₦airaland Forum

Bibi294:
So thrillingly and suspense packed.... This last update make sense die

Madam bibi thanks happy weekend

honourable356:
This sounds like a white movies..
captivating...
Intriguing...
Action packed..
Suspense...
Unpredictable and
Entertaining!

Is this truly your imagination??
Impressive!

Thanks sire..I'm glad you're enjoying it
.stay tuned for more

rachealfst:
Yes i have, thanks for the update. You or is it doctor mary almost gave me hbp o, Andy died ke. I'm glad the body turned out to be Shadow's.
In falz voice "weldone sir"
Happy weekend!
#Team Olirex

Tnx ma and happy weekend to you too
That shadow was really a thorn in the flesh he would be missed sha
I appreciate ur comments
Remain blessed

MariamAlheri:
Great story! Keep it up bros.

Tnx madam I appreciate!

nastynic:
true bruh....


I've been working on a lot, school nd stuffs...
How is the Gig moving bruh??
Plus, thanks rachel,
Ma'am I see ya

Its moving smoothly bro..just one update at a time..we'll see what happens.
Stay safe bro.

Nastynic I sight you..its been long bro

My family(Olivia was family now) trooped in. I was still staring at the fan just watching the blades and humming a beat to the squeaky sound. I believed I was getting a melody. The room I was in was just a section at the end of the hall seperated by the normal blue curtain. My bed was against the wall and another stood tobthe side. Although it eas empty. Mt dad moved the curtain aside roughly and I lit up once I saw them. They looked healthy and fresh. Olivia sat in the chair and the gown she had on,I couldn't really tell the colour..my eyes were not yet fully adjusted to the spill of sunlight in the room, from the solitary window, but I could tell the gown matched her well. My dad who wheeled her in was decked out in one of his numerous khaki shirts and shorts. He always loved knee length shorts, his long hairy yam legs were on display and gave the impression of how deadly a kick would be. He had to bend a little (instinctively) when he passed the door as he was almost as tall as it. My mother followed in one of the gowns I remembered from my childhood, something my immediate elder sister used to call her 'uniform' and I knew she had rushed here impromptu. I noticed all the clothes they had on in mere seconds but I also noticed the trio of them had the same expression on! Worry! They wore it like a cloak and i could see it reflecting from three pairs of eyes.
"Rex what happened?" She was at my side.
"We received a call from this hospital early this morning that you might need-_ _ b-blood" she said the 'blood' with a shudder. Blood was a no go area to my mother not that she got nauseous at the sight of it but the concept and what it stands for, or to be precise what the lack of it stands for is something she shied away from. She hated calling anything related to death in the same context with herself or family,as a matter of fact she was always positive in her words always using positive words to describe when we fell sick, always saying "you're strong" even days when I was too sick and weak to move. I remember her always saying "I am rich!" Periods when her shop wasn't turning in much capital and my dad was inbetween jobs or to be honest had gambled away some jobs. She would continually say "I am rich" most times my stomach growled something entirely different in reply.
(maybe its the saline solution, but I'm feeling quite descriptive)
Anyway, My dad spoke up "they said you were giving blood, who were you giving blood to?"
"It was just a sign I saw. A donate blood sign. It touched me I decided to try free donation..there are plenty lives to save"
"Rex, where is Andy?" He asked straight to the point.
I had no response to that. I could see their faces, it was like they held their breath waiting for my reply.
Suddenly I couldn't lie anymore. It was the least I owed them. I had dragged them into the middle of something they had no idea about and it was unfair that I hadn't been more upfront with them before now.
"Andy is in recovery..he was shot last night.but the Dr said he scaled through" The only word they heard was 'shot'.
"My God! Shot!!"
"Rex..look at me..what is happening?"
"Rex what have you gotten into?"
Olivia: "so where's he now? How did it happen?"
Too many questions. I winced on the bed as if I was in pain and they stopped their firing for a second.
"Are you okay?"
"Wait..calm down boy"
The nurse Ify returned. She smiled at my family.
"He should be very fine now..I just need to check his vitals and his blood pressure then he can be released"
The possibility of getting out of the bed was to sweet. I swung down with energy that contrasted the way I had been behaving just seconds before.
Both my parents and Olivia were quiet as they watched in silence.
It felt good to have the needle out of my arm and she was apparently satisfied with my blood pressure reading.
"Iemme give you some privacy" she announced after she replaced the stethoscope around her neck. My heart rate was normal she announced I had just been over stressed before.
"Please that other doctor..she shouldn't come here and try to drive us like before. She's on her own this time around" my dad said with a frown. I knew he didn't like the way she had handled them earlier.
"Not to worry sir, her shift is off" nurse Ify answered him with a cheerful smile as she left us.

I tested the ground and I felt fine. Although my legs still felt rubbery..I tried to add a little weight on my heels as I got up slowly I could feel my legs now, although it felt like a thousand pins being released. I kicked out each foot and was rewarded with a sharp 'crack' sound from the knee joints, I stretched.
They kept on looking at me. "Rex, can you walk?..are you okay?"
I assured them i was..then "whatever it is you are in put it on a hold. I don't even want to know now. Please we need to see Andy"
I nodded. Although I didn't know where he was I also needed to see him.
We filed out of the hospital. With me leading the way and my dad pushing Olivia's wheelchair behind me. Followed by my mom. I heard my mother say "I hate hospitals and This their antiseptic smell"

It took some time but finally I saw the doctor lady who had immediately attended to Andy when he had been brought in the night before. She was in regular clothes. Her shift must have ended but she seemed like someone so committed to the job that she still hung around.
"Excuse me, please my brother was brought in here last Night..gunshot wound. Please can we see him. No matter how brief."
She put down what she had been reading and studied me. I pleaded with my eyes, she also studied my family hurdled to my side.
"Hmm..you're his family?"
"Yes we are"
She got up. "Please follow me"
She led the way and we followed. I thought she was leading us to the ICU or wherever Andy was, but instead she led us to a little office.
"Please have a seat" she gestured to a group of chairs while she went to rhe window and opened the blinds. The window was on the outside and sunlight dances through the wooden blinds.I didn't feel like sitting, I wasn't liking the vibes I got from this office. The posters on the wall for one. Most of it talked about dealing with grief with captions like Even the best surgeons can not stop the divine call
Hmmm...divine call? There where pictures of crying people being hugged by doctors and further captions like 'grief is healthy. Consult with us and let us get through it together'
I didn't like what I was seeing or where my head was going. But still..maybe it was just her office.
"Your brother..." She turned to my parents "your son..was very strong..the resemblance between the two of them is striking"
This was the first time I was hearing Andy and I looked alike. But I was focused on her use of past tense. What did she mean by was?
Apparently my parents were thinking along the same lines and I could feel their eyes roaming round the walls at the pictures and the meaning.
"What do you mean was?" My dad asked her.
She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. "This is the part of the work I hate.."
"Oh no.." Someone gasped I think it was Olivia or was it me??
"The damage the gunshot did to him was just to much..he actually stabilized a bit..but he wasn't brought here on time the blood loss was too much and ....." I spaced out for some seconds. I could only see her lips move but not hear the words that she said. "....I'm very sorry, we did our best but..."
I spaced out again. I looked to my parents. I could see their eyes wide in shock and disbelief my mom looked like reality had just given her a serious backhand slap. She couldn't even make her usual positive assertions like "he's alive" right now. I could see a single tear roll down Olivia's cheek my dad's eyes were closed. With a strange expression on his face. Andy had been like a second son to him. Most times I felt they even got along better than he did with me.
The doctor was still rambling on but I wasn't listening.
"Doctor that's a lie..its not possible!" I got to my feet.
"I understand how you feel believe me but-"
"No you don't understand how I feel if not you won't try to convince me" maybe I was the one in denial now. But I couldn't believe this..no way!
"Please accept my deepest sympathies..we have a family consultant. He'd be with us shortly. I understand how hard it is to deal with the loss of a loved one. Recently I lost my-"
"Where's the body?"
She blinked "its still on the table..please have a seat I know how-"
"I need to see him"
"Of course you're his family but its against policy for you to see him the way he is now. I hope you understand"
"No..you need to understand..I need to see him now..that's the only way..please you need to let me. I beg you"
"Rex its okay" my mother called out. Her voice was breaking and I knew the tears were not far off.
"No mama..I refuse to believe this..." I turned to the doctor "please all it would take is just one second..just one glance what would it cost?"
I could see her battling with herself. She kept on looking at us. From my dad to me then my mother and Olivia( the tears were flowing freely and noiselessly now) the pity in the doctor's eyes was what shook me the most..my God if Andy were dead... I shook the thought out of my head. He wasn't dead I believed this stubbornly he wasn't... But I was feeling some kind of strange heaviness in my chest.
She got up and for a second I feared she was about to ask us to leave.
"I can only take one of you into the theater..and its just for a second only"
"That's all I need"
I looked at my family. My dads eyes were still closed and he kept rubbing his head as if dealing with headache. The first sign of tears had appeared in my mothers eyes and Olivia....Olivia was visibly shaken..she kept looking at me through glassy eyes as she blinked away the tears that was fast resembling a waterfall.
The doctor who if I remember correctly had been referred to as 'Mary' by Dr Rasheed led the way to the door.
"A doctor would be with you shortly..please try and speak to him...once more I'm deeply sorry for your loss" she said to my parents before leaving.
She left the cabinet sized office and I followed her. I turned back as I closed the door and the look on their faces had me cursing myself, cursing the chief, cursing the shadow..but mostly I cursed myself I tried to keep the guilt down as I walked behind doctor Mary but
I kept on thinking what if? What if I had never called the shadow? What if I hadn't missed the first time I shot at him? What if I hadn't even taken the papers in the first place?
I was so lost in the land of guilt that I didn't notice she had stopped. I walked straight into her.
"Oh! I'm so sorry"
She righted her self "its alright .you're depressed which is why I would strongly advice you not to look at his body..its an image you can not unlook at and it remains imbedded in your memory for life"
I nodded "please this is something I just have to do..you must understand"
She shrugged and led the way.
I followed her into the room. It was empty now and I could see about two waste bins filled to the brim with discarded plastic gloves. All were red with blood. I shuddered..Whose blood?
She handed me a pair of gloves and a face mask. "You won't be touching anything but you must have these on"
She led me to an inner room. "Any unfortunate case is kept here for the first few hours in case the family request for autopsy. We have a morgue on the ground floor and he would be transfered later today"

I could see the body on a table at the end of the room covered with a white sheet. My heart began hammering. She walked to the body and pulled the sheet just under the chin revealing the face. For a second I was scared of the truth. I remained rooted to the spot I felt like running out of the room but instead I walked over to the table and looked at the face.
"I'm so sorry for your loss"
I looked at her. Looked at the face again. My loss? This felt like a gain!! I almost wept out in relief but I had respect for the dead. No matter how I had hated this person now he was dead.
She still looked at me with her brows raised waiting for me to say something.
"Doctor...that's not him"
"Its not?"
"No its not" this was the shadow..terrible crazy assassin and Sule's killer! he hadnt gotten to the hospital on time and his diaphragm had ruptured while he bled to death.
"But you said..."
"Another person was brought in here with a stomach wound...he's the one I'm Asking about"
"Oh..my...I'm so very sorry...so so sorry..please forgive me (for a second I almost panicked...hope she's not 'sorry for your loss' again) I'm sorry the other person survived..he's still heavily sedated but he would be fine"
I finally released the breath I had been holding. She covered the shadows dead face. "I need to inform your parents it was all a mistake" she seemed embarrassed but glad that it was a mistake after all. I followed her out of the theater dumping my gloves and face mask in the waste bin as I passed"Believe me the biggest mistake was saying I looked like that man"

Olamega78:
Thanks to Baba God for the journey mercy. I'm not in the world of literature but, I acknowledge your outstanding work, even though, there might be room for improvement... Kudos to you and more power to your elbow... Please, we need updates oooo. Your work is quite intoxicating

Gracias bro..pls just point out any angles Ineed to work on iI'd be really grateful. The updates are coming trust me

rachealfst:
Good to hear,Welcome back. Thanks in advance for the rapid fire updates, I trust you won't disappoint us.

Thanks ma'am. Sure I won't.. have you caught up to the current page yet?

Sorry no update in two days. But the good news is I just touchdown lag now(thank Jah for journey mercies)
I can assure y'all to expect rapid fire updates from today.

cerowo:
Tnks 4 the mention sis

ikombe:
I don show

Thanx for d invite

boffinjay:
ohh!i bliv tz gonna b great.thanks 4 d invitation

Welcome on board!
@Ikombe u and ur pics again

rachealfst:
I've been trying to catch up for days, this story is line is dope.
souloho I give you a standing ovation for this. It's like I'm watching a season film, its action packed, i really love this.
Trust me you have to publish this story in fact this is a movie on its own.
More wisdom, knowledge and inspiration. God bless you.

@nastynic I sight you, you've been wonderful, I saw your comments on every post,thank you for encouraging the writer.


I need to call my people o. They need to read this great piece.

@wizsolzy, ikombe, Hadampson, Maryclaire1
TheBlessesdMan, cerowo, abefe99, yusufibrahim, Lankyannie, Dinabella, Blake, boffinjay, mereeam, BlissfulJeff, pejxy, Atayis, favouritetega, Adesina12, queenitee, ifecoded, cyndylove64, Sunshine47, Missmossy, girlhaley

If you are not reading this you are wrong.

Wow I'm humbled ma'am thanks soo much, I'm rily glad you're enjoying it. I can't tell u how many times I reread your post. I feel recharged to tackle the last part of the story.
Tnx for inviting ur ppl too
Pls stay tuned. I won't disappoint!

petitchouchou:
You really should. Writers are making good money off their work. Don't see why you shouldn't. Just ingnore the copyright thing!

BTW, I'm not a sir; I'm actually a lady tehehe.

Oh..my mistake then..thanks ma'am
Ur comments mean a lot

Olu317:
Your story lines especially the descriptive aspect of your thought etc are awesome . However, avoid using local term to make it more standard. It has nothing to do with identification with the region or country of origin of the novel or play cum story . Lastly, your French isn't correct. You can always consult French interpreters to help out. “Quel sera ou quel sera sera " is proper.

Mr Olu tnx so much for ur observation.
Just so I can be clear you mean pidgin English right
By the way thanks for the correct song lyrics I'd modify it ryt away.
Glad to read ur comment sah

I tried to clear my vision. I blinked slowly and my eyes opened gradually. I was staring at the ceiling, and...what was that? Okay just the fan rolling slowly with a squeaking sound after each circumvolution.
I moved my head and was surprised to find myself on a bed. I looked round the room as I tried to recall the previous events. Where was I?
It didn't come rushing back..rather I recalled it bit by bit, I had been searching for the shadow abi? What happened after that? Where was Andy? I had donated blood then Rasheed had told me that the Shadow had been admitted...so what happened?
I tried to get up but I couldn't. I couldn't lift my legs. They were not obeying. I counted 1-5 mentally planning to jerk my body up when I got to 5 but no such thing. My legs were not responding. I was flat on my back on the bed. And the helpless feeling was one I hated. I almost panicked but I closed my eyes in frustration.

A voice woke me up. "When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, what will I be....would I be pretty..would I be rich...here's what she said to me..." The voice was singing softly and it was very lovely. It forced my eyelids open and I turned my stiff neck to check the source.
I saw the same nurse who had taken the blood from my arm. The day before. (It had to be morning now..because if I was not mistaken I could see sunlight spill into the room)
"Quel sera...sera...whatever will-" she noticed I was awake and stopped. "Welcome back..Mr Rex..you almost caused me my job you know?"
She blushed slightly( or maybe my eyes were just red) "one thing is for sure..I'm never taking blood from anybody again..ever!"
My mouth was dry and it tasted like an abomination. I tried to speak. "W-what happened"
"You fainted that's what happened...conked out! You must have been really stressed out"
"Hmmm.." I tried to move my arm but I noticed a needle was connected to it. I was receiving an intravenous drip.
"What's the time please?" I croaked
"Hmmm..always in a hurry Mr Rex..its 10 minutes after 9."
She smiled "in the morning"
My eyes were immediately wide. "Morning...I've been sleeping since?"
"Believe me its a good thing you fainted if not if you didn't get to rest something worse could have happened"
I was silent. Then I frowned. "Wait..how'd you know my name?"
"Oh..your wife and your parents were here this morning to see you..I'm supposed to summon them the minute you were awake"
My wife?? That would be Olivia... I had totally forgotten about them..my parents also they would have been worried. It seems my brain was still slow.
"Wait..you say they're here?"
"Yes..lemme go and get them...very nice people..and they all love you very much"
She turned and I found my full voice by force.
"Wait! Nurse..Ify..Nurse Ify!"
She turned
"Please I'd like to see Dr Rasheed..the short doctor first..its very important."
"Hmmm..he left early this morning before 4 am..."
Damn!
"However he left this note for you"
She raised the metal tray and brought out a note.
"I won't say I didn't read it cause I did..I didn't really understand it anyway but I remember he referred to one patient as Shadow last night..that brought some very disturbing questions to my mind.." She came closer and handed the note to me. I took it with my left hand, as my right was busy receiving a drip.


Rest well, Mr X sends his regards, he'd contact you if the need arises. As for your partner. He pulled through the most dangerous part early this morning. Its safe to say his life has been saved. He's still heavily sedated and needs to recuperate. As for the shadow..its safe to say you shone the light...you know what that means


I folded the note as best as I could with one hand and stared at the ceiling. Trying to count the seconds before each fan blade passed.
Andy was alive..thank God..it wasn't over..but his chances were about 90% now I hoped..and the shadow was dead..he had died on the operating table..and i had been the one to 'shine the light' in the form of 4 bullets shot at him..i wonder how many had touched him...the important thing was one had and mortally too.
No more crazy notes and messages..no more crazy laughter and yours killingly no more..
"I have so many questions I can't ask....but why do you keep on referring to doctor Bode as Dr. Rasheed?"
I shrugged weakly. What did it matter? I doubted she would ever see him again. I had a feeling His work in this hospital was officially done.

She stared at me for some seconds.
"let me get your beautiful wife and your lovely parents..they have been worried sick..they wanted to stay here and watch you sleep.." She sighed emotionally and I knew she was a hopeless romantic. "If not for Miss Benita...that woman has no sympathy at all..she drove them out and even claimed your wife dumped her and ran off without getting discharged"
She hurried off in good spirits. I could bet the 'miss Benita' was the mean fat doctor who had been attending to Olivia before...little wonder she was 'miss' and not Mrs.
I felt fine now. Not weak or dazed or confused and as I stared at the ceiling fan, I wondered what explanation I would give to my parents. One thing was sure: I was tired of thinking of lies..no more lies ( well unless a suitable one came by itself..because one thing about my brain..it always seemed to have plans of its own)

petitchouchou:
It would be a terrible thing and I'd be an ingrate, if I didn't comment on your work! I've greatly enjoyed from start to this point Wow! This story is something else in a good way. I'd expected it to end before now, but if it had, I'd have been disappointed! Though the plot turned out long, the lines are still very meaningful and interesting.

I love the way you introduce the characters: not so short that the readers don't have a clear picture, and not so dragged on that it's overplayed.

You should get it down in a book if this storyline is yours or, sell it to movie producers.

P.S noticed you didn't copyright the story... You should to avoid copyright infringement.

Thanks so much sir..this post made my day.
Believe me the story line is 100% mine..I never really knew the format..just update by update and it began to take shape.
I'd seriously consider the publishing(I've always been my no1 critic and self doubt has been a killer believe me..but thanks for your vote of confidence!)
I'd copywrite it right away!! Tnx for the advice!

Once more..thank you bro..I really appreciate!!

Olamega78:
The story is one of it's kind. I'm seriously addicted to this wonderful piece and hope to see a happy ending... Meanwhile, kudos to the writer.... More power to your elbow

Gracias boss I really appreciate your comment.

She strapped what looked like a digital watch to my arm.
"Your pressure shouldn't be more than-"
"Please there is no time...where is..."
Dr Rasheed barged in right on cue.
He paid liitle attention to us just unhooked the plastic blood bag from the I.v stand. On his way out he stopped and turned.
"Mr Rex, when you go back outside inform Mr X....(he glanced at Ify, then probably decided to code it)X...Xavier that someone matching the Shadow's identity was just brought in..gun shot to the diaphragm and he almost bled to death..infact his survival is not sure right now.There's every possibility that he won't pull through. That was some good shooting. It seems he's the one with the delayed diagnosis now" with that he hurried out of the room.
My ears had perked up at the sound of the shadow. What? In this hospital? That man refused to die..well I needed to do something...
Ify was watching the digital numbers on the watch thingy frowning obviously not pleased with where the numbers were heading. She glanced at me.
"Who is this Xavier? Don't tell me he's in a wheelchair and who's this shadow? Is this x men or what?" She asked playfully and if everything was normal I would have laughed with her.She had a good sense of humour But my mind was on one thing; shadow! If he survived this he would keep on coming for me. I had to end this now!
It took all my energy but I unstrapped the bp checker from my arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" She asked me.
"I need to leave"
"You're weak, let me check your bp and give you the saline solution!"
"Don't bother" I staggered to the door and the floor danced underneath my feet. I needed to make sure somehow that the shadow didn't leave the operating room alive. I had to make sure the bastard died.
Maybe I should tell Mr X, he would know what to do. He seemed like a powerful man and he should have some strings to pull. He would be able to handle the shadow. I only entertained this thoughts because I stumbled down the hallway, on the lookout for the operating room the shadow was in.
I saw a male nurse hurrying by with a basket containing some funny looking liquid In small bottles.
"Please, my brother was just brought in now..gunshot wound to his diaphragm"
"Ooh..I'm very sorry but- wait are you okay?"
He tried to hold my arm but the basket he held must have been really important because he couldn't let go of it.
"Why? I'm fine...I'm fine" The floor was getting closer. "You didn't answer...answer me doctor. What of the shado- I mean my friend..no my brother?"
I heard him shout "Nurse!"
The floor got too close.
Everything went black.

phetto:
Best story ever

Tnx bruv!

"Andy....Andy is in the operating room..he got shot"
She gasped on the line "Oh my God!"
I regretted telling her but I was sick of lying.
"But he's pulling through I just saw the doctor now..he would be fine"(okay a small white lie but let's call it faith)
"Oh my God..who shot him? Tosin?where? How did it happen? Where was he shot?"
"Olivia I'd be home by morning and we can talk well"
"Which hospital?"
"Who's in the hospital?" I heard my mother's voice clearly on the line.
"No..its my friend..she's telling me of another hospital I should check out for another x ray"
Olivia was good on her feet..that was a fine recovery..my respect for her soared.
"Okay Stacy..talk to you later.." She ended the call.
I shook my head and smiled.
Betran returned to the car. He looked at me "My Pathfinder keys were attached to the case you snatched from me. I would like it back" he said stiffly.
"The case or just the keys"
"Just my keys. You are paying for the money now as you can see. Just pray your friend doesn't die"
Men sit your condescending ass in the car! I felt like yelling at him but he was right.
"Betran!" Mr X called him.
"Yes sir!" He ran towards the open door.
"Keep an eye on the new patients brought in..this hospital is the closest to the port and there is every possibility that if the shadow survives he would need medical help"
Betran hurried off.
I stood where I was for some minutes not sure of what to do.
Mr X just remained in the car staring at me. Then he brought out another dark looking bottle.
"Sometimes you just need to slow life down..to think well..here have a sip" he gestured the bottle to me.
I shook my head "no thanks..I have a feather brain when it comes to things like this"
He smiled. "You're a real straight arrow aren't you?" Then he sobered up immediately. "Do you have any idea how my daughters died?"
Yes sir I was there..I even had a hand in their deaths although my intentions were good.
"You know what..I need to use the restroom..I'd be back Sir"
I hurried towards the hospital. I was not in the frame of mind to go down that memory lane. Not yet.

I ran into Dr Rasheed in the hallway. He was heading outside.
"Any news?"
"His condition is stable for now..what he needs is blood. He lost a lot of blood and a lot more blood is needed. They can only take as much from the blood bank for a single patient. More would be needed"
"I'm O positive..where can I stay..take as many litres as possible. As long as it would save his life"
"Okay come with me"
He wobbled off on his short legs and I followed him behind.
He motioned for a young nurse. A very pretty lady. "Ify get blood from this young man..please be quick..I'd be back"
He turned to leave.
"Dr- Carmichael!"
He turned surprised.
"Please how is he really doing? What's the reconstruction you talked about?"
"His liver was affected, but it would be repaired..livers regenerate to some extent..and we have some of the best surgeons working on him now" He clapped his hands impatiently "we need blood! A severe liver lac requires as much as 40 units of blood during surgery!"
With that he stormed out and I held up my arm hurriedly for the needle.
The nurse applied the antiseptic with a cotton wool and I made a fist. I watched the needle as it got closer and I couldn't stop thinking about shadow and the sodium pentothal he had almost injected me with barely hours ago.
That bastard has ruined me for needles completely..but this was matter of life and death..besides it was taking not injecting..still I held my breathe.

I watched the blood spill into a bag.
from my arm.
The nurse Ify was a cheerful type and she talked to me, asking me questions. My Mind was far away..so many things to do..there was Andy on my mind, my parents..I had to book their flight and assure them that I was fine and not in any life threatening debt, there was Olivia..I had to take her for her second day injections at the private hospital and there was the widows initiative not far away..about three days away. I had to tackle thqt one and think of a way to ensure Olivia's safety And the car..I had left it at the port where Andy and I had parked it..so many things to do..and only me.
"I find what you're doing very very nice of you..most people don't ever disturb their selves with blood donations forgetting that it saves a lot of lives"
"Mmhhmm" I made the sound in my throat. My mind was far away.
"So is it your friend the blood is for?"
"Mmmhmm"
"Eeya...I wish him a speedy recovery"
"Mmmmhmmm"
She chattered away for some minutes then I felt her pulling away the needle.
"Heeey! Why are you stopping? That blood is too small now!"
"I can only take one unit at a time. That's about 450ml this is all for now"
"But you heard the short doctor..he said they needed as much as 40 units!"
"Yes they do..maybe more..the hospital should be able to provide some amount of blood for him and isn't there any other relative?"
"I'm all he's got and its because of me he's on that table .okay okay..please add another unit"
"That's 900ml of whole blood loss..it would have the same effects as a class 2 hemorrhage! If taken over a longer time it would be okay in a healthy donor but-"
"Look at me I'm fucking healthy..I can't let my friend die because of lack of blood!" I pleaded her with my eyes "he has a child waiting at home for him..please you need to do this"
"Hmm..okay....but I'd need to give you saline solution to replace body fluid" (saline solution is simply salt and water. It better be the solution in my case)

I urged her more and she took about 1200ml of blood. She did this grudgingly but the line about Andy's kid must have gotten to her.
I was feeling a bit light headed but I still urged her to take more.
"No..this is the most I can go..if I take any more than this, the saline solution alone can't replace it..you would need blood also..I fear I have overstepped as it is" she opened my eyes wide with her thumb and index finger. "Your eyeballs look dilapidated.. I need to check your blood pressure and your pulse rate"
She removed the needle and I saw the blood bag was almost full. But truth be told..I was getting confused...blood bag..what was the blood for again?
She placed the stethoscope on my chest. "Your respiratory rate is also slow..too slow. Are you in any way nervous? Confused? Restless?"
I shook my head and it felt like my head could fly off..this was what lightheadedness must mean.
I tried to get a grip. "I'm fine..please get the blood to Dr Rasheed..that short doctor..and get me the saline whatever"
She studied me worriedly "I need to check your blood pressure"

sikells:
Ok bro... your work is close to perfect... thumbs up... any update today?

Sorry no update yeterday..where I am now to charge phone alone is war and there have been serious power outage.
Two updates today tho..this first one might be a bit short.

P.s: thanks for following bruv

sikells:
thanks for the update boss... You too much

Thanks so much bro..I appreciate your ginger..please don't forget if there's any suggestion and any criticism so that I can improve

Precial419:
DIS WORK IS SO SUPERB. I LOVE D TWISTS AND TURNS. REX FAZING OUT IN HIS THOUGHTS. PAST OCCURENCE CATCHIN UP WIT D PRESENT . ITS SO NIX. KUDOS TO U GREAT WORK.

Wow thanks so much boss! I appreciate

"I stood staring with my mouth open..my sweet Sara..who had been a sweet innocent virgin..who had never had an eye for anyone..she had taken to prostitution to feed her kids! I must have stood there for too long because she began shouting..'kidnapper! Gbó òmó gbó Omo!!!" He laughed bitterly and gulped the contents. It seemed this particular trip down memory lane was the most difficult! "Imagine! Me! Accused of trying to kidnapp my own daughter! I ran that day and only God saved me because they sure would have burnt me to death if they had caught me..I had only one thought then and that has been driving me all these years..to bring the same pain to Amunike..to let him feel my helplessness, my anger and most of all to let him know there is nothing he can do..his children his wife and everything! Gone! All Gone I tell you!" His voice had gotten loud and a couple of old people who had been walking and laughing probably enjoying the night breeze and excercising their old bones loooked at us strangely.
He finished whatever he had been sipping in one long drink and threw the bottle on the ground harshly.Only when it bounced that I was aware it was plastic.

"But..later on the Chief still sent your daughters to school through the wido-"
"Bleep that! I don't care if he sent them to the moon! You know how that day keeps replaying in my head? No second goes by on this earth that I don't see my Sara rushing out of a bus with a wrapper barely covering her nudity!"
"I understand..but do you know that that widows initiative is being used by the chief to smuggle out widows? To God knows where for God knows what?"
"So? What's your point?"
"My point? Was that not the reason you wanted the coordinates soo badly? To help them?"
He shook his head. "I would have laughed at that but my smile was destroyed long ago...look here..I'm happy that my daughter was involved with you and also that Mona married your other friend, you seem like nice young men..but what I do I don't do it for moral obligation..many times I held a gun to my mouth..waiting to bite the bullet...but the one thought that kept me going was Amunike...that bastard is still alive..living lavishly! I tell you revenge has been the sole purpose that kept me going...it made me wake up each morning..was the reason I slept at night so many times in my life..with one thought...to wake up and carry out revenge!"
"So what do you have planned?"
He laughed..a very scary sound. "No amount of syrup can make me tell you that one..you just need to watch like the rest of the world"
Ohoo...so it was syrup..no wonder..
"No problem..believe me when I say I have no issue with whatever you do with the chief but his kids...or more specifically his daughter (Emenike was an âsshole) she has nothing to do with any of this..please consider that"
"And my daughters? Did they have any say in the matter? They were taken from a comfortable life that was improving to a life of luxury and placed on the streets? Did they have any choice??"
With that he got down and rounded the car. He opened the back door and got in quietly.
My first reaction was to follow him. Although I felt nothing could change his mind, I still had to try. The double door to the hospital opened and I watched eagerly but it wasn't Dr. Rasheed or Carmichael ( to me he would always be Dr Rasheed) instead it was a young couple with their little boy. The boy had a cast on his arm with the sling round his neck and as I watched them..I wondered about the shadow...I had shot him but somehow he hadn't died. I knew he would need medical attention and I hoped he had bled to death somewhere..I hoped-
My phone rang.
"Hello Olivia"
"Rex..what's going on?"
"Nothing much..why are you still up? You should be sleeping"
"Believe me I couldn't sleep..your mom too it seems..she just left not long ago..she said she needed to make green tea( she always did that when she was stressed or upset) so I was browsing on the laptop, just checking and I have a mail from the initiative"
"Really? What did it say?"
"That I have a meeting with their excos on the 3rd..an address is listed also"
"Hmmm...no problem we'd tackle it together I promise"
"I'm scared..when are you coming home? And Andy too?"
(Damn! She sounded like my wife...but she just asked about Andy and the images replayed in my head)
My shirt was stained with blood...his blood. I closed my eyes as I replied her.
"To tell you the truth..we may not be coming home tonight...I'd call my parents..they may need to shift their journey till night maybe..or better still I'd book a flight for them for the 1st" Today was 30th, the day after tomorrow was 1st and we'd have two more days to prepare for the 'meeting' with the so called excos..hopefully with Andy by our side..but it felt like wishful thinking.
"Rex what's wrong?..there's something your'e not telling me...where is Andy?"

"I understand that is my son in law fighting for his life now?"
I looked at him. I wondered how his features would have been when the burn wounds were fresh because 27 years later and he was still a pain to look at. His right eye was partially closed. Droopy in a way but the left was wide open. I could see the white of his left eye shining brightly and it was like he made an effort to keep it wide open. Probably to compensate for the half closed eye. I shook such silly thoughts out of my head.
"Yes sir...that's your son in law...and I'm sure you know its the hitman you contracted that shot him tonight"
"Hmmm...so you were the one who stole the papers then?"
What papers? Then I remembered the briefcase I had snatched from Betran at the night club. It felt like ages ago.
"Yes it was me, I snatched it from him..and I'm not sorry. I went through emotional hell all because of your little doctor..playing me for a fool and telling me about Israeli secret agents and terrorists"
He was silent. He took a drink from a dark bottle in his hands and I wondered what the content was. The way he sipped it I knew it was definitely not water. "So if you look at it, its your fault in a way...after all you snatched the briefcase that contained the cash meant to call off the shadow"
"The cash is still intact I'd give you all of it"
"Don't be silly..if I wanted it I would have gotten it back" he snapped impatiently.
"Look I don't have time for this..my bro is in there fighting for his life and I need to be as close as possible"
I turned to leave but he held my hand, his grip was surprisingly strong.
"Believe me..any news from the operating room would reach us here first...Carmichael would see to that"
I studied him..I was never short of questions and I asked away.
"Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you show yourself to your daughters? And what happened to you? What did the Chief do to you?"
He smiled and sat on the bonnet of the car. "So many questions..." He adjusted the chain on his neck, tucking it into the native he had on.Even in the dark I could see it was a very rich quality.
"I don't talk about my past...not to anyone...however.." He drank from his bottle again. "I'd tell you a little story"
He had my attention. I forgot everything for a minute. I sat on the car beside him and tried not to let my features show how difficult it was for me to look at his face.
"Years ago, I was married to this woman..she was everything I could have hoped for. I met her when she was still but a child and her parents would never have let her marry someone not from their tribe"
"What tribe was that?"
"If you want to hear my story then you listen...you don't talk!"
Who your story EPP self? Look at this man..with his chess board face but I needed to hear it from his mouth..to listen to Fome's father..a man she couldn't remember anything about. So I was ready to play by his rules. "Okay..I'm sorry..continue"
He sipped again.
"Any way..once I was through with my youth service...yes I served in her village...I had planned with her and she willingly left everything behind and ran away with me..I told her to forget about school..I would take care of her, I would provide for her and she wouldn't lack..this was back in '84"
He was quiet and I knew he was back in '84 he had a wistful look(if I read the expression right...cause his face ehn...) On his face and we were both quiet for about 30 seconds. He brought himself back. "Anyway..we got married immediately and a few 'discreet' handshakes was enough to convince the key people that she was above 18..and we got our marriage certificate"
Betran popped out of the car. "I'd be right back X, I need to-"
He cut him off waving him away and Betran rushed to the hospital. Probably to the loo judging by his speed.
"Married life was at first tough, my family wasn't really well to do and I lacked the right connection to place me in a good job. I was quite content with the job I found however working packaging for a food spice company that was very popular in those days and it was there I met Amunike...we became fast friends and very soon we were inseparable"
"I was quite content with life and a year went by, and i was happily married, our love grew and Sara was pregnant. She put to bed and I worked harder but it was always like the output didn't tally with the hard work I put in. It was when Mona came along that I knew I had to do something...baby food, baby diapers, baby medications..there was hardly nothing left to eat..Sara would never complain..she would always say for better or worse but deep down I hated myself..was this what I took her from her parents and family to face? was this life?" He shook his head and his voice was bitter "those years were not funny and I knew I had to find a way out..a better job or if not anything...I was not ready to go illegal but my mind was quickly changing."
He sipped again. And I almost asked him what it was that he kept sipping all the time. He continued "then one day..I remember clearly...I was walking from work. I had missed the staff bus because I was getting tired of coming home to see my daughter crying because I couldn't afford quality baby diapers for her and we kept on washing and rewashing towel napkins for her to use, Crying because I couldn't afford quality baby food and we kept on mixing one satchet milk with about a litre of warm water (he laughed bitterly) it seems even poor Sara's breasts had been sucked dry of all the milk...I was tired and searching for a way out...then one blessed day...I walked home with my shoulders down and my head bent...I saw young men pushing metal about in carts..condemned metal they told me..they would smash it and sell the scraps and parts...I saw it and I saw riches...I saw a way out of poverty...I saw an empire.....you know how?" He looked at me and I shook my head vigorously. "When.." He broke off and I followed his eyes, Dr. Rasheed was rushing to us. I stood up and my heart began hammering...he was bringing news about Andy.
"He's still on the table...his chances are fifty fifty" he sounded out of breathe, like he had run the whole four legs of a relay.
"How is he? Is he responding?"
He looked at me. "Initial control of bleeding has been accomplished,the abdominal wall is retracted and the falciform ligament has been taken down." He looked at Mr X as if for permission to continue and I sensed him nod in approval.
"Once anesthesia catches up with fluid resuscitation, and contamination is controlled, if he is stable enough to continue the operation, then reconstruction may be performed"
I didn't understand 90% of what he said. But one thing I heard...'reconstruction' what were they reconstructing??
"Reconstruction? Which reconstruction? What is wrong...what are they reconstructing?"
Mr X interrupted me "heey Carmichael...you can return...let us know how it goes"
"Yes sir!" He turned back and hurried into the hospital.
I looked at him. "What did he mean by reconstruction?"
He shrugged "I'm not a doctor...but your friend was shot in the stomach clean through...I'm guessing one of his organs was affected"
I put my head in my hands or my hands on my head...whichever one, I rubbed my bald middle (which had began growing back) "oh God..he was shot in the stomach..that would mean maybe his liver...Oh God or his kidney!! O!!! What have I done??"
"Look at me young man" he sipped again. I didn't look at him but he continued "beating yourself mentally won't accomplish anything..it would only weaken you physically...at least you have a good friend..mine set my house on fire and pushed me inside, locked me in and left me to die"
I wasn't really interested in his tale again. Or to be honest my mind was on my friend fighting for his life in the hospital.
"All because I had a steel business that was rising and growing rapidly..I shared my idea with him..let's run a partnership...but the greedy bastard needed to have all the glory! Well just a matter of time and I'd be bringing hell to his home..his sons..his daughter everybody! They would feel the heat and know what its like to be dead but still breathe!" The hatred in his voice had me raising my head and looking at him. "What do you plan to do? And your family thought you were dead? Why didn't you show your self to them"
"Oh..young man..I did show myself...I can't forget...a year later..when my face had healed somewhat..(I studied his face..it still didn't look healed now not to talk of then..but I held my peace) Sara had gone back home with the two children but the reception wasn't one that she deserved her mother had died and her father had about 3 other wives...they practically chased them out of the house...I managed to track them one faithful day. Imagine my family..my children...leaving in a car garage! From hand to mouth (his voice broke and I thought he would cry but I was wrong..this man was bitter..maybe sad.. But more like the angry type of sad) I tracked them one day and I saw Fome sitting in a corner, playing with dirt and sand and other rubbish that my daughter shouldn't ever touch. I knelt beside her and for a minute I thought everything would be okay...here was my daughter..I'd take my wife and my two daughters and somehow I'd bounce back...I'd find a way..Amunike had taken over my business but I could fight him...I was filled with so much hope..but then Fome looked up at me and she screamed in horror...screamed in fright and started wailing as if she had seen a ghost. It was like a bucket of cold water on the face..but then I saw Sara get out from one abandoned bus....in her haste I saw she had failed to put on her clothes as she hurried out to see what made her daughter cry..I saw the furious mechanic that had followed her, angry that he hadn't gotten his money's worth