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Dedicated to forzarush happy birthday..long life and prosperity and also wishing you a very safe pregnancy and safe delivery(tho I understand its still months away) God bless your family ma'am


°•°•°•°••°•°•°•°•
Samuel didn't pick the call.
I called him 3 times with no reply. I guessed he would be asleep. It was almost midnight
"Any luck?"
"I think he'd be asleep, he didn't pick up"
She nodded.
Andy was fast asleep and I was beginning to think of sleep also.
"We should sleep too, tomorrow would be very hectic for us..I'd call him in the morning"
The words just left my mouth when my phone rang. It was Samuel.
"Obazino...how you dey"
"S.s how far?" (S.s for short Sam)
"We thank God o..this one wey you remember me today wetting dey sup?"
"Sammy I go need a very big favour from you abeg"
"Of course, na favour go make you call me"
"Stop that..you have my number too now..or must it be me that would call?"
"Which favour be that? By the way how Fome?" (Sam was the guy I was with when I first met Fome)
"She dey..look I need your help can we meet up tomorrow?"
He was silent thinking.
"Lemme know what this help is first before I'd know if I would be around"
"I need you to hack into one website for me and change something"
"Oba you know I don't do that again?"
"S.s this thing is not for fun..I swear its between life and death!"
"The word on the street is that you're the angel of death itself"
"Which street...you office dog mentioning street..look..thank God tomorrow is Saturday expect me in your house before 1pm"
"Oba..you have started again..what exactly do you want me to hack..I don't do illegal things anymore"
"Don't worry..its something small no big deal...see you tomorrow"
I knew I had bamboozled my way and I decided to placate him by hailing him before I ended the call.
"S.s. the shortest and sexiest..the smartest And smoothest..the shortest but strongest! I hail you bross! See you tomorrow!"
He was laughing as I cut the call.
Olivia was smiling "you're something else I tell you..so he's open to the idea?"
"Don't worry he would be, now lemme show you to your room so we could rest well"
I made no attempt to move and we still sat staring at each other. I hadn't meant to say 'we' and I thought it sounded like I planned to climb into bed with her.
The silence was getting awkward I had to say something.
"So how do we do your medications.. I mean your injections?"
She smiled as if she knew what I had been thinking "well I know the painkillers I was being given..I always make it my business to know something like that and we could get it from any pharmacy and you could give them to me"
My God..was she flirting with me?
Only she and God knows how my expression had been because she burst out laughing "I'm sure you're scared of needles..even me after what I had seen today I wish I didn't have to take another one in my life."
I totally agreed with her.
"We can visit a private hospital later in the day for a checkup"
"That would be nice."

I wheeled her to the room downstairs.
Thankfully it had been cleaned up. I didn't remember Andy or myself cleaning it up. We had only made the gun suppressor in here and left. Maybe my mother or maybe Andy before he left to come to our rescue ..whichever one I was glad it was neat and dust free.

I had forgotten about the briefcase until she handed it to me.
"This case is filled with dollars..what's the story?"
I switched on the a/c in the room then took the brief case.
"Remember the assassin..Tosin? Well this money was meant to cancel the hit that was on my head"
"So how did you take it? The problem would have been solved if he had the money"
"As at the time yes..but I have this bad luck that has been following me and I snatched the case from someone at the hospital...although it provided some much needed clarity I was unfortunate to have taken the money meant to call of the hit man off my back and now he's taken it personal no amount of money can stop him now...I fear"
She looked at me and I knew I needed to get out of the room. My thoughts were doing summersaults in illegal territory.
"With me on your side your luck is bound to change..trust me"
"Amen to that" (it seems I said the 'amen' to remind myself that there was God o)
I pulled the curtain
"Lemme allow you get some rest..we'd see in the morning"
I headed towards the door but she stopped me.
"Rex..."
I turned.
"I left my bag and all my clothes at the hospital..I would have changed into somethng different..I wouldnt want to sleep in this same clothe I've had on since morning"
"I'd be right back"
The wadrope in one of the rooms was fully loaded with Gwens clothe obviously paid for by Ariyo..the sheer volume of the clothes could fit into a small shop.
Clothes wouldn't be a problem for Olivia...not on my watch.
I rummaged the wardrobe for a suitable night wear. Gowns gowns and more gowns..all form fitting and some very low cut. I imagined a particular one on her as I held it. It would be smashing.
I made up my mind to bring her here in the morning to select any one of her choice.
I continued searching for a suitable night gown. I saw one finally but I shook my head. This kind of nightie was worn when a wife wanted to drive her husband crazy..it was almost transparent for one. Apart from the double linings that covered the boobs and the crotch part.
I imagined Gwen with her model body in this and I shook my head in amusement. Ariyo would just kill himself very soon..he should continue.
I turned the closet inside out but I didn't find anything else apart from a very big shirt that I guessed would come to her knees when she wore it. That might be good enough. However I carried the two of them downstairs
"You make your choice..the one that would be comfortable"
"Thank you so much" she raised her eyebrow when she checked out the night dress and I smiled innocently.
"I think this shirt would have to do...but this night gown..." She looked at it as if considering and I knew it was wise to leave now before my little major began to have other ideas. Because even with the leg cast on she still looked 100% sexy.
"Okay Olivia..have a good night rest. We'd kick off tomorrow" I looked at the wall clock. "Or later in the day..its already past 12"
"Rex" she stopped me in my tracks again and I don't know if it was just me, but her eyes said she knew why I was running.
"Help me to get this gown off..my leg cast makes it hard to pull it over my head..and one of the nurses usually helped me back at the hospital"
I swallowed, Oh boy....
"Okay..."

I helped her slide the gown down her shoulders then all the way down. It took all my willpower not to stare but I still failed woefully...her skin was next to flawless it glowed and I had this insane urge to kiss the skin from her shoulders as the gown slid down.
I continued easing the gown off, inch by painful inch..
At the main region now and I wondered what lay beneath...I was glad(or disappointed?) To see she had a bra on. I averted my gaze and focused on getting the gown down completely but I was painstakingly slow..and it felt like seduction although who was getting seduced I couldn't say because I noticed the rise and fall of her breast had increased. I glanced up for a nano second and her eyes were dark and unreadable.

She shifted in her seat so I could get the gown down her hips and I noticed she had matching underwear on..the type of lace Victoria tried to keep a secret if you know what I mean.

Lust meets love I guess that was my case and I ogled her smooth thighs as I slid the gown down.
But then I got to the cast. And It shattered like glass. The cast was like a slap in the face and I remembered what it stood for...she had just lost her husband barely a week ago and here I was ravishing her body(delicious body) with my eyes and mind.

My movements were stiff and mechanical as I got her out of the gown.
She was able to wear the shirt herself and I only helped her to get to her feet partially so the shirt could slide down to her knees.

I looked at her and her eyes were clear now. Maybe the cast hadn't affected just me. (Because it sure as hell 'casted' the mood)
"Good night Rex"
I fixed a slow country song on the stereo a Don Williams album, and I bade her good night as he was crooning about some broken hearts that never mend.


•°•°•°•°••°•°•°•
The next morning I was up earlier than usual. Andy had passed the night in the parlour and I felt bad for not waking him up to move to the room but my thoughts had been jumbled the previous night.
It was just 6am and I let him sleep as I moved around with a cup of coffee in my hand, thinking of my parents and how I would explain Olivia's presence to them.

My dad was the first one down which was a first.
"Good morning dad"
"Morning my son...how was your night?"
I had expected questions from him about why I hadn't come home the night before, at least before they went to bed but he was obviously in a good mood.
"My night was fine dad..how was yours?"
"Splendid...I need to fix myself with a cup just like that in your hand"
He headed to the fridge humming and I was surprised. He must have woken up on the right side of the bed. Then I remembered I had seen them cuddling last night. Which was the first sign of affection I had seen from both of them ever! Something was definitely up..because when I was growing up I had often wondered how they got together to produce four children they never showed the smallest sign of intimacy..they never even held hands. Maybe only during the grace.

I was determined to make use of the good mood.
"Dad..." I followed him to the kitchen were he was still whistling happily.
"I have a lady friend in the house..she's just recovering from an accident and she's upstairs right now..please please and please when you meet her don't make her feel uncomfortable, I happen to care for her and she's my very good friend"
"Very good friend abi? So that was the work you went for yesterday?" He mixed milk in his cup and studied me. "What can I say..you're a grown man and its your house...but play safe" he winked at me then went to the dispenser to get hot water.
I shook my head..no need to correct him because last night I had harboured thoughts that were far from safe.

We sat in the kitchen drinking coffee and very soon Andy joined us. He kept on holding his head.
"Morning pops" he greeted my dad then opened the fridge. "I'm still so hungry"
"Andy how na...so your friend tells me he brought a friend home last night"
He looked at me "yea..Olivia..I thought that was a dream"
"So you know her?"
"Yes sir..she works with us...she had an accident and she's on leave from work"
Sometimes it was like Andy's brain and mine were connected.
My dad was satisfied with this and we spent almost an hour discussing football. We drank about two cups each apart from Andy who drank cereal with his. (The effects were still lingering this morning)

My mum came down before 7 am and Andy and I briefed her of Olivia's presence. My mum was very emotional and once she heard Olivia had survived a motor accident she went into mother hen mode. I didn't even mention her husband had died..that wasn't necessary.
She stood at the gas cooker fixing breakfast and I was beside her. My dad and Andy were few steps away sitted at the table.
"The poor thing...where is she now..resting? Okay good..how is the leg? Hope she's okay?"
My dad laughed over something Andy had said and she cautioned him.
"Al..lower your voice we have a guest that is sleeping Haba!".
He raised his hands and smiled apologetically.
"You need to tell me this your secret o mama...you've finally tamed the beast!" I whispered and she smiled.
She opened the pot expecting to see the remaining soup but it was empty. She frowned but didn't say anything.
"Watch the plantain...don't let it burn o..lemme go and check on your friend" she left the kitchen for the guest room and I was tasked with frying the remaining plantain.

'Check your friend' took up to 30 minutes and I had fried all the plantain and even fried the eggs before she came back. She pushed Olivia to the kitchen and she had such a big smile on her face I knew she liked her. She had changed Olivia's gown to one of the few unslutty ones from upstairs which confirmed my suspicion that it was my mom who had gone round the house and cleaned it up.
"Good morning sir" Olivia greeted my dad as my mum wheeled her to the table.
"Morning angel...so nice to meet you..how's your leg?" My dad was apparently on his good behavior too and he smiled genuinely at her. It seems she had won them over without even trying.

We had breakfast like a very big family. The table was lively and my dad and Andy kept on trading tales and jokes. My mum had shared the extra eggs I fried for her and my dad into our plates.
"I'm watching your dads cholesterol level..even me too" I knew my dad loved anything protein. Eggs, meat, fish but he didn't complain but agreed heartily. He settled on tea with his plantain.

Olivia and I had some eye contact and I knew she was remembering last night or early in the morning. I winked at her to prevent any awkwardness and she smiled.
I ran into my mothers stare and I could see the smile in her eyes and read her expression clearly. There was still hope for her boy!

She wheeled Olivia to the parlour and I could hear them talk and laugh. Andy and I cleared the dishes while my dad wondered to the bar ready to start of with some ammunition probably.
"How far with Samuel?"
"We'd go to his house by noon"
"How far your parents?"
"I'd think of something to tell them"
"Okay..the three of us would go then"
I nodded but then I remembered the message the shadow had sent to me.
"Bro..I think you should stay with them...I'd leave the gun with you..just to be safe"
He nodded.."no problem..since they'd be leaving tomorrow its best to make sure they're safe"
"Thanks bro"

We all relaxed in the parlour with my dad merry from the meal and the ammunition telling us stories of his ram 'Rambo' and all his conquests.

By 11:15am I announced "Olivia has an appointment with the doctor by 12 we'll need to get prepared"
My dad perked up. "I need some fresh air..I'd go with you"
I looked at Andy...this wasn't good..this was bad news..
Trust my friend to come through once more. "Sir..I thought we were going to watch Chelsea's match today?"
"But its later in the day now"
"Yes but....we could watch arsenal first...nothing pleases Chelsea fans more than seeing arsenal lose"
My dad burst out laughing..."that's true..that's true...I think I'd relax with this bottle and enjoy the game"
I breathed a sigh of relief then joked about arsenal shocking them and we all laughed.
My mum came from the kitchen.."what would be for lunch? I don't know the ghost that finished that pot of soup"
"Martha breakfast hasn't even digested you're thinking of lunch. Come and sit down biko." He pulled her to the chair and they giggled like teenagers.
Perfect time to escape
"That's it...I'm out of here...Olivia let's go please..before they spoil us"
"Hope you'd be back in time?" My mum called after me.
"Yes we would"
Andy escorted me to the car.
"I'd bolt the gate. If anything turns up..you call me"
"Sure thing..see you later"
"Take care Andy" Olivia waved him and I sped off.

°•°•°•°•••°•°•°°°
Samuel lived at the other end of Lagos. Towards badagry but the good news was there was no traffic. The BMW ate up the distance like a snack and very soon I was at Agbara already.
I called him
"S.s hope you dey house...I'm on my way"
"You just dey carry your wahala dey come sha...I dey house, I dey..bring something come o"
"Taaar! Are you my child...you don't know I'm your guest" .
He laughed and cut the call.
Olivia smiled "The way you and your friends relate...I admire that.. like you have every right to demand something from them and they always answer you...he will come through right?"
"He would..don't worry..That's what friends are for...how about you...any close friends?"
"Pfffft...friends? More like acquaintances"
"Really?Why is that..you just have bad luck picking good friends or what?"
"The only person I considered my close friend turned out to be fucking my husband behind my back..imagine that!"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing...what manner of man would cheat on this woman?
"You mean he was cheating on you?"
"Yes...as a matter of fact we were going for marriage counselling when a trailer ran us over"
I was quiet.."I'm sorry for that"
"For him cheating..or for the accident?"
"For all of it"
She smiled "you're really sweet you know that?"
No I didn't, but I kept quiet. I kept on replaying last night...my thoughts hadn't been sweet then and I had a feeling she knew.
The car was silent the rest of the way as we were lost in our thoughts.
Finally I entered Samuels estate. I hadn't been here since his baby's dedication about three years ago. I located his house easily and I called him as I parked in front of his house.
"Come in" he said the moment he picked "you know the gate is never locked"
"Nice try...come and chain your dogs first abeg"
"They don't bite na"
"Oga answer me abeg"
He laughed "I'm coming"

Short Samuel had really changed from the book loving student to a more social man. He opened his gate then smiled with open arms.
I lifted him easily till he kicked the air.
"Obazino!! Baddest man!! Where Fome na?" He saw Olivia behind me then whistled "Nna forget Fome...put me down and introduce me to this person"
I winced when he said that, and my conscience was pricking me...had I truly forgotten Fome so soon?
I introduced them and he smiled and kissed her knuckles.
He nudged me out of the way "shift my friend!" He took control of the chair and wheeled her in.
"Hope you didn't hurt yourself by tripping for this dog" I heard him ask her as he wheeled her inside.
I shook my head but I smiled. I went to the car and retrieved the laptop and modem.
Samuel was a joker but he was a genius with computers and once he hacked into the website and altered the number, the real work would begin..

That ifemelu been vex me eh

Downstairs, I met Olivia laughing.
"What's up?" I asked her as I rounded the stairs.
She pointed at Andy in response.

My guy was drinking soup from the pot like it was water. He put the pot down and smiled with his oil smeared lips.
"Oba Mumc sabi wella. Bleep! This soup sweet, But the hunger no gree commot o"
He continued drinking from the pot again and I had to laugh.
"Garri is the key..once you drink garri with no sugar your head would come down"
"You're right! I should turn garri and eat it with the soup"
He hurried to the kitchen with the pot in his hands.
Olivia was cracking up.
"I think he's going to make EBA o"
"Na him sabi"
I wheeled her into the parlour.
The a/c was still switched on.
"What would you like to drink?"
She looked around "I thought this wasn't your house?"
"Its mine for the weekend. And I have a fully loaded fridge"
She smiled. "This still feels like a movie..if you have any energy drink that would be very nice"
I got one from the fridge.
I checked Andy in the kitchen.
He was boiling water on the gas cooker.
I switched it off.
He looked at me accusingly with red eyes. He was chewing a piece of chicken and I saw the pot he still held was empty.
"What are you boiling water for? You've licked the soup finish na!"
He burst out laughing "Omo..wetting Mumc go talk?"
I poured garri in a plate, opened the fridge and finished a tin of milk in it.
"You got high to save her sons life..I'm not sure she would mind the soup is finished."
I set the plate in his front. "Oya mix cold water and drink it..I want to brief Olivia about the widows initiative...we would be in the parlour"
"I'd be with you shortly" he hadn't taken his eyes of the plate.

I handed Olivia the can drink and switched on the TV but muted it. The colours danced in the background and gave the parlour a homely feel.
She sipped from her drink and seemed relaxed.
"So Mr Rex. What have you gotten me into?"
I paced round the parlour looking at the paintings for a while. (Ariyo was an Art freak) and different paintings hung on the walls.

Finally I sat down on the chair closest to her.
"I used to be engaged to this woman...and my friend ( I pointed towards the kitchen) used to be married to her sister. We never knew they were siblings. Everything started three weeks ago..."
Andy came into the parlour.
"How could you start without me?"
"Jesus Andy..why's your plate steaming?"
He looked down and shrugged. He sat down and I saw his plate wasn't garri anymore at least not the drinkable type.
He must have mixed it with the water he had been boiling.
I couldn't even laugh.
I ignored him and faced Olivia.
"Everything started three weeks ago Or four weeks to be precise, my fiance had previously introduced me to a man who she said was a father figure in her life..his name is Amunike, chief Amunike but we call him chief"
"Wait...so sorry to interrupt but this Amunike he's the owner of one alcohol..Amu something right"
"Yea ammunition how did you know?"
"My husband practically worshiped the man.. Ever since he interviewed him for the business section on his paper he could hardly keep quiet about the man"
"Hmmm..well that man is pure evil..he doesn't just make his money from the rum business or any other legal business he has. He is involved in arms dealing, drug dealing and much worse human trafficking"
She was silent as she took it all in.
"Don't forget the human trafficking too" Andy added with his mouth full.
I shook my head "Andy just focus on your milky EBA and leave the talking to me biko"
He frowned at me and continued his food.
"So..what happened three to four weeks ago?" Olivia asked stifling a laugh.

My phone vibrated before I could reply her. I checked it and saw it was a message notification.
I read the message quickly but was determined not to give anything away and not to show how the message had shook me.

"Almost four weeks ago..my fiancé broke off the engagement and took off..said she was in love with someone else...as you would expect I took it badly and turned to alcohol.. ammunition...its ironic that the very same person who is the cause of my woes was made richer because I can't count how many bottles have been cancelled by Andy and I"
"Even last night..you should have seen us" Andy chipped in.
"Anyway the chief called me and I went to see him..I woke up with a splitting headache and I couldn't remember what had happened the previous night...I hadn't been in that his house and I snooped around"
She was listening vividly and when she took a long pull from her canned drink I glanced at my phone again and read the message hurriedly..how on earth did he get my number?
"You know what curiosity did to the cat...well what happened next?" She prodded.
"I saw some documents and bank transactions and bonds approximately 250 million naira.."
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Just lying around?"
"I tell you..just lying around..I'm sure you can guess what happened next"
She didn't waste time "you took it didn't you"
"Exactly and that was the moment all my trouble started"
"So lemme guess..the chief wants his money back?"
"I wish it was that simple..mixed with the documents was a particular paper which I took for just random numbers but it actually contained coordinates"
"Hmmm..this is sounding like some spy stuff" she put her drink on the cup holder on the chair.
"The coordinates contained what?"

I stood up and began pacing "I was made to believe the numbers were coordinates of terrorists location that the chief dealt arms with and I went through some horrible times trying to get it back"
"Get it back?"
"Oh yes..the papers were stolen from me...I didn't even know when, I just checked and it was gone...anyway not until yesterday..after I met you I found out it wasn't connected to any terrorist at all"
I could tell she was caught up. "So..what where the coordinates for?"

I sat down again..I knew I cut a restless figure but the message kept messing with my head.
"First you need to understand something"
"Okay I'm listening"
"Be right back..I need round two" Andy got up and hurried out.
"My fiance and Andy's wife were sisters and when they were little their dad was killed(although hw was still alive and i had a note in my pocket to prove it)and growing up was very rough..incidentally their dad and this same chief had been close friends and business partners..when their dad was killed the Chief manipulated his friends wife, their mother and bought the major shares of the business and the family of three ended up on the street and had a very horrible and poverty stricken childhood."
She gasped "you mean he didn't look after them? What about the money he bought the shares with?how did they spend it?"
"Everyone who can answer that question is now dead"
Her eyes grew wider which I thought was impossible.
"You mean..the sisters. They're..."
I nodded "yes they are. 72 hours now...things were not always bad however and the chief still came through for them and took care of them from their teenage years and sponsored them to school and also settled their mother..through an organization run by his wife known as the widows initiative"
"The widows initiative?"
"Yes..basically it is aimed at taking care of widows who have no source of help and nowhere to turn and have children but no suitable capital to take care of them"
"Wow that's very noble..very caring and thoughtful"
"Yes it was meant to be..but along the way the chief saw it as an opportunity to traffic vulnerable and defenseless widows with their children and over the years he has successfully trafficked countless widows out of the country to God knows where"
She was in shock. The pain on her face was so real.
"Oh my God..how can that even be possible? How can someone get away with something like that? How can someone be soo heartless?"
I shook my head.
"Those are questions only God can answer"
She was silent for minutes trying to digest the information which was hard to swallow.
I was also quiet but my mind was back on the message.

"So what were the coordinates really about?"
"From what I found out they contain the location where these widows are held prior to them being shipped out of the country"
"And you have the location..we have to do something! I have contacts from my late husbands newspaper we send it to them"
I saw the perfect opening for the proposal I was gearing to make. She had just said 'late husband' and told me she was a widow.
"Late husband? Your husband is dead?"
"Yes..a week ago yesterday..it was a car accident" she seemed to lose steam and forget about the initiative for a minute. "Look at me..a widow at 26..married for just a year" she stared into space again and I feared the depression would come again and it would be extremely insensitive for me to say..'so I was thinking if you'd agree to use your widow status as a bait for us to take down the initiative'
As a matter of fact I was getting against the idea...I had no right to expose her to that kind of danger and frankly speaking I didn't want to.

The silence stretched for seconds then she asked "why not send the information to the papers? Once it hits front page other newspapers pick it up..before night the president would have gotten enough phone calls that the Governor himself would supervise the team that would Burst each location"
"That's what I thought too but a federal agent had this same information and his superiors told him to stand down...I feel if we give this information to the papers, before it hits the stands the locations would be emptied! And the widows lost forever!"
"So what do we do?"
This was a good opportunity but I was beginning to have second thoughts.

Andy barged in the parlour with a laptop in his arms and a modem connected to it.
"Things are falling in place now..i was browsing on the widows initiative and they have an online forum for registration. That is how the widows are selected..you register then you're given a serial number its a first come first serve method" he brought the laptop and set it on the table in front of Gwen and I.
"Where did you see laptop and modem?" I asked him surprised. We hadn't taken any such thing from his house considering we had left in a hurry chasing the female cleaner at the time.
"Mehn..it seems Ariyo is one big sick Bleep! You need to see the history on the browser..him and Gwen must really be into different weird stuffs"
"Who is Ariyo?" Olivia asked.
"Our boss" I replied
I looked at Andy trying to get his attention and tell him to stop.
He was apparently still in the clouds because he continued without looking in my direction.
"All we need to do is register Olivia to the initiative and we wait"
"Register me to what?" She asked looking at Andy then at me.
"Andy" I said in a warning tone
"You mean you haven't told her?" He asked incredulously.
"No..genius I haven't"
I looked at her but I knew she didn't need an explanation. She knew very well what Andy meant.
"You want to register me to this initiative...the same initiative that is responsible for trafficking hundreds or thousands of widows out of the Country for God knows what..."
She looked at me and I couldn't read her expression. I was getting uncomfortable.
"We don't plan for you to get trafficked..its just a way for us to get in and we'll know the next step from there" Andy assured her.
"Besides our first plan is to check out each location one after the other..this was just plan B..but I understand its foolishness to risk you in such a way"
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it"
I was suprised "Are you serious..this is really dangerous, for one we don't how the widows get kidnapped"
"Oba what the Bleep! Do you want Mona and Fome's death to be in vain?"

"Its okay you don't need to fight..." She looked at me "Mona and Fome..those were their names?"
I nodded.
"Okay I'm in..how do we do this"

The website had the usual ramblings about the objective and goals. With pictures of various widows smiling and singing their praises for the initiative and how it had turned their life around and made things easier for them.
We logged into the 'create account' portal.
Filling up form after form and answering several questions. I got to find out a lot about Olivia.
She was an only child and her mother was alive but her dad was late.
"Bingo..it all fits perfectly..let's see the number you would be given" Andy said as he hit the register button.
I wondered if it was the weed that was making him be so insensitive. How could you say 'bingo' when you learnt that someone's dad had passed on.
But then I wondered if it was my feelings that was making me feel so sensitive.
I let the matter pass. Olivia didn't seem to mind..she even seemed to be looking forward to it.
"If this is what it takes to save all those women and children so be it"


'Congratulations. Registration complete.
Your number is 983.'


"This is not good..not good at all...nine hundred and eighty three!"
Andy looked at me then buried his head in his hands.
"Just imagine the traffic of women waiting to be trafficked out of the country" I shook my head in dismay at the irony but then I had an idea.
"Andy..remember Samuel from school?"
"Samuel....samuel..yes short Sam! How can I forget?"
"What was he good at?"
"He was good at annoying boys and always calling the lecturer and begging for assignments.." He looked at Olivia "can you imagine that..this dude would call our lecturer and be like..'sir we have a free period why don't you come and take us statistics'"
"Andy..you're missing my point..remember he used to hack into the school website and change results"
"Yea...thats true..that guy was good at that and they never caught him"
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I asked him
He looked at me for some seconds as if he was deep in thought. "I think so brain..." He burst out laughing
I shook my head "just when I thought the thing has left your head alone.." but I smiled "we used to watch that thing in our hostel all the time"
Olivia smiled but was eager to get back to the topic at hand.
"So this Samuel..what's the plan?"
"I'd call him..I should be able to persuade him to help us hack and do some rearranging...let's say to put you on number..." I scrolled up the laptop
The waiting list started from 39.
1-38 were probably locked up somewhere if not smuggled out already. "Number 40 should be okay"
She nodded in agreement.
"I want you to know we're in this together..we'll be with you every step of the way"
She smiled at me.
"Rex...last week I survived something that was Impossible to survive with next to nothing.." she pointed at the cast her leg was in.
"When you consider the wreckage I walked away from..believe me this is nothing..I've been wondering why my life was spared...for what purpose...it couldn't just be luck."
She favored me with another smile again "Rex I've just found that purpose...please call your friend right now...women are going through unspeakable things as we speak and whatever role I can play to help them I am prepared"
My respect for her increased and I brought out my phone to search for Samuels number.
I had forgotten about the message I had been reading before and once I swiped my phone it opened.


So just maybe...maybe.. I didn't over estimate you after all. I have a bleeding shoulder to show for it..nice one with the tanker also. The game just intensified.
I wouldn't tell you what I'm going to do I can only advice you to watch out. Cos when next I would strike I promise you that you all will die.


"Empty threats...next time you'll strike I would shoot you in the face...bastard!" It was easy to be brave when you were far away from the assassin after your life.
I deleted the message then located Samuel's number. We still kept in touch and I was glad for that.
Andy must have been satisfied with Olivia's enthusiasm and the way things were progressing because he was soon asleep on the sofa snoring loudly.

Bibi294:
Waiting for an update

Here you go..hope u enjoy it

The ride was a long one and I broke enough traffic rules.
Olivia had about a thousand questions for me and she kept on asking one after the other. I tried my best to allay her fears but then I noticed a particular set of headlights. It had been following me since the hospital and the way it switched lanes constantly I knew it had to be the shadow in the car.
"So who exactly are this people that you got mixed up with?"
I was trying my best to shake of the tail without her knowing. I couldn't do that and maintain a conversation.
"Olivia I promise you once we're safely behind closed doors and under lock and key I'd tell you all you need to know"
She accepted this with a slight nod and I focused on the driving. The car was directly behind me now ,I switched lanes and it followed me.
I would be getting to Festac in about 15 minutes.

I dialed Andy. He picked up on the first ring.
"Andy where are you?"
"I'm at the junction..where are you?"
"I'm close..about 15 minutes away..but a car has been following us since the hospital and I fear the worst"
"Don't worry..I'm well prepared"
"What do you have planned?"
"Just make sure you alert me when you're like 5 minutes away..don't worry everything would be fine..peace"
This time he cut the call.
Olivia was struggling to turn back.
"You mean we're being followed?"
I nodded solemnly.
"But trust me..he would be stopped before we get home"
She was silent.
"How's your leg?"
"It doesn't hurt as much... The pain is more mental"
I didn't want to ask her about it..when she was ready to talk about it,she would talk..besides this was not the time.
"I keep on dreaming about it..and seeing his dead face" she glanced at me "I'm sorry..you obviously have no idea what I'm talking about"
Actually I did..the accident that had claimed her husband's life and left her with a broken leg. But that was something she had to tell me herself.
"It haunts your dreams every night?"
She nodded "every single night" she frowned thoughtfully "apart from last night tho..I wonder why?"
Hopefully because you met me.
We fell into a comfortable silence which was strange considering we had a deadly killer on our tail.

I had the timing spot on. I called Andy.
"Andy we would be at the junction in five minutes"
"Okay..can you describe the car that is tailing you?"
I checked the mirror. It was two cars back.
"Andy its pitch black..I can't see anything..okay the headlights are round..like a Mercedes kind"
"Okay that's good enough...see what you're going to do. When you get to the junction you'd see a tanker parked on the side of the road. The headlights would be on..what you do is you slow down completely, flash your headlights so I know its you.. then at a snail pace you move forward little by little then stop. I'd do the rest"
"Okay..its making sense a bit but whatever, it has to work.."
"Just do as I said..wait wait...when you move you park so I'd get in..no leave me abeg"

I speeded up a little and the car tailing me also increased speed. A jeep now separated us.
"He's not even bothered that I can spot him..this guy is truly crazy"
I could tell Olivia was getting scared.
"Hey its okay..trust me..this guy would get lost in the next two minutes."
She tried to brighten up. "God knows what I'd dream about today..I can still see the dead security vividly"
"I'm sure my experience would help you..okay here we go" I slowed down as I got to the junction.

I saw the tanker parked at the side. Facing the road with its headlights on full blast. I flashed my headlights then slowed down. The jeep was behind me and the shadow was in the car behind the jeep.
I slowed down completely and as I got closer the tanker started up and entered the road partially.
"Andy you genius...he wants to block off the road!"
I moved slowly and the tanker also entered the road more.
There was one problem however. The jeep behind me was a typical Lagos driver and he had no plan to allow the tanker enter his front. He followed me bumper to bumper and I began to sweat. I thought of speeding up suddenly but then what if the tanker didn't respond in time? The jeep would breeze through and so would the shadow and we would be back to square 1 again.

PAAAAAAAAM!!!
The driver in the jeep forgot his hand on the horn. Probably wondering what was making me move so slow.
I continued crawling and the tanker entered the road. It was now beside my car but the jeep hadn't relented he kept following me closely and blasting his horn at the same time.
"Chai..this guy just wants to Bleep us up sha!"
I inched the rest of the way forward and before the jeep could follow me the tanker rammed into it. And brushed it off the road. The driver of the tanker must have been crazy as well because he kept on accelerating and forcing the jeep to the side of the road.
I could hear the driver in the jeep shouting crazily..I could also hear shouting from people on the side of the road.
"Which kind driver be this?"
"You dey craze?!"
"Omo him don damage that range o!"

I was too shocked to breathe. I watched the rearview mirror and the driver of the tanker jumped down and ran to the car. Lo and behold it was Andy!
He yanked open the door and jumped in.
"Oba move move move abeg..them fit burn me for here!"
I revved the engine then shot into the night.
I watched the rearview until I couldn't see anything again. The road was blocked! The tanker was blocking the road and the jeep had been forced to the side walk. I could guess the fender was a write off! And the good news was that the shadow was on the other side of the tanker stuck!

"Andy..you have bursted my fucking brain! What was that...who gave you tanker for Gods sake..mehn..you're too good to be true! And you've been wasting your talents in customer care since!"
Olivia was equally impressed "you guys complete each other...together you're next to unstoppable..its soo nice to see you again" she said to Andy.
Andy was breathing like a mad man..."men that jeep is messed up...drivers and their zero patience!"
"If you were the one would you wait?" I asked him playfully..the mood was lighter now and I felt free.
"If I hear say I wait" he turned back to look but the road behind us was empty.

"Wait who give you tanker?"
"Mehn..I had to smoke Igbo with the driver for junction O...plus 3k he still collected from me"
Wonders would truly never end.
"You? Smoke? With your light brain?"
"Men I dey see double like this...you know see as I take enter that jeep..e be like say the tanker dey fly!"

He recounted to us.
When I had called him, he had sneaked out of the house then got to the junction to wait. He initially wanted to wait for me to pick him up so we could figure out a way to sort the mess together but then he had seen a tanker pull up and the driver get down with a very big blunt and a small alcohol bottle in his hands.
The idea had began to take root. He had walked up to the driver and boldly asked him "bross I hail o..abeg how many gear be this?"
The driver eyed him with blood shot eyes as he dragged in smoke. "Omo na 12 o...count the tire well this one no be 4..no be 8..count am well!"
"Bross you too much o...my guy they tell me say I no go ever fit even to move am front but me I never see anything wey get tire wey I no fit move"
"Iwo' ke' (you ke!) O ti e le' (you no even strong!)
"Bross forget that thing! Wettin person sabi he sabi"
"Oya drag this thing first" he passed the joint to him.
(At this point my liver wan cut..[Andy explained laughing] I remember for school my first and only time..they almost tied me up that day)
He had dragged carefully and tried not to cough. The driver had gotten very angry.
"Ogbeni..gimme my smoke abeg no dey waste am..commot for here jare!"
"Oya oya.." He had puffed and puffed until smoke exited from his ears and his eyes were crimson. He was worried about the time..the 5 minutes would soon be up in his brain and I would be calling.
The driver had laughed "e done do..no finish am for me..oya...I like your liver..take the key"
Andy had reached for the keys with his eyes already doubling.
"Wait!" He held it back "how much you go drop?"
"How much you...how much you want?"
"Bring 5k"
"Na 3k I get"
"Oya bring am"
They had exchanged the cash for the keys.
"Just move am forward ni o..no enter road!"

•°•°•°•°••°•••°°°
We laughed as Andy recounted the experience.
I pulled into the close.
"Andy you mean you smoked weed and you didn't pass out?"
"Why what happened the first time?"
"We were in school-
"Oba!" He said in a warning tone.
"Don't worry I'd tell you when he isn't around" I assured her and she smiled at me and I wished everything could just remain the way it was and we'd keep on driving away from the troubles and assassins and responsibilities.
Wishful thinking and I parked the car in front of the gate and we got down.
"Is this your place?"Olivia asked. I got the wheelchair down and Andy and I both helped her into it although I did most of the lifting. I was beginning to suspect Andy was feeling the effects or should I say after effects.
"As far as my parents are concerned its mine..(or my dad to be precise...I hadn't fooled my mother one bit) you'll meet them inside..they are really nice..you just go with whatever story it is I tell them"
"What will you tell them..is it not better we have a planned story now?"
"Believe me when it comes to my parents..I've learnt the best thing is just to go with the flow"

I wheeled her in and had to stiffle my laughter as Andy staggered.
"Andy just go and sleep..no even fall your hand for my parents front abeg..God bless you for coming though for me once more"
"Oba all that one na grammar...belle done tear like this..I dey go drink Mumc bitter leaf soup..and we need to talk to Olivia about the widow's initiative"
"What's the initiative?" She asked me as Andy held the door open and I wheeled her in.
"I'd explain everything from the beginning"

We entered the house and I peeped into the parlour. My parents were no where to be found! I began to panic.
"I'd be right back!" I said to Olivia as I ran up the stairs. I could hear Andy rummaging around in the kitchen, looking for something to eat and cure.
I brought out the gun as I climbed upstairs and I had never been as scared as I felt at that moment in my entire life.
I checked the first two rooms..they were empty..
I almost called out but I thought it wise to remain silent.
At the third room I knew something was up...I opened the door gently and creeped in...with the gun in my hand.
I wasn't prepared for what I saw.....























My parents lay on the bed asleep...and they were cuddling!
(Got you didn't I?........thank goodness they were safe)
I breathed a sigh of relief and I watched them for some seconds as my pulse calmed down.
This was definitely a first.
I smiled then closed the door gently.
I headed downstairs.
I owed Olivia an explanation

"Know why they call me shadow..cos I operate in the dark!" I heard his voice and he didn't sound polite anymore.
He sounded crazy and I could easily Imagine him penning the letter my mother gave to me.
He sounded some steps in front of me and the briefcase refused to open.
I swung it madly catching a wide arc and hoping to catch him on the side of the head.
Swwwoooosh!
The sound must have given away my position.
I continued moving closer swinging and swinging but in the dark I hoped to catch him on the side of the head. The briefcase was heavy and if I could hit him he would touch the ground. That was for sure.

I must have swung like 6 times but apart from the 'air' I hadn't hurt anything.
"Just look at you..you really are an easy prey I must have over hyped you that's for sure"
He sounded to my right. How had he gotten there so noiselessly?
I heard Olivia whimper behind me and I knew I was in error.
When this man had killed Sule he had been so swift. The darkness hadn't stopped him I shouldn't even leave Olivia's side for one second.
I retraced my steps until I gratefully felt the wheelchair nudge my leg.
"You bastard..show your face...you killed Sule! You won't kill anybody again"
"The only way to kill a shadow is to shine the light..but you lack the light."
I was fumbling with the briefcase..why did it choose to Bleep me up now especially!
"Enough with this games..you are not in my league" he sounded like he was to my right then he sounded to my left..I was looking to and fro like a tennis match spectator.

Olivia must have a side button that controls flashlight on her phone because her Android phone blasted a strong beam of white light all of a sudden. I saw the shadow a few steps to my right and the needle glistened and reflected in the strong flashlight.

Anger blinded me and I swung the briefcase in a perfect arc..expecting to hear the sickening thud of his skull cracking.
I was soo wrong. He stepped back and caught my wrist and twisted so swiftly. I shouted in pain as the briefcase fell from my hand. It hit the floor and the bastard opened.(just imagine!)
He had my hand pinned behind my back and he twisted my wrist till I saw stars. The pain was blinding!
"I over estimated you it seems..I should just inject you now once and for all..you weren't worth my time after all."
He brought the needle closer to my eyes and I struggled but my shoulder was feeling like it would get dislocated.
"I would kill you then I might have the widow in this very room..while your lifeless eyes watch us" he laughed and I knew the man was truly crazy.
What he said angered me and I tried to move but he just twisted my arm tighter and forced me to my knees.
"Make sure you think about-"
SMAAAACK!!!
The problem with sociopaths and psychos generally is that they talk too much.
Olivia had somehow managed to wheel herself closer and she used her phone which was as large as a tablet. To smack him on the face.
All 12 inches of the screen and it was quite a smart slap!
It only made him angrier it seemed and he looked at her with red eyes. Her phone clattered to the floor and the light pointed to the ceiling.
"Infact I'd save some pentothal for your bitch of a friend" he sounded really mad..and not just crazy but mad angry!
The needle got closer to my neck and I didn't even have any final thoughts...no faces flashing in memory of my family members, no reflecting of the things I was yet to do in life.
I had gone through all that on previous occasions when I had stared down the barrel of the gun.
The door opened suddenly and light from the corridor swept into the ward.
The doctor whom I had previously assaulted had returned with two security personnel.
One of them was very huge..wrestler status and I almost cried out on relief.
"You need to have seen this mad man..there he is!...wait what's going on here?!!"

Shadow released me immediately as the doctor switched on the light.
The needle disappeared in his cleaner's coverall and he moved towards the security guards.
"Doctor..this man was about to rape that woman! Thank God you're here"
I was still on the floor at the foot of Olivia's wheelchair, blinking rapidly trying to clear my eyes and I knew it could really look that way.
"That's a lie..that man is a killer!" Olivia shouted.
The burly security stepped forward.
"Nobody move..you!" He pointed at me "on your feet now!"
Tosin aka the shadow had reached his mop bucket and he stopped when the burly guard ordered everyone to be still.
As the security came closer however he unhooked the mop stick and rolled it in both hands martial arts style. He caught the guard in his face then rolled it again then cut him off at his knees.
For all his size it took just a mere mop stick to bring him to his knees. Although shadow was a professional and he probably knew the right spot to strike.
He hooked the stick on the guards neck who was swaying on his knees then twisted. I heard the snapping noise and the guard fell to the ground.
I struggled to my feet. My arm was killing me. I saw the briefcase partially open on the floor and my brain jump started.Some dollar bills had gotten out. I dived to the floor to retrieve the silenced gun from case.
The second security had a tazer and he charged at shadow who dispatched the tazer before he could even reach him. He turned 360 and used the stick to send the guard to the floor. Just one strike and I was surprised but when I saw the blood I realized the end of the stick had a sharp blade. It was buried in the mop like a normal cleaning tool, but when it was out and unhooked, it was a formidable weapon!
The doctor had fled since! Probably when the first security had his neck snapped.

Shadow turned at me with a wicked smile but then he saw the gun I held and his smile disappeared.
I had nothing to say to him. Just one word: "Bastard!"
I squeezed the trigger three times.

This shadow of a person was something else.
He threw himself backwards, did a back flip and flung himself out of the room through the thick door and out of the corridor.
I couldn't believe it! I missed!

I must have said it out loud because Olivia answered me.
"No you didn't see the blood near the door"
I looked closely and sure enough there was blood on the floor. I had hit the bastard. Not enough to kill him apparently but I'd take what I could.
"We need to leave here quick! Where is your room? I'm sorry I dragged you into this..I wish-"
She interrupted me.
"Are you serious? You're not leaving me behind! Take me with you.. I can't spend one more minute in this hospital!"

My eye caught a lab coat on a rack on the wall and I put it on. I kept the gun in my breast pocket. That way it wasn't visible but I had easy access to it. Olivia held the briefcase in her lap.
I wheeled her out of the ward like she was my patient.
She looked away as we passed the security guards bodies on the floor. Outside the corridor was empty. I saw the trail of blood just drops here and there.. from shadow and I wondered where the bullet had got him. I hoped in his balls.
I prayed my luck would hold and I wouldn't run into anyone in the corridor like her fat mean doctor for instance. I pushed her quickly towards the stairs.

On the side meant for wheelchair I pushed her down then I saw the woman and her daughter who had been in the ward just minutes ago coming up the stairs.
She first thought I was the doctor who had attended to them.
"Excuse me doctor..but one of this drugs we already have it and the pharmacist insists on selling it to us .wait you're not the doctor!"
She eyed me suspiciously.
"The doctor is downstairs..don't go In they just brought in a new emergency case..very bloody and that place is not somewhere you should be now..especially with your daughter"
She turned back frustrated and I hurriedly wheeled Olivia the rest of the way down.
I was looking at the floor but since the stairs, I hadn't seen any sign of blood anymore.
That had me worried.
"I forgot my phone!" Olivia said suddenly.
"Lemme run back and get it"
"No no no...just let's go please..that man could still be anywhere and there are dead bodies in there!" She looked sick and I could tell it was her first time.
Sadly me on the other hand was becoming a veteran..I couldn't even count anymore.

I played it cool downstairs and I tried to look relaxed and play the part of a doctor.
Outside in the open breeze I breathed a sigh of relief and increased the speed
I used the remote to open the door and I helped her onto the passenger seat.
The wheel chair was the foldable type and I folded it and dumped it in the backseat.

So many things were on my mind..I felt watched and I feared this shadow could be watching me with the intention of following me home..also I was taking Olivia away from her medications which were still ongoing..although she Didn't look like she was in pain at the moment.
My parents were at home and I had no idea how I was going to explain her presence. The most important thing was getting her to safety first.
I started the car and my phone vibrated it was Andy.
"Oba what's happening? Any show?"
"I'd explain later..how about my parents?"
"They've been asking and asking I told them it must be traffic.. What happened"
"I'm with Olivia now.."
"The widow?..what happened?"
"Later Andy..see find a way to sneak out of the house and meet me at Alakija junction...I have a feeling this assasin is going to follow us and that would be a big error!"
"Okay no problem...what's the plan?"
"I'm just going with my instincts"
"You and your instincts...I'd be there..when you're approaching you flash me..together we can loose the killer..and good job with the widow..with her on our side the initiative is good as gone"
I cut the call. Sometimes Andy also talked too much.
I put the car in reverse but looked at Olivia first.
"I'm sorry"
"For what?"
"Your life is about to be turned upside down"
We were at a point now and we both knew it. She had one leg in but she could back out now. Whatever she said next would determine if she was in or not.

We looked at each other in silence for some seconds but then she said "my life turned upside down a week ago"
She had stepped in.
I reversed the car and drove into the night looking at the rearview mirror every few seconds.

O ma se oooo
Spiritual growth ke'

Be careful with that priest o!!
Don't sit on his laps I beg u

[quote author=ikombe post=54677449][/quote]Guy where you dey get all this ur pics sef

The doctor set his tray on a near by table and began arranging syringes he flicked the bottle with his finger. The way they always do before pulling the contents with the plunger into the syringe.
The nurse had wheeled Olivia to the corner but he didn't draw the curtain.
She looked back at me and smiled. And I knew I had to do something.
"Excuse me..this doctor..do you know him?" I asked the nurse.
"Its a big hospital my friend. But I think I've seen him before" the elderly nurse replied me then headed to the door.
The doctor held the syringe then he went to the corner where Olivia was. He looked at me before drawing the curtain and my legs suddenly found purpose.
I hurried and parted the curtain.
"Hold on hold on...what injection are you about to give to her?"
"This is demerol with methadol its a pain reliever..what are you doing here? Please leave immediately"
Olivia struggled to turn. "No its fine..he can stay..he's a friend"
"Friend or not..its against hospital regulations"
He stared at me and I stared back. Finally he backed down. He brought out the syringe again and tested it by pushing the plunger..a line of fluid squirted from the needle and I began to panic.
"So its not pentothal that is in there?"
He looked at me.."what on earth? Are you crazy? Please if you would remain here then you better stay quiet and allow me do my job."
I decided I couldn't risk it. This guy was too suspicious.
As he neared Olivia to administer the injection, I caught his arm then twisted it with force. I bent his arm backwards and the needle pierced into his shoulder. I pressed the plunger down and all the fluid entered his arm.
He looked at me and shouted.
"What do you think you're doing? What is the meaning of this?"
"I can't risk it..you're shadow aren't you..well I can't let you kill her she is too precious"
He fell to his knees.
"What the Bleep!...are you mad!! What are you talking about?" He pulled out the needle carefully lest the needle break off in his arm.
Olivia had rotated the wheel chair and she looked at me like I was mad.
"What is going on? What did you do that for?"
"Believe me..Olivia its for your own good .somebody wants to administer a lethal injection to you tonight and I have to stop him"
I could tell I wasn't making any sense by the look on her face.
"I don't understand. Lethal injection?"
The doctor was struggling to his feet "this is absurd and crazy..what lethal injection." He winced and held his arm..I held him back then ripped his lab coat down from the arm. I could see the place I had pierced him swelling rapidly.
"Ehen..so its nothing lethal and your shoulder is already swelling abi" I thought of smacking his head with the briefcase.
"Which planet are you from?" He shouted angrily
"Any injection that misses the vein is bound to cause swelling because the fluid did not go to the destination" he winced as I released him. "Its also very painful"

The pentothal poison stopped the heart in seconds right? And when it had been used on Sule he had died almost immediately.
I was beginning to feel foolish.
The doctor shrugged out of my hold and winced. His arm was very stiff.
"I'm calling security to throw you out.." He turned to Olivia "lady I don't know where you know this man from but he is not sane!!"
He almost ripped the curtain apart as he stormed out and I knew if he had been a fighter he would have fought me himself.

"What was that all about..you scared the living daylight out of me"
I couldn't stand the way she was looking at me. Like I could hurt her.
I wanted to wheel her out if this ward but I knew I had to explain myself before I could try to touch her.
"Olivia..I messed up with the wrong people...very dangerous..there's a killer on the loose in this hospital and he threatened to kill you tonight by injecting you with something potent..I know I sound crazy but please you have to believe me your life is at stake..but I came down here to stop him that's why I couldn't let that doctor touch you..and the nurse told me his is a new face"
"But he has giving me before this isn't the first time"
I shrugged weakly. What was done was done.

"Wait lemme get this straight so you're involved with killers? What business do they have with me? Why come after me?"
I moved closer to her and I was glad she didn't shy away anymore.
"You ever watched Superman or batman or even spiderman?"
She looked at me cynically and I hurried on.
"The reason they always were masks and use alter egos like Clark Kent is so that their enemies won't locate the people they care about and hurt them.."
I had unknowingly (or knowingly) told her I cared about her. And she looked at me with big and searching eyes and I knew a man could get lost looking in them.
I was practically drowning in them right now and I knew we had to move.
If security came things were going to get nasty because I wasn't leaving this hospital with her behind.
She must have taken my declaration to heart because she didn't argue as I began to wheel her away but instead she rested her cheek on my hand that gripped the handle.
"Rex..what have you gotten into..I hardly know you..."

Outside the curtain Tosin was outside with the mop bucket at his feet again. This dude must clean this place on a hourly basis, I thought to myself.
He was facing the television set with a device in his hand like a remote. But too big to be a remote. It was more like a game pad controller.
I paid him no attention until the light bulb flickered.
I looked at the TV again. There was no decoder so there was nothing he was operating. The program on the TV wasn't a local one but one of those telenova stations.
The light flickered again.
He looked at us.
"Madam Olivia..good day o"
"Tosin how are you today?"
He nodded at me and went on fiddling with the control again.
I stopped wheeling Olivia.
"When did this man start working here?"
I whispered to her.
"About two days now..but he's just a very nice young man"
The same way the person who had delivered the note to my mum had been a nice young man?!
Alarms were ringing in my head.
Tosin looked at me and nodded politely again then he continued with the remote thingy again.
Olivia must have felt me tense.
"What's wrong?"she asked me..
In reply the light went off sending the whole place into darkness.
My hands started shaking. I fumbled with the briefcase trying to free it open and get to the gun that was inside.
The whole place was dark.
I stepped in front of Olivia. And pushed the wheel chair roughly backwards as I fumbled with the snap of the briefcase.
Either my hands were too jumpy or I wasn't settled because it wasn't cooperating.
I heard Tosin's voice from the darkness.
"Target..."

Lesky3:
nice place to chill and relax.
nice story too.
*hiding my face from the crowds*

Oga Ade we done sight you..oya go update..anlele!!!

The day was spent with a lot of laughter actually.
My dad was in a splendid mood. My mum was also happy although I could tell Fome was still foremost on her mind.
She held her peace though, and by 2 in the afternoon when they were both rested. She busied herself in the kitchen with the bitter leaf soup just as she had promised me she would bring.
My dad, Andy and I stayed in the parlour.
A very large TV, so large I didn't bother to contemplate the inches took one side of the wall and we watched cable on it. A comedy episode and my dad burst out laughing every now and then.
A bottle of ammunition was on the table before him and he offered it generously but I declined. I needed my head to be as clear as possible. Andy however obliged him and they drank and laughed together.

I was restless. I wondered over to my mother who was busy finishing up the soup. It smelt like heaven.
"Rex..what of Fome? Are you people broken up?"
Mama Fome is dead! Blown to bits! And it was all my fault!
"Fome...mama Fome travelled..she went to Ibadan she should be back by next week"
She poured the hot water from the kettle to a big bowl and added garri into it.
"I don't have strength for pounded yam..if your father can not eat EBA then he should drink garri"
I laughed..all my years growing up she had never taken a stand like this before. No matter how tired she was from the shop she always pounded the yam which was like every night but recently I had been noticing some changes, it seemed my dad was starting to appreciate her more. I was really glad.
The discussion was far from over however.
"Ehen...as you laughed now..just laugh the truth out"
I almost said Fome had left me for another man..better to have my mum on my side and that would end the matter immediately. However to lie against the dead was something even my cowardice couldn't allow. (Even though Fome had told me she was leaving me for another man..I had come to find out the truth and I couldn't use it against her..God rest her soul)
I tried to buy sometime. "Which truth Mama?"
"If you think I can believe that then maybe I raised a fool after all" she sounded pissed.
I sat down on the kitchen stool.
"Mama..Fome and I we broke up"
She said nothing. Just continued turning in the bowl.
"We were not working out..I felt it better to stop so that we wouldn't bring children into a loveless marriage" the moment the words were out I felt like cutting my tongue.
My mother however first seemed not to mind.
"I can understand that..sometimes I feel that's what I should have done..then where will you be now?"
She turned away and I knew she was hurt. I had pierced an old wound unknowingly. The truth would have just been easier to say.
I spent some seconds hugging her. "Mama its alright its alright..I didn't mean it like that. I love you for the sacrifice you made for us..please mama"

She wasn't one to let emotions ride for too long and soon enough she was dishing the food while I assisted and blabbed about anything I could think of, trying to make amends.
She responded me and after sometime she began smiling again.

"Something smells wonderful" my dad barged in the kitchen accompanied by the smell of alcohol. He winced at the sight of the plate.
"Martha..garri again?"
"Al, my arms can not pound anything..I can boil the yam if you want"
My mouth opened wide. This was a first. I watched my dad waiting for his reaction but he just shrugged
"I would have managed semo..but no problem..give me enough soup o"
I looked at my mum.."when did this one start again?"
She smiled "I have my own secrets too"
"Which secrets..but I'm not keeping any now!"
She shook her head "Rex..then whose house is this? You see you can fool your father but not me"
She carried the tray containing my fathers food out of the kitchen.

I stood dumbfounded and amazed. But I tell you one thing: I love that woman!

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
After the meal, Andy and I retreated to the room to continue our 'work presentation' while my parents remained in the living room watching a Yoruba movie. They didn't understand the language but they relied on the subtitles. They loved Yoruba films..my mother especially and always said they had the best story lines when it came to Nigerian movies.
Not up to 30 minutes into the movie and I could hear my father snoring. The ammunition must have caught up with him.

Andy and I finished up with fastening the suppressor to the gun. The result was really impressive. But it seemed the weight doubled.
"So how do we do it..I need to head to the hospital so I can fuel the car first". It was 4:45 pm.
"Your parents are safe with me Oba..just do your part..nothing should happen to this girl and if you see this assassin bury a bullet in his skull"
I carried the briefcase. Who knew, maybe if I offered the money to the assassin he would disappear into the shadows. Andy had his dagger and he selected another very big kitchen knife.
He could see me hesitate and read the fear on my face.
"Oba just trust me..I would watch this house like it were my own parents in it"
I nodded.
My dad was still sleeping but my mother glanced at me then at the briefcase I held.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to rush to the bank. Ariyo just called me that we are needed at headquarters"
Her eyes said she didn't believe me. "Tooor..hope you'd be back in time for dinner"
"Of course!" She could crucify me in the morning.

Andy followed me and I stood on the other side of the door until I heard him lock the gate.
"Good luck Oba..we'd meet tomorrow with good news by God's grace"
"Amen bro!"
I heard him walk away but I remained still.
I wondered this time tomorrow where I would be. Hopefully still on Earth.

••°°••°°••°°•••°°°•°
I avoided the Apapa traffic this time and followed one-way the briefcase was in the passenger seat. Filled with just the raw cash and the gun. The two letters. One from Fome's dad and the other from the crazy assassin was in my breast pocket. The rest of the papers containing the coordinates and locations of the widow initiative were all in the care of Andy.
I wondered at the subconscious motive in giving it to him. 'Just in case' I didn't make it back, so he could continue with the war against the initiative.
I shook such thoughts from my mind as I turned into the driveway of the hospital. It was 6:15 pm.
I thought of doctor Rasheed. I wondered if he was still running the diagnostic center and I had a good mind to go and smack him about in his office and threaten him with the gun for all the bull he fed to me about mossad and making me live in fear. Besides he might know how to reach this shadow killer and get him to terminate the contract.
I knew that wouldn't be wise. My immediate priority was in safeguarding Olivia and I planned to do that before any other thing.

I located the ward I had met her before and it was empty.
I cursed myself for not asking her for her room during the little time we spent together.

A small girl sat in the corner with someone who had to be her mother soothing her as she received oxygen from a face mask or nebulizer.
I strolled over to them.
"Madam..sorry o..she's asthmatic?"
She appreciated my gesture but frowned at my approach "her enemy is asthmatic not her"
I was immediately apologetic. "I'm very sorry. Please don't mind me"
She softened immediately "no its alright..I'm just tired of all this..one whiff of dust and she starts wheezing"
I hung back and talked with the woman until the child's breathing relaxed and she removed the face mask.
"Now where is this doctor..this woman can not stay in one place!"
She looked about impatiently but we were the only ones in the ward.
A young doctor came in with a stethoscope.
"How is the little princess doing?" He glanced at me "are you the father?"
The woman replied before I could "No he's not....where's the lady that attended to us before?"
"Esiri is busy at the moment...there is an emergency case she is handling now"
The woman nodded and the young doctor proceeded to check the breathing of the girl with the stethoscope. He seemed satisfied.
"She can leave now..don't forget to pick up the drugs that were prescribed for her." He knelt so he was eye level with the girl "be a good girl..stay away from dust you hear"
The girl nodded and she and her mother left feeling happy.
The doctor straightened up and looked at me. He glanced a second too long at the briefcase I held and I was suddenly very suspicious. I felt a bit cold. Could this be the killer?
He just stood there beside me staring at the TV which had one of their usual soap operas on.
"Asthma is a very bad illness I tell you..I suffered from it myself..thank God I outgrew it"
Who asked you? Please leave!
I was very uncomfortable.
"The sickness leaves a lot of 'shadows' abi" I placed emphasis on 'shadows' and I watched him carefully. But he just looked at me strangely.
"By the way..we don't usually allow visitors here by this time"
Before I could answer the door opened and an elderly nurse wheeled in Olivia.
Her face brightened when she saw me and my heart literally skipped a beat.
The elderly nurse wheeled her in and she beamed at me.
"Hello..I almost thought I dreamt about yesterday..so nice to see you again"
"I told you I'd be here" my God I was a goner!
The doctor cleared his throat.
"Nurse just wheel her to the corner.I'd be giving her the injection because Esiri is very busy now"
"Yes sir" the nurse wheeled her to the corner.
My eyes went wide.
Hell No! No bloody way!

Bibi294:
Souloho19... One more update joo naw

Zagadat!!!
Yes ma'am...coming up in an hour!
Tnx for ur constant ginger

Andy really outdid himself. It was up to me to shoot straight now.
Tonight I was going to prevent that injection from getting close to Olivia and I was ready to die trying.

My mother was in a talking mode.
"So when did you move..you should have told us..did you dedicate the house?"
"Yes I did..I dedicated it..my pastor came and prayed for it"
"But how come you didn't tell us..you can't pick your phone and call your parents abi?" My dad boomed from the back.
This was the last thing I needed. My mind was still in shock and all I could think about was how to get to Olivia and protect her from this assassin who was 100% effective. Judging by the way he had killed Sule at the hospital.
"I wanted to surprise you..I didn't know your ram fight would get postponed..I was preparing for Sunday"
"Don't remind me of the fight please" his voice became tight "useless police. But you really must see this Rambo..in fact I will make an exception with this one..no roasting! I will let him die a natural death and bury him like a real champion!"
I saw my mother roll her eyes through the rearview mirror and I hurriedly switched on the radio happy for the diversion.

I couldn't bear to think of anything happening to Olivia..I could remember the way she had looked staring into space with the tears rolling down her cheeks and words couldn't describe the happiness I had felt knowing I had made her feel better and lightened her emotional burdens in a way. To think of her getting killed was not an option...no way I couldn't take it.. Four people had kissed the dust because of me..3 of them females and the list had to stop there. I don't know how I would do it but I had to stop this assassin.
Andy! Two heads were better than one..we needed to rub minds together, to-
"Rex! Are you even listening?" My mother's voice dragged me back from the back seat. I blinked and was surprised I had missed a turning. I was fortunate I had entered Festac and there were lots of alternate roads to link to where we were heading.
"See the person I've been talking to! So you have not stopped this your habit of spacing out ehn? I used to beat you when you were little because of that" my father laughed at the memory but I didn't. My present was to messed up for me to even try to recall the past.

The car was silent the rest of the way and that was fine by me. I hoped and hoped Andy had successfully gotten the key from Gwen. I turned into the street and i could tell my parents were surprised because all the houses were massive.

"Rex when did you move? Did you rent one of these houses?"
Rent or buy rent or buy? Rent or buy?
"I bought it"
They were speechless.
I pulled in front of the house and to my relief the padlock was gone and it was open.
"Rex how did you afford such a big house..and this car too?" My mother asked worriedly.
"Martha leave the boy..is it when he's living in a kiosk or still driving that his matchbox that you would be happy?"
My dad opened the side of his door and that signalled the end of the conversation. For once I was glad.
I snatched the briefcase then got down. I hurried to my mother's side but she had opened her door and gotten down also.

I tried to act normal and feel at home but it was quite hard when the house held me in some kind of awe.
"This is really impressive" my dad whistled as we walked through the gate.
Ariyo must have spent a large amount to keep the flowers well trimmed. It ran along the wall round the house.
I carried the briefcase in one hand and my mothers box in the other and I led the way with the both of them behind me.
I led the way and I used my instincts to try locate the door. I must have been headed in the wrong direction because Andy popped out from the backyard.
"Oba..over here!"
I gratefully headed towards him.
"Isn't that your tall friend Andy?" My mothers voice warmed. She really liked Andy in fact both my parents did.
"Yes..we were working on some presentation for the bank for Monday and he slept over."
"It better be" my dad strained the weight of the bag must have been getting to him. "We want to see you settled with a pretty woman not a long man" he winked at Andy when he greeted him and collected the bag from his hands which my dad gratefully relinquished.

"Oboy the house massive..I've been cleaning up since..they hadn't had a weekend romp for the past three weeks " Andy whispered as we entered the kitchen.
The kitchen was well furnished and my mother 'ooohd' and 'aaaahd' as she stayed behind admiring the appliances.
My dad wasn't interested in the kitchen. "Rex what I need now is directions to your toilet then I plan to have my bath then sleep properly."
"The toilet...ehm" I looked around. There should be a guest toilet downstairs. That was the structure of most houses wasn't it?
Andy came to my rescue yet again. "Lemme show you to it sir" he led the way and my dad followed but he couldn't help himself. "Oba I'm very proud of you..you've made me very happy"
If you really knew my father hearing this from him was more precious than gold believe me.

Almost an hour later. My dad was in a room somewhere asleep. My mom was very happy I could tell. There was a spring in her step as she moved about the kitchen. Andy and I sat with her in the kitchen and we talked or she talked rather about my sisters. Utebo was pregnant again (and I feigned annoyance..'so she didn't tell me abi')
"She hasn't even told anybody..she just told me last week..her husband and your sisters don't even know" (that was baby 3 by the way..she had twins aged 5 a boy and girl)
Nyesom my second sister was very proud of Anthony her first boy. He had been made the senior prefect of his school.
For a moment it seemed everything was back to normal as she gisted Andy and I about things happening in the family. The smell of the eggs she was frying was doing snack down with our noses and you remember I hadn't eaten anything for the past 48 hours. In fact I had been so hungry that I no longer felt hungry anymore. But trust mothers to always come to the rescue. She had brought a crate of eggs and a very large loaf of bread and while she fried the eggs I made tea. (Thank God the fridge was stocked. Ariyo really spoilt Gwen..I knew most of this was from our Christmas bonuses over the years and I had a good mind to rape the refrigerator)

My mother was surprised the way we attacked the food. She had fried half a dozen eggs for the both of us and we rushed it with a vengeance.
"I knew it..you looked so hungry! You need a wife Rex..all this married bachelor lifestyle is not helping"
I nodded. My mouth too full to speak.
She turned to Andy "Andy what of Fome where is she?"
I could feel him tense before me.
I swallowed hurriedly
"Mama you just arrived and you have already cooked for us..please go and rest and catch some sleep. We would talk today I promise you but you need to rest. Andy and I have a project to finish for work"
"Okay oo I hear you" she got up and Andy followed her to show her to a room so she could have her bath and rest.
The house had like 5 rooms but he had been able to dust only two so he had to make sure she didn't enter the wrong one.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
"What! You mean this man could have killed your mother so easily"
We were in the guest room downstairs. My parents were both asleep upstairs and I showed Andy the letter.
"Bro..the thing is almost driving me mad"
He read the letter again.
"So what do you do about the widow?"
"I have no choice.. I can't afford to let anything happen to her..but the thing just tire me..it would be foolishness to leave my parents alone..this guy sounds like a psycho"
"I don't think he wants to kill them yet..if not he would have done it already..he wants to start from the person you care about, that would hurt you deep..then he'd break you down by coming for your parents so when he comes for you you'd beg him to end your life"
I had goosebumps all over!
"That way he would have killed your spirit first before killing your body...he's sociopath..and q psychopath"
"Abeg e done do..ah ah"
Ye looked at me and smiled "we wouldn't give him the chance don't worry"
"No way..it can't happen!" But I didn't sound so sure anymore.

"Oba look at me..we're together in this..this mad man can't touch the widow and he sure as hell can't touch your parents"
"How do we do it" (the roles were reversed now and I needed every support I could get from Andy)
"We're going to be well prepared. This gate would be locked and I would patrol the compound till dawn believe me anything that enters which is impossible..did you see the height of the barbed wire? And that gate is very sturdy..but anything that enters I would be waiting with the dagger!"
"You'd better have the gun...Andy my mind won't still be at rest"
"You need the gun...this woman can't just be killed as if her life means nothing just so a crazy killer can prove a point..its not possible"
His ginger and anger was getting transferred to me and I was nodding. "You're right...just remembering how she looked so happy while I pushed her about... I can't let anything happen to her"
"That's the spirit"
"But how did he know about the widow? How did he know it would affect me so much"
"Oba you need to have seen your face when you were with her..your eyeballs were shaped like love"
I thought of punching him playfully but the after effects of the meal still had me lazing around.

"One thing this gun to the hospital...the noise is something else..it is a giveaway and even me myself I'm almost deafened by it every time I shoot it"

Andy smiled "No knowledge is truly lost my bro..remember one class I had back in school..in our advanced technology?"
I tried to remember..but I came up blank.
"When you were busy chasing Fome up and down in school how would you remember

He signaled me to follow him to the toilet in the guest room.
The pipe that transferred water to the water closet from the GP tank. He ripped it out with such force. And water started pouring.
"Shit! I forgot to close the knob! Please shut that valve!"
I closed it and the water stopped. But I didn't get what he was trying to do.
I looked at him questioningly
"Oba..go to the store in the kitchen..you'd see a small hand saw bring it for me"
I did as he told me and I was back in seconds with the saw he requested for.
From the other end that he had ripped from the wall he began sawing off the other side still attached to the wall until he held the length of pipe in his hand.
"What is this for?"
"Oba..you ever here of a gun silencer?"
"Yes na..anybody that played hitman or even watched movies would know it"
"Well that's what we are going to make now and the first thing we need is this PVC pipe"
"Are you serious? We can do that..and it would silence the shot?"
He grimaced "well I wouldn't call it a gun silencer...more like a suppressor.. But it won't sound like a gunshot..maybe like a very big dictionary getting slammed on the ground"
I was nodding "that's good enough"
"Alright let's get to work"

The process would have been fun if situation had been different but the purpose of making the gun suppressor kept on ringing in my head. It was to defend Olivia..the widow who had somehow gotten under my skin.
Andy went outside and he came with a bigger pipe. Wider in diameter and his dagger which he retrieved from the car. He handed me the knife.
"Go to any room and rip as much foam as you can from the bed.."
I chose one at random. "Hope this isn't where Ariyo and Gwen use for their weekends" I over did it and its safe to say I turned a king size to a bunk size. I carried the foam downstairs.
Andy had made some liitle holes which he spaced apart with a screw driver in the smaller PVC pipe, he kept on measuring it against the nuzzle of the gun then sawing and filing..chipping away excess until it could fit perfectly.
I watched him in silence as he tested tested the pipe against the wider one.
He always found something wrong with it and continued resizing until he was satisfied.
The space between the small PVC and the big one was stuffed with the foam I had cut out. He measured a piece from an indomie carton from the kitchen and glued it to the mouth to seal the foam in place.
"This is not perfect at all but it would gave to do..its just from the resources available to us"
I was impressed. "You're a genius. Andy..but how do we fix it to the gun"
"We need a clamp...I'd get the one from the generator outside."

A silenced gun wouldn't be bad. But this one wasn't standard and I feared it could make my aim which wasn't even good much worse but still half bread was better than chin chin as my people used to say.

Andy returned with the clamp and we were about to fasten it when we head noise from up the stairs. My dad was up! We hurriedly cleared the mess we had made and I kept the gun and the suppressor in a drawer by the bed.

Come night I planned to shoot on sight. No way Dr. Shadow was going to administer the lethal dose to Olivia.

Happy birthday to you op..long life and prosperity.. Have fun..and more grace to you for this story