₦airaland Forum

solomonbrown64:
....You made me read the entire length of this story and it's been awesome. We do have amazing writers.

....Thumbs up Op.

Thanks boss..I'm honored

One week later...

her short legs carried her at breakneck speed, I could see her just ahead and I knew I would never reach her in time before she disappeared into the house, through the revolving back door.

At this point I gave up and bent a bit, placing both hands on my knees and panting.
I heard rich laughter and looked up, with a smile on my lips. "You used to be like that not so long ago..infact you were much quicker.."
I stood up straight "Really?"
"Yes...now come and give your old man a hand"
My dad stood over the giant grill were he was busy with the roasting. As I made my way towards him, my niece came running again, she must have gone through the house so fast, this time she had her cousins and her baby brothers behind her.
"Uncle Rex...uncle Rex...you cannot catch me!"
I tried to grab each of them but playfully missed them as they sped around me and through the door again. The youngest, Nyesom's last son darted through my legs giggling happily as I somehow managed to miss him.
"Its been a long time this house was full of life like this" my father commented when I joined him.
I nodded in agreement
"Very soon I expect your own children to join the running"
I smiled. Olivia and I had flown in two nights before unannounced and we had told my parents we were engaged. They had been very happy and the very next day, my three sisters had all shown up with their husbands and children. My mother called it a family reunion, but it felt more like an engagement party.
"Where's Olivia?" My father asked drinking from a bottle of beer. The cooler lay by his feet and it was filled with beer only. No more ammunition for him, and for Andy and I too.
I stood beside him, letting the delicious smoke attack my nostrils. "making some sort of salad in the kitchen" I replied his question.
"Hmm...he handed me a jar filled with ketchup and a small painting brush" its your turn to take over..make sure you cover everywhere...this ram was a champion and should be prepared as such!"
I nodded with a sly smile, collecting the items from him and slathering the ketchup on the parts of the ram on the grill and turning it slowly. "I can't believe you decided to roast Rambo" I said for the thousandth time.
He shrugged, "when my son announces he is getting married...everything goes out the window" he took a long swig from the bottle. "I'm proud of you son..now carry on..I need to make some noise in the house"
He went in and I whistled happily as I roasted the great Rambo.
I reflected on the events of the past week.
In just seven days, I had met with the Governor, I had toured the whole state with him, and had received a calk from the president himself inviting me to Abuja. I had told him I didn't do everything the news said I did alone..it wouldn't have been possible and he had said "bring them, being them all"
Olivia, Andy, Bami, Tonye and I had returned just two days earlier and I had at that point been excited but tired of all the press.
Olivia had also said "If I see the flash of a camera one more time!"
I had mentioned the trip to Benue again and we had made a last minute dash to the airport.
"My baby brother...the hero himself" Utebo strolled over, my face lit up instantly. We had always had a special bond and been the closest and I always felt happy to see her protruding belly. She was about Six months pregnant with baby number 3 on the way.
"What of Paul?" I asked about her brother. He was a major in the Army.
"He's been trying to fix the stereo for ages" she smiled happily patting her stomach.
"Something smells wonderful" she stood beside me to observe the masterclass I was working on.
"With you Everything smells wonderful" I chided playfully.
"Ehen now..I'm eating for two"
I cut a generous piece that had roasted fully and heaped a side helping of potato salad on the plate.
"Oya take..help yourself"
She sat on the chair shaded by the giant mango tree.
"Rex..so lemme hear it again...everything from the beginning"
I rolled my eyes playfully, I was tired of describing the story, but there was something about family that always made one speak more and more.

°•°•°•°•°•°
"Rex..we have a surprise for you" my mother announced.
We were all scattered in the backyard. I had received starring reviews about my lamb roast and there was an abundance of food.
Soft music was playing from speakers on the roof.
My in law had finally managed to get the stereo working. I didn't know how he had gotten the speakers to the roof, but he was a major after all.

Presently, I was with my 3 brother in laws we were lounging on a bench, eating and drinking canned beer.
I had asked about my fiance but to no avail. It seems she wasn't in the house.
Michael, Nyesom's husband had laughed "the funny thing is I can't see my own wife as well....Mercy! Mercy! Where's your mother?!"
The little girl I had been chasing round earlier stopped running ad shrugged her hands, "ionno oooo" she displayed her cute gums were her front two teeth had fallen off.
Cynthia's husband was a politician, currently going for the house of representatives for his state. He had already included me in his campaign plans and according to him, victory was assured with my presence.
"I think she went out with your mother and sisters...only Utebo is around..I can't blame her, there's no way she's leaving all these food!"
Paul, her husband smiled sheepishly "I tell you..at home she demands for ice cream every now and then..I'm always running around, sometimes its fresh fish pepper soup she suddenly has the yearning for..what can I do but comply? After all she is..."
We all chorused "eating for two!" We burst out laughing...the beer was cold, the breeze was cool, the food was sweet...life was sweet.
At this point, my dad had pointed "at least I have seen my wife!"
My mum had come outside from the kitchen and announced that there was a pleasant surprise for me.
I sat up eagerly, Olivia walked out the door, through the short steps. She was dressed in a t shirt and 3 quarter shorts and her legs were shapely and wonderful.
I stood up..."when...when...did you take it off?"
She smiled as she walked majestically to me.
"It feels good to be on my two feet again...just hours ago. Your sister drove me to a family friend doctor..he did the scan and took it off"
"No more wheelchair?"
"No more wheelchair" she replied "as a matter of fact...I donated it to a nearby general hospital"
I held her hand and turned her around.
"Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you the only woman more beautiful than my mother and sisters...my fiance!"
This was met with playful denials from my mother and my sisters and they all couldn't help but burst out clapping.

°•°•°•°•°•
"Rex my man" it was Bami.
"Yo...Bami..I wish you all were here...its really fun...where's Andy and your fiance?"
"Andy is tracking a cheating senator...Tonye is filling up some paperwork...how's the family?"
"They're all fine..you heard all Tue shadows has been apprehended?"
"Yes...even the CSO?"
"No...Kehinde is still at large..that's why I'm calling...we have a million dollar contract from the father of one of the widows"
"What is the contract" my pulse was already racing...I couldn't deny it...I has found my new love.
"To track down Kehinde himself...the leader and last man standing of the shadows of the sunset...are you in"
I took a minute to think about it...but a second later I knew there was nothing to think about "hell yeah! Count me in..let's nab the bastard!"
"Welcome onboard...I have your PI license waiting for you and Olivia"
"Olivia?"
"Relax bro..just office work..I know she would want to keep an eye on you"

I smiled Rex Obasi..was a changed man.

So this is my story..how a moment of greed turned my life around, and put me through a journey of self discovery and yeah...the Chief is cooling his heels in Kirikiri maximum prison..I'm thinking of paying him a visit one of these days.
My name is Rex Obasi...and my diagnosis is no longer delayed.
Heck I'm not diagnosed with anything again!


*THE END*

meneski:
souloho19 whats with the delay bro? Comon we are waiting na ... I think after tomoro d nxt writer will take over. Right everybody?

Bro been having electricity issues but would try to drop as many updates as possible today..
I jumped in when I did because I didn't want the thread to be dull and felt I could link well with were appolux stopped.
But the next writer myt have to take ova from Thur after all so lack of updates don't kill d thread

Sao Paulo- Brazil

They were known as Bosco and Rosco. Unidentical twins but inseparable since birth.
They always had each other's backs and had started their life of crime at a very tender age. From car radios to shoplifting then break ins.
A stint in jail for a robbery gone wrong brought them in contact with 'Perico' one of the top henchmen for the Don.
They didn't know which Don exactly but they got their instructions and paycheck from Perico.

Two heads were better than one and the twins were known to get the job done. Taking out anybody that went against the wish of the top bosses, such a person would fall victim to a hit And run, or a fatal mugging.

Just the day before, they had killed a supreme Court Judge who had refused a bribe and was keen on persecuting one of the Don's top men.

They had flown to Brazil this morning to kill someone who was a constant thorn in the side of the Dons. They didn't know who he was and didn't care. Their instructions had been clear. Get in do the job and get out!

They had booked flights back to the States in less than 2 hours
"What a pûssy! Where does he think he's running to?" Bosco asked as he picked up pace, cutting the water and riding the wave perfectly.
Their target was almost out of sight and Bosco was confident no one was paying attention to them. He pulled out his gun, a glock 9 with a factory fitted silencer.
Rosco looked back. Everyone in the beach was almost unrecognizable. Just small dots scattered across the sand.
he followed his brother's lead and brought out a small handgun .32 caliber hollow point. It wasn't the smart choice for a killer because it was more effective at a close distance. But it had served him well so far, and he had grown attached to the small weapon.

"Woah..that's a big one! Its going to swallow him!" Bosco exclaimed.

Williams was heading into the wave, which had to be about 9-10 feet tall.
"This coward wants to escape soo bad....waoh!" Rosco shouted as the wave enveloped their target.

••°•°•°•°
After impact,
Williams kicked into the water. The thrill of an expected kill increasing his pulse rate.
He was a professional swimmer and had swam in some of the harshest conditions. He decided to test his stamina level once more.. I think I should drown the bastards! He thought to himself as he kicked towards the two shadows above.
He held onto his surf board and kicked toward the surface.
He held onto the strap of the board as he glided towards the shadows making sure the upturned part of the surfboard was visible and nothing else.
"Look! Over there!"
"He's as good as dead now...we should just leave. We have our flight to catch."
"Let's split up..ten minutes tops..if no sign of him, we take it he's dead"
"Sweet!"

William's cheeks were getting hot..all the oxygen he had saved had been exhausted or nearing its total exhaustion.

Rosco looked ahead worriedly "I think another big wave is building up...we should head back.." He looked around "Bosco! Bosco! Bosco!" He looked around frantically. His brother was no where to be found.
He could see the surfboard drifting along but no sign of his brother.
He looked around madly "Bosco! Bosco!"
Suddenly he saw a short burst of bubbles not far away and fired two quick shots in the direction. But he stopped himself. He couldn't risk hitting his brother by mistake.

Few feet under the water Williams tightened his grip around the throat of the killer who was still kicking madly but he was rapidly loosing pace.

Williams felt his lungs were going to burst into flames but the spirit of competition in him, the feeling to always come out on top made him endure.
He released the corpse after what felt like Eternity.

Rosco was looking around frantically, but still no sign of his brother. He was beginning to get scared. He gripped the gun fiercely and studied the water intently.
He almost lost his balance and tumbled into the water when a medium sized wave rocked his board.
He tried to balance himself and was about to call out once more when suddenly he was sailing through the air and splashing into the water.

Williams had surfaced quietly and slowly in stealth mode, released the breath he was holding which had long been exhausted and inhaled briefly before disappearing into the water again.
He wasted no time but barged into the surfboard from underneath, with as much force possible and successfully toppled the killer into the water.

°•°•°••°•
"How about my own workout?" The redhead asked him with a seductive purr, batting her lashes at him.
The recent double killings had put him in a good mood and he twirled her around and feasted his lips hungrily to her receptive ones.
He turned her in a half spin and just as he released her, saw Davina looking at him with arms folded crossly over the excuse of a bikini she had on.
And her eyes...Oh Lord her eyes!

P.s; any suggestion from the previous and next writers, any background setup suggestions would be welcome

Location: somewhere across the pacific....

Adrea Jemba didn't smile often. Infact she didn't smile at all. One would wonder if she had smiled as a kid, and if she did what had destroyed her smile.

Her lips were set in a thin grim line and her eyes were narrowed, her brows pressed together in a frown.
She wore her hair in long dreadlocks, currently they were rolled on top her head and held together with a pin.
Only she knew the pin wasn't just any hair pin. It was a gun pin. From her Smith and Wesson to be exact.

Anderson observed the little group of his "assets" from the other end of the jet.
He had all their files in his lap but currently he was transfixed on the nigress.
She was average build, average height and apart from the frowning was actually very beautiful.
She was also a highly skilled killer.
Anderson glanced at her file again for the umpteenth time. She was a professional in handling any kind of weaponry. As an agent of her country, she had been at the very forefront in the fight against the Abu Nidal group and was rumoured to have taken down one of the high ranking leaders of the terrorist organization in Egypt And single handedly wiped out a squad of 2 dozen fighters, Supposedly. But Anderson had been in this business long enough to know that there was always an iota of truth behind every rumour.

The gulf stream, flying as high as 20 feet encountered turbulence suddenly. The jerking movement disorienting Anderson as the file spilled to the floor.
He noticed the nigress didn't move. She was calmness personified. That was good, very good. A calm head was needed for the deadly field job that lay ahead.

Boris Vladimir was a beast. A real beast. He was approximately 6'4 with broad shoulders and huge biceps.
He was in his 40s and it was rumoured that he was part of a special program that secretly continued from the days of the Soviet union. Before the birth of Russia.
'The program' like it was called was initiated by Joseph Stalin himself. The communist ruler of the soviet union and the founder of the sub- Marxist theory: stalinism.
The program began with a baby factory. Women were bred like animals and impregnated. 21months later, the children who would be around the stage of learning to walk were taken from their parents and moved to a secret camp.
In this camp, they were trained to kill from a tender age
Boris Vladimir was a product of 'the program'. At a tender age his instructors had marked him out as a super agent. He had no remorse, no conscience. At the age of 3 he had developed a certain fondness for the blade. ripping open a hundred 'cute' rabbits and hamsters while his peers cried for their mothers.
He had grown into a remorseless killing machine and had a perfect aim in knife throwing. It was rumoured he had once thrown a knife from a sniper's distance burying the blade up to the hilt in the neck of his target. A supposed enemy of Russia at the time.
Just like the nigress, Boris was a freelancer. He had rendered his service and killed for his country for years, all his life but now he killed for others, most recently for the CIA, and he got rich doing it.

"Where do you suppose we're heading to?"
The man sitting next to Boris, asked him. Boris was not a social being and he didn't show any sign that he had heard the man.
He turned his large bald head slightly to observe him. John Keira was supposed to be smart, the smartest with an IQ in exponentials. He was the classic definition of a spy, was really good in the art of spy work and at a point was said to have infiltrated the Kremlin to get sensitive data, posing as a KGB agent. John Keira was 32 years, had a black belt in jujitsu, and was also an expert when it came to weapons. The MI6 his parent agency was known to invest a lot of resources, time and effort into gadget development and Keira always had the best of gadgets on him at all times. He never wore any piece of jewelry or any accessory for the sake of fashion alone. If he had on a watch, then it was a signal scrambler or tranquilizer dart, a pen could be C4, and a belt...a belt could be lots of things. John for all his intelligence and sharpness was quite playful and a talkative. He always called himself the real James bond

Anderson busied himself with the files of his 'assets' but every now and then his mind drifted to his wife.
He wished he had at least picked up the call then, he could imagine her thinking the worst, when he failed to turn up tonight, that he was busy rolling in the dark with another woman, but here he was trying to prevent a war triangle that could equal the Armageddon from happening.

His official tablet vibrated, invading his thoughts. He had an e-mail.
It was from Braham. The message was short and direct.

saac was last seen in new Mexico around 0900 hours earlier today. I'm forwarding SAT images and address. Mobilize the strike team and take him out. If possible get him alive and move him to the nearest safe house.


Anderson reread the message over and over again. He loaded the attached media file and sure enough he could see a bird view of Isaac Nystrom.
Anderson forced all thoughts of his wife out of his mind.
"Okay listen up..we're heading to Mexico-"
"Alright!" John Kerie exclaimed interrupting him.
Boris sneered at him "Don't you ever keep quiet?!"
Anderson observed the both of them without a word. Adrea Jemba didn't say a word. She removed the pin from her hair, causing the dreadlocks to fall down her shoulders. Slowly she began assembling the pieces of her gun together. She always did this, took her hand gun apart and cleaned it up everyday and only assembled it before any mission.
"Are you bitchees finished?" She asked John and Boris when they fell silent.
None of them replied her, but Boris narrowed his eyes at her.
She stared back a second longer before turning her attention to Anderson.
"Continue"
"Y'all get strapped up..I need to relay the change of plans to the pilot"

Assault rifles, Submachine guns, Uzi's not to forget the nigress' personal hand gun and Boris's fleet of knives all came out of leather cases and the sound of snapping and cocking of guns rang through the jet.

The assault team kitted up in camouflage combatant. The very same fatigue used by the Navy seals.

Adrea applied black paint under her eyes, just above her cheek bones and on her forehead.
"Give me some" Boris said roughly and she handed the jar to him.
out of the spirit of comradeship he offered the jar to John who was tying his jungle boots.
"No way in hell am I putting that shiit on my face"

Location: Sao Paulo Brazil.
Time 13:00 hours.

°•°••°•°
The man sneered at the tourists. Eye balling them with disgust, Pffft! Tourists! All sissys the bunch of them. Not minding the fact that he was also a tourist himself. The truth was he didn't behave like a tourist, was far from it actually. He was a good linguist, could speak almost every language on the face of the Earth, not to mention he could alter his appearance any time he needed to. He blended perfectly anywhere and anytime he wanted to. He was only a tourist whenever it was needed.

He narrowed his eyes at a group of girls, they had to be American or British judging by their pale translucent skin. They slathered sun cream on their backs, taking turns and giggling childishly as they did so.
They all had sun hats strapped on to protect their pale white and no doubt fragile forehead.

He took a swig frtom his bottle. Raw hot whisky by mid day under the scorching sun in the beach was an act only a crazy alcoholic could think of..well he wasn't crazy and he wasn't an alcoholic, okay maybe a little crazy he corrected himself with a bitter smile.
"Fuçking tourists...gonna burn your transparent skin..tanning is not for everyone for God's sake!"

The gorgeous lady lying on her chest beside him purred seductively and lazily, her eyes still shut tight "ooooh...someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed"
She had her bikini unstrapped on her back so her flawless skin could get tanned easily and not have the line of the strap leave an uneven colour.

"I need to take a walk" he snapped and got up.
Davina knew better than to prod the tiger when the claws were out. "Easy tiger...easy" she murmured slowly before drifting off to sleep again. She loved the beach, oh yes she did and Brazil was definitely the place to be.

William walked barefoot towards the water. His mind so near and yet so far.
A subconscious part of his brain took in every face, every little detail and yet his mind was far away, turning and working, twisting a mental Rubik's cube trying to get a perfect match on the events so far.

He noticed the flirtatious glances sent his way by gorgeous women. He knew he was good looking, extremely so and he was ripped and in prime physical condition.

A lot of successful assassinations in the past had been made possible by using his looks. To bed the secretary and obtain the following day schedule of her boss, to bed the unfaithful wife and clone the apartment key. He smiled sheepishly as he remembered that particular incident. In that case, he hadn't really meant to clone the key, he was an expert in picking locks but in that case the woman had been hot and he couldn't resist...why not go more traditional every now and then? Sometimes old school was the best way.

"Hello handsóme..are you Amerikkan?"
A gorgeous lady asked him with a south American accent. He studied her under a second and decided she was most likely Chilean.
He wasn't in the mood for any socializing. He gritted his teeth and kept on walking.

The dons were the reason behind his foul mood. The five dons..more like the five dunce. Nobody crossed Will and got away with it...nobody! Not iron will! And they were definitely going to feel the iron. He had a fondness for stainless steel a .50 magnum desert eagle to be precise.
Although it was heavier, the weight was a glorious one and he had gotten used to carrying it anywhere he went. It was capable of leaving a fist size exit wound in the head when fired from as far out as 20 feet.
Presently it was wrapped in a towel in the beer cooler that had been at the foot of the lounger he had been stretched in.

He cursed himself for not being extra sharp before now, he didn't tolerate this kind of slacking, there was no room for mistakes.Every decision was about life and death and he wondered how he didn't notice the two men casually making their way towards him before.

Two things had alerted him to the potential danger. 1 was his guts, he didn't joke with it: his instincts was his best friend and the second was that the men didn't just fit in. They tried desperately to blend in with the hundreds of beach goers getting tanned, enjoying the water and just lazing about generally but something was not quite right. There was something rigid about their movements, something calculated. They walked around the beach pretending to laze and stroll around but a certain determination in their steps betrayed them.

To his eagle eyes anyway.

"So you want to play ball...let's play ball" he gritted his teeth again. He had really woken up pissed today and his continuous teeth movement was a sure sign that he was mad.
He made up his mind to kill his would be killers gruesomely.
That should help ease some of the annoyance off.
They were making their way towards him now, a bit faster than before but he didn't quicken his pace. Iron will never rushed, not for/from anyone.
The lack of pace of his feet was rivalled by the quick darting of his eyes, moving at a blistering pace.

He saw something of interest and strolled over casually "Oi'...olá!"
The gorgeous redhead returned his greeting immediately. Her eyes lingering on his hard rock abs.
William' flashed her his killer smile. With flawless Portuguese he requested to make use of her surfboard.

He was a fitness instructor and he really needed to work on his thighs. He'd been neglecting his squatting routine recently and he felt surfing would be a perfect way to catch up with his missed workouts.

The redhead was already agreeing before he was done. She flirted openly and pointed out he could also work on her thighs.

From the corner of his eyes, he could see the two men closing in.
He nonchalantly hefted the surf board and strolled into the water.

The two men stood watching him, while he lay flat on the surf board and swam into the tide, he whispered "don't kill my vibe..don't kill my vibe..."
He smiled a devilish grin when both men got hold of a surf board from a pair of teenagers and waded into the water.

Williams broke into a favourite tune he always whistled, especially when he was about to make a kill.
"Between the devil and the deep blue..." He chuckled wickedly as he got to his feet, maintaining balance perfectly on the board and riding the first wave.
"Dancing with the devil in the deep blue sea..."

Okay here goes..

Yo menesky how about I take the baton at this point and try to tone it down a bit for pamel and evaj and the rest.

Apollux u laid the foundation for something epic. Kudos bruv

"Thanks for listening to the news at 4, now for a recap of the major headlines.
In financial news: Naira climbs to equal 50 dollars per naira (lemme dream biko)
In sports news, the super eagles move to top ten in the latest FIFA rankings() and in our main news, about five hundred women rescued from human trafficking plot last night.
Please stay with us for more developments on the story"


I switched off the mobile radio and leaned back on the 3 sitter.
I was in the hospital, had been there for the past few hours, finding respite and hiding out in Andy's room.
My phone was off. The incessant ringing ever since the interview got aired had threatened to drive me mad.
I was a wanted man. Wanted by the masses who were desperately in need of a hero figure. My background had been dissected thoroughly and my parents and sisters had called me more than once to report the calls from journalists all interested in digging into my life.
I had no problem with that, they were free to dig! As long as they didn't disturb the peace of my loved ones.
Speaking of which I knew I owed them an explanation.

Cynthia had said "so you're THE Rex Obasi..how come...you looked so different in the clip I watched on TV...? What exactly happened...where you hurt?...wait...is it Jossy's school that altered your appearance?!"
I knew the questions were just warming up... my eldest sister was preparing to fire me with questions, my phone had alerted me to another incoming call and after that I had rushed through the call, promising to call her back right away.
I switched off my phone immediately.

The Chief and his wife had attended the event as one of the center of attraction..in the most honourable way possible but they left or rather were taken away from the hall dishonourably.
According to the other news I had heard on the radio, the Governor and his team had headed to the other hotel to meet With the women.
"Finally...we did it...we did it bro.." Andy kept on saying, his voice dripping with emotion.
"Yes we did bro..we did...." The unspoken words hung in the air...finally we had tavenged or should I say justified the deaths of Mona and Fome, And the sufferings of their mother so many years ago.

Olivia was in a corner of the room, still on the phone. Her journalist buddies had been calling and calling all along begging for an exclusive interview. This was the story of the century and they all wanted the first sweep.
"Brian I told you...you have to make do with what you learned from him this morning, at least for now...."

Her voice faded off into the background as I stared into space. The door opened and Tonye came in, she assisted strange eyes who had his right leg in a cast raised off the ground.
He had his right hand in a walking clutch and his left hand around Tonye's neck.
He had a wide sheepish grin. "Oba....it is done..the whole stations haven't shown anything different since..the whole Nation is talking about the Chief and the initiative..there's no kind of string he can pull to get out of this one now!"
He settled onto the bed, sitting down beside Andy and happily shaking him fiercely and energetically.
I turned to Tonye, "what of the shadow...and the exco?"
She smiled "About 1 hour ago..operatives of the secret service swooped into the house following an anonymous tip and nabbed both men"
"so its now they're doing their job" I shook my head
"They have to...the president released an official statement few hours back, promising the full wrath of the law"
Andy got up, feeling energized and restless "how about the excos...and the remaining shadows"
"its just a matter of time..only the social exco is remaining, as for the other shadows, their identity is known already their pictures is in the system..they can't leave the Country..they can't remain hiding"
"We need to do something...to take them down" I couldn't help but still feel a little worried.
"Rex...you've done your part...you're the man of the hour, now enjoy your glory and let the agents do the rest" strange eyes said.
yHe picked up the remote from the bedside table and switched on the TV.
"But what if they disappear again...they're very good in doing that" I added
"Rex," Tonye assured me "The president himself has vowed that every one involved with the initiative would be persecuted. Any body who supplies information that aids and leads to the capture of a shadow would receive the sum of 5 million naira."
I wanted to ask her and strange eyes about their Crooked superiors, the senior agents that had turned deaf ears and cut off so many queries into the Chief's activities. However, the TV had come on fully and a documentary about the widows initiative was on.
We all fell silent as we focused intently on the television.
Olivia had finished her call and was was watching from across the room. I strolled over to her side.
the video showed the massive industry building of sunrise steel. It was a big company and the outlook spelt success.
The next frame showed all the security staff and their names, starting from the CSO, one Mr. Kehinde. The voice recording of the women played as they explained how they had been abducted.
I saw Tosin(the first shadow I had come across, mr 'yours killingly') on the screen. His security job was to man the CCTV cameras.
We watched the documentary for like an hour and I stood through out, behind Olivia, with my hands on her shoulder subconsciously kneading and massaging softly.
My phone vibrated- an unknown number was calling me.
"Hello"
"Rex...good job" the line went dead.
I smiled thinly Mr X didn't sound so bitter anymore...or was it just me?

The governor had vowed to take care and sponsor the widows and their family, according to the presenter, I was also needed as the Governor had also vowed to give me a reward. On top of that, the personality of the year award had a new recipient.
An emergency poll had been conducted few hours ago and I had swept it flawless.
"Ariyo has been calling me since..he wants us back.. Increased salary and promotion"
I frowned "what did you tell him?"
"I told him to kiss my black ass" Andy replied with a smile and strange eyes and I burst out laughing.
"You remember my offer Rex?....I have another one...I'm leaving the agency..I want to start a private investigative firm...Tonye and I, I'd like you and Andy to join our team"
I felt Olivia tense under my fingers, Strange eyes must have noticed it too because he hurriedly added "its nothing dangerous.. The work would mostly be catching cheating husbands...tracing and finding missing persons...stuff like that!"
I bit my lower lip(a recent habit of mine-thanks to Olivia)
The offer was tempting, over the last few weeks, I had come to love and enjoy intelligence gathering, although I could do without the danger. I've seen enough to last me two lifetimes.
"you know what?...lemme sleep on it"
He nodded satisfied and looked at Tonye, they both shared a knowing look.
"What...what is it?" I asked them eagerly but somehow I knew.
"We're getting married!!" Tonye burst out happily.
"Wow!"
"Congratulation!"
"Congrats" we smiled, clapped and congratulated them. Hugging each other.

Before long,Olivia and Tonye, like women are always bound to do were talking about the 'perfect romantic wedding' picking a gown, hall venue and all the normal stress that comes with wedding planning..

Their voices danced in the background as the three men focused on the TV on the wall.

The door barged open. It was Carmichael. He looked like he had run 400 meters.
I studied him closely as he tried to regain his breath.
"What is it?"
He slumped on the nearest chair and put his face in his hands.
I asked him again..panic seeping through my voice this time "Mr X....Its Mr X...he's...he's d..dead!"
"Christ! What happened?!" I exclaimed. This was the last thing I had expected to hear
"He overdosed on cough syrup... This afternoon...Betrand and I went to the house and there he was..just staring at the news with glassy eyes and a smile on his face..he had mixed some deadly pills with the syrup..." His voice trailed off.
"Damn!...why would he go out like this?" But then I remembered he had once told me he had nothing to live for. Revenge had driven him this far when he otherwise would have given up the ghost.
Carmichael was still speaking: "he left behind a will...he managed to amass quite a large amount of wealth...he left half of it to you..and the other half to as many orphanages around the Country."
I shook my head "give my half away too.."
"It doesn't just work like that.." The doctor was saying but I interrupted him "doctor, what about his body..where is it?"
"He covered it in his will also, he bought a plot of land sometime last month, and I know for a fact his daughters are buried there...."
He trailed off, or rather I drifted off, hearing his voice as a light buzz in the background.
I looked at Andy, and he looked at me. We where both thinking the same thing.
It was time for closure.

°•°•°•°•°•
The plot of land was in a secluded area, surrounded by farms, empty lands and abandoned building projects. It was at the very end of the acre of land and was the only land that was fenced round with a sturdy gate.
As the car drew to a stop, I noticed the massive padlock holding the gate together.
"I have the key don't worry" Carmichael replied my thoughts.
Andy had already gotten down. The first time he was out of the hospital, and I marveled at the extra weight he had lost. He was very thin.
Olivia spoke up from the back "Are you sure you're okay?"
I smiled "I'll be fine don't worry...this is something I have to do"
She nodded in understanding and I followed Andy and Carmichael into the plot of land.
I didn't expect the inside to be this neat and taken care off..flowers lined the walls, around each grave and added colourful splashes. Gravel provided the walkway.
the grave of the two sisters were beside each other and there was another one, to the left. When I got closer, I saw it was Fome's mother. 'Here lies Juliana Tinkan, beloved mother, wife and friend'
the epitaph read.
Andy went straight to Mona's tombstone and was immediately lost, emotions dancing on his face. I watched him for some seconds before moving to the next. I placed a hand on the cold marble of the tombstone. And let the memories wash over me, from our school days, when I first met her, over the years till the previous month when I saw her for the last time.
For a minute I could see her clearly, I asked her forgiveness for not trusting her when it mattered most, I asked her forgiveness for opening the cylinder valve and indirectly killing her. I assured her I would never forget her, a part of me would always love her and I asked her permission to move on.
All these words came out slowly, a very painful monologue or soliloquy.
When I finished baring my soul out, I felt lighter suddenly. Like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulder.
I blinked my eyes and two drops of tears landed on the marble slab. The silence was so profound that it sounded like a splash.

I turned to leave. Andy was sitting down just staring into space with tears flowing freely.
i placed a supporting hand on his shoulder as i passed him.

Dr Rasheed was outside standing like a guard outside the gate. He didn't say anything but he tapped me gently on the shoulder as I passed him.
I climbed into the car beside Olivia.
"Are you okay?" She asked me worriedly
I looked at her and I felt like I was seeing her for the first time...the future was ripe with possibilities and suddenly I felt excited.
"Yes...I'm fine... for the for the first time I'm fine...What do you say we forget everything for the main time and go to Benue State..surprise my patents?"
She glowed in response and I was glad to see the worry disappear from her face. "I'd love that very much!"
I smiled as we waited for Andy, thinking of the best way to propose to her.

PWEETYWIZZY:
Souloho meant 4am I tink cos dis is to 5pm. U av a grt piece any publisher or producer wil die to av buh dnt delay d diagnosis too long.

yes ma'am...African wedding time tins happy wknd

wizsolzy:
Were is Dem update bro ..
By d way fellas follow me link http//dutysense.com/?invite=964

no meme/pics today?? hope all is well bro ... update is incoming chief. BTW the link isn't correct

dview001:
souloho I don buy two kegs of palmwine down ,assorted meat plenty ..we dey wait you for village square even mazi nnamdi is present ...oya do and come o

nice one bro...kai, now palmwine dey hungry me..in fact wait for me I'm on my way!
Jah bless you bro

Maryclaire1:
souloho19 chop kisses Abeg let the next update not take too long

Maryclaire, warning: I've been told I use too much tongue ooo...lol..thanks dear
next update won't be long..few hours more

Chinnybaby99:
What a Wawuu. Thumbs up

thanks Chinny Jah bless

Favouritetega:
Wow, just couldn't stop smiling,
waiting for next update

thanks favourite..more smiles coming ur way ijn..update should be ready before 4pm.

Bleeze2:
Souloho pls next update

its coming bruh..just a little longer pls

forzarush:
we are doing fine,glory to God but it aint easy bruh

I know what you mean..or at least I have an idea, God is with you and your baby(ies) take care and stay safe.

iamloyalty:
Gosh! I held my breath when Rex was denoting the bomb.

Souloh19 most stories are been plagiarise, so protect ur story.
https://www.nairaland.com/2120260/dealing-plagiarism-nairaland-stories-rogue

thanks dear..honestly I've been having a bad feeling about this story being plagiarised. A journalist friend is helping me with the copyright and I just paid the fee. Rex himself would come for the jagular of any plagiarist -lol-....thanks for your concern Jah bless

Toyin223:
Till Waiting SIR

thanks sis..bear with me till afternoon pls. Jah bless

Countrygirl:
Hmmm, thank goodness for Rex, finally.

Waiting for the morning dose t promised oo, Weldone soul, always giving us a captivating update

country country...update is nearly ready..just sizzling on low heat. by afternoon tho

tenderblaze:
I just can't hold it anymore so I av to say this Mr Soul cos u av really forced me to comment. believe it or not delayed diagnosis is an amazing piece. been following it back to back. Thumbs up bro. more ink to ur pen..... Updates plzzzzzz

thanks a lot dear. so glad you commented Jah bless

rchilee:
Please update

Yes boss sorry for the delay..
Its 'delayed' diagnosis after all

Cindymorgan:
Dedicated to CindyMorgan - happy birthday (don't ask me how I knew )

that's so sweet of you,but how do you know.

Saw you viewing in ghost mode ( )and checked ur profile.Tnx for following

forzarush:
No matter what happens,remember you have a huge Fan in me. You keep getting better Souloho. Mods, please don't ban our dear friend again o!

Madam Sforza longest time, rili glad to see ur comment thanks a bunch..how's the baby(ies)
Take care and God bless

Olamega78:
Soulhoho.... I only praise from the depth of my heart... Can't just place your rank in the world of literature but, I believe that you should be amongst the forerunners... You are a talent to reckon with... Please, keep up the talent and never look back... More ink to your magic pen.... God bless

Boss..I can only thank you from the depth of my heart also..believe me there's always something special about ur comments. Jah bless you a million times a billion times

Maryclaire1:
Yimu..Abi na your name be sorry sef.maybe you are on the same page with another Souloho Cos the souloho i know the one writing delayed diagnosis wont let Rex die .souloho19 I dey hail ooo...do happy weekend for us naaa.

No vex Claire..this is more like happy mid week...its been too too long..would make up for it tho. I'm now living in the sun
Lol...silensa just let Olivia go biko..besides the stress is too much..do you have strength to be pushing wheelchair up and down

Mickeysho:
Have always been a ghost reader on nairaland but this story changed that. my anscestors ll be angry if i dont comment.

Lol...God bless you for commenting bro..thanks a million

queenitee:
Rex rex my love

Lol..sorry for the delay..pls check back in the morning..still modifying...infact #nosleepingtonyt
BTW..u no dey sleep sha..

souloho19:
I stared at the timer for what seemed like eternity, looking dumbstruck.
Where would I get the last digit from? What do I do? What.....
Was this the end? Was this how I was going to die? No...there had to be a way..I had to figure something out....
Beep beep!
Two short beeps brought my eyes to the timer. It read: 00:00:58
Christ! Less than a minute left...I didn't want to die! Not like this..there was my parents...I couldn't believe I wouldn't see them again, my sisters,my nephews and nieces..I was their favourite uncle and the thought of not seeing them again, fake boxing with the older ones and throwing the younger ones in the air was a painful thought...too painful...the worst was not seeing Olivia again..being robbed off the possible future we could have together....
Get a grip of yourself! A voice scolded me and I shook the thoughts out of my head and blinked rapidly.
00:00:33
I needed to think back....
The night I had seen Mr X, he had been swift in giving me the phony code...too swift and I had wondered if he had given me a fake one.
He had acted a bit creepy and I had been in a haste to leave his house but now I thought back to his attitude.....the line about his daughter being an interior designer had seemed to get under his skin and he told me the code after that...but something in the way he said it...
I looked at the timer....00:00:19
What if he had given me the code and the same time withheld it from me?
"My God what am saying?" I thought aloud..but the hasty countdown couldn't let me consider my mental state..
Instead I forced myself to think back...
What if he wanted to free his conscience considering his daughters memories but at the same time his bitterness wouldn't let him let go easily..
I thought hard, shutting my eyes..
He had said 386...what if he meant..3-8-6..
Three eight six...
Three eight....three eight....eight in three places...then six?
Beep beep!
I opened my eyes in horror: 00:00:08
The countdown was at its final stage..I raised my finger slowly..
There was no other choice...if I was wrong, I was dead anyway...if I didn't risk it I was also dead..
I keyed the first two letters:
8 8 _ _
00:00:05
8 8 8 _
00:00:03
8 8 8 6
I squeezed my eyes shut expecting to hear the beep or any sound..when there was silence, I opened one eye first then the other.
The timer read; 00:00:02
Two breathless seconds after it still read: 00:00:02
It had worked!
My knees were suddenly weak and I melted to the floor.
I breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm my racing pulse.
Then slowly I got to my feet..I had just saved everybody in the hall...including the chief...but it was time to take him down.
I brought out my phone and dialled the last called number.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Hello...Obasi!"
"Short Sam...do it now"
"Yes boss...your number one hacker is on the job!"

The hall had about two gigantic screens that displayed every event in the hall that was caught by the videographers and my hacker pal was about to scramble their signal and work some magic.
The interview from the morning was going to be displayed on the two 90 inch projector screens any minute from now

Now that the immediate danger was passed, I took a deep breathe and straightened my bow tie.
I tried desperately to calm down and slow my heart rate...the worst was over, I needed to get to the main hall...I couldn't miss the show.
I shut the cage and headed out. There was a resounding round of applause as the group of women who were no doubt aboutto perform a dance routine all filed and hurried out.
I followed them a little way behind and retrieved my cart from where I had abandoned it earlier.
None of the technical committee paid any attention to me, I guess the fact that the Governor was in attendance required all their attention. They couldn't afford the tiniest mistake.
One of them glanced up briefly and I wheeled my cart backwards like that had been my intention all along. I dropped two bottles of wine and a carton of juice on a nearby table.
They didn't acknowledge either but kept frowning into space, holding the headphones to their ears like the fate of the whole world depended on whatever it was they were listening to.
I didn't care. I was feeling elated!
I whistled and went about my modest job of supplying refreshments to the important guests in the hall.

The cultural drums were beaten with expertise, the flutes were blown swiftly and the women were putting up a show stopping performance.
I kept on glancing at the screen every now and then, waiting to see scenes from the interview and to see my old face as I spoke about the secrets of the initiative and the chief.

Nothing yet!
What the hell is wrong with short Sam? I thought to myself....what's taking him so long?
"Heeees....can you do your fucking job and give me a bottle?" A young girl(couldn't have been more than 20) asked me rudely.
I compiled, thinking to myself about all these spoilt rich kids who were mannerless.
As I placed the bottle on the table, I lookedher over. It was Ada
Somehow she ddidn't notice me this time, or to be more precise, her attention was on the young man by her side. She had stars in her eyes, and was clinging on to his arm and apparently onto every word he said.
I did my job and moved on, still glancing worriedly at the screen...the time was about ten minutes past noon.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
I have only seen the Governor on the TV, on the posters or on the TV. And to be frank, I have never thought twice about meeting him or held any special importance to seeing his face physically and in the flesh. However, I found myself almost nose to nose with the Governor himself as I served his table with the best champagne I had in my cart.
He didn't notice me, I was invincible. His wife the first lady of Lagos state was beside him, whispering something in his ear about the performance and he was smiling and looking eagerly, trying to see whatever it was she was showing him.
I hurried out of the way. Before I get locked up for blocking his Excellency's view.
I ran straight into the Chief's stare.
Once upon a time, his daughter had seen through my old man disguise and recognised me, and now few weeks later, it seemed the Chief had acquired the gift all of a sudden. He was looking at me in disbelief, with his mouth wide open. He looked liked he had seen a ghost.
His wife, the honourable Mrs Benita, noticed the way he was looking, glanced at me then at him.
"What's the matter?" I read her lips perfectly.
He didn't reply.
I didn't know what was wrong, I was just an overage waiter, in a crisp white shirt and a waste coat doing my humble job.
I dropped bottles on the table but I couldn't resist, I leaned into the Chief as I passed by,
"Enjoy the show....Amumike"
It was just like I planned it with short Sam. As I turned away, there was a short gasp from the crowd...the cultural drummers lost their rhythm and I heard the Chief's wide gasp "oh my God!"
I smiled and continued my job.

The mc took over...the dancers were still dancing away, but nobody was paying attention to them. They were all focused on the hundreds of women on the screen.
"please...we seem to be experiencing some kind of technical problem" the Mc spoke into the mike.
He must have switched it on and activated the loud speakers and that must have been what Short Sam just have been waiting for.
The audio was activated immediately...with a loud screech that everyone held his/her war instinctively.

"....were kidnapped and held in a container like sardines...the Chief...Chief Amunike...he has been trafficking widows like us for over ten years through the widows initiative sham owned and run by his wife..."
I looked around the hall, trying to gauge the reaction from the crowd...at first it seemed they were annoyed at the invasion, the dance routine was quite interesting after all, but with time, as the words began to sink in....there was a captivated air around the hall and every where was dead silent. Even the ushers and waiters all seemed to stop all movement.

When the narrator took over...speaking as the video captured all the women in their little groups and large numbers, there was another gasp from the crowd as they all began to grasp exactly what was happening.
I had my gazed fixed on the 'high' table all along and I saw the Governor and another person I tool to be the commissioner of education glance at the chief for one worrying second before glueing their eyes back to the gigantic screen.
For the first time I released a deep breath I hadn't even been holding...or maybe I had been holding it for so long...probably from the moment I had snatched the papers from the Chief's house of operations...the breath seemed to say...it is over...or at least almost over.
I stood fixated like everyone else, watching and listening while the chief and his wife squirmed in their seat.

When the widows all broke into a round of applause and the camera zoomed into my haggard and old face, with the narrator announcing me as the hero who had hunted and taken down the initiative and saved the women from the uncertain but gruesome fate ahead, I turned slowly and headed for the entrance.
My job here was done..I wasn't interested in any recognition...so long as the Chief was exposed, I was fine with that.
Right now, I had two of my friends in the hospital, a shadow and and executive strapped up in a particular flat somewhere in the mainland, and most important of all...I had Olivia waiting for me.
I was going home.

Damn! Scalding hot!!!!
Madam bib294 tnx for the invite..
Apollux I'm definitely searching for your stories...this has started with a climax already..thumbs up man
Menesky I'm definitely in..what's ma number pls..
Salute all the gr8 writers onboard

I stared at the timer for what seemed like eternity, looking dumbstruck.
Where would I get the last digit from? What do I do? What.....
Was this the end? Was this how I was going to die? No...there had to be a way..I had to figure something out....
Beep beep!
Two short beeps brought my eyes to the timer. It read: 00:00:58
Christ! Less than a minute left...I didn't want to die! Not like this..there was my parents...I couldn't believe I wouldn't see them again, my sisters,my nephews and nieces..I was their favourite uncle and the thought of not seeing them again, fake boxing with the older ones and throwing the younger ones in the air was a painful thought...too painful...the worst was not seeing Olivia again..being robbed off the possible future we could have together....
Get a grip of yourself! A voice scolded me and I shook the thoughts out of my head and blinked rapidly.
00:00:33
I needed to think back....
The night I had seen Mr X, he had been swift in giving me the phony code...too swift and I had wondered if he had given me a fake one.
He had acted a bit creepy and I had been in a haste to leave his house but now I thought back to his attitude.....the line about his daughter being an interior designer had seemed to get under his skin and he told me the code after that...but something in the way he said it...
I looked at the timer....00:00:19
What if he had given me the code and the same time withheld it from me?
"My God what am saying?" I thought aloud..but the hasty countdown couldn't let me consider my mental state..
Instead I forced myself to think back...
What if he wanted to free his conscience considering his daughters memories but at the same time his bitterness wouldn't let him let go easily..
I thought hard, shutting my eyes..
He had said 386...what if he meant..3-8-6..
Three eight six...
Three eight....three eight....eight in three places...then six?
Beep beep!
I opened my eyes in horror: 00:00:08
The countdown was at its final stage..I raised my finger slowly..
There was no other choice...if I was wrong, I was dead anyway...if I didn't risk it I was also dead..
I keyed the first two letters:
8 8 _ _
00:00:05
8 8 8 _
00:00:03
8 8 8 6
I squeezed my eyes shut expecting to hear the beep or any sound..when there was silence, I opened one eye first then the other.
The timer read; 00:00:02
Two breathless seconds after it still read: 00:00:02
It had worked!
My knees were suddenly weak and I melted to the floor.
I breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm my racing pulse.
Then slowly I got to my feet..I had just saved everybody in the hall...including the chief...but it was time to take him down.
I brought out my phone and dialled the last called number.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Hello...Obasi!"
"Short Sam...do it now"
"Yes boss...your number one hacker is on the job!"

The hall had about two gigantic screens that displayed every event in the hall that was caught by the videographers and my hacker pal was about to scramble their signal and work some magic.
The interview from the morning was going to be displayed on the two 90 inch projector screens any minute from now



[P.s: sorry for the late/short update having electrical problems and a red battery, had to rush this.. would modify/ update soonest]