself as a legit bank worker. But now things were a bit different, he wasn't the naive helpless young man he once was so instead he sneered at the detective "unless you have flawless evidence you better maintain your lane...if not the ACP might give you a call"

"Hey...the fire is completely out....in case you want to carry out any investigations inside" the fire marshal called out from the entrance of the building.
The building was still full of thick smoke but every trace of fire had been wiped out.

The detective huffed and made his way importantly to the entrance. He stopped by Rex and Bami, where Rex was still sitting down, shaking his head in confusion and mummuring incoherently.

He looked at Rex with much contempt "Of course you'll be involved.....golden detective my foot! Hey, constable Danga make sure nobody leaves here till we get a statement from them"

with that the detective and his partner disappeared into the building.

The constable 'Danga' nodded eagerly "Yes sir!" and then he folded his hands and began glaring at both Andy and Dagnet.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


It was hard keeping my thoughts on track. I was basically a train wreck right now.
My thoughts kept colliding and the only words coming to my head and out my mouth were; The letters! Emma! The letters!

Bami kept on assuring me the letters were safe. But what of Emma? was she safe?
He just sighed sadly.
Then the foolish man came and hissed at me 'golden detective my foot...!'
I didn't even have the fool's time.

"Rex we need to get you to the hospital....your hands are badly burnt" Bami was saying. I had stretched my hands for him to help me up but he seemed to be scared the epidermis would come off like a glove if he gripped my hands.

"No need for hospital....(cough) just honey would do the job.....or pap"
I said

He held me by my elbow and gently helped me to my feet. I bit my lip to stop from crying out in pain but honestly my ribs were killing me. In my bid to save the letters from getting burnt I had made matters worse with the little progress I had made. To be honest, the hospital was not such a bad idea...maybe even the painkillers that would make me sleep deeply but not while my daughter was still out there and the time was counting down.

Bami waved the envelope under my nose "So what did she say....that if you bring these papers she'll let Emma go?"

I nodded at first but then I thought 'What the hell?'

"No....that wasn't exactly how she put it" I said slowly

"What....what did she say?"

I looked over at Dagnet and Andy where they stood with the uniformed officer.
"Rex...." Bami drew my eyes to his strange ones. It was odd they looked stranger in the moonlight.

"she said I have to kill the first name on the letter in 48 hours if not she'll kill Emma"

"But that's crazy.....she's crazy, so she wants to turn you to her own personal assasin or what? why can't she do it herself.....oh poor Emma in the hands of a psycho!"

I was quiet, Bami was really angry, it was good to see he loved my daughter clearly.

"And 48 hours? does she think you are a hit man or what?"

"Actually she gave me 24 hours"

He looked at me confused "24? I thought you said....."

"She said I should take down the first target in the letters in 48 hours but she gave me another target that I must take down in 24 hours"

Bami sighed tiredly "This is just crazy! who does this bitch think she is?.......who is the target?" he asked finally

"you"

"Me?.....me?" he was incredulous. He took a step back as if realizing he was standing near something deadly "she wants you to kill me....but why?"

I cleared my throat "well she says you ordered the deaths of her mother.....the old woman from that night"

"What....but I didn't order her death...she came out shooting and my men had to cut her down" he shook his head "wait a minute, you mean that woman was Fome's mother?"

"Actually I don't think..."

"Hey what's happening?" Andy interrupted me and strolled over to where we stood
"Rex is going to kill me!" Bami said
"What?!"
"Fome said he should kill me because of what happened that night"
"What? but that's crazy....." Andy was equally shocked. He turned to me "Are you going to do it?"
"What? that's crazy!" this really was a night of craziness. Although I won't say I hadn't thought deeply about.......
"You know what....I'm hurting badly....let's get out of here, find somewhere to go through these letters and plan our next move"
"I agree....but our ride isn't here yet" Andy stated

We looked around in silence as if hoping to conjure an automobile from the dust then the policeman raised his voice. "just so you know, you all aren't going anywhere until we have your statements and my superior says its okay"

"Who is this clown?" I asked Bami

He just shrugged. It seemed the news of the contract on his head had really turned his pivot upside down.
Who could blame him. I was known to be obsessed and take anything concerning my family to the extreme but I couldn't betray a friend........right?
God....I was a terrible person.

"Who do you think she's talking to?" Andy asked jerking his head in Dagnet's direction probably trying to diffuse the tension between Bami and I.
Dagnet was still a couple of feet away, she was on the phone and I could tell she was vibrating with excitement.

"probably a husband.....or wife because she honestly has lesbo written all over" Andy replied his own question nervously.
He seemed to think I would just grab a gun and shoot Bami in the head or perhaps stab him in the back hence his nervous statements.

The difference between good and bad is simply choice. People generally have different kinds of thoughts going through their head, some good some bad some even disgusting/hideous...the difference is choice....the choice to act on it or banish it totally till such thoughts dissolves.
I wouldn't say I hadn't considered killing my friend to save my daughter, that would be a lie even though I had considered it briefly with irony, humour and rhetoric, it was still somewhere in my head but I couldn't do it.....or could I? (you see what I mean!!!!)

::::
Dagnet was suddenly hurrying to us and shouting with excitement "That was the agent....the Sensei Sparrow......he has Emma.....he has your daughter....he's heading to the BROTA agency now we would meet him there"

At first I couldn't believe my ears, I stared at her in disbelief, then I couldn't believe my disbelief. I was just plain dumbfounded....as in knocked totally dumb that my daughter was found. Safe and sound!!!!!

Bami was saying "How did he do it? just like that? this same woman that set a bomb trap and killed poliemen in Benue...this same woman that has been ruthless, that wants me dead.....how did he...."

Andy: "Its true it sounds strange honestly but the good thing is...."
Dagnet: .......just called me that he is with her right now.....driving to the agency..."

They were all talking at once and for the first time I didn't feel any pain in my ribs anymore, the smoke had cleared from my head and eyes and my partially burnt hands were not so troubling anymore.

"Are you guys kidding! my daughter has just been found....I don't care about anything else again....nothing else matters!"
And truly nothing did.....Bleep the red letters!!!
"I'm going to trek to the agency if I have to" to prove my point I began walking slowly but I stopped when a particular pair of headlights began getting closer from the other end of the street. I could recognize those lights even if I was blind. The left one was extremely dim and shone a bit higher not really illuminating the road while the other was as bright as a 1000 watts flourescent bulb.
It was my father's car.

"My dad is here! there's our ride...let's go get Emma!" I could barely keep still and very soon Andy and Bami and Dagnet had contacted the excitement.

"Ehem.....maybe you didn't hear me the first time, or maybe you weren't listening but you are all going nowhere until you are cleared!" the police man said loudly and crossed his arms

For the first time in what felt like ages I smiled "mister.....I really hope you try and stop me"

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Bigelow knew he would never catch the power bike. The engine was just too strong and to fast for the hilux. If he increased the speed by 10km, the power bike increased by 15.

It was almost futile and with time he began to feel the bastard was taunting him and leading him on. Probably to a trap.

Well he would walk into any trap as long as he got his brother's killer in the process. He gritted his teeth with anger and stepped on the gas more, but the truck seemingly could go no farther.
Then he began to think.
It was hard to think because of the blinding rage that was like a veil over his eyes but he began to think.

They were on a long stretch of road currently. There was nothing but the open straight road and there was no way he was going to outrun and catch the power bike like this.
He chewed on this as he continued speeding after is brother's killer. With each second, his eyes were roaming around, his brain calculating and trying to readjust a route he would take that would bring him ahead of the shadow.

When they drove by the Lagos Presbyterian church, Yaba, he was finally sure of a contact point.

He veered off the road suddenly and dangerously, to the other lane and going down the corvette, down the steep road. His truck should have tumbled and sommersaulted, he didn't know why but it remained upright....and as he bounced dangerously with the tires, he could only conclude the universe wanted him to have his revenge.
Once he was successully on the other side of the road, he immediately accelerated and sped down the Aje road, to the Sabo intersection.

He took a sharp turn, driving very roughly and increased speed.
He sped down the Herbert Macaulay way, parallel to the Murtala Muhammad way the shadow was currently on.

He was counting on the Shadow to be headed to the 3rd mainland bridge. If he was wrong the bastard would continue going straight while he waited at the intersection for an impact that was never going to happen.

He finally parked his car partially blocking the road until a danfo driver cursed him and scratched the hilux, then he parked properly infront of a french school.
He was beginning to think he had messed up when 5 minutes later he was still sitting and waiting.
There was no sign of the powerbike. Only cars and buses. Even at 4:33am this part of Lagos was still quite lively, either people were going home or going to work or coming from a night club, whichever one, it wasn't a dull area.

After two more minutes he knew he had made a mistake.
Damn!!

"forgive me brother, I messed up!" he punched the steering angrily causing the horn to go off.
'hold on....don't give up yet....' the voice in his head sounded so much like Tom.

For a second he looked at the passenger seat expecting to see his brother but there was no body in the car with him.
He shook his head tiredly, he must be loosing it.

He started the engine preparing to drive off but he strained his ears and waited.

Vrroooooooooom!!! Vrrroooooooom! Vrrrroooooooommmm!!!!!

The sound got louder gradually.
His heart began to pound.

Exactly 45 seconds later, the sound began to get closer.

Then he saw the bike, still performing insane stunts, the driver was probably rejoicing he had lost his pursuer.

Bigelow put the gear in D not R anymore and stepped on the gas with force.
He charged at the incoming bike and shouted, filled with adrenaline as the needle rose steadily.

To be continued.....

Below is a graphic illustration of Bigelow's maneuver.....me I'm an indoor person so if something is amiss all the conc lagosians should please point it out....stay blessed!

paafin:
Permission to post your " the devil wears okrika" on Facebook? Surely, with reference to you..

No p bro you got my blessings. Just add the copyright thatsall

arrestdarrester:
Souloho19 I'm so glad for the celebration you're getting thus far. I've been away for long.

I started The Hole In The Wall two days ago and have observed your improvement. The improvement lies in your ability to connect many plots and tie them to a dramatic story. But I've also observed something a writer like you mustn't lose.

Like I have always maintained, you write fantastically good. You seem to be sacrificing details for speed. I know how descriptive you could get and make your readers feel like part of the plot. Don't lose it please. Don't sacrifice that for anything...

God bless you...

Thanks for this bro and welcome back lord knows I've missed your comments since delayed diagnosis by the way thanks for the heads up on ' finding forester' hell of a movie!
I must agree with the boldled was recently reading some previous updates and could see some loopholes would try and rediscover that descriptive brush. The funny thing is when I started delayed diagnosis I chose to write from first person i.e Rex persona because I was too lazy to describe and in my mind then 3rd person will mean I have to describe the feelings of more characters...lool...would pay more attention to it sha thanks!

IamJix:
Good evening.
Who can suggest a Nairaland' story that depicts a street life?
Hope you know what I mean?

Check this out bro
https://www.nairaland.com/4604676/sex-na-food-pidgin-comedy

stephenGee12:
Finally caught up.
Souloho19 my blooda riDE on am behind you.
Even though you have confused me

Longest time ma Gee. Don't worry we would unconfuse ourselves small small

Quick Testimony!!!

.............

In the month of may I thought I may, but mama Akuna said na Centino get am.....

I said okay o...june was looking good but then a blessed man made me realize we all blessed men...

Third time was the charm and now here I am, just a noble soul seeing his name mentioned alongside his own mentors.

Well this testimony will drop in my church tomorrow...

I'm gonna testify that we have wonderful readers in Nairaland literature section...

I'm gonna testify that we have a hardworking mod never far away from a mention..

I'm gonna testify about this noble initiative that spices up both writers and readers with healthy competition...

I'm gonna testify about the brilliant minds we have here....

To the organiser Princesa, God would replenish you in all ramifications of life. Your leaves shall never wither and you shall be like the tree along the rivers of water...

To our own Inec chairman divepen1 God strengthen and grant you grace and joy in everything you do...

To my fellow writers, all I need to do most times is read just a chapter of your work and my brain starts churning...your well of inspiration will never run dry...

And to the readers.......Its very simple, God bless y'all.
One love �
~soul~

Dedication;
bleeze2 Ann2012 Oroolorun Mekonglobal Phoenixchap Mrsochy dimssy paqman preciousbouy boffinjay kaycee9242 chizzyMaris Samwobi Charminee Donteanz Mitchelljnr explosive04 Mariansly Phayth RegArmani Joshnes Helenbee pinkfeet whocarex EkopsparoAyara bimberry1307 joislim Evold Paafin Igyeseh Mhistahrah phoenixchap funnyfun silvertrinity spixytrixy pweetygiftofGod queenitee dview001 Eberechi24........



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nigeria first became a republic in1963 after gaining independence 3 years earlier. Even with the 'independence' for those three years the Monarch was still the queen of England. The first republic was proclaimed in october 1963 and former governor general Nnamdi Azikiwe became the country's first president.However the republic would succumb to military rule three years later after a "bloody coup d'etat."

The military rule would last for over a decade until the assassination of the head of state Gen Murtala Mohammed in 1976.

A new constitution was then drafted and the previous style of government used in the first republic (the westminister system in which the head of state/monarch is a ceremonial figurehead and executive authority is excercised by the cabinet) was discarded and an American style presidential system was preferred.
This was the second republic.
However the republic was short lived when the military seized power again.

Now the third republic was drafted in 1989. Incidentally the same year an independent organization known as the widows initiative was also launched.

The head of state promised to end military rule and that same year the ban on political activity which had been in place since the coup of 1983 was lifted. Two political parties were drafted; The National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)
State elections were conducted for the first time in December 1991. The civilian governors who were elected took office in January 1992.

Now the two main recognized political parties were the NRC and the SDP. However in the fall 0f 1992 an underground party with seemingly unlimited financial backing would emerge although this party would not be acknowledged. It was called TNH (The National Hole)
Now there was a lot of political unrest in Nigeria at the time and the TNH party would remain in the shadows with a handful of mysterious members and when the presidential election was postponed until 12 june 1993, the unregistered party didn't have any candidate(s)
and was majorly overlooked.

The SDP would triump over the NRC with MKO Abiola trouncing his opponent Bashir Tofa soundly.
It was a landslide victory and an important milestone in the history of the young Nation. However barely 2 weeks later on the 23rd of June, head of state Ibrahim Babangida using several pending lawsuits as pretense, annulled the election, throwing Nigeria into turmoil. His actions would lead to the deaths of hundreds as there were riots in every nook and cranny of the nation. In the wake of the crises, Babangida attempted to renege his decision but without popular and military support, he was forced to hand over to a prominent nonpartisan businessman named Ernest Shonekan. Shonekan was to rule temporarily until elections scheduled for February 1994 however he was unable to defuse the lingering political tension.

Barely 3 months later, with the country sliding into chaos, Defense minister Sani Abacha forced Shonekan's resignation and assumed power. Abacha would go ahead to dissolve all democratic institutions and replace elected governors with military officers.
The SDP and NRC were disbanded along with any democrtic organization, however the TNH which had become known only to a select few as 'The Hole' would remain in the shadows and untouched.

After four years of public executions, death sentences, numerous labour strikes, riots, mass murders, firing squads, human rights abuse, infrigement on freedom of speach and general rightful amenities, Abacha died of a heart failure (tree of life) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar would take his place as head of state.

Under Abubakar's rule, Nigeria would finally undergo a slow transition to Civillian rule and almost all Civillian detainees under the Abacha rule were released.

In August 1998, Abubakar appointed the Independent national Electoral Commision (INEC) to conduct elections.

New parties were created and granted provisional registration to contest in elections such as; The People's Democratic Party (PDP), The All People's Party (APP) The Yoruba Alliance for Democracy (AD)....etc.

The fourth republic was born and the emergence of democracy in Nigeria on May 1999 ended 16 years of consecutive military rule.

But the Hole had witnessed it all.
And the people have a popular saying........; 'first come, first serve.....'


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Andy grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall on the second floor and he battled the flames until Bami was able to rush in and drag their unconscious friend from the burning room.
Even with Rex unconscious, he still held on to the scorched envelope in his hands tightly and when Bami tried to pry it from his fingers, he didn't let go.

Both men carried him outside to the fresh air, where there was sufficient illumination from the full moon.

"We need water.....I think there's a bottle of water in the truck" Bami said

Andy nodded and got up intending to run to the hilux but there was only empty space.
The truck was gone!

The female detective or ex detective was across the road, looking lost....she was staring at the earth as if envisioning where the four tires of a car had been earlier.

"Hey!" Andy called out "Where's the truck! Where's Bigelow?!"

Dagnet hurried across "He took the truck...he went after the shadow"

Bami's ears perked up. He was busy tearing off what remained of Rex's cotton shirt which to be fair was just a few strands of material.

"The shadow was here?"
he gasped

"yes...he came in a power bike....Bigelow went after him"

"Shit....he can't do this alone.....what about the car you came in.....I need water, any water....we need to splash some water on his face" Andy said worriedly. He was scared for his friend. Rex's face looked like he had grounded charcoal and used it for foundation. In other words he looked like baba Suwe'.

"Andy....its okay....he's alive....he's breathing.....just some minor burns" Bami assured him although he needed to hear it himself.


'......before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take
...
Cause we're living in this crazy World.....'



"Hey that's Rex phone" Andy announced. He ran to were the music was coming from and found the phone upturned in the nearby shrub.

"hello......yes sir....no sir.....he's fine.....errrm.....yes sir....but the fire didn't hurt him.....no sir I'm not lying.....I swear sir......okay sir...I'd text you the address.....no sir I don't know it.....'" he hurriedly ended the call.

Bami finally managed to pull the envelope out of Rex's hold. He looked at Andy "Who was that"

"What is that?" Andy asked "Its Alli....he's in Lagos and he wants to know what is happening and where it is happening....what is that?"
he reapeated

"I have no idea....but its badly burnt....I think there are some papers inside"
Bami studied the remains of the once bulky envelope in the moonlight.

"Its the letters.....that's the ransom the kidnapper asked for" Dagnet said

CCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The roof of the Regal Security Agency caved in. The fire was back with a vengeance.

The sirens began to get closer.

"That should be the fire service....." Dagnet said

"Or the police.....we need to get out of here" Andy said

"With what....we have no car.....what about the car you guys came in?" Bami asked Dagnet

"Emenike....he stole it"

"What how come?"

"He somehow managed to slow his pulse to the lowest rate and made us think he was dead then somehow he drove off during the commotion"

"That guy is a bastard" Andy muttered with venom

"Well you know what we can do....call Alli. He would come pick us up" Bami sighed tiredly

Andy brought out his phone "I hope Bigelow knows what he's doing"


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bigelow knew what he was doing alright....he was after his brother's killer. He was going 120km/h but it was just not nearly enough to catch the power bike. He could maintain visual but that was it. Anytime he began to close the distance a bit, The bastard shadow would rev the engine, jerk the front tire, perform an insane stunt then increase the distance again. The motherfucker was taunting him.
He gritted his teeth as his brother's lifeless body flashed before his eyes then he pressed the pedal down till it touched the car carpet. The needle rose to 140 and continued rising.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Back in Our Lady Memorial Hospital, Benue.....

Kirsten wandered outside after the sausy doctor had chased her out. She was secretly glad with the way Martha had given him a stare down and subdued his saucy attitude. Now she was hungry and what's more she needed her computer, or her home laptop. But she was 756.1 km away from Lagos and her tools so she would have to make do with just food for now.

She saw Clyde still in the same spot outside the room. The poor guy was clearly uncomfortable but that still didn't stop him from nodding like an agama lizard.
She decided to wake him. He could go stretch out properly in the taxi downstairs she could man the spot.
The taxi! She wondered how much the bill was going to be. The man had been with them for a full 24 hours and she trusted the bill was going to be crazy indeed. Somehow she couldn't believe the driver was still in the car waiting, that was unbelievable patience for a Nigerian.
She nudged Clyde awake and suggested he go to the car but he stubbornly refused. She noticed his mouth smelt like a garbage truck so she suggested they find some coffe or something to nibble on. He agreed but looked at the room reluctantly "I don't think its wise to leave my post....especially with my partner going rogue any mistake I make I'll surely get fired"

She nodded. She couldn't blame him. Brota was on fire right now.....


Have to hang the pen for now.

To be continued......

Igyeseh:
Did you win July award?

yes boss! Gracias!!

My people...
To the ones who took it upon themselves always uploading the voting link almost every second...

To the ones who kept on voting for me for 3 months in a row...with such Unrelentless determination that I was like "Wow!"

To the ones who wanted me to win soo bad they even voted up to ten times on a page (Mr phoenixchap )

And to the ones reading my stories, encouraging me and sending warm pure thoughts my way.... (I feel it like agent Sparrow)
What can I say.....

Each and every one of you will definitely shine brighter and succeed in your every endeavours..
From the bottom of my soul I say a big THANK YOU for your unwavering support.
Y'all got much love from me...
Stay great Fam!

Dedicated To
Donteanz
Happy birthday bro, more wisdom blessings and more money to you bro!!


:::::::::::::::::


My hand froze on the door handle.
"What! he's not breathing?" I turned to the backseat where Dagnet was bent over Emenike who was sprawled across the backseat.
"He's not....he's not breathing" she replied in a shaky voice.
"Oh God.....I don't need this now....." I got down from the car and I was already shaking.

If Emenike died on me I would have another vengeful female after me (Ada) not to talk of my conscience. Afterall I had let him continue sniffing the deadly coke even when Dagnet had voiced her disapproval I still let him continue.

I got down from the car and hurried to the back seat. I yanked open the door the same time a torch light illuminated my form.
I turned and squinted. It was a security guard in a halogen uniform. "Hey, what's going on here?" he snapped

"I can feel his pulse....its very light.....please call an ambulance!" Dagnet shouted from the car.

"please security call an ambulance we need medical help over here" I barked at the guard.

But the man brought out his baton instead "Does this look like a hospital? My friend commot for here!"

"Where's the closest hospital" I asked ignoring the threatening step the security took towards me.

"mister man, I'm not going to tell you again....this is a private and secured property, you better-" his voice trailed off and he stared past me into the distance

"What is it?" I asked turning also. I didn't see anything but then I heard it.

VROO-VROOOO-VROOOOOM-VRRRROOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!

"That's a powerful powerbike" the guard said with admiration forgetting he had been about to attack me.

The sound began to get closer.

My gut suddenly told me I needed to bounce. Bounce fast.

I hurried into the car and shut the door.

"What's happening Are we going to the hospital?" Dagnet asked

I didn't reply. I started the engine without a word and without switching on the headlights reversed the car into the shadows.

"what is it?" Dagnet asked
as I killed the engine

"Shhhh"

"He's dying.....in fact, I think he's dead...."

I didn't reply.

The stupid security was going to give us away. He was sweeping the whole neighbourhood with the flashlight.
A second before the beam could illuminate our car, a powerbike appeared from nowhere and screeched to a stop in front of the building. The bike stood on its front tire and turned 360, some kind of Charly boy stunt. It looked good.

"Who is that?" Dagnet asked

"Hey who you be.....clear from here....the club is that way?" The security's voice rang out in the night
The driver didn't reply.

"Are you deaf?" the guard repeated harshly. "your bike make sense but you need to move"

Suddenly he fell to the ground and I could only guess he had been shot by a silenced weapon.

The driver got down from his bike, removed his helmet and walked over the body. He stopped and I saw the two flashes from the muzzle of the gun. The body jerked in response.

"Who is that?" Dagnet asked
"That's the real shadow" I replied in a breathless whisper.

He was dressed like a real shadow indeed. He had on some kind of flowing garment and I could see the trademark mop stick sticking out in some kind of cross on his back. If only it was an ordinary mop stick.

He stopped suddenly and looked in our direction.

I fliched and almost ducked but the weight in my lap stopped me. The weight of the 45caliber deadly pistol resting in my lap. I was armed, armed and deadly.

The shadow stood still staring in our direction and the deja vu swarmed me as I remembered a similar scenerio from the not so distant past.

He took a step forward and I put my hand on the door handle. I was going to open the door and shoot the bastard.

He had to be after the letters too. Damn the fool!

Suddenly a beam illuminated him and I heard the words "hey....what are you doing here? this is private property!" Another security guard rushed at the shadow but I didn't even see what the shadow did to him. The next thing I knew there were two dead security men on the floor. The shadow started towards our direction but he stopped at his bike and removed something I couldn't see clearly but I thought it looked like some kind of jerrycan.

The shadow looked in our direction a second longer then he turned and disappeared into the building.

I opened he car and got down with my gun balanced akwardly infront of me.

I didn't know yet but I had a feeling my aim was going to be very very poor in my present condition.

Thankfully Dagnet also got down with her shinny metal sig sauer in both hands. The barrel gleamed in the sunlight.

"He's going after the letters"I said

"But he doesn't have the key" she whispered

"I don't think he would need it" I replied

"Maybe we should call for backup" she said. Her voice was breaking a bit and I couldn't blame her. The newspapers had given a detailed chronicle about the real shadow's crimes and it suddenly didn't seem so wise to enter the building he just entered.

"backup is on its way....bami and co will be here soon" I replied
I took a deep breath and was about to enter the building when Lucky Dube began singing in my pocket.
I almst didn't pick the call but it was my dad. Maybe he had news about Olivia.....I hoped it was good news.
"hello dad..."
"son, I'm in lagos.."
"what...how....when...?"
"I'm at the house Emma was being kept but it seems the kidnapper disappeared not long ago...where are you now? I'm with the Buzz betrayer guy although I think he doesn't know anything anymore"

I was at a loss of words.

Suddenly a shrill alarm rang out from the building.

"That's a fire alarm" Dagnet shouted

"What's a fire alarm....? what are you up to....son where are...?"
My dad asked

I wasn't even listening or maybe it was my dad that stopped talking but the next thing I knew the phone was on the floor and I was running into the building.

Inside was lit up like a bank, flourescent lights that resembled flood lights illuminated every nook and crany of the building. There were metal drawers lined across the wall on both sides, each was labelled with a letter and number.

The box I needed was on the third floor and as I hurried up the stairs I could already feel the heat and smell the smoke from up above.

The object the shadow had taken from his bike that looked like a jerrycan....that had to be a fuel keg.

Why fire? Not again! It took me back to two years but as I skipped the stairs two at a time I couldn't afford another mistake. Not when my daughter's life was at risk.


:::::::::::::


Sparrow was like a ghost. First he circled the house slowly getting a feel of the number of people inside. He couldn't just barge in thinking they were just three people, i.e two women and the child.
There could be someone else.

He stayed in the shadows and lingered away from the windows even though the drapes were closed but his ear was like an antenna, wide open to catch any conversation coming from the house.

"....is just falling apart sister....you promised dad you wouldn't hurt...."
"Christie let me hear word...."
"....is not the enemy...."
"can't just kill the innocent...."
"Christie stop bugging me!"


He strained his ears and after some minutes he was certain just the two women where in the house.

Calmly, as if he was going to church, agent Sparrow walked to the front door and with a butter knife he began to jimmy the lock slowly and quietly.

After about 3 minutes he was in. He took a deep breath and sneaked into the apartment.

Agent Sparrow Ayara didn't use guns, he didn't use any weapons, the jackknife he carried was mostly used for picking locks or even eating sometimes. It was very good for buttering bread.
The monks didn't believe in external weapons.
The philosophy was that the greatest weapon was the mind and when one had total control of the mind, one could use the body for anything.
So Sparrow strolled into the room like a husband coming back home from work to meet his wife.

The voices grew louder and agent Sparrow pushed the door open and stepped inside. He took everything in within a matter of seconds.
The kidnapper was pacing the room. She seemed agitated while the younger lady was busy spoon feeding what had to be baby formula to the little girl who was hungry judging by the rate each spoon was going in.

"And so what? even Carmicheal has turned to a pussy he has forgotten the pact he had with Mr X.....wait till I get across to father....you just wait....you!"

Her voice trailed off when she saw Sparrow.

In a flash she had her gun out and trained on him "how did you find us?" She asked

"I'm not your enemy....." Sparrow's voice was soft and worm, almost enchanting and full of love. The greatest wars were won without violence. Love always conquered all.
That was another philosophy. Although he could get a bullet in the chest right now and it would all be bullshit.

"I know what you're up to...but this is not the way to go after it.....give me the baby" he stretched his hand and he saw the war waging inside her.
"I know who you are.....you're the girl.....the one with the delayed diagnosis....the original delayed diagnosis aren't you?"

Christie stopped feeding the baby and began looking strangely from one person to another, especially when her sister began to lower the gun. She was confused
"Sis....what is he talking about?"

Sensei was still speaking in his soft pillow talk voice "we're not that different....I lost my father before I knew him and he was a member of this hole...this baby is not the enemy don't make the mistake you will regret....."

"But Rex...."

"Is not the enemy....I know he caused the death of your loved ones but if you really want him to pay this is not the way...."

It was like magic when she lowered the gun.

Sensei Sparrow walked to the baby remaining eye contact with Christie who without a word handed the little girl to him.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


When the hilux screeched infront of the Regal Security Deposit building, flames were already licking the roof of the building. The fire was getting intense on the last floor. It seems the shadow had poured the gasoline on the floor containing the safety box with the letters. The very same floor Rex was in. The third and last floor.

Bami, Andy and Bigelow got down from the truck before it stopped fully. Dagnet was at the entrance of the building, between the glass doors with her gun drawn. She was shaking and on the point of hysteria.

"What happened? Where is Rex?" Andy shouted

Dagnet pointed at the burning building "I told him....he wouldn't stop..."

But Bami and Andy were already running through the building and up the stairs.


:::::::::::::::::


Rex

The smoke was thick and blinding and very choky. I began to cough the minute I was on the third floor. In my ringing ears, my cough sounded exactly how my car used to wheeze everytime I turned the ignition. That is before Bami got it fixed for me.

I stumbled down the corridor and my worst fear was spot on. The fire really originated from the deposit box with the label '3F'
The same with the key in my hands.

I had on a thick shirt with a mikey mouse logo, more like a sweater and I pulled it over my nose. luckily the fire hadn't spread that much. It mostly burned the entrance and the deposit box.

I saw a shadow....oh it wasn't jut any shadow it was the shadow at the other end and he was laughing.

"i think it is only fitting you burn to death don't you-"

I ran through the fire at the entrance, closing my eyes and shooting like a mad man.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

I wasted the whole chamber on him but he was gone. He must have gone out the window, a small round window a child would have trouble fitting through. I don't know how he did it, if he could walk on the wall or if he could teleport but the window was broken when my eyes focused and the flame was burning brightly in front of it, he must have spread the gasoline to seal me in. Truly the fire was burning round me in a kind of circle.
This was hell!

My eyes were running
My nose was running
My legs wanted to run
But still I dived my hands into the flame searching for the keyhole.
I was in a state I couldn't feel pain, all I could see was my wife and child. My daughter's fat cheeks.....and Olivia's sweet smile.
I felt the click and the metal door swung open and dropped to the floor. I plunged my hands in, trying to keep my face buried in my shirt and away from the hungry fire, I snatched everything I could from inside.

It was a big ancient brown envelope but to my dismay one end of it was on fire and it was spreading fast.
I pressed the envelope to my chest hoping to kill the flame with the thick cotton I had on but instead my shirt caught fire too.

I rolled on the floor with the envelope still pressed to my body and my rib shot pain darts to my brain. I stopped immediately and began crawling on my belly. The problem was; The shadow had doused the gasoline in three places. infront of the door( the entrance) around the 3F locker and also infront of the small circular window he had somehow managed to squeeze out of so I had nowhere to run or crawl.
I had literally run through the fire at the entrance earlier but now the fire was reaching the roof and I was flat on my belly. The pain from my side couldn't even make me stand up.
I couldn't crawl through the fire, I'd get roasted alive....and the letters were in my hands....or what was left of them....and....my daughter....I'd never see my daughter again....or my friends....or my family....or Olivia.....Olivia....

That was the last name in my head as the toxic carbon monoxide sucked me into the stateless dimension of oblivion.



::::::::::::::::::::::::


"We can't just stay here....we need to do something" Bigelow said when the gun shots rang from the building.

"I called someone from the station to send the fire service, they should be here before the fire really spreads" Dagnet replied her voice was shaking. All her years of service she had never faced field action like this.

Bigelow brought out his gun "They may need help here....who could they be shooting at anyway, security?"

Before Dagnet could answer they heard the powerful engine of a powerbike
VRoooooom Vrooooooom Vroooooom!

"That's the shadow! how did he get ourtside.....no one passed us" Dagnet was shocked

"What? the shadow?"
Bigelow's face went white.

"Yes he is the one who started the fire to destroy the.....heey where are you going?" she called after Bigelow who was running towards the hilux like a mad man.

Bigelow didn't have the keys to the truck. As he yanked the door open he could see the Shadow a little distance away infront of the night club. The son of a bitch was stationary, burning the tires and causing a whole lot of noise. He was turning the bike 360 in a stationary spot and firing the engine hence causing a loud noise.
Vrrrrrroooooooooom! Vrrrrroooooooooommmm!!

A couple of drunk teenagers who had stumbled out of the club at the end of the street where cheering him on and the shadow kept showing off for some seconds before he jerked the bike up and balanced on the back tire and sped off.

Bigelow bent down under the steering, he didn't look to see what he was doing but continued staring ahead as his brother's killer performed his stunts.
He ripped of the body work covering the wiring with inhuman force and in a second he had hot wired the car and was in hot pursuit.

:::::::

Dagnet had never been as confused as this since she attempted learning chess a few years ago. She stood in the same spot indecisive wondering if she should go after Bigelow or go into the building then she finally hurried towards the car she and Rex had brought, she had forgotten about the dying Emenike in the back seat. He would definitely be gone by now no doubt.
Well R.i.p to him.

She ran to the spot where Rex had parked the car earlier but it was gone!

To be continued.....

mcjesuspikin samwobi bleeze2 helenbee okeyben10 oroolorun Ann2012 EkopsparoAyara preciousbouy IAmkingoludav phoenixchap xoshinugax kaycee9242 paafin charminee silvertrinity explosive04 queenitee evold wonderz1 paqman Stevodot22 solly1 cylovee speakout03 pinkfeet chizzymaris mrsochy waacut regArmani danyceo youngzubi Honourable356 princessadeola okeyben10
Thanks for your comments fam, you just may never know how important they are but I appreciate


By the way the story is confusing me the writer sef a little i'm just letting the spirit lead so if it give you small headache you're not alone

Please help me wish Donteanz happy birthday too

mcjesuspikin:
Yes boss....... u nd souloho19 av really been my inspiration.... am not perfect.please,correct me when necessary.nag me when needed....
Jah bless yhu boss

Bruh make i no lie you burst my head...I just dey laff like werey...see as ma nigga just fall him hand sha...
Κeep up the gud work man and like oga centino said just relax and take your time. Good one mate more imaginations to your medulla

Dedicated to
Seunfunmi18 Charminee Bleeze2 okeyben10 phayth Ann2012 Criis joshes Oluwaseunliz princessadeola eberechi24 pinkfeet phoenixchap pinkbae donteanz preciousbouy honourable356(Thanks boss!) IAmkingoludav queenitee cylovee gabi98 helenbee paqman kaycee9242 Oroolorun ekopsparoAyara wizsolzy explosive04 Chizzymaris jalo1 samwobi waacut .....




:::::::::::::::::::::::::


"So Rex, this lady that kidnapped your daughter, she was your ex?" Dagnet asked after a while.

We were heading to the safety deposit box. Emenike had stopped talking and sniffing and after a while he began snoring.

I let the question hang in the air for a while.
The lady.....Fome.....I had seen her in the moonlight at the restaurant and there wasn't any resemblance with my ex fiance but.....the hotel manager had told me and Andy that he had hooked a lady who suffered from extreme burns with a plastic surgeon didn't he? so...

"Hmmmm hmmmm...?" Dagnet made a sound in her throat equivalent to a question mark.

"Yeah.....right now there's no reason to believe otherwise....she was my ex"

"You dumped her?"

"No...she....di-.....I thought she died"

"well.....you moved on awefully fast you know" she said "what....less than a year and you were already engaged?"

"So is that enough reason to kidnap my daughter?" I asked weakly

Dagnet didn't have any answer to that.

I drove in silence, running a red light. There was no use waiting for a traffic light at 3:18am when there was hardly any car in sight. This is Nigeria after all.....

After a while my mind found its way back to Fome. Did I hurt her so bad that she wanted to hurt me like this? that she had shot my wife in both knees and stolen my daughter. Fome wasn't really vio..... I couldn't finish the thought because I remembered at a time I felt like I didn't even know her at all.

But.......
If my memory served me correct (and it had served me some nasty dishes lately) the unfaithful night I had seen the old crooner and Mona whispering in the eatery then followed the old woman then snatched the pringles case I believed held the precious papers. I then found out the papers in the case was the contract the Chief had placed on Fome's head.

So with good intentions and over brimming with chalvary I had set off to the mansion only to find the old crooner killer lady (whom I detested) was in league with Fome and Mona and my dear darling Fome was some kind of cat woman.

Although I bleeped up that night....you can't blame me, everything was happening so fast and I was just trying to stay alive......

The chief was a bad man, on one side.

I was a good.....welll I was a guy on the other side....

Then there was Fome, Mona and the old crooner on one side.

They all wanted something from the Chief but I had gotten in their way and they all died because of me and the Chief got away.

Could the old crooner really be Fome's mother like she had claimed? No impossible....Fome had told me stories about her mother when we were together....

Or.....maybe she was really the mother to that lady claiming to be Fome....
Then that means I was the cause of her mother's death....I mean, that was enough reason to hate me, more than enough...

But still....

I was already having a headache.


"Oh my God.....you've not been hearing a single word I've been saying since have you?" Dagnet barged in on my naked thoughts.

"Whah....what did you say...?" I shook my head

"I said we haven't rested in over 24 hours, I'm feeling quite sleepy....but never mind we are almost there...time to wake up this man"


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

For over an hour agent Sensei Sparrow Ayara thought he had made the wrong choice. He drove around getting more frantic with each passing second. He had definitely felt the pull from the Earth which had prompted him to make the turn but what if he had been wrong. His master Wong always said one had to be careful in making choices, lest what you wanted became what you saw....which was a good thing most times, but in this case.....

He braked hard suddenly then put the gear in R.

He began to reverse slowly.

There! parked in the shadows away from the glaring streetlight was the car. He looked at the bungalow it was parked in front of.
It was dark, the lights were out. He sat still for a long time watching the windows imagining if he was mistaken and if it was all a diversion.

Then he heard the baby cry and one of the lights came on.
He took a deep breath and got down from the car.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Buzz was tired, he had been beaten blue black and blue again. He was traumatized.
He needed medical attention, the pain he felt was just too much!
And yet this beast that had no joy was still dragging him up the stairs.
He hadn't meant to give out the address but what choice did he have?
He didn't want to die yet. His mother was still in the village bragging about her son doing so well in the city.

Now he was going to die. He just knew it. He knew the house was empty.
Oh God.....

"My friend hurry up!" Alli dragged him up the stairs like a sack of garri and Buzz wondered what kind of man he was.
He had to be in his 70s, late 60s at most yet he was still as fit as a brick wall.

They got to the front of the house finally and Alli no joy raised his hand prepared to knock. Then he stopped and left his hand in mid air.

"Do you have a special knock or something?" he whispered harshly

Buzz shook his head. He was secretly saying a prayer for his soul, he wasn't fond of fire and his deeper life mother had given him graphic details of hell when he was much younger.

Alli touched the gate gingerly and it swung open.

He held Buzz infront of him like a shield as he walked slowly to the front door. Alli wasn't armed and he wasn't scared of a gun but it didn't mean he was bullet proof.

There were pots of aloevera lined up the balcony. Alli observed the plants for some seconds then sighed.

He opened the door then pushed Buzz inside, hitting the wall on both sides of the door searching for the light switch.

He already knew no one was at home.

The light came on at last. Buzz was the one who found the switch.

The place was a mess. Someone must have left in a hurry.

Alli no joy began to get red in the face. "Where are they....where is she....you found a way to warn them abi?"

"I swear on my future children I didn't"

Alli observed the full grown man who was quivering like a baby and thought of his next step. He had a good mind to come good on his word and throw the man out the balcony. But something stopped him. He wasn't a cold blooded murderer. He had killed before of course, not once and not twice (shhhhh) but he couldn't just kill a man. Maybe in the heat of the moment but not like this.
Damn! maybe he should really get rid of the no joy in his name for good. Once upon a time he wouldn't think twice.

He was suddenly tired.

He watched Buzz whimpering for some minutes then he sat down and brought out his phone to call his son.


::::::::::::::


Regal Agents Safety Deposits was a two story glass building in a peaceful street. Well not really peaceful since there was a night club on the same street but there was something serene about the interlocked walkways, well trimmed hedges and palm trees.

The neighbourhood definitely belonged to the upper class.

There were Halogen security here and there and I drove slowly, returning the inquisitive stares, looking left and right at the numbering on each house.

"3..........4...........5........here it is....!" I exclaimed

Emenike hadn't given us the wrong address after all. He would be returning to his sister soon enough.

"hey....Emmy.....we're here..." I half turned to look at him in the back seat.

He remained sleeping.

"He refused to wake up since..." Dagnet trailled off and began shaking him roughly "Hey, wake up, wake up.....we're here! wake up..."

He didn't budge.

"I guess he's really stoned out....I wondered when he would reach his limit....sniffing and sniffing all along"

"No......wait... Rex....he's, he's not breathing"


To be continued

Happy weekend fam! Gonna drop something short soon..stay tuned, thanks for reading and Jah bless!

Tnx for the invite bro we gather dey here
Meneski cyber5 ekopsparoayara (my autocorrect don Sabi your moniker finish) cadec007 queenitee oroolorun paqman paafin something wonderful is happening here

okeyben10:
but bia souloho¹9, which one be Honda yaris again lol

Dedication
Bleeze2 WAACUT Ann2012 Chizzymaris helenbee RegArmani Doubleprof1 queenitee EkopsparoAyara Charminee donblazer10 Horladstar Donteanz Oroolorun pinkfeet eberechi24 bimberry1307 explosive04 stevodot22 samwobi gotee11 mekonglobal igyeseh raingirl solomonbrown phoenixchap preshb whocarex tonyxxx evold dimssy cindy1000 kaycee9242 iamloyalty Adeculate IamKingoludav preciousbouy cylovee nkemdave paqman paafin



::::::::::::::::::

When Tonye was through with the call, she forgot her assistant was still on hold, she pressed the red button and leaned back in the chair staring unblinking at the chandelier.

Utebo had come to sit at the dining table sometime during the call and she observed her worriedly
"What...what is it....oh my God...who was that? was it Rex.....what happened?"

Tonye shook her head....to clear the fuzzy thoughts as much as in denial. She was still very much in denial.

Utebo wasn't really convinced and came around to stand behind the agent. She peered over her shoulder at what Tonye had scribbled.

"What...what's that?"

"this is the reason we are still very much backward in this country....oh my God..."

Utebo took the paper and looked at it closely.

Tonye had a lovely slanted writing;


The hole: An occultic group containing powerful individuals that has been responsible for smothering every Government that comes into power from the first, second and third republic....
Sam also found referrences of this organization as 'the powers that be...'
Amunike was/is a member and was able to get away with the widows initiative and his other sins for over 20 years because of the cover from this group known as 'The Hole'
Members are unknown....apart from the counselor a top agent whose hard drive produced the info...
Aliases are used for identification but Sam fears they number over a dozen.....
There is talk about correspondence between the members from as early as the 70's before the rebirth of technology and electronic mail A particular mail Sam was able to dig up which also implicates the chief as a member sees an alias called: 'First minister' asking the chief if the 'red letters' are safe, to which Amunike responds 'in the vault'....
Sam reasons the Hole group consists of top leaders in different sectors of the Country...
He is going to dig more on the 'first minister' and the members.....

What is the hole, the vault, red letters??
God help us all



"Ah ah...what is this...what does it mean?" Utebo asked confused.

"It means....the very people meant to protect us have been causing destructions for decades...that's why everything gets swept under the carpet in this country!"

"I still don't get....." Utebo pulled out the chair beside Tonye and sank into it "You mean its some kind of secret organization....or what?"

"it seems so.....it doesn't all make sense to me yet...Short Sam calls it the hole"

"The hole...like the hole you dig?"

"yes....or....or....like a hole in the wall"

"I don't get you agent" Utebo was confused . A cry came from one of the rooms and she stood up immediately. It was her daughter Soma
"Heey...this children refused to sleep again" Utebo said worriedly as she hurried out of the dining room.

"I don't blame them....after sleeping for 24 hours straight..." Tonye muttered staring into space.

Everything was one big mess.
With everything S.s had found out aside.....
how did it concern this lady assasin? Where did she come in? How did it concern Rex and why did she kidnap his daughter?
They were missing something important...what was it?
Or rather, they were missing some important things....what where they?


:::::::::::::::::::

This time around sensei Sparrow kept his distance. He remained out of view from the car which he felt was a Nissan Sunny which meant the kidnapper couldn't see him and he also couldn't see the car. He couldn't risk getting spotted again as she would surely remember his was the same car that tailed her earlier.
Still he followed.
Still he pursued.

Untill he came to a T-junction.

He sat with the engine running looking at the branches.
He shut his eyes trying to catch something but all he could feel was his pounding heart and the exhiliration of the chase. He was disonnected!

"Shit!" he muttered

He got down and sniffed the air...
Looked left, look right, looked straight...which one.....?

He got down to his knees and touched the earth, sifting the sand through his fingers. He brought his hand to his mouth like he was going to taste it but he didn't.

After a while he got into his car and turned left.


::::::::::::::::::::::


Andy, Bami and BROTA newest requit Bigelow were in the car heading for Maryland.
Andy was behind the wheel, Bami in the front seat and Bigelow at the back.
For the umpteenth time Andy asked Bami "So he didn't say why we should go to Maryland or where exactly we should meet in Maryland?"

"No" Bami replied

"Well....did he say what Fome's demands were?"

"for the thousandth time Andy he didn't tell me...he just said she made some ridiculous demands"

"hmmmmmm....."

The car was silent for about twenty minutes then Bigelow cleared his throat "So tell me about this Shadow guy again.....what exactly are his so called strengths?"

Andy rolled his eyes before speaking "He doesn't have any strength...his biggest advantage is hiding in the shadows like a coward and striking unsuspecting people"

"Tell me....tell me everything you know about him" Bigelow said

Andy and Bami exchanged a nervous glance.

Bami cleared his throat "errrm....Ryan....I know you're really interested in avenging your brother's death...but you have to be careful lest the regret and anger consumes you and you get lost in the quest for revenge....."

"exactly....Mr X comes to mind..." Andy muttered remembering his father in law.

"Who is that?" Bigelow asked then shook his head "forget that first tell me everything about this bloody Shadow first"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


I pulled over in front of the gate and I couldn't help but admire the state of art security system.

There was a buzzer on the side and I lowered my window and pused the button.

A voice asked. "Who are you and what do you want?"


Ssssssnnnnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifffffffffffff!!!!!!!!!!



Emenike was at it again from the back seat.

"Hey tell your security to open the gate,.....and I saw an armed guard when I was here earlier....you better tell him to behave...don't play any tricks....and those your dogs too" Dagnet said

I could already hear the fierce barking. From outside it sounded like a lion's roar.

I liked dogs but had some unpleasant memories of getting chased by local dogs in our neighbourhood when I was a little boy and the barks I was hearing didn't sound local at all so I added a bit nervously"Tell them to cage the dogs"

The coke put Emenike in a good mood and I watched him lean over Dagnet and stick his head out of the window
to speak into the intercom.

"Hey...its me Emy....Tumbo cage the beasts and buzz us in...I'm with some friends"

The voice replied "yes sir...."

There was silence and after a while the barking stopped.

"Oya sit well...and if you touch me again I'd bend your fingers" Dagnet snapped

"Relax baby....." Emenike said and to my suprised he kissed her on the cheek quickly.

My respect for Dagnet went up when she didn't do anything. She obviously had her eye on the bigger picture and I was really impressed when she just put her palm on Emenike's face and shoved him back.

The voice from the intercom came again.
"errrm sir....facial recognition just came through....the driver is on our NO list...are you sure I should..."

"Are you questioning me? You're fired! Fired! but buzz us in first"

sniiiiiiiif!

"I think youv'e sniffed enough for today" Dagnet said and made to collect the satchet of powder which was half empty.

Emy held it against his chest like a child and turned "No no.....mhmmmm....mhmmmmmm!"

I kept quiet and waited as the gate opened. I drove in without a word. My left hand on the steering. The gun in my lap.

At this point I was going to shoot anyone who tried to stop me.

But there was nobody.

The compound was big with luxurious cars parked here and there. I noticed a farmiliar 2 door mercedes convertible and parked beside it.

"Is that not...."

"Ada's car....of course it is....you bloody scum! the car you stole abi....you still like it don't you?" he turned to face Dagnet "This guy is just a thief....I don't know how he managed to decieve everybody...." his voice trailled of as his brain began functioning "wait....what is the car doing here?"

"Emy?" the voice came from up and as we got down from the car and looked up, I saw the girl or young woman (she was 21 now) on the balcony with her hands on her hips.

Emy fumbled around for some seconds...hurriedly wrapping the coke and stuffing it in his pocket. Then he wiped the back of his hand furiously across his nose "Adaobi...what....what are you doing here?"

I was suprised at how his voice had changed.
I looked at him in suprise. The voice was almost normal and he seemed to be struggling to keep his eyes steady.

"Emmy....the detective was in to see me earlier.....what are you up to? you promised you would stop everything" she called out accusingly

"Sis....hold on hold on....lemme come up" he called sweetly and we watched her storm into the house.

He looked at me "I beg you please don't cast me....that's the only person I care about right now and.....I can't afford to dissappoint her anymore"

"You have my word....if you cooperate with me I will do the same" I replied.

I turned and observed the interlocked walkway lined with cages of barking dogs on both sides "Now lead the way...hope these cages are locked sha''

The dogs almost went mad as we walked passed but there was nothing they could do....thankfully. They could only bark and bark and bark.
Still my heart was in my throat until we were inside.

"Alright Emmy where is the key?" I asked

He looked at me at a loss for a second "What key......oh that key....look Rex.....errrm...are you sure you know what you are doing? My dad was very explicit with his instructions.....right now you are joking with powers you can't understand"

I suddenly forgot my aching ribs. I could only feel my aching heart. Aching for my daughter. I grabbed him by the collar of his bathrobe.

"Look here......my daughter was taken....till I get her back I'm willing to battle the devil himself!"

"Emmy....Rex....what's going on?" Ada was at the top of the stairs looking down at us.

"Heey...Adaobi..." Emenike patted my hands but didn't try to remove it. "This is a social call....nothing else..." he lowered his voice "please don't cast me....me and Tony are the only family she's got"

Tony was his younger brother. He was somewhere oversees studying medicine. Seems he was a cool guy unlike this black sheep on white powder called Emenike.

I let him go and glanced up the stairs at the young lady I had once shared a nice bond with once upon a time. (Till I bleeped everything up as usual and endangered her life that is.)

"Ada.....your brother is helping us with a case that's all...everything is fine"
I said

She didn't look like she believed me and I didn't blame her.

Emenike craned his neck "what are you doing here....wait hope that your good for nothing boyfriend didn't try to hurt you again....I'll kill him this time I swear!"

She smiled. A smile too sad for someone her age. "No joor...I came to check on you...are you sure everything is alright"

"Yes sis....seriously..."

I cleared my throat. This wasn't a family matters television show. My own family matter was still on my head.

He got the drift immediately. "Oh well....just give me a minute...I need to get something for Rex and this lady I'll be with you surely" he said to her sweetly.

He ran up the stairs two at a time and we watched him go.

He stopped at the top and gave his sister a hug but she was very quick. She dug her hand in his pocket and pulled out the satchet of cocaine.

"Emmy! You promised you promised you were done!"

"errrm......Rex planted it on me I swear"

"You are still lying"

"Just wait let me give them what I want to give them I'd be right back!"
He made a quick escape and I couldn't help but smile as she followed him shouting how disappointed she was in him.

"Wow....for a minute he didn't seem like such an asshole..." Dagnet said "But do you think its wise we leave him....he could come back with a machine gun you know"

I was already shaking my head "Nah.....he'll bring the key....love is a more controlling and effective method of manipulation than fear. He loves his sister so he's gonna cooperate"

True enough he was back in two minutes. He tossed me the key which I caught in mid air.

"That's the key.....the address is n0 7 leventis road...Maryland....Its near a night club...you can't miss it..."

"You're coming with us mister" Dagnet said

"I have to stay with my sister"
he replied

"I'm coming too.....to wherever" Ada chipped in

"What...Daddy will kill me...I can't let you-"

I tuned their voices to the background as they argued.

Catching the key had just reminded me of something.

The bunch of keys Dr Rasheed had given me....the key to the grave site plus the other keys to Mr X house and other places Dr Rasheed claimed not to even know was gone. It wasn't with me anymore.
I had totally forgotten about it!
I didn't even know where I lost it....
But I was very sure I had been with it when we left the kirikiri prison.

I pushed it out of my mind and was suprised to find out they were still arguing.

Dagnet was shouting, telling Emenike he was coming with us.
Emenike was refusing....claiming he had given us the address and the rest was up to us.
Ada was saying she was coming with us.

I pointed my gun up and fired a deafening shot to the ceiling.
The place turned to a grave yard immediately.

"Good.....now you Emenike...get your ass down here right now...its not over yet...Ada i'd advice you to stay....there's nothing for you where we're headed except danger so please remain....your brother would be back soon.....hopefully"
I added

Dagnet was looking at me strangely.
So was Ada and Emenike.
I wondered if I had something strange on my face with the way they were all staring and I was about to ask in a very rude manner but Ada said;

"This is how you were that night......your eyes are like that again.....crazy like that...." She said it in a whisper but I heard every word clearly.

My action(s) that night had caused ripple effects I was still suffering till today and truth be told I felt as crazy as I did that night two years ago.

But Bleep it.....someone had my daughter. So instead I pointed the gun at Emenike and said "Don't let me repeat myself...."

He hurried down the stairs immediately.

I half expected his sister to follow him since she was quite hard headed too but she remained where she was.
She was a smart girl.

She must have remembered that Rex Obasi seemed to spread death anywhere he went.


:::::::::::::::::::::::


Operation: Get The Red Letters

Destination: Maryland, Lagos.

Inbound:
Rex, Dagnet, Emenike........ Honda Yaris
Bami, Bigelow, Andy.......... Toyota Hilux
The real shadow......... Power bike
(Honda Gold wing GL1800)

Death was in the air.....

Definitely.

::::::::::::::::

Alli no joy parked infront of the 3 story building.
He jerked buzz awake roughly
"Which flat is it?" he snapped
Buzz pointed to the very last floor.

The lights were out.
"Let me tell you this...if my grand daughter is not there I will throw you down....head first...now let's go!"


To be continued